Tumbling down steep hills towards a glittering bay, San Francisco's famous cable cars rattle past colourful Victorian houses, bustling neighbourhoods and streets that seem to climb straight into the sky. The Golden Gate Bridge commands the entrance to the bay, often shrouded in drifting fog, while Alcatraz, the notorious former island prison, looms offshore with a darker story to tell. The city is equally renowned for its food, art and cultural diversity, from world-class restaurants and inventive galleries to the lively streets of Chinatown, where bakeries, markets and traditional shops invite a closer look. Down at Fisherman’s Wharf, the waterfront buzzes with seafood stalls, street performers and boats heading out across the harbour. Take to the water for sweeping views of the skyline and Golden Gate Bridge, or venture to Alcatraz for a glimpse of the island’s unsettling past.