Description: San Francisco is a small city with around 750,000 residents within a 46.6sq mile tip of land between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Various hills and valleys divide different areas, such as Nob Hill, Twin Peaks and Eureka Valley. Neighbourhoods include Mission District, Pacific Heights, Chinatown, North Beach and Union Street.
Attractions: main highlights include Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, a cable-car ride on Nob Hill and a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf.
New developments: a new international terminal will open at San Francisco International Airport in spring 2000. Facilities include extra aircraft gates and check-in areas, more retail space and improved baggage-handling systems. Eight car-rental suppliers are housed in a new complex which opened last month and a new AirTran electric train system starts in autumn 2001, linking nine city-area stations with the airport.
Entertainment: examples include Broadway shows and theatre; Pier 39 rides and amusement centre at Fisherman’s Wharf; Cartoon Art Museum, Misson Street; Storyville Classic Jazz Club, Golden Gate Park.
Getting around: cable cars, buses and trolleys can take visitors to or near many of the major attractions. Most of the light rail and bus lines operate continuously, with fares from around $1. Three cable-car systems crisscross downtown and flat fares are about S2.
Eating out: new restaurants include Dadio’s for seafood and pasta; Le Colonial (French and Vietnamese cuisine); Terra Brazilis (Brazilian and Portuguese specialities); and Entros bar and grill.
Accommodation: San Francisco has a wide range of properties, from bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury hotels. A recent addition is the Hotel Metropolis on Union Square, while the Argent Hotel in the downtown area has come under the management of Destination Hotels and Resorts. It was previously run by ANA Hotels. Rates start at $110 and $165 respectively.
Shopping: The City Store has opened a second outlet, near Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. The other store is on Pier 39. Meanwhile, Macy’s has opened the first phase of its new building overlooking Union Square.
Getting there: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic/Continental Airlines and United Airlines offer daily services from Heathrow.
Tour operators: all the major US specialists feature San Francisco as part of California self-drive deals, as well as offering hotel stays and excursions. Travelscene and Jetset also package three and four-night stays.