The faces of San Francisco: keeping the city's creativity alive

Autonomous cars have come a long way since Google's self-driving car project started back in 2009. 

When San Francisco is in a period of transition, which it often is, it’s the foundational places that ensure the city never strays too far from itself. The city is known for its pioneering spirit, be that modern tech innovations or progressive politics, but what keeps the engine running is the steady energy pulsing through old school places like John’s Grill, where the people of San Francisco have long come to dine.

Seasoned American travelers often look to the Department of State for advisories about everything from natural disasters to labor strikes in unfamiliar places. But what hazards are foreign governments warning their own travelers about when it comes to visiting the States?

What to wear in San Francisco can be a bit of a conundrum: The city’s weather changes quickly, so definitely bring layers and be prepared to go from glorious sunshine to chilly ocean winds and fog—and back again—over the course of a day.

The winner of the Super Bowl usually says they’re going to Disney World. But even the Magic Kingdom would have a hard time competing with the pomp and circumstance in the Bay Area during the week leading up to this year’s big game.

As travel times between major metro areas go, the flying time between Los Angeles and San Francisco is about as short as it gets: less than an hour in the air, and a bit longer gate-to-gate. Getting to the airport probably takes longer than the flight itself.

Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.

Since the late 19th century, when San Francisco got its cable cars and pastel-hued Victorians, Levi Strauss and Ghirardelli Chocolate, it has been the envy of other cities. So the schadenfreude that has erupted recently over home prices and homelessness, street crime and empty office towers, is nothing new. Yes, this city has real problems, but the line at Powell and Market for the cable car, which turns 150 this year, is still long, and world-class restaurants still seem to open nightly. Boom-and-bust cycles have afflicted the City by the Bay since the Gold Rush, but as surely as the fog will roll through the spans of the Golden Gate Bridge this afternoon, San Francisco will rise again.

A United Airlines flight turned back to San Francisco International Airport because a passenger was said to be disruptive.

The Waikiki Hostel in Lima, Peru is situated in the heart of Miraflores, an upscale district known for its vibrant nightlife and trendy restaurants. This hostel offers a unique experience for travelers looking for a more social atmosphere than traditional hotels. The hostel common area consists of a variety of spaces such as a lounge, bar, kitchen, and terrace, providing ample opportunity to mingle with other guests. The hostel also boasts a beautiful rooftop terrace with seating and a small swimming pool, perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

People go for the epic food, the sprawling urban national park, the beaches, and the chance to follow the zigzagged Lombard Street. What San Francisco lacks in square miles it makes up for in the sheer variety of things to do. San Francisco hotels reflect the diversity of the Northern California city with accommodation reflecting the glamorous past, the counterculture movement, and tech-savvy San Franciscans. These are the best luxury and boutique hotels in San Francisco for seeing the City by the Bay.

It’s easy to find recommendations for typical first-time San Francisco visitor experiences.