The colonizing of the San Francisco area (named after St Francis of Assisi) began in 1776 when a fort at the “Golden Gate” was built by Spanish colonists. The city boomed following the discovery of gold in 1848, and quickly became the largest city on the west coast. The arrival of the railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1869 made San Francisco a very important port for US trade #travel #us #history

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The city was quickly rebuilt and is now reckoned to be one of the most attractive U.S. cities, although it still experiences regular minor earthquakes. In spite of its uncertain seismic situation, it has grown from a population of 400,000 at the time of the 1906 earthquake to 6.5 million in the present day San Francisco Bay Area. Chief among San Francisco’s tourist sites is the world famous Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world’s most beautiful and most photographed bridges. #travel #goldengate #bridge

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Alcatraz, a Federal Prison from 1934 – 1963 on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay is one of the top attractions in the area. Book online for the tours which go 7 days a week. Alternatively on Thursday to Monday evenings you can join the spooky Alcatraz Night Tour, a self guided walking tour of the prison using headphones. #travel #prison #history #alcatraz

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Finally, don’t miss the Maritime National Historic Park, which is located at the west end of the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf, itself a fascinating area of piers and boardwalks. Here you will see a fleet of historic vessels, and can visit the Maritime Museum and Library. #travel #library #museum #sanfrancisco

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