PayPal Stories Archive

The Bay Area is home to PayPal, so there’s a special place for San Francisco in our hearts. When most people think of San Francisco, they think of Silicon Valley, startups, warm winters and cold summers, foggy days, rolling hills, amazing food and cable cars.

 

But as locals, we know San Francisco is much more than that. We partnered with Lonely Planet to create a guide of the top 10 things to do for people visiting (or stay-cationing) in San Francisco.

 

 

Completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is a 1.7-mile long suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County. The bridge color -- which is painted International Orange -- is painted with 1,000 gallons of paint each week. You can find amazing views of the bridge (and great photo ops) from Crissy Field or Baker Beach. Want a closer look? You can walk or rent bikes to ride across the bridge. But bundle up, it can get cold and windy on the bridge, which rises about 220-feet above the Pacific Ocean. If you’re up for an adventure, you can bike across to Sausalito and enjoy some lunch or drinks in Tiburon, a quaint town across The Bay with stunning views of the San Francisco skyline. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the views of the bridge and the city. You can find great deals on cameras on the Canon website -- and if you pay with PayPal between June 16 and June 23, you can get $10 off your purchase of $100 or more. Just use code PAL10. Terms apply.

 

 

It might surprise most people, but San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is even bigger than New York’s Central Park, stretching 4.5 miles long. There’s plenty to do in the park, from taking a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden, to boating across Stow Lake to exploring the de Young art museum. There are several nice urban hikes and walks in the park, so make sure you dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. If you forgot to pack your hiking gear, you can stop into REI -- located in SOMA (South of Market street) – and choose from a wide selection of athletic gear.

 

 

After nearly three years under construction, San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art re-opened to the public last month with a gallery space triple its original size. You can find paintings by notable artists like Jackson Pollock, sculptures by masters like Pablo Picasso and photographs by the likes of Diane Arbus. The 10-story museum is the largest museum of modern and contemporary art in the nation.

 

 

Until its closure in 1963, Alcatraz was the most notorious prison in the country -- housing well known inmates like Al Capone. It was also one of the most secure prisons, as no prisoner is known to have escaped the island alive. Today, the island is a historic landmark. You can book tours of the island, walk the halls of the former jail and even take in breathtaking views of San Francisco from the island. We recommend the sunset tour, where you can watch the sunset over the city and take an eerie tour of the former prison as the sun is setting.

 

San Francisco is full of art -- and not only in the museums. When artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo came to San Francisco to rekindle their romance in the 1930s, Rivera created his now famous San Francisco murals, which can be found in various locations around the city, including on the 10th floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange (located on Bush and Sansome streets), the San Francisco Art Institute on Chestnut Street, and at the Diego Rivera Theater at the San Francisco City College, located on Ocean Avenue and Phelan Street. The Diego murals inspired art in the Mission district, which is currently home to more than 400 colorful murals. Visit Balmy Alley to find some of the oldest murals, 24th street, and the San Francisco Women’s Building, which is covered in massive murals portraying community pride and political activism.

 

 

With more restaurants per capita than any other city in America, San Francisco is home to a wealth of amazing food -- from Michelin Star restaurants to hole-in-the-wall local favorites, to pastry and macaroon shops like Chantal Guillon and local coffeeshops, like Verve Coffee Roasters. No matter what dietary restrictions you have, how advanced your palate is or how obscure you want to go, San Francisco has is all. Don’t miss the local farmers market at the Ferry building on Saturday mornings, where you can sample the freshest organic produce, pick up flowers in bloom, choose from a range of fresh juices and artisan coffees and even enjoy a range of prepared foods from green salads to fish tacos. And don’t forget to venture into the Ferry building, where you can shop around for handmade goods, pick up some local cheese and baguettes or even wait in line for a scoop of artisan ice cream (well worth the wait). Looking for a quiet night in? San Francisco has plenty of options of amazing meal delivery services, like Munchery. You can visit the website or app to order from a range of delicious options. 

 

 

Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower located in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood. From the top, you can see 360-degree views of San Francisco -- including Nob Hill, Russian Hill, the Ferry Building, Alcatraz and both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge.

 

 

For more than five decades, The Castro has been known across the country as one of the most “out and proud” neighborhoods in the U.S. The Castro was home to the late Harvey Milk -- the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. In June, The Castro is home to San Francisco’s month-long, million-strong Pride celebrations. Look up and see dozens of rainbow flags. And don’t forget to look down as you’re crossing Castro and 18th streets, where you’ll find a rainbow crosswalk.

 

 

Lombard Street is dubbed one of “America’s crookedest streets,” featuring steep and sharp switchbacks down a street that is home to classic Victorian mansions. You can drive or walk down the street. We recommend walking -- so you can snap pictures along the way.

 

 

San Francisco is well known for its old cable cars, which run from Nob Hill all the way down to Union Square downtown. The cars, which are still fitted with hand-operated brakes, are a fun way to get downtown -- whether you’re sitting inside or holding on to the railings outside. These cars are historical landmarks run and maintained by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which also runs the city’s municipal public transit system, called Muni. And if you’re out of cash or don’t have exact change for the $7 single-ride fare, just download the MuniMobile app, pay on your phone — yes, you can pay with PayPal -- show the operator and board. If you’re looking for door-to-door service or other transportation options to get you around the city, try a service like Uber. Get to where you’re going and take up to $20 off your first Uber ride when you pay with PayPal and enter the promo code PAYPAL. Offer valid on your first ride up to $20 USD. This offer expires on Dec 31, 2016. Terms apply.

 

These are just a few spots not to miss in San Francisco. For a full, in-depth guide of the city, check out Lonely Planet’s Guide to San Francisco. And during the month of June, when you use the code PAYPAL5 you can get $5 off of your purchase of $15 or more from Lonely Planet. Terms apply. If you’re coming from out of town, make sure you book your tickets early, as plane tickets and accommodations can get pricey. You can look for deals on United.com and Southwest.com. And make sure to book your accommodations well ahead of time if you want to get a good price. Hotels.com is a great place to get deals on hotels in San Francisco. If you want to really experience the city and stay in a local neighborhood, Airbnb is a great way to find a short term rental.

 

Finally, don’t miss the chance to enter to win a $10,000 getaway. Enter here and pay with PayPal in June for more chances to win the adventure of a lifetime. Official rules can be found here.