If you're planning to visit San Francisco, then let me tell you straight: you need at least a week in order to see all the sights and sounds of this beautiful city. The city's a much different area than it used to be, due to all the development that has taken place. It is also much more visually appealing than ever, and it has a long history.

As with all cities in the west, San Francisco will never run out of interesting places for you to see, so if you tire of the city life, you can always try camping in one of the national parks outside the city as an alternative. They are becoming more common these days. That being said, San Francisco hotels offer a whole host of exciting features that you can take advantage of when you stay there.

Yes, if you want a more luxurous vacation, then hotels in San Francisco are the place for you. Many hotels include spas, some of which offer everything from massages to facials. If you need to detox your body or simply unwind and relax, then San Francisco hotels have plenty of options.

Maybe you prefer the art galleries? If so, then the San Francisco will spoil you. Just off the top of my head, you can visit the Anglim Gilbert Gallery, Gagosian, the Eleanor Harwood Gallery, the Jack Fischer Gallery, the Rena Bransten Gallery, Anthony Meier Fine Arts and Berggruen Gallery. I did say you'd need a week in San Francisco...maybe I should say two weeks!

If you are in the mood for a nice hot bath, then the Santa Clara Hot Springs is the perfect place for you. They offer so many different types of treatments and even provide treatment for pets. They also offer services for individuals as well.

One quirky kind of tour you might consider is a "tech tour" - you can visit the campuses of Google, Apple and Facebook on such tours. I always think these kinds of tours are interesting since you get to see a more "everyday" side to a city and its surrounding areas.

Even though there are so many tours on offer, don't forget the golden rule of travel: walk as much as you can. Walking means you get to really take in the sights and sounds - it forces you to slow down and see the location in a more "natural" way. Walk a little off the beaten path too - sure, you'll want to tick off the usual tourist attractions, but for me the real magic is found in the "everyday" areas that you visit - to see how the locals live.

That's not all, San Francisco has some beautiful beaches for you to enjoy. What's more hotels in the city offer packages for couples and families? So, whether you are heading to San Francisco for a few days or staying there for a few weeks, you can enjoy all the options that they have for you.