Synopses & Reviews
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
—Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"
—The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:
- Hotels, motels, and inns ranked and rated for value and quality—plus proven strategies for getting the best deals
- Detailed restaurant reviews, including the best of Chinatown
- Driving and walking tours of the city's top neighborhoods
- The straight truth on all the attractions, from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge
- The best day trips in the surrounding Bay Area and beyond, including the Wine Country
Sample Rating
San Francisco Maritime Museum
Appeal by Age Preschool Grade school Teens Young Adults Over 30 Seniors
900 Beach Street, San Francisco 94109; a few blocks west of Fisherman's Wharf; # 415-556-3002; www.nps.gov/safr/local
Type of attraction Maritime art, ship figureheads, intricate models, and thematic exhibits echoing San Francisco's maritime past. A self-guided tour. Admission Free. Hyde Street Pier, $4 adults, $2 seniors and children ages 12–17. Hours Daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Special comments One set of stairs; restrooms, drinking water, and telephones are available. Author's rating After exploring real ships at Hyde Street Pier, this museum is icing on the cake for folks fascinated by San Francisco's colorful seafaring past; an excellent, nontouristy destination at Fisherman's Wharf. ...H. How much time to allow 1–2 hours.
Synopsis
San Francisco has been listed as one of the ten "World's Best Cities" yearly since Travel + Leisure started its poll; in 2004, Bon Appitit again ranked it the "Top Restaurant City" in America.
Synopsis
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
—Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"
—The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:
Hotels, motels, and inns ranked and rated for value and quality—plus proven strategies for getting the best deals
Detailed restaurant reviews, including the best of Chinatown
Driving and walking tours of the city's top neighborhoods
The straight truth on all the attractions, from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge
The best day trips in the surrounding Bay Area and beyond, including the Wine Country
Synopsis
Type of attraction Maritime art, ship figureheads, intricate models, and thematic exhibits echoing San Francisco's maritime past. A self-guided tour. Admission Free. Hyde Street Pier, $4 adults, $2 seniors and children ages 12-17. Hours Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Special comments One set of stairs; restrooms, drinking water, and telephones are available. Author's rating After exploring real ships at Hyde Street Pier, this museum is icing on the cake for folks fascinated by San Francisco's colorful seafaring past; an excellent, nontouristy destination at Fisherman's Wharf. ...H. How much time to allow 1-2 hours.
Synopsis
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
--Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"
--The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:
* Hotels, motels, and inns ranked and rated for value and quality--plus proven strategies for getting the best deals
* Detailed restaurant reviews, including the best of Chinatown
* Driving and walking tours of the city's top neighborhoods
* The straight truth on all the attractions, from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge
* The best day trips in the surrounding Bay Area and beyond, including the Wine Country
Sample Rating
San Francisco Maritime Museum
Appeal by Age Preschool Grade school Teens Young Adults Over 30 Seniors
900 Beach Street, San Francisco 94109; a few blocks west of Fisherman's Wharf; # 415-556-3002; www.nps.gov/safr/local
Type of attraction Maritime art, ship figureheads, intricate models, and thematic exhibits echoing San Francisco's maritime past. A self-guided tour. Admission Free. Hyde Street Pier, $4 adults, $2 seniors and children ages 12-17. Hours Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Special comments One set of stairs; restrooms, drinking water, and telephones are available. Author's rating After exploring real ships at Hyde Street Pier, this museum is icing on the cake for folks fascinated by San Francisco's colorful seafaring past; an excellent, nontouristy destination at Fisherman's Wharf. ...H. How much time to allow 1-2 hours.
About the Author
RICHARD STERLING IS AN AUTHOR of and contributor to numerous cookbooks and guidebooks covering California, Latin America, and Asia. Richard is well known in the Bay Area for his varied and eclectic accomplishments.
Table of Contents
List of Maps.
About the Author.
Introduction.
The City by the Bay: A Metropolitan Mecca.
About This Guide.
PART ONE: Planning Your Visit.
Understanding the City: A Brief History of San Francisco.
When to Go: The Sweater Season and the . . . Well, Sweater (Wetter) Season.
How to Get More Information before Your Visit.
Gays and Lesbians.
A Calendar of Festivals and Events.
PART TWO: Accommodations.
Deciding Where to Stay.
Getting a Good Deal on a Room.
Hotels and Motels: Rated and Ranked.
Hotel Information Chart.
PART THREE: Visiting on Business.
Not All Visitors Are Headed for Fisherman’s Wharf.
PART FOUR: Arriving and Getting Oriented.
Coming into the City.
A Geographic Overview of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Things the Natives Already Know.
How to Avoid Crime and Keep Safe in Public Places.
PART FIVE: Getting Around.
Driving Your Car.
Public Transportation.
PART SIX: Sightseeing, Tours, and Attractions.
Touring San Francisco.
San Francisco for Children.
Helpful Tips for Tourists.
San Francisco on Film.
The Wine Country.
Napa Valley.
Sonoma Valley.
Day Trips in and around the Bay Area.
Beyond the Bay Area.
Attraction Profiles.
PART SEVEN: Dining and Restaurants.
The Restaurants.
Restaurant Profiles.
PART EIGHT: Entertainment and Nightlife.
Performing Arts.
San Francisco Nightlife.
Nightclub Profiles.
PART NINE: Shopping.
Top Shopping Neighborhoods.
The Malls.
Specialty Shops.
PART TEN: Exercise and Recreation.
The Great Indoors.
Outdoors, Naturally!
Spectator Sports.
Accommodations Index.
Restaurant Index.
Subject Index.