Experience the finest of the thing that San Francisco has to offer

The 49 mile drive is a course in downtow
San Francisco, established during 1938 by the Downtown Association to advertise San Francisco as a tourist destination during the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-1940. As most comparable routes it has changed a number of times over the years, and yet continue to serves the main intent of displaying San Francisco at its finest.

The drive is panoramic and reveals a mixture of areas with varying architectural styles and sights, it is without a doubt an excellent way to get to know San Francisco without spending the full day in the course of other holiday makers. A lot of people that are located in the Bay Area that take this route for the first time realize that they've truly got to discover a new side of the city.

The route starts over at City Hall (by the intersection of Hayes Street and Van Ness Avenue) and takes you past attractions like Museum of Modern Art, Japantown, China town, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury together with the Twin Peaks. The full tour normally takesat least 4-5 hours by car, plus it traverses some areas that will really needs a bit more time, preferably on foot (for example Chinatown as well as the Fisherman’s Wharf with Pier 39).

You can find your route by following the special “49 Mile Scenic Drive” signs, however this approach will become challenging at times and it is thus advisable to have additional information available, for example a trustworthy guidebook or alternatively a map at hand. It is encouraged to take the route counter-clockwise around the downtown area, since it often is in this direction the majority of the signs are arranged. Moreover remember that San Francisco is a hectic place, avoid the rush hour (both morning as well as afternoon) to minimize hassle.

After having spent a couple of hours within, not to mention outside, your vehicle you should have come across plenty of what San Francisco has to offer you. Now all you will have to do is once again get in your automobile and go back to furthermore enjoy a few of the places which you didn't have sufficient time looking around at the first occassion. Or alternatively in case you might be tired of all driving, you can always join the other tourists taking the legendary tram. This will make sure you get right back to quite a few of the locations and attractions that you just passed by.