San Francisco: Things to do for business, family and single travelers

Family TravelNorth AmericaSan Francisco

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There’s something for everyone in San Francisco

San Francisco is a big-name city, but the city itself isn’t too big in size. It’s small enough to easily see and do a few things on a short trip but still big enough to keep you actively entertained on a long vacation. This California city attracts business people, families and single adults, and provides amusement for each type of visitor.

For those on a quick business trip…
Business travelers who are only in San Francisco for a couple days shouldn’t miss out on Taverna Aventine. It’s a great spot for a business lunch or drinks after a day of meetings. This popular spot got its name from the ancient Roman neighborhood Aventine, which it also received inspiration from along with San Francisco history. Chat and have a cocktail with your fellow businessmen on the main floor or have something a little stronger in the parlor downstairs that has the feel of a masculine lounge. Or check out the 15 best breweries in San Francisco.

If business travels bring you to town during baseball season, do yourself the honor of catching a SF Giants game at AT&T Park. Go by yourself or with a coworker and take in the tastes and smells of great ballpark food in a fantastic sports atmosphere.

Cable cars are all the rage in San Fran. Have you ever noticed how they’re always shown in movies set there? Apparently it’s a staple to show them. So hop on a San Francisco cable car and choose one of three routes to take you to or from a destination. It gives you a chance to see parts of the city and ride along with fellow businessmen who regularly commute on cable cars.

The family vacationers…
Families with young children and those with teenagers can find plenty to do during their week long vacation in the City by the Bay. Browse through dozens of hotels in San Francisco and its surrounding areas, so be sure to find the right one for your family.

Golden Gate Park is a San Francisco treasure. This urban park is even bigger than NYC’s Central Park, and it’s filled with plush California green across its 1,017 acres. Go for a leisurely walk with your family around the gardens, lakes and trails, and then stay for an afternoon picnic during the warmer summer months.

Inside of Golden Gate Park is the de Young. This popular attraction is San Francisco’s oldest museum and has a vast collection of American sculptures, paintings and other decorative arts, as well as pieces from other countries. Discuss and appreciate different cultures and artistic movements with those you’re closest with.

You can’t go to SF and not see and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. It may not be the world’s longest suspension bridge anymore, but it’s still the most famous. Walk or bike on the sidewalk during the day or take a personally guided 45-minute tour. Don’t forget to take a picture of the bridge and on the bridge so you can show off your good-looking family on this famous landmark. A fun fact about the bridge is its International Orange color was chosen because it’d still be visible to passing ships in the fog.

All the single ladies (and men)…
The single adults hitting San Francisco for a weekend of fun are going to find exactly what they want here. Shopping, dining, drinking and dancing are found throughout the city.

Before you hit the town on Friday night, stop by Union Square and find the outfit for your evening’s festivities. This is the place for serious shoppers. There are more clothing and shoe stores than you’ll have time for, with prices ranging from cheap to reasonable to crazy expensive, but that just means you’re sure to find the perfect combination to grab the attention of the single men or women you’ll run into later.

Once you’re shopped out, go to Fisherman’s Wharf. Dine on delicious fish, crab or shrimp at one of their many seafood restaurants or catch the daily performances by the musicians and street performers on PIER 39. While there, see the sea of sea lions always camped out on the pier’s west marina.

Each San Francisco district has its own unique selection of bars, lounges and clubs. Two nightclubs you and your single friends need to hit up are Ruby Skye and 1015 Folsom. Ruby Skye is an upscale venue in the heart of downtown, just off Union Square, that throws vibrant parties every weekend. 1015 Folsom — conveniently named after its address so you know exactly where to tell the cabbie to take you — is one of the “it” spots in the Bay Area. Its sound and lighting systems are above and beyond so no matter which room in this 20,000 square foot space you’re in, you’re guaranteed the wild, crazy time you came here for.

It doesn’t matter who you are or how long you’re in town, San Francisco consistently provides an enjoyable and memorable time for each kind of visitor.

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