When visitors in other cities swelter in summer's heat and picnic plans are abandoned for air conditioned cafes, San Francisco's typical weather report is an invitation to gather up the picnic basket, blanket and head out.

Charming Sausalito is a great place to spend a day, and can be easily reached on a beautiful ferry ride from San Francisco.

Home to the oldest Japantown in the U.S. and also the oldest Chinatown in the U.S., and one of the largest, San Francisco also is home to Little Saigon. The Asian Art Museum, a stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden and souvenir shopping along Grant Avenue are “musts” for visitors.

Alcatraz gets the majority of the buzz when it comes to the islands in San Francisco Bay, but here are two other gems that are worth checking out on your next trip to the Bay Area.