San Francisco, CA

Within its seven-by-seven-mile square, the City by the Bay has it all: diverse neighborhoods, world-renowned foodie spots, panoramic bay views from atop the steepest hills, lively music and art scenes, and gay and activist communities that have flourished like nowhere else. With sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz, San Francisco is a visual orgy of historical and cultural icons. But even its local spots are must-visits—from the Mission's dive bars to Haight-Ashbury's head shops to Chinatown's crowded alleyways—for these are the places where you see how diverse and eclectic the city truly is. —Cheri Lucas