I'm a big believer in geographic determinism, and I suspect the clement weather in San Francisco has a lot to do with its pervading buoyant mood. That's why I disagree with the standard observation that San Francisco is the most European of American cities. People smile a lot here. (Do Europeans?) Traffic jams tend to be caused by drivers insisting the other guy go first. (Been to Italy much?) And have you ever seen a place more tolerant of alternative lifestyles? (Greece? Ha.)

Even better for visitors, San Francisco is a manageable size — about six miles square — and the traffic isn't nearly as bad as it is in New York or L.A. So it's possible to do 10 great things in a day, and see most of the city. Here's a one-day itinerary that will take the first-timer methodically through some of the most interesting places San Francisco has to offer.

• 1. Get Breakfast at Mama's
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• 2. Coit Tower
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• 3. The Stairs of Telegraph Hill
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• 4. The Trolley to the Castro
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• 5. Haight-Ashbury
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• 6. Golden Gate Park
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• 7. The Exploratorium
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• 8. The Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge
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• 9. Ferry Building
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• 10. AT&T Park
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