Now that you know where to go when you arrive in San Francisco it’s helpful to know what NOT to do while you are visiting the northern California hot spot.
First and foremost never, ever (no matter how tempting it is) call the city “Frisco” or “San Fran.” This is a lesson my neighbor in Hawaii learned the hard way when she was waiting in line at the Honolulu International Airport. She referred to the city as “San Fran” and got an earful from a resident of the area telling her that the cutesy abbreviated version of San Francisco was unacceptable.
So you know what NOT to say, now let’s review some words you’ll want to use during your trip to San Francisco and how to pronounce them correctly. For example, Ghirardelli Square (one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions) is pronounced with a hard “g,” as in go. Also, a heads up when you get to Gough Street—Gough rhymes with “cough,” not “no.” And Junipero Serra (he is known as the “Apostle of California” and exhibits of his contribution to the state are displayed around the city) is pronounced Hoo-nip-a-ro Serra.
Other tidbits to keep in mind:
If you want quality crab without going bankrupt stay away from the restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can get it cheaper and fresher at Swan’s Oyster Depot on Polk Street.
North Beach is not a place you want to go to build sandcastles with your kids. That part of the bay was filled in long ago with dirt and the hulls of Gold Rush ships.
Monster Park is the name of the city’s football stadium, not an adventure park filled with thrill rides.
Finally, a word about San Francisco’s vintage F-Line streetcars. They are about the cheapest ways to get around the city. For $1.50 you can take a grand tour of downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf. The mass-transit fleet that rides up and down Market Street originally hailed from places such as Hamburg, Milan, and Paris. The cars underwent a massive restoration but each still bears the design details of its native city.
Related Articles:
Kristi Yamaguchi’s San Francisco
Fall Happenings In San Francisco
Destination: San Francisco–Perfect Picnic Spots
Outdoor Hot Spots In San Francisco
Travel Deals: Catering To Californians
What To Know Before You Visit—AUSTRIA, SPAIN and PORTUGAL
What To Know Before You Visit–IRELAND, SWITZERLAND and POLAND
What To Know Before You Visit—FRANCE