If you want to get down to basics, the city of San Francisco has surrounded itself with good shopping, great food, exquisite neighborhoods and fantastic views. You’ve probably noticed that everything you’ve read so far has, in some passage, has mentioned the words chic, rich, hip, retro, and gentrified. And that’s San Fran in a nutshell, really.

The city is old yet new, fresh yet beautiful, busy yet timeless. There’s so much to do and so many neighborhoods to discover, it’s difficult to outline the ‘best of’, as pretty much everything comes under that category.

Start with a bit of upscale shopping at Union Square; this is your one stop shop for serious retail delights. The square is not so small, with designer boutiques, major department stores and most branches of major franchises you’ve come to know and love. If you don’t like shopping, leave an hour or two for a look around, otherwise, you’ll need a full day to get through it all. Heaven.

If all that shopping has got you breathless and hungry, make your way to the Ferry Building Marketplace. This old building has been remodeled into a hub of food and wine excitement, a gourmet food emporium. The building on its own is interesting enough, with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge outside, and outdoor oyster and wine bars to accommodate the San Fran sun.

Inside however, you’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, cheeses, cured meats and fresh flowers for sale. It’s both picturesque and nourishing, a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon or even breakfast.

There are so many hip, fun areas to try out. The Embarcadero is a popular one, as is SoMa and Haight- Ashbury.

Haight- Ashbury is the infamous neighborhood which grew to fame in the 1960’s hippy culture. What was all about peace and love has been transformed into an uber hip, retro district, full of upscale boutiques, great restaurants and interesting street life. If you have to limit your district exploration, be sure to keep this one on your list, but keep in mind that Sunday is the busiest day there. Visit Amoeba Records which is a cult hit for those who love vintage records and funky merchandise.

Finish off with a view. Coit Tower was built in memoriam to one of the city’s loving citizens, Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Standing high on Telegraph Hill, some say the tower is actually dedicated to the city’s fire fighters due to the fire hose nozzle shape of the tower. Instead, the tower was inspired by Coit after bequeathing a third of her estate, "to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city which I have always loved." Awwwww.

To get to the top there is a fee, but the view is worth it. Go on a clear day in order to get the best bang for your buck. If you are going for the sole purpose to take some great San Fran shots, go in the afternoon or around sunset, as there will be less glare on your photos, and you’re guaranteed to get some great colors.