The Monocle Travel Guide: San Francisco

Poised on its Californian peninsula, the diversity of San Francisco and its storied libertine history keep every neighbourhood alive and thriving. Rich in character, experience the hippie vibe of the Haight-Ashbury then head to the rainbow pride at The Castro - dropping by the bustling Fisherman's Wharf and visit the Alcatraz Island for some hotspot tourism. Of course, the grid system doesn't lend itself well to the relentless undulation of San Francisco's 70-plus hills; bear this in mind when judging distances from A to B.