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Carlos Madrigal

Family Fun in San Francisco

San Francisco, 4 Days

Table of contents:Guide Description 2

Itinerary Overview 3

Daily Itineraries 4

San Francisco Snapshot 12

Guide Description

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AUTHOR NOTE: San Francisco has plenty of fun-filled familyadventures in store, ranging from the cultural to the natural to thenighttime entertainment variety. And the best part? These family-friendly attractions are guaranteed to delight people of all ages.

Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

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Day 1 - San FranciscoDAY NOTE: Take a Cable Car from Powell and Market streetsall the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. Tons of good, clean, familyfun can be had in the way of The Wharf’s maritime history,unique museums, abundant seafood, and souvenir shopping.The Wharf is also the jumping off point for visiting the notoriousformer penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, a definite can’t-miss SFexperience.

Cable CarsSan Francisco Trademark

Fisherman's WharfTourist hot spot

Alcatraz IslandLegendarily inescapable prison worth the touristcrowds

Day 2 - San FranciscoDAY NOTE: The Exploratorium boasts tantalizing—and superfun—exhibits that will keep you and your little ones engaged forhours on end. Then take an unforgettable walk across the GoldenGate Bridge for unparalleled views of the city and the bay. Thequaint Marin town of Sausalito is just on the other side of thebridge and awaits with its cute shops, art galleries, and deliciousscoops of Lappert’s ice cream.

The ExploratoriumAmazing Science museum, fun for kids ages 4 to 84.

Golden Gate BridgeAn architectural icon capping off the San FranciscoBay

Day 3 - San FranciscoDAY NOTE: Ready for the great outdoors? One day in GoldenGate Park is never enough, as it not only contains the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences, but it also boasts endless nooks andcrannies for open-air fun, as well as natural wonders at theConservatory of Flowers and the Strybing Arboretum & BotanicalGarden. When the sun goes down, enjoy raucous, delicious,family-style Italian dining at Bucca di Beppo.

Golden Gate Park1,000+ acres of green retreat in the heart of the city

Strybing Arboretum & BotanicalGardensNature wonderland

Conservatory of FlowersFancy plants

Buca di Beppo - San Francisco1950s panache

Day 4 - San FranciscoDAY NOTE: Up north, the other-worldly beauty of Californiaredwoods adorns the walking paths of Muir Woods NationalMonument. Alternatively, you can spend hours upon hoursdiscovering thousands of native plant and animal species ontrails, in tide pools, and from ocean bluffs at Point Reyes NationalSeashore. Cap off your explorations with an evening of movies,games, fun shops, and a affordable gourmet food court at theSan Francisco Metreon entertainment complex.

Muir Woods National MonumentRedwood forest refuge

Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor CenterLook for migrating whales

Metreon Entertainment CenterBrushed chrome diversion!

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Day 1 - San FranciscoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Take a Cable Car from Powell and Market streets all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. Tons of good, clean, family fun canbe had in the way of The Wharf’s maritime history, unique museums, abundant seafood, and souvenir shopping. The Wharf is also thejumping off point for visiting the notorious former penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, a definite can’t-miss SF experience.

contact:tel: (415) 673-6864http://www.sfmuni.com

location:401 Van NessSan Francisco CA 94102

1 Cable Cars

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:For a map detailing all cable car lines and stops,visit the San Francisco MUNI web site, linked on theleft side of this page.

DESCRIPTION: You just might not be able to stop yourselffrom singing the old Rice-a-Roni jingle each time you ride agleaming, red San Francisco Cable Car. Although it's mostlytourists who ride these iconic streetcars, even locals who livenear the cable lines get in on the action just because it's themost fun way to experience the hilly, roller-coaster ride thatis San Francisco topography. Hold on tight and boldly leanoutside the Cable Car for unparalleled views of the cityscapeand the Bay rising and fading. For the best Cable Car ridethe city has to offer, brave the line at Powell and Market andtake the Powell Street line up some of the city's steepesthills, all the way to its terminus at Fisherman's Wharf. For analternative, take the Hyde Street line to the top of twisty-turnyLombard Street. The California Street line takes you throughthe Financial District to the more elegant residential turf ofthe Nob Hill district, home to some of the city's most luxurioushotels. © NileGuide

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contact:tel: (415) 956-3493http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

location:The EmbarcaderoSan Francisco CA 94133

2 Fisherman's Wharf

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Visit Fisherman's Wharf earlier in the day to avoidall the other tourists...don't forget to grab your clamchowder in a bread bowl too!

DESCRIPTION: Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco's historicwaterfront, is at the top of every visitor's muse-see list—and we mean every visitor (locals tend to avoid it). Despiteabundant souvenir shops, Fisherman's Wharf still has plentyof appeal. Families shouldn't miss the aquarium and sea lionssunning outdoors at Pier 39, nor Fisherman's Wharf's noveltymuseums, including Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, theMusee Mecanique, and the Wax Museum at Fisherman'sWharf. History lovers can explore the area's maritime past atan anchored submarine, a WWII ship, and an array of old-time vessels. Shopaholics can find more than just souvenirs

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on Jefferson Street and at Ghiradelli Square, an outdoor mallfeaturing (you guessed it!) the city's signature chocolate.Fisherman's Wharf is also an unbeatable dining destination,whether you prefer only-in-Cali burgers at In-n-Out or premiumfish and seafood. If you're in town during November throughFebruary, you're in store for a harvest of Dungeness crab, alocal specialty. Try clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl fora year-round Fisherman's Wharf culinary delight. © NileGuide

contact:tel: (415) 705-5555http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

location:Embarcadero and Powell StSan Francisco CA 94133

hours:Arrive at least 20 min. beforedeparture time

3 Alcatraz Island

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:To get there, take the Alcatraz ferry fromFisherman's Wharf, but be sure to purchaseAlcatraz Ferry tickets in advance, as they book upfast. They can be obtained on the Alcatraz Cruisesweb site.

DESCRIPTION: "The Rock," as Alcatraz is known locally,has a formidable past. Most people don't know it servedas a lighthouse, military outpost, and military prison beforebecoming the notorious federal prison that held the likes ofAl Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert Stroud,a.k.a. "The Birdman of Alcatraz." The tiny island only milesfrom the San Francisco shore was considered the perfectdetainment spot due to the surrounding shark-infested, frigidwaters. Today visitors can safely enjoy guided tours of Alcatraz,including various cells, the mess hall, the exercise yard, andthe surprisingly beautiful natural features of the island. Tourguides are extremely knowledgeable and relish regaling visitorswith quirky stories of prisoners past. The truly brave can getlocked up in a darkened cell for several minutes—all the moreexhilarating considering the penitentiary's claim that all 14escape attempts in the prison's 29 years of operation failed! ©NileGuide

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Day 2 - San FranciscoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: The Exploratorium boasts tantalizing—and super fun—exhibits that will keep you and your little ones engaged for hours onend. Then take an unforgettable walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for unparalleled views of the city and the bay. The quaint Marintown of Sausalito is just on the other side of the bridge and awaits with its cute shops, art galleries, and delicious scoops of Lappert’s icecream.

contact:tel: (415) 561-0360 / (415)397-5673http://www.exploratorium.edu

location:3601 Lyon StreetSan Francisco CA 94123

hours:Tues-Sun 10am-5pm

1 The Exploratorium

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:If you're feeling puckish after your visit, head tonearby Chestnut Street, the Marina district's maincommercial strip, where a variety of restaurants(plus bars, shops , and a movie theater) beckon.

DESCRIPTION: We couldn't think of a better name for amuseum that invites visitors of all ages to explore the worldand how we perceive it. Yes, science takes center stage at theExploratorium, but in such innovative, interactive ways thatkids of all ages—including us grown-up kids—will hardly noticetime go by (how's that for playing with human perception?).Among the Exploratorium's 650 exhibits are a completelydarkened tactile dome, a miscroscopic imaging station in whichvisitors can check out microorganism's embryos and more, anexhibit that explores the mind and how we think, feel, and makedecisions, and one that plays with how humans interpret sound.The Exploratorium is housed inside the Palace of Fine Arts,whose scenic grounds are the perfect place for a post-museumbreath of fresh air. © NileGuide

Mike Johnston

contact:tel: (415) 921-5858http://www.goldengate.org/

location:Lincoln Blvd & Hwy 1San Francisco CA 94129

2 Golden Gate Bridge

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Dress in layers, as the bridge is in the city's fogand wind belt; even on a picture-perfect day, thetemperature can fluctuate.

DESCRIPTION: Perhaps the most iconic bridge in the country,if not in the world, the crimson expanse of the Golden GateBridge is a not-to-miss sight while in San Francisco. Spanningthe city and neighboring Marin County to the north, the GoldenGate Bridge also serves as a gateway between the SanFrancisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Although you'll be treatedto glimpses of the bridge throughout the city, the best way toexperience it is to walk or bike across, starting in the Presidio.You can then spend a serene afternoon strolling around thequaint Marin seaside city of Sausalito. If you prefer a gentlerroute, you can take a ferry from the San Francisco FerryBuilding or from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito or Tiburon

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(another beautiful Marin town full of great restaurants andnearby walking paths), gazing at the majestic Golden GateBridge, plus sailboats, kite-surfers, and the gorgeous Bay viewsalong the way. © NileGuide

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Day 3 - San FranciscoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Ready for the great outdoors? One day in Golden Gate Park is never enough, as it not only contains the California Academyof Sciences, but it also boasts endless nooks and crannies for open-air fun, as well as natural wonders at the Conservatory of Flowersand the Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Garden. When the sun goes down, enjoy raucous, delicious, family-style Italian dining at Buccadi Beppo.

contact:tel: (415) 831-2700fax: +1 415 581 2540http://www.sfgov.org/

location:Stanyan & Fulton StsSan Francisco CA 94118

1 Golden Gate Park

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:You can pedal a boat around Stow Lake, but abetter bet is to rent a bike at the boathouse thereand pedal around the park. On your way, check outthe historic herd of bison (That's right, big shaggybuffalo) in their paddock near the lake.

DESCRIPTION: Spanning three miles from the edge of Haight-Ashbury all the way to the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Parkcontains so many mini-universes and attractions you'll wantto (literally) stop and smell the roses on several occasions.Die-hard nature lovers can check out the Rose Garden, theConservatory of Flowers, or the famous Japanese Tea Garden,featuring a classic pagoda, cherry blossoms, and landscapingstraight out of the Land of the Rising Sun. Golden Gate Park'snatural highlight, however, is the San Francisco BotanicalGarden, which features a horticultural trip around the world(don't miss the redwood grove and succulents section).Don't miss Golden Gate Park's two world-class museums, theCalifornia Academy of Sciences and the De Young Museum.Both were completely rebuilt in their original locations in thepast decade, and are worth a visit for their architecture alone.The park is also the perfect place to get active. There are tonsof walking paths, several public tennis courts, an affordablepitch and put nine-hole golf course, sport fields, and picnicgrounds. You can even rent a boat and head out for a delightfulrow on Stow Lake. Spring, summer, and fall bring a number ofevents to Golden Gate Park, including bluegrass, rock, and hip-hop concerts and Shakespeare in the Park performances. ©NileGuide

Phillie Casablanca

contact:tel: (415) 661-1316fax: +1 415 661 7427http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/

location:9th Avenue at Lincoln WaySan Francisco CA 94122

2 Strybing Arboretum & BotanicalGardens

DESCRIPTION: This is a living museum in Golden GatePark that is home to a wide array of rare and exotic plant lifefrom around the world. Visit the 70-acre garden and exploreseemingly endless trails with duck ponds, an arbor, herbs,flowers, blooming trees and redwoods, and smaller, specializedgardens with names like the Garden of Fragrance. Also onhand is an education center that provides different gardening,

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hours:8a-4:30p M-F, 10a-5p Sa, Su

horticulture, botany, and environmental classes for adults andchildren, plus a horticulture library and bookstore. The public isallowed to stroll through the garden anytime, although they areasked to keep on the paths. © wcities.com

contact:tel: (415) 666-7001http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/

location:JFK Drive, Golden Gate ParkSan Francisco CA 94117

3 Conservatory of Flowers

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:This unique structure houses a beautiful variety oftropical plants. As you walk through the humidity,note the thoughtful way in which each species hasbeen displayed in a semi-natural form.

DESCRIPTION: Built in the late 1870s, the oldest buildingin the park is the last remaining wood-frame Victorianconservatory in the country. It's also a copy of the conservatoryin the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, England, with aspectacular, 14-ton glass dome atop its perch. The gardensin front of the conservatory are planted seasonally, with theflowers often fashioned like billboards depicting the GoldenGate Bridge or other city sights. On the east side of theconservatory (to the right as you face the building), cypress,pine, and redwood trees surround the Dahlia Garden, whichblooms in summer and fall. To the west several hundred feeton John F. Kennedy Drive is the Rhododendron Dell. The dellcontains the most varieties -- 850 in all -- of any garden in thecountry. It's especially beautiful in March, when many of theflowers bloom, and is a favorite spot of locals for Mother's Daypicnics. © NileGuide

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contact:tel: (415) 543-7673fax: (415) 543-1209http://www.bucadibeppo.com/

location:855 Howard StreetSan Francisco CA 94103

hours:Mo to Th from 11:00 AM to10:00 PM,Fr from 11:00 AM to11:00 PM,Sa from 11:00 AMto 11:00 PM,Su from 11:00AM to 10:00 PM

4 Buca di Beppo - San Francisco

DESCRIPTION: The enormous neon sign shows Chiantiebulliently spilling into an oversized glass. Its 1950s flavorapplies to the decor inside, too. Italian and Italian-Americanpop culture artifacts are scattered everywhere. Note the so-called Pope's table, featuring a bust of John Paul II. The foodis hearty and served family-style in enormous portions tolocal professionals, students and tourists. There is nothinggourmet per se on the menu, but the Spaghetti, Ravioli,Lasagna, Scampi and various incarnations of Parmagiana(veal, eggplant, chicken) are made with care and are delicious.The wine list has a few Chiantis. © wcities.com

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Day 4 - San FranciscoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Up north, the other-worldly beauty of California redwoods adorns the walking paths of Muir Woods National Monument.Alternatively, you can spend hours upon hours discovering thousands of native plant and animal species on trails, in tide pools, and fromocean bluffs at Point Reyes National Seashore. Cap off your explorations with an evening of movies, games, fun shops, and a affordablegourmet food court at the San Francisco Metreon entertainment complex.

contact:tel: (415) 388-2595fax: (415) 389-6957http://www.visitmuirwoods.com

location:Muir Woods Rd and CaminoDel CynMill Valley CA 94941

1 Muir Woods National Monument

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:We recommend visiting the park as early in theday as possible, as finding parking becomes moredifficult the later you arrive.

DESCRIPTION: Commissioned by President Teddy Rooseveltand named for conservationist John Muir, these woods area tribute to the enchantment of redwood trees. For anyonewho's encountered California redwoods, you know of what wespeak. For those who haven't, Muir Woods National Monumentis the perfect place to experience these majestic wonders forthe first time. When you enter the park, you're treated to flat,paved walking paths that meander through the lush grove oftowering redwoods, spiraling ferns, and other native plants,complete with historic and scientific explanations of the forest'sfeatures. We recommend taking this classic Muir Woods routeand then ascending higher towards where you can choosefrom a variety of dirt hiking paths; that's where the magic trulyhappens. As most visitors stick to the easy ground-level path,hikers are treated to a truly serene experience the higher theyclimb, sometimes hearing almost nothing but delicate birdsong.Some trails originating in Muir Woods go all the way to StinsonBeach or to gorgeous parts of Mount Tamalpais State Park, orlead to very special local secrets, such as the Tourist Club, aGerman beer tavern. (Because what's better than a refreshingbrew after some hearty physical exertion?) © NileGuide

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contact:tel: (415) 464-5100fax: (415) 663-8132http://www.nps.gov/pore/

location:Point Reyes Station CA94956

2 Point Reyes Lighthouse VisitorCenter

DESCRIPTION: This visitor center contains exhibits onlighthouses, wild flowers,geology and marine life. It is closedTuesdays and Wednesdays. © NileGuide

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contact:tel: (800) 638-7366http://www.metreon.com/

location:101 Fourth StreetSan Francisco CA 94104

hours:10a-10p M-Su

3 Metreon Entertainment Center

DESCRIPTION: This gleaming mass of brushed-chrome,plate-glass and 21st century attitude is one of The City's bestshopping and entertainment complexes with first-rate shops,restaurants, attractions, and state-of-the-art cinemas (includingan IMAX. Sony Playstation store in the whole wide world, plushyper-cool video arcades. The food court is a cut above whatyou will find in a typical mall, featuring outposts of such SanFrancisco restaurants as Sanraku. Hands-on is the houserule. Look through colorful coffee table books. Touch Sony'sbiggest touchscreen remote. Capture alien invaders at thePlayStation store, and then bring home the latest band's CDspinning inside the listening station. You'll also find other greatplaces to browse and shop like: Sony Style letting you kick backin one of the "living rooms," and watch a movie on the biggesttelevision, or try out the latest HandyCam. © wcities.com

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San Francisco Snapshot

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Local InfoSan Francisco has an irresistible lure. Fromthe first moment you crest a hill only tobehold a vista of ocean and bay waterstwinkling beneath theGolden Gate Bridge,you are forever hooked. Good thing thecity has tons to offer in addition to amazingviews!

Culture vultures can take in world-classmuseums, such as theSan FranciscoMuseum of Modern Art and theAsian ArtMuseum, a thriving gallery and publicartscene, and performances galore, fromtheSan Francisco Symphony to rock atthe Fillmore to jazz(with a side of sushi)atYoshi's.Outdoors enthusiasts canexplore the many nooks and cranniesofGolden Gate Park, or cross theGoldenGate Bridge to soak upMuir Woodssequoias,Mount Tamalpais hikingtrails,Point Reyes scenic shoreline, andmoreMarin County wonders.Foodies andoenophiles are treated to an array of top-notchrestaurants, the sensationalFerryBuilding Marketplace and Farmer'sMarket, and nearbyWine Countrydelights.Families love the interactiveexhibits at theCalifornia Academy ofSciences and theExploratorium, as well aspicnics and more beachside fun atCrissyField.

But perhaps the most fascinating way toexplore San Francisco is on foot, traversingthe patchwork ofdiverse neighborhoods.For a taste of the city's colorful heritage,discoverNorth Beach's Beatnik andItalian-American legacy, America'slargestChinatown, seafaring history anda peak intoAlcatraz's notorious pastatFisherman's Wharf, and traces ofHaight-Ashbury's hippie days. TheCastro'sdynamic gay community, theMission's artsyset, andUnion Square's bustle ofhotels,shops, andCable Cars a-clanging plant youfirmly in the present. No matter what part ofthe city you choose to explore, you're sureto discover the friendliness and laid-backcharm of San Francisco residents.

Visitors are drawn back to SanFrancisco again and again, to catchthe newestrestaurant or exhibit, blaze anewhiking trail, or just relish that iconic viewof the Bay. Just be sure to pack layers ofclothes, as one never knows when the city'scharacteristic fog may swirl in.

© NileGuide

HistorySan Francisco: Miwok Indians to thenorth and the Ohlones to the south liveda peaceful existence before the coming ofEuropeans. The Kule Loklo Miwok village,re-created near the Bear Valley VisitorsCenter at Point Reyes National Seashore inMarin County, provides an insight into theirdaily life.

With an overland expedition by Don Gasparde Portola, Europeans first laid eyes on theBay in 1770. In March 1776, Captain JuanBautista de Anza founded the Presidio andMission of as-yet unnamed San Francisco.The Spanish presence at the Mission SanFrancisco de Asis(now Mission Dolores—completed in 1791; the oldest building inthe city) and at the Presidio, three milesaway, did not amount to much over thesucceeding years. The Mexican revolutionof 1821 led to the Secularization Act of1833, ending the Mission Period. MissionDolores fell into disrepair. Conversion anddisease had done much to destroy theculture of the Miwoks and Ohlones; bythe early 19th century, native tribes hadeffectively ceased to exist.

In 1792, British explorer George Vancouver,visiting San Francisco Bay, discovered aprotected anchorage east of the Presidio,called Yerba Buena by the Spanish afterthe sweet smelling grasses growing aroundthe base of what is now Telegraph Hill.Vancouver pitched and left a tent there,creating the nucleus of what becameYerba Buena, a small English-speakingcommunity outside Spanish and Mexicanauthority. In 1846 with the Mexican-American war, the Presidio and YerbaBuena came under American control.

In 1847, Yerba Buena, with a populationof about 1,000, changed its name to SanFrancisco. The next January, gold wasdiscovered at Sutter's Mill, which createdonly a minor stir. It was left to newspaperpublisher and merchant Sam Brannan,trying to drum up trade for his SacramentoStreet hardware store, to really triggerthe Gold Rush. He brandished a bottleof gold pellets in Portsmouth Squareand shouted,"Gold! Gold! Gold from the

American River!" Within a year or two,Brannan was a millionaire. 100,000"forty-niners" came to San Francisco from all overthe world within the next year. Brannan'sannouncement practically emptied SanFrancisco of its citizenry in 1848, and mostforty-niners stayed only long enough to getpicks and shovels before they were off tothe hills.

By 1854, the gold fields had beenexhausted, and San Francisco sank into aneconomic depression from which it wouldnot emerge until the early 1860s with thediscovery of the Comstock silver lode inwestern Nevada. It was this boom, richerand longer-lived than the California GoldRush, which began to make a real city outof San Francisco, and millionaires out ofsome of its citizens. Comstock"bonanzakings" like James Flood, whose home isnow the elegant Pacific Union Club, builtmansions on Nob Hill. Fabric merchantLevi Strauss created a clothing empire bysewing pants for miners out of his leftovertent canvas.

The wild and woolly Barbary Coastroared through the ups and downs ofSan Francisco. The city gained a justlydeserved reputation for vice of every sort.Brothels, gambling halls, and Chineseopium dens were everywhere on the city'seastern waterfront, and unwitting patronswere frequently"shanghaied" into serviceas sailors. The remnants of the BarbaryCoast's scandalous"dance" revues canbe seen in the slowly declining strip jointsalong Broadway in North Beach.

Early in the morning of April 18, 1906, anearthquake with an estimated magnitudeof 8.1 on the Richter Scale ripped throughSan Francisco, destroying hundreds ofbuildings. As gas mains ruptured, a firespread through the city, causing far greaterdamage than the quake itself. 500 or sowere killed, but an estimated 100,000, whowere left homeless, either fled in ferries andwatched their city burn from the Oaklandhills or joined a tent city of 20,000 in what isnow Golden Gate Park.

The city quickly rebuilt itself after theearthquake and fire, like the phoenix risingfrom ashes on the San Francisco flag.Celebrating civic triumph over adversity,San Francisco hosted the Panama PacificInternational Exposition in 1915, a glitteringarchitectural fantasy built on 635 acres of

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what is now the Marina District. A greatsuccess, the Exposition's steel-reinforcedplaster buildings were bulldozed shortlyafter it closed, leaving only the domedpavilion of the Palace of Fine Arts(site ofthe Exploratorium).

Throughout the 1920s, plans were putforward for bridges to connect SanFrancisco with the East Bay and Marin.Finally in the early 1930s, work began onthe San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge,which opened in 1936, and the GoldenGate Bridge in 1937.

Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, GarySnyder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and otheryoung writers and thinkers of what wasto be known as the Beat Generationestablished themselves in the cafes andbars of North Beach, continuing the city'sliterary, bohemian tradition, albeit witha dreamy, druggy, jazz-inflected twist.Rising North Beach rents forced beatniks(aterm coined bySan Francisco Chroniclecolumnist Herb Caen) out to the Victoriansof Haight-Ashbury, where their boundary-breaking prose had already inspired a newmovement of long-haired young culturalmavericks.

Derisively dubbed"hippies" by the beats,who saw them as junior beat wanna-bes,the hippies took their cultural and psychicexplorations to different extremes, aidedby LSD, a synthesized hallucinogen.Bands like the Grateful Dead and JeffersonAirplane came up with the soundtrackto"tune in, turn on, and drop out," and the1967 Summer of Love drew over 100,000young seekers to the Haight.

Flower Power began to manifest itselfmore and more stridently with politicalunrest as demonstrations and even riotsbecame a feature of life at San FranciscoState University and, even more so, at theUniversity of California, Berkeley."Peaceand love" began to turn into a bad trip.

San Francisco's gay community began toassert itself with greater confidence andurgency in the 1970s, electing SupervisorHarvey Milk as the nation's only openly gaypolitician. Milk was killed in 1978, alongwith Mayor George Moscone by formerSupervisor Dan White. White's subsequentconviction on a mere manslaughter chargeprompted riots and the burning of policecars by angry gays and their supporters infront of City Hall on"White Night."

During the 1980s, the gay communityreeled under the onslaught of the AIDSepidemic. Though incidences of the diseasehave leveled off and more effective drugsprolong the life of those afflicted, the Castrohas drawn even more tightly together topromote awareness of the disease andto support those whose lives have beenaffected by it.

In 1989, just as the Bay Area was sittingdown to watch the San Francisco Giantsand Oakland Athletics play each other inthe third game of the World Series, it wasrocked by the 7.1 Loma Prieta Earthquake.The legacy of the quake can be seen inthe sometimes nightmarish San Franciscotraffic, caused by irreparable damage toimportant sections of freeway.

Today San Francisco is a a city ofextremes. The magic of a thrivingdowntown business sector, explosive dot-com businesses South of Market, and areal estate boom in the southern corridordoes not seem to be enough to dispelconcern over an ever-rising homelesspopulation and intractable problems withSan Francisco's public transportationsystem, Muni. Despite these issues andeconomic swings, it would be hard to dimthe luster of the abundant charms of, asHerb Caen put it, the"Baghdad by the Bay."

San Jose: Before the silicon chip, beforeDionne Warwick("Do You Know the Way toSan Jose?,") and well before the Spanishgave it a name, San Jose was home toscattered settlements of Ohlone Indians.The Ohlone("The People") were hunter-gatherers who had lived around the SanFrancisco Bay since the end of the last IceAge. The southern end of the Bay, wherebustling San Jose now stands, provided theOhlones with a particularly felicitous mix ofmild climate, redwood forests, acorn-filledoak groves, and creeks and bay wetlandsabounding with fish and wildlife.

On November 6, 1769, Gaspar de Portolawalked into the Ohlone's peaceful worldby mistake. Portola was looking forMonterey Bay, discovered(in 1602),and subsequently described with wildinaccuracy, by Sebastian Vizcaino. It wouldtake Portola two expeditions to find it.On this first mission, he became the firstEuropean to lay eyes on San FranciscoBay, and on the Ohlone. Portola set upcamp to the north under a tall redwood, a

place he called el palo alto. The tree, andits namesake city, are both thriving today.

In 1775, Juan Batista de Anza arrived inthe area with a number of Spaniards intenton settling the territory of Alta California,and civilizing the Ohlone. In two years,a mission was built on a site close to theGuadalupe River, dubbed Mission SantaClara de Asis(after Saint Claire of Assisi).The area around the settlement came to beknown as Santa Clara Valley.(Today, SanJose is the seat of Santa Clara County.)To maintain the mission, an agriculturaloutpost was founded nearby on November29, 1777: El Pueblo de San Jose deGuadalupe, so called after St. Joseph,the patron saint of the territory. Becausethis was the first civilian lay presence inAlta California, San Jose can claim thetitle of the oldest city in the state. Spanishsettlers planted vineyards and orchardsand developed cattle ranches. The Ohlonelearned agriculture, were absorbed intothe burgeoning Spanish community, andceased to exist as a distinct culture.

The year 1821 marked the MexicanRevolution and a change in theadministration of Alta California. A periodof tension between Mexico and the UnitedStates followed, as the American frontierpushed ever westward, culminating in 1846with the Mexican-American War. The SantaClara Valley saw the only action betweenUnited States and Mexicans(or, moreprecisely Californios) in Northern California,in fact, at the Battle of Santa Clara.

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Millin 1848 had a profound effect on SanJose and the Santa Clara Valley. Whilenot a vein of the"mother lode" that ranfar south, the Valley's western foothillswere rich in cinnabar, an ore containingmercury and sulfur, both valuable mineralsimportant for the refinement of gold andsilver. The Valley's agricultural, industrialand mercantile resources, which fedand clothed miners up at the diggings,also played an important role in bringingprosperity to San Jose. In 1850, twoyears after the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, California won statehood;thanks in large part to the determinedlobbying efforts of two local real estatepromoters, and San Jose became thestate's first capital. In its year in San Jose(ahard, rainy winter would drive the capital toBenecia, Vallejo, and finally Sacramento),

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the hard-living State Assembly was knownas"the Legislature of a Thousand Drinks."

As the gold rush ran its course and gaveway to the silver bonanza of the ComstockLode, miners came by the thousands tosettle in the pleasant climate and fertile landof Santa Clara Valley. As the state grew,so did the Valley's agricultural bounty ofwheat, pears, apricots, cherries, plums, andfinally, and most significantly, prunes. It wasthe prune industry that came to dominateSanta Clara Valley. San Jose's agriculturalheritage has been largely plowed under bythe demands of housing and the technologyindustry, but individual trees and smallstands can be seen here and there withincity limits.

Farming and the railroad increased boththe population and the ethnic diversity ofSan Jose. Germans played a key role incity government and civic life, and a localGerman band was the nucleus for whatis now the San Jose Symphony. Frenchimmigrants helped shape the fruit industrywith expertise and cuttings from the Frenchcountryside. And by 1870, more than a thirdof the city's population was Chinese.

Santa Clara Valley continued to prosperquietly throughout the rest of the 19th andearly 20th centuries, with the occasionaldisturbances of the 1906 San Andreasearthquake and the Great Depression.In 1891, railroad baron Leland Stanford'slargesse made possible the opening ofStanford University in Palo Alto. The town—in Santa Clara County —actually sprangup in the shadow of the university, and wassubsequently named for Portola's redwood.

Stanford quickly became a leading centerof education and research, particularlyin the development of new technologies.In 1909, Stanford engineering graduateCyril Elwell, funded with$500 of seedcapital from the university's president,began work in wireless technology thatwould result in the founding of the FederalTelegraph Company in Palo Alto. Also in1909, Stanford researcher Charles Herroldbroadcast the world's first commercial radiobroadcasts from atop San Jose's GardenCity Bank building. Stanford graduatesWilliam Hewlett and David Packard starteda small audio-oscillator business in theirgarage in the 1930s and are popularlycredited with fathering what we nowknow as Silicon Valley. In truth, the SouthBay's high-tech industry was the legacy

of a number of brilliant engineers andtechnologists associated with the universityand Palo Alto business community.

After World War II, tens of thousands ofveterans made San Jose their home,displacing agriculture and changingthe nature of the city, a change thatwould become even more dramatic withthe wartime technology that followed.The exigencies of war had sparked theaccelerated development of vacuum tube,radio, and radar technology, and led to thefounding of the Stanford Research Institute.In far off Pennsylvania, the birth of theworld's first electronic computer, ENIAC,led to IBM building a$53 million diskdrive plant in San Jose. Lockheed, GTE,General Electric, a more mature Hewlett-Packard and Shockley SemiconductorLaboratory(whose founder, WilliamShockley, had invented the transistor)soon followed. By the late 1950s the areawas the center of the nation's technologyindustry.

Disaffected Shockley employees foundedFairchild Semiconductor, which developedthe first practical integrated circuit, or siliconchip as it came to be known. In 1968,refugees of struggling Fairchild went onto form the Intel Corporation, which, in1971, came out with the microprocessor.In quick succession, video games(startingwith Atari's Pong), PostScript printingtechnology, Cupertino's Apple Computer,the IBM PC, and Sun Microsystems helpedto make up Silicon Valley as we know ittoday.

Having annexed numerous surroundingcommunities after the war, San Jose'spopulation, helped by the returning GIs,quickly tripled in size.(City Manager A.P.Dutch Hamann directed the annexationcampaign, helped by a ruthless staffderided as"the Panzer Division.") Theexpenditure of valuable municipalresources in the city's rapid expansionhad a profound and negative effect on thecity's center. By the late'50s, it started anot-so-gradual decline into urban blight,which was reversed only in the mid-1980sunder the stewardship of Mayor ThomasMcEnery. An extensive and expensiveredevelopment of downtown San Jose sawthe construction of several new museums,the HP Pavilion(home of the San JoseSharks hockey team), first-class hotels,and the San Jose McEnery ConventionCenter, along with a light rail mass transit

system linking downtown San Jose withsurrounding suburbs and Silicon Valleycities.

San Jose declared itself"The Capital ofSilicon Valley" in the late 1980s. It hadbecome the 11th-largest city in the country.Having put itself back together after theLoma Prieta earthquake of 1989, SanJose now faces an economic tremor. Therecent downturn in the suddenly old"NewEconomy," with its consequent shakeoutin Internet-connected businesses, hasof course had its impact. But the city'seconomic diversity including aerospaceand diversified consumer electronicstechnologies, industrial manufacturing, andagricultural processing and distribution,has for the most part kept it a hummingindustrial engine.

San Jose's ethnic diversity is even morestriking, with large and vital Latino, Indianand Southeast Asian populations(who aremaking increasingly significant contributionsto the high-tech industry). A tour throughSan Jose's neighborhoods reveals arich mosaic of culture and cuisine. SanJose's museums and performing arts havebecome some of California's finest as thecity's cultural influence rises to match itseconomic stature.©

Hotel InsightsSan Francisco is a city withaccommodations to suit all budgets. Ifmoney is no object, theRitz Carlton,FourSeasons,Fairmont,InterContinentalMark Hopkins,St. Francis Drake,Clift, orthePalace(the latter has a killer lobbybar) are all great bets. For somethinga bit more unique, try a San Franciscoboutique hotels: theHotel Triton has adifferent decorative theme in each room,while thePhoenix Hotel has a distinct retro-chic vibe with its'50s motel set-up arounda courtyard pool. The city also has manywell-appointed hotels in the medium-to-highprice range, including theSF Marriott,HyattRegency, theW San Francisco, theHotelNikko, and theSt. Regis. For moreaffordable accommodations that areanything but basic, try thePetit Auberge forEuropean-style charm,Hotel des Arts forrooms featuring the works of local artists,or theHotel Diva for sleek decor that makesthe price feel like a steal.

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Of course, where you stay may haveas much to do with your budget asyour location preferences. Luckily,the neighborhoods with the highestconcentration of hotels--UnionSquare,SoMa, andDowntown--are themost convenient to public transportationlines, many top attractions, great shopping,and marvelous dining, and also happento be within easy walking distance fromother areas of the city worth visiting.NobHill is a good area to stay if you've got asizable budget(your payoff is a posh hotelwith jaw-dropping views), while stayinginFisherman's Wharf, despite its proximityto many family-friendly attractions, maymake you feel a bit geographically isolated,as the neighborhood is all the way at thenortheastern end of the city.© NileGuide

Restaurants InsightsSan Francisco takes food seriously--perhaps a bit too seriously, as its obsessionwith the latest epicurean crazes andinsistence on local, humane food sourcescan border on elitism. However, that focuson excellence--coupled with award-winningchefs and cuisines from around the globe--makes for a city bursting with top-notcheats. Indeed, the city pleases diners ofall tastes. It's probably best known forpioneering many trends in health-consciouseating, boasting some of the country's firstgourmet vegan and raw foods restaurantsas well as a number of wonderful farmer'smarkets, especially the one at theFerryBuilding Marketplace(which is a foodpalace-cum-tourist attraction in and ofitself). However, SF isn't just for wheatgrasslovers. On his TV show, brazen chefAnthony Bourdain decried San Franciscoas a vegetarian wasteland, but then did acomplete 180 after discovering the city hadplenty of carnivore-friendly treats to spare.

The must-try foods of San Francisco aremany, so come with an appetite! First andforemost, the city's Mexican cuisine isunbeatable. You've never had a burrito untilyou've had one in California--after all, it'swhere the burrito was invented, contraryto popular belief that the dish originated inMexico. TheMission's myriad taquerias--we especially lovePapalote, Pancho Villa,and Taqueria Cancun--turn out burritosas big as a baby's arm and several typesof salsa to add kick. The city also pays

tribute to its diverse Latin populationwith sublime Salvadorean pupusasatPanchita's 3, Peruvian delights atLimon,and the Brazilian meat Mecca ofEspetusChurrascaria. Second, San Francisco'sAsian flavors beg to be sampled, from top-notch dim sum atYank Sing andTon Kiang,some of the country's best sushi(trySushiZone,Ozumo, orKabuto A&S), fusion doneto perfection at Vietnamese-inspiredSlantedDoor, plus amazing Thai, Indian, andmore. Third, lest we forget San Francisco'soceanside location, it's all about seafoodhere--particularly atFisherman's Wharf,where it pays to know where to go aheadof time(Scoma's andAlioto's will notdisappoint) as many of the restaurants areoverpriced and geared towards tourists.And SF's sourdough bread claim to fame?The bread itself is nothing special, butwhen it's enjoyed in bread-bowl form with asteaming ladle-full of clam chowder inside?Perfection on a foggy day. Last but notleast, when it's time to indulge your sweettooth, you'll find sensational ice cream atBi-Rite Creamery(the salted caramel is todie for), gourmet chocolates at RecchiutiConfections, preciously-presented treats atMiette, and the city's best desserts, handsdown, atCitizen Cake.

For those seeking the ultimate in deluxedining,Fleur de Lys,Gary Danko,MichaelMina,Boulevard, andAcquerello areconsistently touted as the city's finest. Novisit to the Bay Area would be completewithout a foodie detour to Berkeley andAlice Waters' famedChez Panisse, thebirthplace of California cuisine. However,you don't need to splurge to enjoy afantastic meal. San Francisco has tons ofexcellent restaurants in the medium pricerange, particularly inRussian Hill, HayesValley, and theMission District. Favoritesin the latter part of town includeRange fortop-notch new American cuisine,Delfinafor rustic yet elegant Italian,Ti Couz forauthentic Breton-style crepes,Andalufor creative small plates, andCharangafor pan-Latin deliciousness. Speakingof dining neighborhoods, a word to thewise: whileNorth Beach does have a ton ofItalian eateries, many of them are mediocreand cater to tourists. Stray off ColumbusAvenue for higher-quality options.© NileGuide

Nightlife InsightsSan Francisco isn't truly a late-night city,but it certainly has exceptional nightlifeto suit all tastes. For culture vultures,the city'ssymphony,opera, andballet arefantastic. While the local theater scenecertainly isn't as grand as on Broadway,playgoers can enjoy nationally-touringmusicals, big theatrical productions, avant-garde shows, and cabaret-meets-dinnertheater atTeatro ZinZanni.

The city's thriving music scene is evidentin its myriad venues. For rock, head to thelegendaryFillmore,Warfield,Great AmericanMusic Hall, and indie-favoriteBottom of theHill. Blues and funk are always on tap attheBoom Boom Room, whileYoshi's boastsphenomenal jazz.

Ready for cocktails? TheMission has ahigh concentration of bars that attracttwenty- and thirtysomethings; headtoZeitgeist,Kilowatt,Laszlo,Beauty Bar, orsimply walk along Valencia and Missionstreets and you'll find a lively wateringhole. Whilethe Financial District is typicallyonly a drinking destination for officeworkers during happy hour, the advent ofRickhouse, with its multi-page menu ofinventive elixirs, has put the neighborhoodback on the cocktail map. Is beer yourthing?Toronado in the Lower Haightoffers the biggest variety of microbrewsin the city. Love wine? San Francisco issurely an oenophile's city, what withNapaand Sonoma so close. To sample WineCountry's best inside the city limits, headto Bacchus in Russian Hill, Press Club inSoMa, andEOS in Cole Valley--wine barswith excellent bottles and service.

Nightclubs galore can be found inSoMa.While some are bridge-and-tunnelgathering places(like1015 Folsom), othersattract solid local DJ's and nationally touringelectronic acts(tryMezzanine,DNA Lounge,andShine).

TheCastro is, unsurprisingly, the epicenterof gay nightlife.Badlands and Toad Hallfeature raucous dance floors, while thequieterHarvey's and Blush! Wine Bar arebetter bets for intimate conversation. BernalHeights, particularly on Cortland Avenue,has several lesbian bars.

Take note: WhileNorth Beach is a populardining destination, it's also the city's adultentertainment capital. It's a shame that oneof the most culturally-rich neighborhoods

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gets a bit sleazy after hours, so it's best toskip out of this part of town once you'vefinished dinner.

© NileGuide

Things to Do InsightsFrom amazing museums to outdooradventures aplenty, it's a challenge fittingall that San Francisco has to offer intoone visit. One of the top attractions--and one you shouldn't miss--is walkingacross the iconicGolden Gate Bridgetowards scenicMarin County. Just be sureto pack some warm layers so you don'twind up shivering in the fog like mosttourists. Chinatown andNorth Beach,while also big tourist draws, are also worthvisiting for their rich history and fantasticethnic cuisine. And it may seem hokey, butriding aCable Car is a super fun way tosee several neighborhoods on the touristcircuit, as two of the lines travel fromUnionSquare all the way toFisherman's Wharf.Plus you get to go up and down some ofthe city's steepest hills without sufferingmuscle fatigue.

The city's many art museums--includingtheSF MoMA,Asian Art Museum,deYoung, andYerba Buena Center--will notleave you starved for aesthetics, whiletheExploratorium andCalifornia Academyof Sciences will score huge points withthe little ones. Speaking of family fun,there's lots to be had inFisherman'sWharf, home of many unique museums,a stellaraquarium, and the ferry departurepoint forAlcatraz. But take note: thearea is chockablock with souvenir shopsand attracts a special breed of streetwanderers(don't worry, they're harmless,if not a bit eccentric). If souvenirs aren'tyour thing but you're in the mood fora shopping expedition, head toUnionSquare for elegant department stores,malls, designer shops, and nationalchains. Cool boutiques featuring localdesigners can be found in Hayes Valley andtheMission. Save some time to explore SanFrancisco's eclecticneighborhoods. Fromthe city's hippie legacy inHaight-Ashbury,to theMission's murals and Latin flavors, togay culture in theCastro, each area offersunique insight into what makes the city tick.

San Francisco and its environs will delightthe active traveler. You don't even haveto leave the city to enjoy the best of the

outdoors. The expansiveGolden GatePark offers tons of picnic spots, walkingtrails, and unique attractions, including twomuseums(thede Young and theCaliforniaAcademy of Sciences),StrybingArboretum& Botanical Gardens,theConservatory of Flowers, theJapaneseTea Garden, and more. Land's End, ahiking trail that hugs the northwesterncorner of the city, offers resplendentviews of the ocean, bay, andGolden GateBridge. Several beaches, four golf courses,and many small parks add to the city'sconsiderable green spaces. However, forNorthern California nature in all its glory,head north toMarin County, where killerhikes onMt. Tam and exceptional wildlifeviewing atPoint Reyes will get your bloodpumping.Muir Woods' majestic redwoodsare also a sight to behold, although the parkattracts big crowds--get there as early in theday as possible.© NileGuide

Travel TipsSan Francisco:

Getting There

Air

San Francisco International Airport(SFO)+1650 821 8211http://www.flysfo.com/

SFO is located 13 miles from SanFrancisco and provides service to thefollowing airlines:

Air Canada( +1 800 776 3000/ http://www.aircanada.ca/) Air China(+1 800986 1985/ http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/index.jsp) Air France( +1 800 8711366/ http://www.airfrance.com/)American Airline( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com/) British Airways( +1 800 2479297/ http://www.british-airways.com/)Continental( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com/) Delta( +1 800 2211212/ http://www.delta.com/) Southwest(+1800 435 9792/ http://www.southwest.com/)Northwest( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com/) United( +1 800 241 6522/http://www.ual.com/) US Airways(+1 800428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com/)Virgin America(+1 877 359 8474/http://www.virginamerica.com/) VirginAtlantic(+1 800 862 8621/ http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/) JetBlue(+1 800 538 2583/http://www.jetblue.com)

Airport Parking: PCA(Park'N Fly)(+1 800763 6895/ http://www.pnfnetwork.com/)

From the Airport

Nile Expert Note:Renting a car isn'tnecessary to navigate San Franciscoproper. The city's neighborhoods andpoints of interest are accessible by publictransportation, and with the exception ofsome areas with seriously steep hills, thecity is fairly walkable. Furthermore, parkingis tough in most neighborhoods with ampledining and nightlife. However, if you dowant to explore beyond the city--namely,Marin County, Berkeley and Oakland in theEast Bay, or the Wine Country--then werecommend renting a car. Many hotels offerparking(for a price).If you opt to not rent a car, the cab ride fromSFO to San Francisco will cost$40-$50,depending on where you're going. Takingan airport shuttle is a more affordableoption(and may even be free if your hoteloffers complementary shuttle service),and taking BART into the city is not onlycheap($8.50 one way) but also super easy.Take the AirTrain in the airport terminalto the BART stop, exit the train, buy yourBART ticket, and descend to the BARTplatform. BART trains depart for the cityabout every 10-15 minutes, and the ridetakes about 25 minutes. Once in SanFrancisco, BART makes several stopsalong Market Street, within easy walkingdistance from Downtown, SoMa, and UnionSquare hotels.The reverse trip from the cityto the airport on BART is just as simple.©NileGuideShuttle: AirTrain shuttle will take you fromyour terminal to the rental car center 24hours a day. It also services the parkinggarages and the BART station connectionat the airport.

Car Rental: Alamo( +1 800 327 9633/http://www.alamo.com/) Avis( +1 800 8312847/ http://www.avis.com/) Budget( +1800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com/)Dollar( +1 800 4000/ http://www.dollar.com/)Enterprise( +1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com/) Hertz( +1 800 6543131/ http://www.hertz.com/) National( +1800227 7368/ http://www.nationalcar.com/)Payless(+1 800 729 5377/ http://www.paylesscarrental.com/) Thrifty( +1800 367 2277/ http://www.thrifty.com/) BLSLimousine Service(+1 800 843 5752/ http://www.blslimo.com/)

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Shuttle: Airport Express(+1 415 775 5121/http://www.airportexpresssf.com/) USD 14-USD 17. Bay Shuttle(+1 415 564 3400/http://www.bayshuttle.com/) USD14 adult,USD8 child, and USD65 per van.

Public Transit: BART Rapid Rail to northernSan Mateo County, San Francisco andthe East Bay from the airport. The SFOBART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level(Level 3) of the InternationalTerminal, on the Boarding Area G side ofthe terminal near the Berman ReflectionRoom.(http://www.bart.gov/)

Caltrain rail service between San Franciscoand San Jose, with weekday commute-hour service to Gilroy. BART connects SFOto the Caltrain rail system at the MillbraeStation.(http://www.caltrain.com/)

Samtrans 24-hour service connecting SFOto San Mateo County and parts of SanFrancisco and Palo Alto. SamsTrans busesstop at Terminal 1, 2, and International.(http://www.samtrans.org/)

Useful Products: PocketBay- A convenientand useful credit-card sized map of SanFrancisco and its public transportation thatfits in a wallet so that users can access theessential information on the city at all times.(http://www.pocketbaymaps.com/)

If you're internet savvy, check outhttp://www.hopstop.com/ for the quick and easyroute, via public transportation, to get youwhere you want to go.

Train

Amtrak services two San Francisco stopsdaily from nationwide locations( +1 800 8727245/ http://www.amtrak.com/).

Bus

Greyhound( +1 800 231 2222;+1 512458 4463/ http://www.greyhound.com/)accesses San Francisco daily.

Car

San Francisco can be reached via I-80,I-280, and I-101.

Getting Around

When you have a transportation query,you can pick up a phone and dial 511, orvisit 511.org. Whether you're driving, takingpublic transportation, or looking into carpooloptions, 511 has all the information youneed. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek.

Bus

The Muni Buses service the entirecity(http://www.sfmuni.com/) and is SanFrancisco's main transportation system.

Bart rapid transit services downtown SanFrancisco as well as Oakland, Pittsburg,Fremont, and other Bay areas.(http://www.bart.gov/)

Ferry

For ferries to Alcatraz Island, use AlcatrazCruises, departing from Pier 33.( +1 415981 7625/ http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/)

Taxi

Bayshore Cab( +1 415 648 4444) LuxorCab( +1 415 282 4141) Yellow CabCooperative( +1 415 282 3737) GreenCab( +1 415 626 4733)

Traffic Information

To find out city traffic information go tohttp://www.traffic.com/

If traveling overseas, take the safetyprecaution of registering your trip athttps://travelregistration.state.gov and forhelpful, practical advice about travelingtechnicalities and safety standards checkouthttp://travel.state.gov/.

San Jose: Getting There

Air

Mineta San Jose International Airport(SJC)( +1 408 501 7600/http://www.sjc.org) islocated only three miles north of downtownSan Jose. Its two terminals accommodateover 11 million passengers a year.

The following major airlines touchdown andtake-off from its runways:

Alaskan Airlines(+1 800 252 7522/http://www.alaskaair.com) AmericanAirline(+1 800 433 7300/http://www.aa.com)Continental(+1 800 525 0280/http://www.continental.com) Delta(+1 800221 1212/http://www.delta.com)Frontier Airlines(+1 800 432 1359/http://www.frontierairlines.com) Horizon Air(+1800 547 9308/http://www.horizonair.com)Mexicana(+1 800 531 7921/http://www.mexicana.com) Northwest(+1800 225 2525/http://www.nwa.com)Southwest(+1 800 435 9792/http://www.iflyswa.com) United(+1 800 241 6522/http://www.ual.com) US Airways( +1 800428 4322/http://www.usairways.com)

From the Airport

Car Rental: Alamo(+1 800 327 9633/http://www.alamo.com) Avis(+1 800 8312847/http://www.avis.com) Budget(+1800 527 0700/http://www.budget.com)Dollar(+1 800 4000/http://www.dollar.com)Enterprise(+1 800 325 8007/http://www.enterprise.com) Hertz(+1 800 6543131/http://www.hertz.com) National(+1800 227 7368/http://www.nationalcar.com)Payless(+1 800 729 5377/http://www.paylesscarrental.com) Thrifty(+1 800367 2277/http://www.thrifty.com)

Taxi: Yellow Cab(+1 408 293 1234)operates out of Terminal A United Cab(+1408 971 1111) operates out of TerminalC. Yellowcab(+1 408-245-5222/http://yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) Ridesto downtown average USD13, while rides toSan Francisco approximately cost USD100.

Ride Shares: Atlas Express(+1 888 4670000) Bay Express Shuttle(+1 408 2438205) San Jose Express(+1 800 773 0039)Silicon Valley Airporter(+1 800 400 2365)South and East Bay Airport Shuttle(+1 408559 9477) Most fares average USD15.

Rail: The VTA Airport Flyer(+1 800894 9908/http://www.vta.org) usherspassengers to the Santa Clara CalTrainStation(+1 800 660 4287/http://www.caltrain.com), which provides accessto the Metro Light Rail Station, whichservices San Jose, as well as train serviceto San Francisco. The Flyer exits the airportevery 10 minutes on weekdays and every15 minutes on weekends. It operates5:30AM-midnight daily. Rides are free.

Train

Amtrak(+1 800 872 7245/http://www.amtrak.com) chugs into San Jose'strain station at 65 Cahill Street on a dailybasis. The Capitol Corridor Line makes22 daily runs between San Jose andSacramento, California's state capital.And the impossibly scenic Coast StarlightLine hums into San Jose daily whilemaking runs between Seattle and LosAngeles. CalTrain(+1 800 660 4287/http://www.caltrain.com) is a local train line thatconnects San Jose with San Francisco.Rides last 90 minutes and cost USD5.25.

Bus

Greyhound(+1 800 231 2222/http://www.greyhound.com) operates out of San

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Jose's bus station at 70 South AlmadenAvenue. Buses continually arrive from allpoints of the compass.

Highway

San Jose's crisscrossing network ofInterstate highways makes it extremely caraccessible. Interstate 880(Nimitz Freeway)streams into San Jose from Oakland tothe north and turns into Route 17 as itcontinues south into Santa Cruz along thecoast. Highway 101(Bayshore Freeway)enters from San Francisco in a southeastdirection before persisting south to LosAngeles. And Interstate 280(JuniperoSerra Freeway) also wanders down fromSan Francisco, bending along San Jose'ssouthern edge before connecting withInterstate 680(Sinclair Freeway) which driftsin from Concord and Walnut Creek from thenortheast.

Getting Around

Car

Driving in San Jose can be a tediousprocess if unfamiliar with its mesh ofone-way streets. Parking and thenusing the Downtown Area Shuttle tomaneuver through San Jose is stronglyrecommended. The Interstates, especiallythe Bayshore Freeway, would frightenmost NASCAR drivers during morning andafternoon rush hours. When not gummedwith traffic most cars zoom along at terrificspeeds and harbor no patience for out-of-town drivers cautiously seeking theirmapped out exit.

Taxi

Taxi's are readily available and can beeasily found at most major hotels. Asmall list of cab companies include:Checker Cab(+1 408 293 1199)Yellowcab(+1 408-245-5222/http://

yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) DeluxeCab(+1 408 441 9600) Golden Star Cab(+1408 573 7777) Rainbow Cab(+1 408 2719900) Veterans Cab(+1 408 946 2227)Airport Car Service(+1 650 254 1230)

Train

The Metro Light Rail System(+1 408 3212300) features almost 29 miles of track with33 stops. Trains attend each station every10 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minuteson weekends, and every 30 minutes duringevenings. Tickets cost USD1.25 and aregood for two hours.

San Jose's historic trolley car serviceoperates from early April through earlyOctober. It features nine popular downtownstops such as the Civic Center, the SanJose Convention Center, and Japantown.

Bus

The Santa Clara Valley TransportationAuthority, or locally known as VTA(+1800 894 9908/http://www.vta.org), standsas San Jose's main source for publictransit. Its fleet of 520 buses services all ofdowntown and the surrounding area withconnections to other bus lines that link withSanta Cruz and San Francisco. One-wayfares start at USD1.50.

DASH(Downtown Area Shuttle) is a freeservice that wanders through downtownM-F 6:15a-7p. Stops include the SanJose Convention Center, San Jose StateUniversity, and the Children's DiscoveryMuseum.

Foot

San Jose's downtown is refreshinglycompact making it extremely conducivefor walking. San Pedro Square, the Centerfor Performing Arts, the San Jose Museumof Art, the convention center and manyother prime attractions are all within severalblocks of each other.

Plenty of bike routes and bike trails makeSan Jose extremely bike happy.©

Fun FactsSan FranciscoState: CaliforniaCountry: United States

San Francisco By The Numbers:Population: 789,600(city); 7.2million(metropolitan)Elevation: 128 ft/ 39 mAverage Annual Rainfall: 20.4 in/ 52 cmAverage January Temperature: 51°F/ 11°CAverage July Temperature: 60°F/ 16°CNumber of Hills in SF: at least 43

Quick Facts:Major Industries: Oil, Electronics,Computers, Tourism, Higher Education,BiotechElectricity: 110 volts, 60Hz, standard twopin plugsTime Zone: GMT-8; Pacific StandardTime(PST)Country Dialing Code:+1Area Code: 415& 650

Did You Know?

San Francisco is one of the most populartourist destinations in the United States.Each year, more than 17 million visitorsfrom around the world make the City bythe Bay a destination on their vacation orbusiness itinerary.

Irish Coffee was invented in San Francisco.©

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Weather

Statistics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temperature C

Average High 13 16 17 19 29 22 22 22 23 22 18 14

Average Mean 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 18 19 17 14 11

Average Low 7 8 9 11 11 13 13 14 14 13 11 8

Temperature F

Average High 55 60 62 66 84 71 71 71 73 71 64 57

Average Mean 50 53 55 57 60 62 64 64 66 62 57 51

Average Low 44 46 48 51 51 55 55 57 57 55 51 46

Rainy Days 11 10 10 6 3 1 0 1 2 4 8 10

Rain Fall (cm) 9.4 6.8 6.8 2.8 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.8 2.8 5.8 7.9

Rain Fall (in) 3.7 2.7 2.7 1.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.1 2.3 3.1

©