San Francisco is a place that has unique history, has given birt to hippie culture, serves as home to generations of LGBTQ+ folk, and as a major hub for beatniks. It also supports the geek culture that now stretches further than California. It's openness is everwhere, it's an everyday part of life, it's made of layers like architecture, food, music, etc. As American writer William Saroyan put it: “If you’re alive, San Francisco will not make you bored; if you’re dead, San Francisco will bring you to life” What is the best way to experiance this if you have one day? A cable cart ride. Ding ding ding.. here comes a cable cart now, carrying over a century's worth of history since the late 19th century and countless memories of the residents and visitors Cable carts are not only a necessity of public transport, they also provide one of the best san francisco sightseeing experiences and are a part of history that really means something through every layer and decade of the city's history. It takes you on an adventure from the very beginning of the day, as long as you're on one of San Francisco's carts by 9:00 and you can depart from Union Square, one of the busiest districts located downtown and marked by a road with a circular monument, hotels and theaters. For shoppers in particular, you will really enjoy this place.
09:30 Cable Car Museum.
When riding the cables cars for the first time, going to the Cable Car Museum is the first place to go. It opened during WW11 and features models and photos from the different eras of cable cars. They have a gift shop with cable car souvenirs.
Can you imagine the memories of your first ride in SF every time you pull the cord?
11:00 Lombard Street.
It is known for being the crookedest street in the world because of the 8 turns in the space of one short road. It is often called the “flower-lined street” because of the beautiful planings on the sides of the road.
From the bottom, you can photograph the remarkable zigzagging road framed by flowers. From above, the bridge and Alcatraz can be seen. The perfect San Francisco photo at the bay.
Lombard Street after dark
12:00 Fisherman’s Wharf
From Lombard Street go up and you will find Fisherman’s Wharf. The most famous part of it is Pier 39 with its shops, restaurants, street performers, and sea lions.
SF won’t feel complete without trying the bay! The clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf is known for being really good. It is a rich soup made of potatoes, cream, seafood, and other ingredients. It will warm your up on a cold day!
EF's San Francisco campus is also located at the Fisherman's Wharf. A short distance from the school, a stunning bay view is visible, and, from the campus, the Golden Gate Bridge, which is iconic from American films, is visible. EF San Francisco campus 14:00 Escape to Alcatraz After lunch, an adventurous boat ride to Alcatraz Island awaits you. Alcatraz was a prison that operated from the 1930s to the 1960s, housing some of the most notorious criminals. It has drawn inspiration from various films, including Escape from Alcatraz and Birdman of Alcatraz. Alcatraz at night is also a filming location of the popular films The Rock and X-Men: The Last Stand. The cinematic ambiance of the island may not feature a celebrity, but it is a common movie set. 16:30 Find the Beat Generation This place is commonly referred to as Little Italy. It has been the home of a set of poets and writers in the 1950s and 1960s known as the Beat Generation. Spontaneous artistic expression was what the Beat Generation advocated for. This romantic pull toward freedom and revelry was a challenge to the culture of the society that was promoted and a deep influence on the hippie movement that followed. If you appreciate this culture, be sure to stop by City Lights Bookstore. It is a unique contribution to the movement that is filled with Beat literature and still characterized by the fiercely independent perspective that made the area popular.
18:00 A Taste of Home in Chinatown
Home to over 100,000 people, San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in the world after Asia.
For many visitors, it is much more than just a stop for a meal. Look for Chinese-style street art, follow the history of the early Chinese immigrants, and most importantly, pick a restaurant and enjoy a nice dinner.
19:30 Enjoy the Night View with a Glimpse at the Golden Gate Bridge
After dinner, make your way to Twin Peaks to enjoy a night view of the City of San Francisco. The steep hills of the city have a reputation for their streets that rise and fall sharply, and from above, the city shows off its special beauty at night. If views of the city are not your focus, return to Union Square for an evening stroll and some shopping.
Twin Peaks gives visitors a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco's most recognizable landmark. The bridge is a stunning sight at night with its flowing traffic and reflections on the water. This is a good spot for a time-lapse photo of the bridge.
San Francisco: Diverse and Open
The cable car route is just one of the many ways to discover San Francisco. The inclusive character of San Francisco is shown in its large and varied neighborhoods such as Haight-Ashbury, which is home to the historic hippie culture and the start of the Flower Power movement. Additionally, there is the Castro district where rainbow flags fly as a symbol of one of the birthplace’s of the American LGBTQ+ rights movement. If you have more time, you can visit Silicon Valley, or the world-class universities such as Stanford, as they add an interesting aspect of technology and learning to the trip. In a 24-hour trip, you can still experience San Francisco in a local way by warming yourself with a clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf, or buying a soul-stirring book at City Lights, and watching this captivating city settle into the night. San Francisco is a city that makes every visit feel like a first encounter. Every late-night memory draws you back. And being a part of the EF study-abroad program in San Francisco has to be the best of it all!
You can spend 2 weeks of your annual leave visiting this diverse and vibrant city while developing your American English conversational skills which is a great combination. EF Study Abroad has over fifty years of experience and quality in their services. More than fifty years ago, Bertil Hult, a young Swede brought the first group of Swedish secondary school students to the UK to study English, which started the journey of EF Study Abroad. Over the last five decades, EF has expanded its reach and refined its offerings. Over 100 locations across the globe host its offices and schools, with 40 study abroad destinations available.
● Easy and safe experience: EF Study Abroad’s programs are fully incorporated, with direct contacts for each location. From teacher hiring and campus management to activity coordination and host-family selection, there are no third parties in any of the processes.
● Teaching for international study: Specific books and syllabuses are made by EF for short-term international study. These resources help students reinforce their speaking skills and speak English with confidence.
● Different age groups: For learners of all ages, EF Study Abroad provides winter and summer camps for ages 7-17; sole study-abroad programs for ages 16-24; adult programs for ages 25+; and international academic-year and university pathway programs abroad.
EF helps you explore 52 study-abroad programs in 22 countries with courses available in 12 languages!
