Two cities united by a date

Let’s analyse two of the most interesting metropolises of the United States of America: Philadelphia and San Francisco. Two cities that might differ in appearance but share the same American spirit, with a story in common that dates back to the summer of 1776. They are in fact united by a thin thread that brings us to the Independence Day. As the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell was tolling in Philadelphia, a group of Spanish friars and soldiers established the Presidio of San Francisco and the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores). This historical event become the official birthday of the City of San Francisco.

Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love

The city was founded in 1682 by the English writer and religious thinker William Penn to serve as capital of the Pennsylvania Colony (which he also founded just one year earlier). It is one of the oldest municipalities and the sixth most populous city in the United States of America. It beautifully rises above the river Delaware and is informally called “Philly” by its inhabitants. Philadelphia is also considered the biggest cultural pole of the USA, which is why it was once known as the “Athens of America”.

Several facets of Philadelphia make it the right destination for any kind of tourism: from conferences, conventions and business meetings, to culture, history, music, art and nature. It is like a big picture where gardens, restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques and trendy clubs are the frame.

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia (photo by Bob Krist/Corbis)

Historic District

This history-steeped city had been the Capital of the United States between 1790 and 1800. That charm still characterises its old town, with alleys covered in pebbles and streets where strolling has a unique feel.

When looking closer, we notice that some of the most important monuments stand within a few kilometres, only a couple of blocks away from each other. It is the nation’s “most historic square mile” and it includes 67 National Historical Landmarks. We are in the “Independence National Historical Park”; among all the others, here we find the National Constitution Center, the earlier mentioned Liberty Bell and the Independence Hall, where the declaration was adopted. A few footsteps away is Betsy Ross’ house – the legend goes that she was George Washington’s tailor and he commissioned her to sew the first American flag.

Cultural heart and soul

Being a city of large numbers, Philadelphia also brims with museums and is home to one of the country’s top five art museums: the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Among the others, worth mentioning are: the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Barnes Foundation, which hosts one of the world’s greatest collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern works. There are many others devoted to animals, literature, African-American culture, Jewish-American history, chemistry and medical oddities. Over all, these attractions differ from each other and have contrasts in size, theme and features, but are all eccentric and unexpected to the casual visitor.

Mural Arts Philadelphia is slightly less popular than the ones mentioned above, but is actually the nation’s largest public art program. It started in 1984 as an anti-graffiti program in the more modest areas of the city and is now part of a larger campaign to repurpose public spaces and create positive dialogue in communities. Almost 100 new pieces are commissioned each year and visitors have the opportunity to see them on guided and self-guided tours.

“Water Gives Life” by Eurhi Jones and David McShane (photo by S. Weinik)

If you are into a different kind of art, do not worry – you won’t be disappointed.

There are more than 20 facilities dedicated to performing arts and jazz music, many of which are spread out along the Avenue of the Arts. Here we can find large theatres like the Kimmel Center (home of the Philadelphia Orchestra), the Academy of Music, the Merriam Theater, Wilma Theater, Liacouras Center and Suzanne Roberts Theater. On Broad Street, is the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, a non-profit educational and cultural organisation founded in 1966 by members of the American Federation of Musicians.

America’s Garden Capital

We cannot forget to talk about the green side of Philadelphia. Nature lovers will find their “island of happiness” in more than 30 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes. They are all located within 30 miles and have a tradition of horticulture that goes back 300 years. The geographic region organized an exclusive guide to exploring all 37 gardens: it is a passport that provides important information and must-visit experiences at each destination.

AGC Passport

Among the most loved spots, we find the Longwood Gardens. A stunning location where events and performances (such as illuminated fountains shows, and live music) turn visitors’ tours into magical experiences. For those who are new to gardening, they offer classes and workshops and a Horticulture Information Team answer any questions about their plants’ history and horticulture.

There is so much more to tell about a city like Philadelphia. However, only reading about it will never be the same as actually experiencing and enjoying all that the city has to offer in person.

San Francisco: “The City that Knows How”

Journalist Herb Caen once said: “One day if I do go to heaven… I’ll look around and say, ‘It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.” It is possibly what many others think when they reach the highest spot of the city, astonished by the beauty of the bay while standing on the Twin Peaks.

The locals simply call “her” SF. They do it with love and affection like one would do when signing a note for a lover, and San Francisco is indeed a city that makes you fall in love.

European vibe

It is considered the most European metropoleis in California and in the United States in general. Some see it as an elegant lady, others as a poetic and romantic place; regardless, everyone finds it is the most cordial and friendly city in the USA.

The legendary San Francisco is an open sky film set. We have seen it grow through the years and we keep stored in our minds innumerable images from the past to nowadays. Even those who have never had the pleasure of landing at the San Francisco International Airport, feels like they know this place.

Geographically perfect, it is not too big and easy to explore on foot while witnessing scenarios of everyday life. If you get tired of walking, the world-renowned Cable Cars will take you up and down the city hills and across steep and winding streets. These distinguishing means of transport on rails are equipped with an underground towing system and characterize the city since the end of the 19th century.

Cable Cars in San Francisco

Quintessential sites

Among the many peculiar attractions there is the Alcatraz Island, located right in the middle of the cold bay. Here, the homonymous federal penitentiary, that was once impregnable and had no escape, closed in 1963 and is now operated as a public museum. We then have the Golden Gate Bridge, which gets the name from the strait below it. With its almost three kilometers, it connects the SF peninsula to the Marin County and contends the title of “most famous bridge of the world” with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay

However, the allure of this American paradise is not only portrayed by a handful of basic knowledge. There is more to this city than what films show. These aspects don’t always transpire, but they intrigue the travellers making them want to discover the treasures hidden underneath the surface.

Colorfully variegated districts

The quarters are cosmopolitan and culturally diverse; they combine liveliness, history, heritage and customs. Also, the love for the culinary arts: it seems like Californian cuisine was born right here!

The Italian neighborhood “North Beach” and Chinatown are two gems. The first one is famous for its romantic streets with a unique European style, the countless cafes and restaurants. The second is certainly more chaotic, with exotic food kiosks in every corner, colorful markets and temples.

One of the most visited areas is Fisherman’s Wharf with no doubt. With its view on the bay, shops and the bubbly market on the Pier 39, it is something one can not miss. Here, you will spot see lions while enjoying a delicious seafood soup bought from one of the many kiosks on the promenade.

Pier 39, San Francisco

Culture & Parks

Not far from here, visitors also have the possibility to come across parks and museums. Only a few steps away, we find the Musée Mécanique, the Cartoon Art Museum and The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park which is beautifully situated on the coast.

So many other important museums are just a little bit further down: the  San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum, the de Young Museum, the Comtemporary Jewish Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

Enriching cultural experiences are always on the agenda. The large choice of international events, classic and contemporary art exhibitions, opera and ballet keep elevating the time tourists and locals spend in San Francisco.

If you believe it is too hard to choose between these two cities, you are not the only one.

Do you feel like being hypnotised by the fog banks rolling over the Golden Gate? Perhaps, you prefer a mindful and relaxing walk in a immense botanic garden with hundreds flowers around you.

Or why don’t you just pick them both?