2. About San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco is considered one of the greatest cities in the world for many things, including five-star dining, and a happening theater scene. And, beyond the fifty-square-mile city, in the surrounding Bay Area, there’s so much more to explore, including Silicon Valley’s innovations, Marin’s Headlands, the vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma County, and Berkeley’s free spirit.

3. Arts & Culture San Francisco’s reputation for world class arts and culture started with the Gold Rush a century ago, and continues today throughout the Bay Area with famous museums, opera, renowned theater, performing arts, and vibrant artist communities.

4. Beaches Bay Area Beaches stretch from the north-reach peninsula of the Point Reyes National Seashore to the farmed big- break beaches just south of Santa Cruz. In between are beach towns, national recreation areas, and the urban beaches of San Francisco

5. Family Fun California has family-fun for every member of your brood, young or old. From theme parks galore with the latest rides and roller coasters, to up-close encounters with animals and history.

6. Nightlife San Francisco is definitely the hub of nightlife in the Bay Area, creating the infamous “clubbers commute” bridge traffic on Friday and Saturday nights. Across the Bay, Oakland is home to several live music venues.

7. Outdoor Recreation One of the best features of the Bay Area is the abundance of the undeveloped land in the midst of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. The sails of windsurfers decorate the Bay when the wind is up. Local hikers, bikers, and campers frequent the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo and other parks throughout the year.

8. Shopping San Francisco's Union Square is sure to have you gawking and shopping ‘til you drop, with haute couture, department stores, and almost every retail chain you can think of, and it’s not all the city has to offer. Antiques, art, and unique boutiques of every stripe abound in other neighborhoods as well. In-the-know locals go east to Walnut Creek to find many of the same retailers with few people and more parking. Silicon Valley’s Santana Row and Stanford shopping center also draw the savvy shopper, as do downtown retail districts throughout the Bay Area.

9. Wine & Dine The world known Napa Valley wine region east of the city is truly a Mecca for food and wine lovers.