This is a really pleasant city on a human scale (unlike Los Angeles, which is just way too spread out) that you can discover in stages over a few days. All the tourist spots are worth seeing because they are very enjoyable (Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street...), but you also have to wander through the Chinese, Italian, and gay neighborhoods, which are very lively and worth a look. It is by getting lost in the streets (which climb pretty hard, by the way) that you find yourself amazed by the beauty of certain neighborhoods, with gorgeous houses everywhere. You feel safe in the main areas, though there are many, many homeless people in the more popular neighborhoods.

A city with a really warm and lively vibe. There is a lot to see, but it is mostly a place to explore from the outside, so you do not necessarily need to go inside every building. During the winter, the atmosphere is even nicer with markets offering Hungarian food (if you like potatoes and cabbage, you are going to love it). A must-do: the thermal baths, which are a really nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing, before heading to a bar or a restaurant with a local vibe, which you can find just about everywhere.

Truly an incredible city with so many different faces. You just have to enjoy it by getting lost in it. The streets are charming, and the monuments are magical. It is crowded in some places, but you still get that feeling of freedom. Must see: The Lion King musical.