San Francisco might not be the first choice for those looking for a great group travel destination. However, with it’s many cultural opportunities, distinct neighborhoods, breathtaking natural topography, and temperate year-round weather, San Francisco offers everything a group could want. Offering a large quantity of various meeting room spaces to accommodate group gatherings, the unique blend of cultural and ethnic diversity create a travel destination that feels welcoming to just about anyone.
The “City by the Bay” offers a plethora of interesting tourist attractions, a combination of large and small hotels (both franchise and boutique), and a warm, charming atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression upon group travelers.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
This is the list of must-see tourist attractions groups should consider when visiting San Francisco:
Charter a Boat: There are many boat companies that offer group charters to tour the Bay – including cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge and sailing out to Alcatraz Island. These tours are typically offered in the morning, afternoon, and in the evenings.
Chinatown Group Tour: Another really interesting group tour option is the Chinatown District of San Francisco. This is the oldest Chinatown in the United States, as well as the largest – boasting a population of approximately 100,000 people. There are a variety of ways to see this culturally-rich area, but the most popular is taking a guided tour on foot. See the Asian markets, kite shops, historic buildings and churches, and their famous Chinese street lights. Generally, this includes dinner in one of Chinatown’s finer eateries.
Alcatraz: Leaving from Fisherman’s Wharf (also an interesting place to visit for a few hours), the former prison and lighthouse is a must-see for every visitor to the City. Audio tours through the cell block paint a realistic picture of what life on “the Rock” was really like. The lighthouse at Alcatraz was the first one built on the west coast. Groups really enjoy this attraction because it offers so many distinctive elements – from the boat ride to the island, to the various tours and history.
GROUP-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS
The demands of tourism have transformed San Francisco into a very group-friendly tourist destination – making it a perfect place to hold family reunions, class reunions, girlfriend getaways, club vacations, corporate meetings and conventions, and more. The city offers a wide range of mid-sized boutique hotels with small to medium-sized meeting spaces available for group use, as well as larger franchise hotels with large numbers of rooms and large (usually flexible) meeting spaces. These hotel options are available in most districts of the city (SOMA, Financial, Downtown, Union Square, and more) – making them conveniently-located for the city’s main attractions.
CONCLUSION
If your group is making a decision about which destination would be best for its next group event, make sure to include San Francisco in the conversation. The “City by the Bay” will warm the hearts and leave an imprint on the memories of everyone in your group.
