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San Francisco Neighbourhoods

Get to know San Francisco

Hold onto your cable car tickets, because San Francisco is about to take you on a whirlwind ride beyond the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the lively Fisherman's Wharf, and the mysterious Alcatraz Island. This city is like a giant treasure map, and each neighbourhood is a sparkling X that marks the spot of something incredible. It's as if each neighbourhood got its own personality makeover, complete with a snazzy hat and a catchy theme song. Whether you're sashaying through the streets of Chinatown or salsa-dancing your way through the Mission District, get ready to see the city's vibrant essence in all its glory.

The neighbourhoods

Fisherman's Wharf

Fishermans Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf is a popular waterfront neighbourhood and tourist destination.  Known for its bustling atmosphere, maritime heritage, and variety of attractions, offering a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

 

Things to do and see:

  • Stroll Along the Waterfront: Take a leisurely walk along the bustling waterfront of Fisherman's Wharf, enjoying the salty breeze and lively atmosphere.
  • Capture Panoramic Views: Marvel at breathtaking vistas from the vantage point of Fisherman's Wharf, where the city's iconic skyline meets the shimmering waters of the bay.
  • Sail to Alcatraz Island: Embark on a captivating cruise to Alcatraz Island, immersing yourself in the history of the notorious former prison and the intrigue of the bay.
  • Dine on Fresh Seafood: Savor delectable seafood delights at renowned waterfront eateries, treating your taste buds to the flavors of the ocean.
  • Capture Sea Lion Serenity: Observe the playful antics of sea lions at Pier 39, capturing their joyful moments in candid snapshots.
Embarcadero 1

Embracadero / Financial District

The Embarcadero and Financial District are two iconic neighborhoods in San Francisco, each offering a unique blend of culture, commerce, and stunning views of the city and the bay.

 

Things to do and see:

  • Ferry Building: Explore the historic Ferry Building Marketplace, home to artisanal food vendors, restaurants, and a bustling farmers' market.
  • The Ferry Building Clock Tower: Is not only a functional timepiece but a true San Francisco icon. he tower is adorned with decorative elements, including sculptural details and the names of the ferry lines that once operated from the terminal.
  • Exploratorium: Visit this interactive science museum for a hands-on learning experience. It's a great place for both kids and adults to engage with the exhibits.
  • Transamerica Pyramid: Admire the distinctive architecture of the Transamerica Pyramid, an iconic skyscraper that defines the San Francisco skyline.
  • Chinatown: Just a short walk from the Financial District, San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America. Explore its vibrant streets, shops, and restaurants, and don't miss the Dragon's Gate entrance.
Crooked street

Nob Hill

Nob Hill offers a glimpse into San Francisco's past and present, where history and elegance merge to create a captivating neighbourhood with a unique blend of culture, architecture, and refined experiences.

 

Things to do and see:

  • Grace Cathedral:  Was founded in 1849 during the California Gold Rush, it offers spectacular views of the city and the San Francisco Bay.
  • Russian Hill: To the north of Nob Hill is the neighborhood of Russian Hill, home to iconic attractions such as Lombard Street, famously known as "the World's Crookedest Street."
  • Walking Tours: Join guided walking tours that provide insights into the history, architecture, and stories of Nob Hill, enhancing your appreciation of its rich heritage.
  • Scenic Sunset Views: Witness breathtaking sunsets from Nob Hill, capturing the changing colors of the sky as the city transitions from day to night.
  • Huntington Park: Unwind in the serene Huntington Park, featuring manicured gardens, a charming playground, and a lovely place to relax amidst the city's hustle.
Union square

Union Square

Union Square is a bustling commercial and cultural hub located in downtown San Francisco. Known for its vibrant energy, upscale shopping, diverse dining options, and proximity to cultural landmarks,

Union Square experiences a high level of activity, and homelessness is more visibly evident compared to other areas in San Francisco/the United States.

 

Things to do and see:

  • Cable Car Rides: Take a ride on the iconic San Francisco cable cars that pass through Union Square, offering a unique way to explore the city's hilly streets.
  • Theatre District: Catch a live performance at one of the nearby theatres, including the historic Curran Theatre and the Geary Theatre.
  • Union Square Park: Take a leisurely stroll through Union Square Park, a lush oasis in the heart of the city, offering a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle.
  • Dining Delights: Savor a culinary journey at the square's diverse restaurants, ranging from trendy eateries to fine dining establishments, each offering a unique gastronomic experience.
  • Upscale Shopping: Explore an array of luxury boutiques, department stores, and designer shops surrounding Union Square.
Downtown

Downtown and SOMA

Downtown San Francisco is the bustling epicentre of the city with a mix of cultures creating a unique and dynamic atmosphere. SoMa The South of Market neighbourhood is a vibrant area with a mix of cultural attractions, dining options, and entertainment venues.

 

Things to do and see:

  • Coit Tower: This iconic tower offers panoramic views of the city from its hilltop location. Inside, you'll find beautiful murals depicting scenes of San Francisco life in the 1930s.
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): Explore the extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Jackson Pollock.
  • Oracle Park: If you're a baseball fan, catch a San Francisco Giants game at this iconic ballpark. Even if there's no game, you can take a guided tour of the stadium.
  • Yerba Buena Gardens: This urban oasis offers beautifully landscaped gardens, a children's playground, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which hosts exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.
  • SoMa StrEat Food Park: Experience San Francisco's food truck scene with a visit to this popular food park. You'll find a wide range of culinary delights from different cuisines.

Where to stay in San Francisco

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Your holiday may be affected by travel restrictions or cancellations

We are continually reviewing our flying schedules, taking into account the  Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential travel. Depending on when you are due to travel, your holiday may be affected and we’ll email you to let you know as least 21 days before travel.

You’ll be away before you know it

Your next holiday is only a click away - our website has thousands of options ready to book. But if you need more help, just give us a call on 0344 472 9646.

Looking for inspiration? Explore our destinations and holiday types and save your faves to your very own Wishlist. Or dive right in to our 2021 holiday offers.

Latest Foreign & Commonwealth Office repatriation travel advice


Over the past few weeks, we have repatriated our customers from overseas who wanted to come home.  

Please visit this page to keep up to date with the Government’s travel advice on returning to the UK, and to register for email alerts.
 

How would you like to talk to us?

With many customers needing our help, we are prioritising those customers due to travel before 31 December 2020. Log in to Manage my booking where you can message us about your options or you can give us a call. Bear in mind you may have to wait longer than expected. We continue to review this and working to open up these options to more customers. In the meantime check out our FAQs to see if this can help answer any immediate questions.

Stay tuned for the latest updates


Rest assured; we will notify you as soon as we know if your holiday has been affected by email. 

We are continually reviewing our flying schedules, taking into account the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential travel. Depending on when you are due to travel, your holiday may be affected and we’ll email you to let you know as least 21 days before travel.

Let’s talk


If you need to speak to us to change or cancel your booking you can call our team on 0344 472 9646 or chat to us on SMS/Whatspp via Manage my booking.

For the latest information on Covid-19 you can check our FAQs here.

Payment flexibility


Don’t worry if you’ve missed a payment or just need a little more time to pay; we have options available to help you. If your holiday is going ahead as planned, you can continue to pay for your holiday in Manage my booking, even if travelling in less than 12 weeks. If you’re unsure, you can delay any additional payments by choosing a new time to travel by requesting a call back in Manage My booking for one of our team to look at options. If your holiday is more than 6 months away, you may wish to set up a Direct Debit to spread the cost. This can be arranged whilst rebooking or afterwards in Manage my booking.

We're flexible with your holiday plans


We understand that you may wish to change your holiday plans and we appreciate the need for flexibility. 

We'll be in touch by email letting you know how to register to change your holiday plans. You can also log into Manage my booking to find the details there. 

Please look out for emails from us or visit our dedicated Covid-19 (Coronavirus) page for the latest updates.

You're holiday is going ahead as planned


If we haven’t notified you of any changes, your holiday will be going ahead as planned but if you prefer to move your holiday to a later time we can help. You can call our team on 0344 472 9499 who can look at options for you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding


Payments are being prioritised based on when the request was made, working in order from March 2020 onwards. We will always try to process refunds at the earliest opportunity, for requests before August our maximum timeframe is 120 days. As we are steadily reducing the maximum processing time for each new request, for refund requests made in August, we expect the maximum processing time to be 80 days, from the date the refund is requested. For those requesting a refund in September, we expect it to be processed within a maximum of 60 days, and then reduce to 30 days for refunds requested in October, before returning to normal levels.

We'll be in touch soon


To finalise the amendment, one of our customer advisors will phone you. We need to work through amend requests in departure date order so we can prioritise those with the most imminent travel plans, so you may have a longer wait than usual until we’re able to ring you back. We will help everyone that wants to move their holiday.

I returned early from holiday and have further questions?


You can contact our team by emailing feedback.backhome@virginholidays.com to discuss options on unused portions of your holiday. If you need to contact our team about amending an existing holiday or requesting a refund please log in to manage my booking.

I am currently on holiday and I need to speak to someone


The easiest way to contact us while you are away is via WhatsApp. To get the conversation started, click the link and type "hello” .

or you can get in touch with our in-resort team during local opening hours

Find contact details for your location

Outside of local resort office hours you can call us in the UK +44 (0) 344 472 9626 (option 2) or email us duty.office@virginholidays.com

If you are in the USA or Canada please email: USAreps@virginholidays.com.

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