San Francisco is relaxed, tolerant, and an ethnically and culturally diverse city originally built on seven hills.  The bay area was settled by the Spanish in 1776 but it was the California gold rush in the 1840s that put San Francisco on the map in a big way.  Although the city suffered devastating losses in the 1906 earthquake, it rebounded. Today, San Francisco is a lively city that combines the best of high technology for the future with the traditions of its past.  

Spend as much time soaking in the sights of San Francisco and its surrounding areas as possible. From historical sites to great restaurants, from nature area walks to whale watching tours, San Francisco is worth every moment.