SAN FRANCISCO
The Klondike gold rush didn't truly begin until 1897 when steamships laden with gold pulled into San Francisco and Seattle. The “City by the Bay” had already played a role in the California gold rush of 1849 and history would be replayed as ships and men set off through the Golden Gates to seek fortune in the Yukon.

BLESSED BY NATURE
Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, San Francisco is celebrated for its stunning natural setting. The imposing skyline and graceful Golden Gate Bridge are surpassed only by the surrounding vistas. San Francisco's cable cars are not just a fun way to get around; they are a great way to view the city's innumerable charms from Nob Hill, Union Square and Chinatown, to Fisherman's Wharf.

CENTER OF CULTURE
San Francisco lays claim to being the cultural center of the American west. Since its early days, “The City” has fostered artistic expression and you'll find numerous art museums and a lively music and theatre scene. Beat poets, Haight-Ashbury hippies, and the “techies” of today combine their voice with the cultures of the Pacific Rim.

ENDLESS ATTRACTIONS
Golden Gate Park, which claims to be bigger than New York's Central Park, is a destination in itself with a Zoo, an Aquarium, a Chinese tea garden, and vast swaths of lawn covered by more than a million trees. For stunning views go to Telegraph Hill or Coit Tower and amble through charming neighborhoods where brightly painted Victorian houses line up side by side.