SEE UNION SQUARE FROM ABOVE

It's true, I have a thing about views. One of my favorite views in San Francisco is offered by the balcony of the (gulp!) Cheesecake Factory at the top of Macy's in Union Square. You may have to share the view with 10,000 other visitors to the city, but it's probably worth it - at least if you like views as much as I do. If you have time, go ahead and wait in line and eat a piece of cake the size of Saks Fifth Avenue, but if you lack the patience (or the appetite) for that, go ahead and sneak out onto the balcony anyway. As long as you don't make too much of a nuisance of yourself taking "cute" photos, the staff are usually prepared to give you a pass so you can take a moment and enjoy this view of the city from above.