Narrow streets lined with brightly colored houses nestled amongst a foggy wonderland, gourmet restaurants offering every ethnic fare you could imagine, boutiques, galleries, coffee shops, and  nightclubs defining a neighborhood for every personality, “the city” of San Francisco redefines culture. 2nd to NYC for the most dense population, this bustling city is bursting at the seams offering not something, but thousands of things, for everyone.

Just an hour’s drive from the wine countries of Napa and Sonoma, 3.5 hours from Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Mtns, and just up the coast from Santa Cruz, this hilly metropolis sits, surrounded by the ocean on three sides and connected to the rest of the world by the Bay Bridge, and the infamous Golden Gate. Easily accessible by both the Oakland International and the San Francisco International airports, San Francisco makes for a fabulous getaway for the weekend or for the week.

Though stumbling upon the little hole- in- the- wall treasures painting the city is half the fun, here are a few tried and true ideas to make ensure there’s never a dull moment:

* Indulge in the catch of the day and some San Francisco Sourdough down at Fisherman’s Wharf, then get lost in the gardens of Golden Gate Park.

* Get back in touch with your inner flower child in the historic Haight Ashbury and second hand shop your heart out. Then switch gears and search for oriental treasures in the markets in Chinatown. Once you've had your fill of Chinese culture, switch gears again and enjoy pasta and gelato made from scratch in Little Italy.

* Ride a cable car down California Street to Ghiradelli Square for a homemade ice cream sundae, then explore the many famous museums within the city limits. You're sure to enjoy the MOMA and the de Young. Afterwards, treat your ears to some blues music at The Saloon in North Beach, where there are nightly bands.

* Go for a seaside stroll along the cliffs at Fort Funston or, if you’re the adventurous type, go hang gliding off of them instead. Looking to travel a bit faster? Ride bikes across Golden Gate Bridge and have lunch seaside in the beautiful town of Sausalito.

* Sip an Irish Coffee at the restaurant that made them famous: the Buena Vista Café. Then splurge on a new pair of shoes in Union Square. Catch a show at the historic Fillmore where every Rock 'n Roll band has made their mark while wearing your fancy new kicks.