Travel: City of spunk and sparkle

San Francisco belongs to a special class of cities.

An urban expanse that instantly engages with stimulating sights, striking vistas and metropolitan verve.

The city proper is a compact metropolis of seven square miles, pockmarked with 43 hills, the biggest public park in the United States and speckled with Victorian architectural charm.

The city is famous for its silvery fogs and splashes of cosmopolitan pride. Irrepressible San Francisco has a spunk and a sparkle that transcends the mist, making it a magical destination whether you're a first-timer or returning visitor.

Whether it's picture-book scenery, outdoorsy adventure, gourmet dining, live culture, urban heritage or nautical pursuits that float your boat, San Fran delivers on all fronts. No structure symbolises the city better than the Golden Gate Bridge.

The city has been abuzz with anniversary fever, as the Golden Gate celebrated its 75th birthday in late-May.

This marvel of engineering was adorned with a new birthday suit, too, with the entire structure being given a fresh coat of "international orange" paint.

A great starting point to discover the city is to jump on board a narrated Bay cruise that will zip you under the bridge, around storied Alcatraz Island, along the historic Embarcadero waterfront and past the famous colony of 1300 sea lions that have belly-flopped on Pier 39's yacht docks.

Sticking with the oceanic theme, the Aquarium of the Bay is an eye-popping family attraction, showcasing 20,000 denizens of the deep.

Foodie fanatics should make a beeline for the nearby Ferry Building which has been transformed into one of North America's most loved gourmet emporiums. On weekends, a lavish farmers market fans out from the building like a mega-picnic spread.

Much of the city is best explored on foot, particularly the inner-city enclaves like bustling, aromatic Chinatown and the shoppers paradise of Union Square, home to Bloomingdale's and Macy's. But if the steep hill climbs start to take their toll, jump on board one of the iconic cable cars.

If your city stay is short, another great sampler of the landmark sights is a Super Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus. The total circuit takes two hours to complete and some of the headline sights include the botanical grandeur of Golden Gate Park, the chic-bohemian verve of Haight Ashbury and the splendour of San Francisco's Victorian architectural charm, best exemplified by the "Painted Ladies" ensemble of inner-city homes.

Centrally located in Nob Hilland with a cable car stop right outside, Omni Hotel is a San Francisco sweetheart. Situated in a 1926 Florentine Renaissance building, the stylish, comfy rooms are fully equipped with cable TV, MP3 clock radios and Wi-Fi internet. Sample the mouth-dripping cuisine at Bob's Steak & Chop House, widely acclaimed across the USA.