San Francisco destination guide

San Francisco

Published: Thursday, 24 January 2008, 11:34AM

Mark Durden-Smith hits the notoriously steep streets of San Francisco on today's show.  From the hippy district of Haight Ashbury to the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, he takes in the sights, finds unusual ways to get around, and experiences a unique dining phenomenon.

We go back to 1974 and Judith Chalmers' first report from San Francisco.  Back then, the only way to get around town was on the iconic cable cars - or trams.  Mark discovers another way to take in the best views, on a running tour of the city.  He then takes to a novel sight-seeing vehicle, hiring a motorised buggy complete with built-in tour guide.

When Judith visited San Francisco, the number one attraction was the food.  Mark delivers his top five tips on where to get fed and watered these days and checks out the hottest new dining venue, where performance art is also on the menu.

Mark finds the bohemian district of Haight Ashbury transformed since its hippy heyday, but still detects echoes of 1967's Summer of Love amongst the array of bookshops, restaurants, boutiques and bars.  He also heads for Fisherman's Wharf where he meets a street performer who's enjoyed a 28-year career frightening tourists by masquerading as a bush.

Anna Ewins lost her heart to San Francisco in the 1980s.  She bought her loft apartment 15 years ago in the then run-down Soma district.  Now one of the most desirable parts of the city, it was a risk that paid off and we hear what the area has to offer now.

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  Join in the debate

  Watch highlights of Britain's pemier afternoon chat show and check out recipes

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  Delicious dishes

  This Morning's Pudding Club has a whole range of tasty deserts for you to try out

Top three highlights

• Peruse the Ferry Building's food stalls and farmers' market
  
• Enjoy the show at Supperclub
  
• Take to the streets in a GoCar