Aside from the famed Cable Cars, Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Bridge, there are countless other destinations for visitors who come to San Francisco. This is an insider’s guide to the city, it’s quirky politics and some “Only in San Francisco” sights that you won’t hear your hotel concierge recommend. We’ve compiled our best San Francisco stories on this page to give you recommendations and tips that will make your stay in the City by the Bay all the more memorable.

Forget Lombard, This is San Francisco’s Real Crookedest Street Published August 1, 2008 To taxi drivers and the locals, Vermont Street in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood is where your knuckles really turn white from gripping the steering wheel. It is the city’s (and the country’s) crookedest street. But don’t be so eager to pull out the Kodaks just yet, it looks nothing like its famed sister, Lombard Street to the north. (more. . .) Still a thriving neighborhood, Haight-Ashbury’s Revolutionary role in American Culture Published July 21, 2008 The architecture, the bright colors, and the non-conformist attitude still make the Haight-Ashbury a worthy place to visit whether you’re a tourist wanting to see the sights of San Francisco or just someone who wants to reconnect with a revolutionary time in United States History. This was the playground for Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Roy Morlidge takes you to some of the spots that gave the jump-start to these musical legends. (more. . . ) Among 1906 Earthquake Survivors are Jackson Square Historic Buildings Published July 9, 2008 After the devastating earthquake and fire, San Francisco folklore writer Charles Kellogg Field put A.P. Hotaling’s whiskey warehouse on the map when he asked, “If, as they say, God spanked the town for being over frisky, Why did he burn the churches down and save Hotaling’s whiskey?” (more. . .) O’Brien & the Pampanito: two sailing war relics that have soldiered on through time to become floating museums Published August 20, 2008 Pay homage to the men and women who served this country through World War II by visiting two floating landmarks that are moored in San Francisco Bay. The Merchant Marine ship Jeremiah O’Brien still sails today, and the U.S.S. Pampanito, a battle submarine which sailed the Pacific waters when the Japanese attacked U.S. troops is an amazing sight to experience the sacrifice that these war time heroes made. Our military historian Roy Morlidge took a visit to both these ships at Pier 45 in San Francisco. Click the links to see what he says. Through War and Peace, Fort Point Still Guards the Golden Gate Published November 14, 2008 Located below the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find a large old brick structure. Looking at it from outside, it looks rather out of place and unimpressive. But once you enter, you realize just how impressive Fort Point really is and why just over a hundred years ago, this was one of the San Francisco Bay’s most important defense positions. (more. . .) More Places to Visit: Where are the five best spots to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge? CABLE CAR MUSEUM: Part-museum, part-engine room, a revealing look at what keeps SF’s Cable Cars moving BAKER BEACH: No shoes, no shirt, no problem at San Francisco’s Baker Beach CRISSY FIELD: Once Pioneer Airfield, Crissy Field Now Environmental Landmark THE PRESIDIO: From the Civil War to Iraq, SF National Cemetery has Survived War and Politics LAND’S END: Once a historic landmark, concrete ruins of Sutro Baths now a focal point for curious visitors FISHERMAN’S WHARF: San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf a big draw for international and local tourists PIER 39: Sea Lions, Seagulls and Souvenirs: Pier 39 is still tourist central in SF F-MARKET LINE: Museums in Motion: A ride on San Francisco’s Historic Streetcars CAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: What the buzz is all about: A round-up of what people are saying about the new California Academy of Sciences in SF Bookmark this page for more continuous updates!

Question: Where’s the best place to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge?

Answer: There are plenty of places to shoot the iconic bridge. For a shot with the San Francisco skyline in the background, we recommend heading over to the Marin County side and photographing the bridge from the Battery Spencer side. For a scenic shot of the underside of the bridge, head towards Fort Point, the former military installation that stands at the foot of the bridge on the San Francisco side.

And check out our posting: Where are the five best spots to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge?

Question: Does it really cost $5 per person to ride a Cable Car?

Answer: Yes, it does. And here’s the kicker: it’s $5 one way, with no transfers issued or honored. For a family of four looking to head to Fisherman’s Wharf from Union Square, that’s $20 each way. It’s a steep price to pay to ride on one of the city’s cash cow transit vehicles, but there’s a way to get around the fare when you purchase a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day passport that will allow you to ride any MUNI vehicle, including cable cars, as many times as you’d like within the valid period. The passports also give you discounts to several San Francisco attractions.

Question: Are Ghirardelli Chocolates really made in San Francisco?

Answer: This may surprise you: they are not. The famous Ghirardelli building on the northern waterfront used to be the old chocolate plant, but was converted to multi-use office space and shopping a while back. But the scrumptious San Francisco chocolates are made locally across the bay in the city of San Leandro where the Ghirardelli plant is located in an industrial portion of the Bay Area. There’s also a factory outlet store where you can buy the same chocolate you find in San Francisco for much less than you’d pay at a boutique shop near Fisherman’s Wharf.

Do you have a question for the San Francisco Insider? E-mail us with your name, hometown and question about anything about where to go, what to do, and who to see during your next trip to San Francisco. We’ll put it up here.

Driving in San Francisco is tough. Clogged downtown streets, steep hills and a scarcity of parking spots encourages both locals and visitors alike to rely on public transportation to travel within city limits. The city’s much maligned and rarely on-time public transit workhorse is the San Francisco Municipal Railway which operates modern and historic streetcars, motor and electric buses and the city’s collection of famed Cable Cars. The agency transports 700,000 riders every weekday, making it the busiest transit system in the San Francisco Bay Area. For intercity travel — grab a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day passport and enjoy unlimited travel on all “MUNI” routes around town.

If you’re planning to visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 or the northern waterfront — you’re encouraged to take a look at the California Beat’s guide to public transit service to these popular tourist traps. Travel smart, and take a look:

• Why is the wait for a Cable Car and the F-Market Streetcar so long? (8/15)
• TRAVEL TIPS: Avoid the Cable Car and Streetcar Tourist Traps: Your Guide to SF’s historic rail (8/15)

For travel on public transportation outside of San Francisco city limits, the choices are just as plentiful.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail system offers rapid rail service connecting the East Bay with San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. BART serves both the San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport.

For rail service to San Jose and the Peninsula, Caltrain commuter rail service offers frequent trips connecting Silicon Valley with San Francisco.

AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans are a few of the other public bus operators which operate routes into San Francisco. Ferries also criss-cross the bay connecting Oakland, Marin County and Vallejo with the city.

Full Bay Area traveler’s information is available at 511.org.

Other Important Links

SFGate.com — The online home of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper
sfmuni.com — Schedules, Maps, Fares and Transit information for San Francisco’s public transportation operator
onlyinsanfrancisco.com — San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau (deals, discounts and great places to go)
511.org — Regional trip planning for your excursion outside of the city