San Francisco's history can be traced to 3,000 years ago when a Yelamu group of Ohlone people first occupied the city. The first documented arrival of a European to the city was on November 2, 1769. Don Gasper de Portola led a Spanish exploration party to the area. San Francisco was founded in 1776 when Spain established the Presidio of San Francisco. San Francisco became a part of Mexico when the country gained independence from Spain in 1821. The United States gained control of California territory after a series of battles which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga. A high number of treasury seekers known as "forty-niners" trooped into the city in 1849 due to the California Gold Rush. The promise of great wealth saw more people arrive, and the city's population soared from 1,000 in 1848 to 25,000 by 1849. When California was granted statehood in 1850, the United States military built Fort Point at the Golden gate and another fort on Alcatraz Island to secure San Francisco Bay.

Dining

San Francisco's diverse population has a ripple effect on the city's food scene. San Francisco is home to hundreds of cafes and restaurants offering cuisines from different parts of the world. The so-called anti-foodies or food snubs can be seen choking on street tacos as they just can't resist the city's food scene. If you are a food lover and you find yourself in San Francisco, good luck trying to keep up with the food scene.

If you find yourself in San Francisco and you are craving Japanese food, the largest and oldest Japanesetown in the nation is situated in the Western Addition neighborhood. While in Japanesetown, try the omakase at An Japanese Restaurant or the hinodeya house ramen at the Hinodeya Ramen Bar.

While most cities have one Chinatown, San Francisco has four, with the one on Grant Avenue the biggest out of Asia. So, if you step foot in San Francisco and you're craving Chinese food, visit any of the four Chinatowns.

Prefer American food? Enjoy wonderful eggs benedict with salmon at the Sears Fine Foods or pulled pork waffle fries at Eat Americana on Balboa street.

Want seafood? Visit Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy fantastic seafood from some of the best restaurants in the city. You can also enjoy the freshest of fish from the day's catch and Dungeness crab from outdoor stands at the wharf while looking at sea lions.

Church is held in San Francisco on Saturday at the farmer's market behind the Ferry Building. The whole city gathers at the green to catch a glimpse of the legendary Alice Waters herself buying tomatoes.
Parks

San Francisco is home to several parks, including the historic Golden State Park. The Golden State Park receives over 24 million visitors monthly, making it the third most visited park in the U.S. behind Central Park and the Lincoln Memorial. The park is home to the renowned California Academy of Sciences. The California Academy of Sciences is the perfect place to take your children as it is equipped with a planetarium, an aquarium, and a natural history museum. The Steinhart Aquarium houses about 40,000 animals from over 900 species, while the Kimball Natural History Museum boasts dinosaur fossils, a unique earthquake simulator, and an interactive science exhibit.

Another popular abode for California residents is the Presidio. The Presidio, formerly a military base, is now a National Historic Landmark District and a national park. The Presidio features a golf course and twelve scenic hiking trails that take hikers through the Bay Area scenery. Endeavor to stop by the Walt Disney Family Museum if you visit with kids. Other parks in the city include Pinnacles National Park, Redwood National State Parks, Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Death Valley National.
Beaches

Sunny days are best spent on a beach, and San Francisco is home to several beaches. With the city surrounded by water, going to the beach is easily one of the free things to do. Located in Presidio, Baker Beach is known for its incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach offers plenty of space for visitors to take a walk and green space for picnics. It also provides access to the Presidio trails. Other beaches in the city include Mile Rock Beach, Crissy Field East Beach, and Marshall's beach.