BAY BRIDGE'S LOWER DECK

On October 17, 1989 at 5:04 p.m., the upper deck of the Nimitz Freeway collapsed onto the lower deck causing 69 deaths, and over 3,000 injuries. I was living in Fremont, CA. at the time, and I remember sitting in the living room of my apartment. My then one-year-old son had just taken his first step, when everything began shaking. Motorists have reported seeing a headless man racing alongside their cars, knocking on their window. This hits very close to home. My grandmother has lived in Daly City for as far back as I can remember, and I cannot tell you how many times I have ridden that exact route when we lived in Oakland. I have never seen the headless man, but I sure will not be taking that way home again!

ALCATRAZ ISLAND

Alcatraz Island is probably one of the most well known haunted locations in San Francisco. Nestled 1.5 miles from Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz was founded in 1934 has a been used as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and finally, a federal prison. Alcatraz was closed in 1963, and occupied by Native American activists from 1969-1971. As a prison, some of the most notorious criminals were incarcerated on what locals call “the rock”. Al Capone, Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud, and Arthur “Doc” Barker of the infamous Ma Barker Gang have all resided in the dank and sparse cells. The cruelest conditions have caused some of the prisoners to go insane. There have been reports of men sobbing, voices, and the echoes of the cell doors being opened and slammed closed. Most of the “activity” seems to come from the lower level, cell 14d in particular. This cell is always freezing and inmates have reported seeing a pair of “glowing eyes” when left alone in there. Guards and tour guides alike have reported sightings of soldiers in military garb, spirits from Alcatraz's military days.

U.C.S.F MEDICAL CENTER

University of California Medical Center is known as a “public university dedicated to saving lives and improving health.". Not only does it serve as a hospital, but as a learning center for graduate students pursuing a career in medicine. A woman believed to have died during childbirth haunts the intensive care nursery, while an exorcism was performed on the eighth floor to rid the pediatric department of the ghosts of children.

STRAWBERRY HILL - STOWE LAKE, GOLDEN GATE PARK

Golden Gate Park is the home of the famed De Young Museum. I remember visiting the park and the science themed Exploratorium in the sixth grade. Some of my fondest memories of childhood were when we visited the aquarium. Golden Gate Park is also the home of the spirit of a woman who allegedly killed her newborn baby, and disposed of the body. She then drowned herself in the reservoir, I am assuming from guilt she undoubtedly felt as the one who took the life of her own child. She wanders the area, looking for her child. As a mother of a son who passed shortly after his birth, this one too hits close to home.

ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE -SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO

To get to South San Francisco you have to take 101 heading south. Once you pass the suburbs of Daly City as I mentioned my grandmother lived there for quite some time, and the small city of Colma, where members of my family rest. On Gellert Boulevard is Orchard Supply Hardware. Here you can get whatever you need for that do-it-yourself project you have been putting off for so long, or you can see the ghost of a girl who was raped and murdered one year before it became O.S.H.

San Francisco is noted for how quickly the fog rolls in so be prepared. Your wardrobe that you take should include a warm jacket as well as some sweaters. You can bring shorts but it could be sunny when you leave to explore and an hour later you could be walking in fog. Put on layers of clothing this way if it gets warm you can take it off but if it gets cool and you don't have anything with you you'll end up suffering from the cool weather. Believe it or not the balmy weather is just past the Golden Gate Bridge where it stays pretty stable.
While visiting San Francisco take the transit. They offer buses, streetcars and cable cars which are not too bad of an option. This is the only way for you to get around in this great city. Parking spaces are like an Olympic event trying to find one. If you're lucky to find a parking meter the price is high so it's not worth it. If you insist on driving yourself there are parking places to be had for a price but the best value is at Stockton-Sutter Garage which is downtown or the Pier 39 Garage near Fisherman's Wharf.

If you're a smoker then San Francisco is going to be a little tough on you. Their laws forbid anyone to smoke in any public place such as restaurants, shops, bars, stadiums, parks, public squares or within 25 feet of any public building. Another law of San Francisco is that you are not allowed to smoke in your own car if you have children in it less than 18, so smokers beware. A fine of $100.00 applies to anyone who breaks these laws.
Dining in San Francisco can be almost as bad as parking although there are a few places that keep reserved seats for walk-ins. Lunch is a little easier as reservations are much easier to find. You may find a seat at the bar of the restaurant which serves the same food as the restaurant serves.

Catching a cable car can be a bit of a nightmare but only if you think that the only place to catch them is on Ghirardelli Square or Powell Street. These usually hold line ups of tourist waiting for the cable car but just a few blocks away from these car stops you'll probably find yourself alone. The best place to avoid line ups for the cable cars is at California Street.
Alcatraz is a must while you're visiting. This is the most popular tourist attraction in California so if you're going to visit there make reservations ahead of time. This can be done online before you leave but make sure you are at Pier 33 early in the morning.

You can take a tour with the Greyline buses but there is a cheaper way to do this and that is by taking vintage F-Line street cars. For as little as a $1.50 you can see all the sights you want. These street cars were brought over from many parts of the world and restored to their former beauty. You will feel like you have stepped back in time.

To get the most out of your sightseeing of San Francisco's skyline go North of Twin Peaks. Tank Hill is another private spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge including downtown and the Bay. You can go to Stanyan Street, take a left at Belgrave Park and walk up the dirt path. It will be well worth the effort when you see the views that are waiting. On the western part of the city you'll find a secluded hill where you get breathtaking views of the Pacific and the Bay.

Your visit to San Francisco should be one that will keep you talking for hours around the table after you return home and maybe even have you planning your next trip back there.

New York

New York is one of the most amazing cities in the world, and is (in my mind) the best holiday destination in the United States. The city is probably the most metropolitan in the world, but it has so much to do that it is truly fantastic. If your thing is restaurants, there is no restaurant better than the Jekyll and Hyde restaurant. Not only is the food great, the atmosphere is excellent and you do get the odd scare there too. If you're more into sight-seeing, there's so much to see. The Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Statue of Liberty and so much more.

California

Opposed to New York, California actually has a lot more to do. Probably because it is a full state, while NYC is just a city (though that is often forgotten by foreign tourists). If your thing is cinema, heading to Los Angeles and Hollywood is a must, where you can see the glitz and the glamour of the movie industry. If you're into history and a laid back city, San Francisco is the place to go. San Jose is also worth visiting if you can find the time.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas truly is a gambler's paradise, but that isn't all it is. Sure, Vegas is heaven to most gamblers, but it also has a lot to offer the everyday tourist. While they might get dragged into the casinos, there is a lot more to do. There are dozens of golf courses littered around the city, and the fact that such a thriving city could be built in the middle of a desert is a testament to human ingenuity. But, if you're just looking for gambling, this is the place to go.

Boston

I remember travelling to Boston about 6 or 7 years ago. I was going to visit a friend, and when I arrived, I was astounded. It was my first time in the US, and the buildings were the first thing to amaze me. The sheer height, we didn't have anything like that back home in Ireland. There is a lot to do in Boston though besides staring at tall buildings and drinking lemonade, such as visiting the Prudential Centre or the Institute of Contemporary Art. Something else which I enjoyed was the DUCK tour, which gave me an amazing insight into the city.

Chicago

Home of the Cubs, deep dish pizza and the Sears Tower, Chicago is the place to be. Well, visit. Chicago is just a great place to be. Like New York and Boston, Chicago has real seasons, so it is also great for snow in the winter if you're from an area where it doesn't snow (cough, Ireland, cough). Chicago also has a great theatre district, so it's perfect for theatre buffs too.

I could spend a lot of time telling you how to get to Europe and do it on the cheap; but frankly, I think most of us, even the Europe travel diehards, are planning to "do America first," this year; and perhaps for the foreseeable future.

Here are 5 spots to visit in our own hemisphere that will provide a pleasurable get-away. These 5 just happen to be in California.

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Whether you are an East-coaster or a west-coaster, a trip to California will provide a variety of vacation categories. If you like crowded freeways, smog and high temperature in summer, then Los Angeles may be your thing. But California is so much more than Hollywood and crowded L.A. beaches. I need to add a disclaimer here; I am a Californian, but there are some beautiful areas to visit, with lots of outdoor activities or city entertainment without having to cross into southern California, at all.

San Francisco Bay Area

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The San Francisco Bay Area is beautiful. The city itself is one of my favorite in the entire world, if I may say so myself. You could spend two weeks in the City by the Bay and never get to see and do everything on your agenda. From Golden Gate Park to world-class shopping, San Francisco has it all.

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I recommend a hotel near or on Union Square. From this point, you can walk to great restaurants, shopping venues, Theatres and more. Hotels here are a bit pricey. Forego the St. Francis; Try the Hyatt on the Square for a less pricey stay. The Hilton on O'Farrell is also not so pricey. Be sure you get a room in the main, or old tower. Some of these rooms offer views of the Bay and/or Golden Gate Bridges. Off-season, (not summer) rooms are reasonable for San Francisco. The Prescott is one of my old favorites in this area and a travel bargain for San Francisco. Wolfgang Puck's Postrio Restaurant is attached to the Prescott's lobby.

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A day spent in Golden Gate Park with a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden and the Steinhart Aquarium is a must. Have a picnic in the park, stroll to the Conservatory of Flowers where rare plants are housed in a glass building that is one of the most memorable of San Francisco's landmarks. The DeYoung Museum features world-class exhibits, visit the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco for information on all of San Francisco's museums.

Wine Country

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Napa Valley/Sonoma, Northern California Wine Country is a fabulous area to visit. From San Francisco, The northern wine country is just a 45-minute drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. We enjoyed our last visit so much that we plan to take the entire family this summer; a cottage rental, perhaps, will be in order...something with a pool because this area can be very hot in summer. The best times to travel to the Napa wine country would be in spring or in fall. But if you like warm weather, summers are very nice but hot.

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Most wineries have complementary wine tasting. The knowledgeable folks who pour will give you a real education in the science and enjoyment of fine wines. The California Wine industry is the world's largest, by value, according to the California Wine Institute. For my money, give me a good California Chardonnay and I'm a very happy girl. The French can keep their whites; except for the champagnes, of course.

Consider the Wine train for an unforgettable wine experience including meals on board, if you wish. Check their website for seasonal rates and event packages.

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Many of the Wineries, tasting rooms and their properties are so beautiful that the whole family will enjoy visiting. Bring your designated driver, however. The local police have very little tolerance for drunk drivers.

As in San Francisco, you can pay just about whatever you want to pay for accommodations in the Northern California wine country. The further you get from the wineries, the more you will spend for a hotel or inn room. Try Petaluma hotels for a bit of a bargain, in Napa, the New Meritage Resort and Spa Terra is very nice for a mid-range Hotel. The spa is fabulous. Check my review here.

The Central Coast

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I live on the Central Coast of California, and I truly believe I live in the most beautiful place on Earth. (It takes a really enticing out of town trip to get my husband and I off of our deck and away from Carmel; why leave when Carmel is so amazing?) Carmel is the focal point of the central coast. Once an artist colony, still an enclave of storybook cottages and a strip of white-sand beach that is drop-dead gorgeous.

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Just on the southern outskirts of Carmel is Point Lobos Preserve. Pack a lunch, hike, cycle or drive in for a small fee and spend the day with your camera shooting some of the most pristine and lovely coastline undamaged by human interference. Watch the sea lions and sea otters at play and hike the trails to get different views of the sea. You can scuba dive here, but nothing is to be disturbed or taken from its natural habitat. Looking only, no touching is the rule at Point Lobos.

Be sure to take a drive through Pebble Beach on 17-Mile-Drive. Stop off at the Lodge for a glass of wine and unobstructed views of Monterey Bay while standing in a landmark building that looks as if it stepped right out of "The Great Gadsby." If you love to golf, The Monterey Bay Area has a plethora of world class golf courses. I don't want to forget about Spanish Bay Resort. While in the "Forest," stop at Spanish bay for a beverage by the fire pits at Roy's at Spanish Bay.

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If you drive along the coast 40 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, you will enjoy spending the day in Big Sur. From high on the cliffs, enjoy lunch at Ventana Inn or Nepenthe. Perhaps not the greatest restaurants, but the views and ambiance make up for it in spades.

In nearby Pacific Grove, a scenic path begins and stretches along the oceanfront for 20 plus Miles northward past beaches, the Monterey Wharf and sand dunes farther north in the Seaside/Marina area. Cyclists and rollerbladers, as well as walkers and joggers can use the path for a good day's worth of exercise combined with sightseeing. Check Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Trail for information on specific scenic path routes in Monterey County.

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You might also schedule some time to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is no average aquarium. Watch sea otters, penguins, fish native to Monterey Bay and learn why The Monterey Bay is a protected sanctuary. Explore the Aquarium's website for specific information regarding hours and entry fees. Also, you may want to look into a sanctuary cruise or other educational opportunities available to you.

Santa Cruz

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Santa Cruz, about 40 miles North of the Monterey Peninsula, is actually considered part of the central coast but has a flavor all it's own. Santa Cruz and Aptos have warmer summer beach weather than does the Monterey Peninsula. If surfing or other water sports are more your thing, or if you want to sunbathe on the beach, you would have better luck in the Santa Cruz area. You will want to put aside time for a stroll through the little enclave of Capitola, as well.

A trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will afford the entire family with a day of entertainment at an old-fashioned yet modernized, seaside park. There are rides as wild as the Big Dipper Rollercoaster to rides in the kiddy section for children as little as 2 years old. I'm not the theme park enthusiast, but once a year we do make a pilgrimage to the Boardwalk for the kids, and it certainly brings back memories of my own childhood with summer days spent there.

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With all of the first three vacation spots, consider the weather for the best time to visit; San Francisco and The Monterey Peninsula can be foggy in summer, especially during years when the central valley of California is scorching hot. Santa Cruz, however, has early morning fog but it lifts for sunny, warm summer afternoons.

The best months to visit San Francisco and The Monterey Peninsula are May and early June and also, September and Early October. These are rules of thumb; of course, I've been known to soak up the beach sun in Carmel in February, for instance.

The Sierras

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A summer vacation in Lake Tahoe will never be a disappointment. Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevadas, spans two states, California and Nevada. It is a beautiful lake, clear, blue and seemingly untouched by human destruction. If you love to boat, fish, hike, mountain bike, party or just ride the lawn chair, as I love to do, you will fall in love with Lake Tahoe.

Be forewarned that North Shore and South shore are very, very different. South Shore offers Large Hotels, Harrah's and Harvey's, just to name two, with name talent in the showrooms and 24 hour gambling, or as we like to say, 24 hours worth of chances to lose your money! But, very entertaining as your pocketbook shrinks, I must admit.

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North Shore is much more low-key with little enclaves clustered along the lake from Incline Village to Squaw Valley. For the family who wants a family-style vacation, perhaps in a vacation cabin or a condo, North shore would be more to your liking. Also, consider the VERY quiet West shore. The West Shore is less crowded, more "woodsy" with lots of old "Tahoe-style cabins." If you want a quiet retreat away from crowds and you don't care that there isn't much to do at night but vege, (sounds great to me!) look into the west shore of Lake Tahoe.

I am not a gourmet or a gourmand; however, I love to taste. Being familiar with the areas I've listed, I will give you my favorite restaurant picks in each, if any.

Monterey Peninsula: Carmel: The Rio Grill Located in the Crossroads Center, Mouth of Carmel Valley Rib Eye steak to die for on nights when it is served. The best smoked chicken with baby artichoke hearts and baby red tomatoes. Penne pasta with grilled shrimp and Creole cream sauce ... yum! But, if you don't like really spicy foods, ask them to tone it down a bit!

Bahama Billy's, located in the Barnyard, Carmel Rancho, Mouth of Carmel Valley.

I usually don't care for Jamaican/island cuisine but Billy's food is excellent. Try the Sashimi if you like sashimi, this is served wonderfully different. Lightly seared, blackened and served with a unique wasabi sauce. The Lobster bisque is also fabulous. **Billy's also has a sunny, beautiful patio for lunch.

Tarpey's Roadhouse Located on Highway 68, just outside of Monterey on the highway between Monterey and Salinas. **They get the award for best outdoor lunch patio.
Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina Located in Pacific Grove. Locals' favorite Italian food. The delicate, light, portabella mushroom raviolis are wonderful.

The Montrio Located in Downtown Monterey is another locals' favorite. If you love prime rib, on Thursdays only, The Montrio serves the most mouth-watering roasted, then fire flamed, prime rib ever. Sauce style and accompaniment s vary but all are excellent.

When in Napa:

Brix in Napa Located on the St. Helena Highway in Yountville. Brix' s ambience is very nice, the food is awesome! We loved the New York steak cooked just the way we ordered it, and the butter leaf salad.

When In Santa Cruz/Capitola/Aptos:

I'm sorry to say that this area is a bit gastronomically challenged, save the pub-style foods that the UC students love. However, Bittersweet Bistro is the exception. Bittersweet is a beautiful little restaurant with fabulous food and wonderful service. They have a fun locals tavern-style bar with a lively crowd on "events" days. Food is also served in the pub for a more casual dinning experience if you wish.

If anyone has other suggestions for this area, I would love to hear them because Bittersweet is the only place we have found that we return to each time we are in the Santa Cruz area. Located on Rio Del Mar Blvd. in Capitola, just off Highway 1.

Dining and San Francisco's Neighborhoods

There are so many different restaurants to choose from in San Francisco that you will likely have a hard time trying to decide which of the many places to select for your meals. One of the best ways to narrow down the options is to choose the San Francisco neighborhoods that appeal to you most. Then look for the best restaurants in those neighborhoods.

For example, if you're a fan of Chinatown, seek out great dim sum there. If you thrive on the buoyant energy of the Castro, plan to dig into some of the terrific fusion food to be found in that neighborhood. If North Beach calls your name, you know that it's probably Italian food that you're going to want on your plate. Each San Francisco neighborhood is very distinct and each offers its own taste of the city. Doing some research into which areas you like best will help you find the foods that you're craving while you're there.

8 Great San Francisco Restaurants

There are literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from in San Francisco so you aren't going to be able to try them all. If you're interested in checking out a variety of tastes from around the city, place your bets on these eight unique restaurants:

1. Estia

   
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   This restaurant is located in North Beach (San Francisco's “Little Italy”) so you'd expect it to be an Italian joint just like every other restaurant to be found there. You'd be wrong. This food comes from the Mediterranean all right but it's Greek dishes that you'll be enjoying. Estia is a family-owned restaurant where the Old World ambiance is as crucial to the experience as the delectable Greek foods on the menu are. Make sure to order the saganaki which will be lit on fire at your table for an en flambé treat.

2. Kennedy's

   
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   Also located in North Beach is a restaurant so unique that you'd be hard pressed to find anything like it. When you first walk in, you'll immediately notice that this is an Irish sports bar. Pool tables, video games, a jukebox and plenty of beer will clue you in if the sports on TV screens fail to do so. However, if you walk to the back of the bar, you'll find that there's also a fine dining Indian food restaurant here. Serving not only North Indian food but also South Indian cuisine, this restaurant is one of the best Indian food spots in the city even though it hides within an Irish sports bar.

3. Boudin Bakery

   
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   Located at Fisherman's Wharf, this is an undeniably touristy restaurant, but it's where San Francisco's famous sourdough bread bowls are made. You won't be able to miss them since the restaurant pipes the sourdough smoke out into the street to draw you in. With outrageous prices and a San Francisco history museum, it's the kind of place that locals shy away from. However, the food is deliciously San Franciscan and if pressed, locals will admit that they always love when houseguests come to visit because they get to enjoy this restaurant under the guise of being a good tour guide. The views of Alcatraz in the bay that you'll enjoy while you're eating here will remind you of why you love San Francisco so much.

4. Asia SF

   
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   San Francisco is known for being many things but one of the most common of those things is that it's a diverse city. That diversity is represented not only racially but also in San Francisco's open acceptance of different sexual orientations. In order to truly understand the city, you have to understand this aspect of it. And Asia SF is a restaurant where you can get a taste of that understanding while also enjoying the great tastes of a multiple-course meal. That's because AsiaSF is not just a restaurant; it's dinner-and-a-show where the show is put on by transgender entertainers who will welcome you to the city with dazzling wit and beauty. Reservations are almost always necessary to get into this San Francisco restaurant.

5. Lime

   
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   Seeking a little bit of gay culture without the whole song-and-dance? You'll want to head up to The Castro where the gay bars and pride stores are located. After doing some shopping in the area, head to this restaurant which provides California fusion food that you'll want to write home about. Like any good Castro restaurant, it also offers strong cocktails at a decent price. Unlike many other spots, Lime has awesome heated outdoor seating for you to enjoy.

6. Yank Sing

   
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   This is a dim sum restaurant located in the Financial District of San Francisco. It's the kind of place that is good for people who have never had the dim sum dining experience before because it's considerably less overwhelming than the dim sum restaurants actually located in San Francisco's Chinatown. Of course, there are lots of those, too, so if you're feeling like being authentic then you might check out a different dim sum place. However, this one is guaranteed to have a great selection of different traditional Chinese foods for you to sample and enjoy.

7. Pancho Villa Taqueria

   
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   All of the restaurants on this list are great but most of them are in the “fine dining” (or at least nice casual dining) category. If you're looking for something that's a lot more laidback but tastes just as good as the others, head to The Mission where this large taqueria can be found. The food tastes like it came straight from the kitchen of a great Mexican family household. And the prices are so low you might even think that you're really in Mexico! They don't skimp on selection either - there are so many different types of meats and beans that you'll have trouble figuring out what to order!

8. Bangkok Noodles

   
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   Another casual dining place where you can get great food is Bangkok Noodles located on Powell Street just steps away from the cable car turnaround and right around the corner from Union Square. You would think that a restaurant in this location would be touristy but you'd be wrong about this place. This is just great Thai food at a really low price. Another perk of this restaurant is that it's open late so if you've been wandering around at night and are headed back to your downtown hotel, you can stop here for some great midnight meals.

Editor's Pick: Cafe Claude


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A lovely little French bistro hidden in a rustic alley near Union Square. The French onion soup is a must have starter and the creme brulee is a necessity, so save room. Try the daily special, it's always a great choice. Try to grab a seat outside if it's not to chilly.

Finding Other Great San Francisco Restaurants

It's not difficult to find other great San Francisco restaurants if these aren't quite the ones that you had in mind. Here are some additional resources and tips for locating the dining experience that you're in search of:

• Yelp

  People in San Francisco are active on the Yelp review site so you can search out restaurants by cuisine or neighborhood and read the reviews that others have posted.

• MenuPages San Francisco

  These are professional reviews of local restaurants.

• Citysearch San Francisco

  There are both professional and local reviews listed here.

• Craig's List
  

  Post a note in the “community” section of Craigslist asking for advice on where to dine and random local residents will give you their opinions.

• Consult the cabbies

  San Francisco is a place where you're probably going to want to take public transportation. When you're in a cab, get advice from the driver on where to dine.

• Sniff it out

  You can't go more than a block in most San Francisco neighborhoods without passing a restaurant. Just see what sounds good to you and be daring enough to go in and try it out.

San Francisco has all of the foods that you'd be interested in trying during your trip. It has touristy foods local to the area (like clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl) and culturally diverse foods ranging from Peruvian to Persian. Take the time to really enjoy the meals that the city offers while you're there whether you're on a day trip or living there as a resident.

Checking for rating and affordability helps with choosing a hotel along with the area and dining establishments. Think about the hotel and check the star rating offered by Travelocity. They send inspectors to hotels for inspections before giving a rating of any kind. Travelocity rates hotel not rated by AAA and gives a star rating from five stars down to one star.

The Star Ratings of San Francisco City Hotels

The star rating conducted by Travelocity has the five star rating meaning the hotel is luxurious with exceptional service with beautiful décor and restaurants Overall cleanliness and amenities are exceptional. The four star rating says a hotel offers high levels of hospitality and offers exceptional and upscale facilities.

Three stars for a hotel means they offer amenities and beautiful rooms featuring restaurants, pools and room service with notable upgrades. Two star represents the hotel meeting the basic needs and nicely decorated rooms with limited amenities. One star hotel usually appear near attractions and supply you with the basic needs with few amenities and no restaurants.

San Francisco City has Many Fine Hotels

If you check out the rating for the hotels, you find hotels offering the highest quality of luxury and hotels offering the moderate to basic needs. With many ratings and needs, you may find choosing a hotel a little difficult unless you see something they have that you may need. The best part about San Francisco City Hotels, they appear everywhere and everyone has something different to offer the guests.

If you need a pet friendly hotel, a smoking room or a pool with workout room, you have many to choose from that are within walking distance to many of the attractions in San Francisco City. Checking the rating helps eliminate hotels until you find just the right one for your travels.

San Francisco View of Diamond Star D40

Things to Do:

• Tour the City on the Downtown Loop. An open topped bus.
• Yosemite National Park tour: California's original gold country.
• San Francisco Bay cruise from Fisherman's Wharf.

Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong, Showing the Island, Kowloon and Out Lying Islands

This is said to be the busiest harbor in the world.

While You're Here:

• Victoria Peak. Use the tram to see the whole of Hong Kong. Amazing view.
• Take a look at the world's tallest, seated outdoor Buddha on Lantau Island.
• Visit the Avenue of the Stars in tis Hollywood of the East.

Berlin Showing the Route of the Old Berlin Wall Which Was for Many Years a Symbol of Division and Oppression

Other Things to See:

• Brandenburg Gate constructed 1888- 1891
• Pariser Platz: Build in 1734 this one of the oldest squares in the city.
• Take a boat trip and see the sites. More bridges than Venice.

London, England, Showing Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs

Other Sites to See:

• London Bridge.
• Buckingham Palace.
• St. Paul's Cathedral.

Paris, France: La Place De Trocadero Viewed from the Eiffel Tower

Sites to See:

• Arc de Triomph.
• Champs Elysees.
• Notre Dame Cathedral.

Tokyo, Japan: Night time view

Sites to See:

• Mount Fuji.
• Yasukuni Jinga shrine war memorial.
• Tokyo Disney.