CH Carolina Herrera

Create several memorable moments at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Whether you plan to stay all afternoon or just for a little while, you will be immediately struck by the garden's amazing beauty. The plants, trees and layout are all meticulously arranged and cared for to assure that your visit offers you a chance to breathe in all of the garden's incredible allure. The facility features several world gardens, a horticulture library, a bookstore and various education programs that will add a deeper dimension to every visit.

When you visit San Francisco for the first time, visiting Alcatraz is definitely a must-do. The Rock, as Alcatraz is known locally, was originally a lighthouse and a military out post and prison before becoming a federal prison. The likes of Al Capone, among others, served their time here. The tour takes you from the shore to this ominous island and the guides are all well-informed and always ready to answer your questions. The inherent drama of Alcatraz itself makes it worth seeing, but the added touches and expert treatment by the guides only underscore how essential it is to see this dramatic facility when you are in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco 49ers are part of the National Football League (NFL) and have the distinction of being the city's longest-tenured professional sports franchise. The team first hit the gridiron in 1946. They moved into Candlestick Park as their home stadium in 1971 and won five Superbowl titles in the 1980s and 1990s. The team has also produced its share of star players that include Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice.

People who love books love Litquake, the yearly literary festival held every fall in San Francisco. Renowned authors are on hand for lectures and book signings, and interesting panels, workshops and parties are also part of what makes Litquake such an essential event for both readers and writers of all backgrounds. One of the highlights of this event is the three-hour Lit-Crawl through the Mission District that features stops at galleries, bookstores, bars and cafes.