San Francisco was recently called one of the world’s best destinations for travelers, by National Geographic. This annual list of superlative cities and countries was selected by National Geographic’s global editors and includes nearly every corner of the globe.
San Francisco was included in the Family section, pointing to San Francisco as offering the ability to explore the natural world and outdoor adventure without leaving the city. This list of the world’s best destinations for 2023 is broken down into five categories: Community, Nature, Culture, Family, and Adventure.
The article focuses on the recently completed Crosstown Trail a 17-mile network of hiking trails that goes diagonal across SF from Candlestick Park to Sutro Heights. The project was created by a group of volunteers and connects the city through a series of hidden trails, public parks, tiled stairways, and community gardens. The trail is accessible by foot or bike and can be explored in sections or in one adventurous 17-mile trek. Some highlights of the trail include Candlestick Point, Glen Canyon, the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Stow Lake, and Land’s End.
The article also gives a well-deserved shout-out to the Presidio Tunnel Tops park. This exciting new SF park was designed by the same firm as Manhattan’s High Line.
Some of the other areas that made the family list include traveling around Switzerland by train, birdwatching along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, sea turtles watching in Trinidad and Tobago, and the sport, culture, and arts scene of Manchester, England.
Each location on the list is identified as a “place filled with wonder, rewarding to travelers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems.” It’s easy to see what National Geographic appreciates about SF, and we certainly don’t disagree.
Featured image: Tim Foster on Unsplash