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Out of these two cities, which would you rather take a vacation to? Which one do you think has more to do for a tourist? Please list attractions and anything else that would be of interest to a visitor.
I will give this one to SF. I don't think it has more to do overall than Chicago, it just has more to do for toursits. I think the combination of mountains, city and ocean provide a diverse amount of tourist activities.
Chicago is not far behind, if anything they are both top 5 in the country, it's just I think SF offers more for tourists.
Depends what kind of vacation you are up for and how long you are going to be there. They are both great choices. SF and vicinity has a more diverse range of things to do, but Chicago can hold it's own in terms of city stuff.
Depends what kind of vacation you are up for and how long you are going to be there. They are both great choices. SF and vicinity has a more diverse range of things to do, but Chicago can hold it's own in terms of city stuff.
For me? Chicago mostly because Chicago is a lot further and would actually BE a vacation, instead of San Francisco where I am every so often visiting friends and family.
For the casual tourist? Both are great. If you can't find something to do in either, well....
Location: Baghdad by the Bay (San Francisco, California)
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Chicago produces an extensive and entertaining list of things to do, but SF is tailor made for vacations -- especially ones that aren't built around children.
SF (and environs) for tourists:
Fisherman's Wharf -- Fresh crab sold by sidewalk vendors, souvenir shops, Hyde St. Pier with classic ships, Bay cruises, sea lions, restaurants Alcatraz tour (and ferry ride to and from) Golden Gate Bridge -- bike it for a once-in-a-lifetime view of the fog rolling in and the City beyond. Crissy Field/Fort Mason -- kite flying, hiking and beautiful bay views, The Palace of Fine Arts, plus weekly Off The Grid food truck meetup Cable Cars -- charming means of conquering the most famous hills in town. F Street Car -- cars from all over the world are refurbished and are running up and down Market ant The Embarcadero. Riding is like a step back in time. Lombard St. -- curvy, landscaped landmark full of gawkers, views of North Beach and slow-moving cars taking it all in Beach Blanket Babylon -- fun SF musical review of politics and current events. A "drag show" you wouldn't mind taking conservative visitors to see North Beach -- The Italian community, with restaurants, attractions, seedy clubs, beatnik remnants and classic, divey bars. Cafe society is alive and on display Ferry Building Marketplace -- gourmet's delight of food stands, wine shops, restaurants and markets. Picnic HQ Chinatown -- Stockton for hardcore grocery shopping and finding ingredients not found anywhere else. Grant for souvenirs, restaurants and a couple of fun Chinese dive bars. Kearney if you really want a good meal. The Embarcadero -- waterfront walkway with street performers, craft vendors, restaurants, bars, parks, sculpture, public piers and remarkable views of the City and Bay Bridge. Union Square -- busy luxury shopping district. Major hotels are clustered here. The square itself is a large plaza with performers and regular attractions Theater District -- adjacent to Union Square and including everything from erotic theater to legitimate Broadway performances Civic Center -- home to high culture and performing arts venues South of Market -- clubs, bars and restaurants, SFMOMA, Contemporary Jewish Museum and Yerba Buena Center. Also, AT&T Park for Giants games and a great neighborhood for sports bars Nob Hill -- nice views and a couple of nice, old hotels with iconic bars, like Top of The Mark and Tonga Room. Grace Cathedral tour Cliff House -- sunset dinners looking out to crashing waves in the Pacific Golden Gate Park -- beautiful natural city park, conservatory of flowers, windmills, buffalo, concerts, DeYoung museum Twin Peaks -- beautiful views looking down Market St. from way up high Haight -- Bohemian shopping, dining and drinking Mission -- trendy restaurants and taquerias within steps of one another. Dolores Park, too Union St. -- Lively restaurants and boutique shopping Fillmore St. -- Jazz clubs and restaurants Claude Lane and Belden Place -- alleys with French restaurants adjacent to jazz bars and boutique hotels Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley -- great restaurants in a quaint neighborhood Marin Headlands -- hiking, views of the Bridge you can't get elsewhere, ruins of gun installations Sausalito/Tiburon -- bayside villages reachable by ferry, with restaurants, boutique shops, sailboats and views of the City Muir Woods/Mt. Tamalpais -- hiking through huge redwoods and amazing valley views Wine Country -- lots of amazing towns, each with attractions- Sonoma, Healdsburg, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena. In between are amazing wineries offering tours and tastings. Balloon rides, Wine Train, Sterling Vinyards Mountain tram, etc. Great restaurants. Amazing hotels and B&Bs Santa Cruz -- Boardwalk amusements, arts and crafts downtown, surfing and beach Monterey/Pebble Beach -- dining, golf, scenery up and down the coast like cliffs, waves, lighthouse, forested mountains
There are more, but those are the high points.
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