It does not take long to leave your heart in San Francisco…

A metropolis of icons that include the gleaming Golden Gate Bridge, clanking cable cars, and roller-coaster streets, San Francisco is also a unique blend of youthful exuberance and Old World sophistication.  The city boasts a dazzling array of world-class museums, restaurants, packing a cultural and culinary punch that’s tough to match. Factor in the myriad after-dinner diversions, including local theaters, an opera, a ballet company, and a vibrant music scene, and there are more reasons than ever to leave your heart in San Francisco.

Day One.  First Sights and Tastes
Start your day off with a good breakfast.  We want you to be energized and ready for an exciting day of discovery and exploration !  If this is your first visit to San Francisco we recommend you get a lay of the land by embarking on one of the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours.  Union Square, Chinatown and the famous Painted Ladies on Alamo Square are only a few of the landmarks on the itinerary.  How about lunch in Little Italy followed by coffee and “dolci” in of the street cafés that always offer a free serving of people-watching ?  Stroll around the Fisherman’s Wharf area with its many attractions, such as Pier 39, the Bay Aquarium and the Wax Museum.  Get up close and personal with the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island on one of the bay cruises that operate from the Wharf.  In the evening, may we suggest a pre-dinner cocktail at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, accompanied by dazzling views of the city, and followed by dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Union Square area ?  If making a choice is too daunting a task stroll over to the restaurant row in Belden Alley, where you can “visit” and savor France, Italy and Spain.  Or hop on the cable car down to Fisherman’s Wharf for San Francisco seafood staples such as Cioppino or oysters.

Day Two.   A city of Neighborhoods
Unlike many other cities San Francisco invites you to walk.  The area south of Market Street – SOMA – today is one of the city’s most vibrant and up-and-coming areas, with sleek nightclub, fashionable restaurants and a lively art scene.  Walk down to the city’s waterfront, the Embarcadero, and make sure to stop by the Ferry Plaza, an indoor/outdoor market dedicated to the culinary arts. In the city where California cuisine was born, the Ferry Plaza is a veritable food heaven showcasing the best Bay Area products. Culinary enthusiasts shop here for the finest artisan ingredients, and diners flock here to savor a meal at one of the chic or casual eateries. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, crowds gather for the popular farmers’ market.  From here the historic

F-Line streetcars along Market Street will take you to the Castro.  Known as the “gay capital of the world,” the Castro boasts a village-like atmosphere complete with pedestrian-friendly streets, Victorian homes and an array of
trendy stores and outdoor cafés for the “see and scene” crowd. The upper stretch of Market Street coils around the lower reaches of Twin Peaks.  From here you will enjoy sweeping vistas of the city and the Bay Area.
While in San Francisco allocate some time for shopping.  Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s New York, Prada, Gucci are just a few names that come to mind.  The new Westfield San Francisco Centre is home to Nordstrom and the West Coast flagship Bloomingdale's, more than 170 exclusive boutiques and specialty stores, plus an extensive collection of restaurants and eateries.

Day Three.  ArtSF
If at all possible try to make time available for the arts.  San Francisco is home to world-class museums and institutions.  In 2008 alone, two brand-new museums will be added to what already is an eclectic collection of venues:  The Contemporary Jewish Museum will open in downtown San Francisco in June, and the California Academy of Sciences will be unveiled in Golden Gate Park in late September.  Add cultural “evergreens” such as the De Young Museum, the Legion of Honor or the previously mentioned SFMOMA, and you are in for some artistic treats you will hardly find elsewhere.  Consider CityPass as your perfect companion to experience the Arts and Neighborhoods of San Francisco, as it not only includes admission to six of the city’s top attractions but also unlimited usage of streetcars, cable cars and city buses !

Additional information:
The Tourism Division works directly with travel professionals not only to help you promote San Francisco as a destination but also provides active assistance in producing the program. We offer itinerary suggestions and comprehensive information on all local services necessary for the development of successful programs. We provide a wide range of reference and promotional materials including shells, postcards, posters, visitor guides and videos. We will actively assist you with any familiarization program-whether for you, your staff or clients. Call on us!