School trips to San Francisco

"Every man should be allowed to love two cities - his own and San Francisco," stated author Gene Fowler.

San Francisco, also known as the City by the Bay, is a diverse, colourful, and intriguing destination luring visitors from all corners of the world with its beauty, culture, history and dynamic ambience. It is best known for its steep hills, beautiful panoramic vistas, and excellent cuisine. The eclectic mix of architecture, sandy beaches, ethnic and cultural diversity and entertainment for all ages make San Francisco a great choice for an educational visit.

San Francisco is a peninsula surrounded on three sides by water. It is said to be the crossroads to everywhere, with 16 million visitors every year. San Francisco’s strength lies in its neighbourhoods which give the city its uniqueness. Union Square is in the heart of the city and the hub of the shopping district. North Beach is known for its Italian heritage, bakeries, and restaurants. The Marina District has some of the most elegant homes in San Francisco and the Waterfront where shopping and dining are at their best.

The Haight, famous for the intersection of Haight & Ashbury Streets, is the location of former homes of Counterculture icons like the Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. Unique shops, music and bookstores and cafés line many of the Haight’s streets. Alamo Square is best known for the beautiful turn-of-the century Victorian homes called the "Painted Ladies". SoMa (South of Market) includes unique nightclubs, restaurants and museums. Yerba Buena Gardens is the cultural heart of the city, where community, entertainment, arts and pop culture comes together.

Whatever you are looking for can be found in San Francisco!

Places of Interest

Golden Gate Bridge - The Golden Gate Bridge is acclaimed one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. Its bright orange towers and sweeping main cables glow in the sunshine or are engulfed in the fog that frequents this area. No matter if you drive, walk or bicycle across this engineering marvel, the views are spectacular.

San Francisco Cable Cars - No visit would be complete without a ride on a cable car. These cable-powered streetcars have been transporting people up and down the fabulous hills of San Francisco since 1873. A highlight of the ride is actually at the end (or beginning) at the turnaround. Watch while drivers push the cable car on a rotating platform 180 degrees for the trip back up the hill.

Golden Gate Park - The Golden Gate Park encompasses one thousand acres on the western edge of San Francisco, including lush gardens, tranquil lakes, the Japanese Tea Garden, museums, Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, stables and sports fields of all types. It is estimated that 75,000 people visit the park on an average weekend.

Alcatraz – An absolute must see! Once a federal prison housing dangerous and notorious criminals, Alcatraz (The Rock) now welcomes tourists into the cellblocks once occupied by the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and the Birdman of  Alcatraz. Self-guided audiocassette tours have dramatic narratives of Alcatraz’s grim history, including realistic sound effects one would hear in prison. Make sure to book well in advance at as tickets sell out quickly as this is one of the most popular attractions. Alcatraz is reached only by ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Chinatown - Walking through the dragon-adorned Pagoda Gates leads visitors in the colourful and exciting area of San Francisco know as Chinatown. It is tightly packed with exotic shops, ethnic food markets, and excellent restaurants. The Chinese New Year in February each year is celebrated here with parades and dancing dragons. Grant Avenue & Bush Street

Aquarium Of The Bay - In addition to the expected displays of sea life, this unusual aquarium invites visitors into the hidden world of life under San Francisco Bay. A moving walkway takes you through two crystal clear tunnels, 300 feet in length, surrounded by 700,000 gallons of filtered Bay water and more than 23,000 aquatic animals.

Lombard Street - This steep and winding street is the most photographed street in San Francisco. Tourists come to Russian Hill to see, drive or walk down the "crookedest street in the world", with eight hairpin turns. The Hyde Street Cable Car makes a stop at the top of Lombard Street. Along with the dramatic view of Lombard Street, there are awesome views of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Bay.

Fisherman’s Wharf - A long strip along the waterfront is home to the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39. A working waterfront, also called Fish Alley, sells tons of sole, shrimp, salmon, and squid every year. Crab season (Mid November - June) is the time for seafood lovers. There is shopping, entertainment, restaurants and vendors who sell Dungeness Crab ready to eat.

Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf - A festival market place with 13 bay-view restaurants, dozens of fun attractions and over 110 stores - many one-of-a kind. Bling Things (jewellery), Alpaca Fashion (sweaters), the Cable Car Store (Collectibles), Field of Dreams (sports and celebrity gift store), Houdini Magic, and Puppets on the Pier. If you can’t find it here, you can’t find it anywhere.

Ghirardelli Square - Since 1852 Ghirardelli Square has housed the oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer in the country. To attract crowds, it has added more than fifty premium shops, galleries and restaurants. A large open-air plaza is a great place to relax and enjoy sweet treats.

The Cannery - Built in 1907 as the Del Monte Peach Canning Factory the Cannery is a vibrant waterfront marketplace. The historic brick warehouse includes three levels of unique shops, galleries, winding walkways, and in the centre is an inviting courtyard boasting several cosy outdoor cafés surrounded by 130 year-old olive trees. Street performers entertain visitors.

Union Square - A shopping mecca including Macy’s, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Levi’s, Cartier, Thomas Pink, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Emporio, Armani, Diesel, Prada, Celine, Escada, Gucci, Guess, Hermes, Agnes B., Betsey Johnson and Wilkes Bashford.

Multi-Centre Tours – Want to see more then why not opt for one of our multi-centre tours? We can offer combined tours to San Francisco – Yosemite National Park – Las Vegas - the Grand Canyon – Phoenix and finishing in Los Angeles. In fact, just about anywhere you wish to go!
Discuss your requirements with our sales team and we will build your own specific tour taking in the places of your choice.