With a population of approximately 776,733, the city covers merely forty-nine square miles. It is the second most crowded city in the country, next to Manhattan, meaning there should be plenty to do when visiting the largest land-locked harbor in the world. Some popular places among residents and visitors alike include short trips to Sonoma, Napa Wine Country, Mendocino, Big Sur and Lake Tahoe for summer and winter vacation getaways.

            Whether shopping on Union Street in the heart of downtown San Francisco, also known as the “bustling hub” of the city, which houses tons of hotels, department stores, trendy shops, galleries and boutiques like bebe and Betsey Johnson or spending a day of family fun in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco is a city replete with heaps of fun things to do while visiting.

            You may want to venture down to Chinatown to Bethelnut, a trendy Asian restaurant or Marnee, a small and affordable Thai place near 22^nd Avenue, which offers both eat-in and take-out dining, ranging from $20-$35 for a party of two.

            The Marina Green along the Bay front offers the chance for warm-weather activities like kite-flying, jogging, biking and rollerblading. Also, an area offering plenty of sunshine at the end of the Marina Green is available for volleyball and sunbathing.

            One of the most famous and also the most fun way to get around in San Francisco is via the cable car, which is a short 20-minute ride, exiting the cable car on Lombard street, a.k.a. “the world’s crookedest street” They run along three different routes, about every ten minutes or so. It’s been said that the front of the car is the best place to sit in order to be able to see the city as you ride along. Being crunched up on the inside is the worst place to be seated.

            For those of you going with a significant other, North Beach is the perfect place for the romantics. North Beach is often called “Little Italy,” as this part of town induces feelings of romantic Italy. This part of town is littered with a handful of romantic outdoor cafés and restaurants, such as Venticello, The Last Supper Club and Little City (a tapas style restaurant).

            If you’re looking for educational learning opportunities, check out the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum or San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium, which is crammed with tons of exotic tropical fish.

            The best activities to partake in while visiting this sunny city are Alcatraz Island boat rides, taking a trip to the San Francisco Zoo, visiting the Twin Peaks, visiting Sausalito (a bay-front town with amazing shops, restaurants and breath-taking views of the city itself. This is a city you can explore via commuter ferries. Ghirardelli Square (San Francisco’s chocolate factory) is a convenient stop for chocolate and ice cream. Fisherman’s Wharf should be avoided at all costs, as it is a tourist’s nightmare with its overpriced souvenirs and pushy crowds.

            Overall, San Francisco is a great place to visit for both families and couples alike. To learn some interesting facts about the city before visiting, try www.zpub.com/sf50sf.