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San Francisco: A Traveller's Guide   by BCD Express Travel

Diverse and dynamic

San Francisco's geography makes it one of the United States' most unique cities. The city lies between the ocean, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the redwood forests and the California desert. Sitting atop the San Andreas Fault, San Francisco has been shaped by earthquakes - in particular the legendary 1906 quake and subsequent fires, which destroyed 80 percent of its structures.

San Francisco has more than 50 hills within city limits and some neighborhoods are named after the hill on which they are situated, including Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, and Russian Hill.

San Francisco is a bustling city rich in ethnic diversity, with an eclectic bohemian subculture and a myriad of languages, customs, shops and restaurants packed into its compact 49 square miles.

Getting to and from the airport:

San Francisco International airport (SFO) is located 15 miles south of downtown. The best way to get downtown is via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which operates a direct rapid rail service. To get from SFO to Embarcadero (financial district), for example, will cost around US$8.10. The BART Station can be found on the departures/ticketing level of the International Terminal.

Taxis are also available and depart from designated taxi zones located at the roadway center islands, on the arrivals/baggage claim level of all terminals. Approximate taxi fare to downtown is US$40.

Story highlights:

• Get on your bike and explore San Francisco
• Cross the landmark Golden Gate Bridge
• Watch the sea lions from the pier at Fisherman's Wharf
• Visit the city's diverse cultural areas - Chinatown, Italian district and Japanese quarters
• A shoppers paradise for designer wear, urban sophistication and funk

Getting around San Francisco:

The best way to navigate San Francisco is via the city's public transportation system Muni, which operates nearly 100 bus lines, the streetcar system and the city's cable cars. Tickets cost US$2.00 and free transfer tickets are available on most Muni lines, which can be used for two connecting trips within 90 minutes (this excludes BART and the cable car).

If you're up for a hilly challenge, why not cycle? San Francisco is bicycle friendly and many residents do use their bikes as their primary means of transport.

The Embarcadero, Marina Green, and Golden Gate Park are popular cycling areas and many companies rent bikes, such as Blazing Saddles and Bike and Roll.

Taxis can be flagged along downtown streets or booked over the phone. Credit cards are generally accepted, but double-check before getting into the cab. Tipping is customary and drivers expect about 10 to 15 percent.

What to do:

Native San Franciscan Joyce Cohen, director of account management & operations for BCD Travel in the U.S. recommends a visit to the following sites, some of which won't cost you a dime!

No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to the city's landmark - the Golden Gate Bridge. This suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean, and stretches 1.7 miles long. You can cross the bridge via car, on foot or bicycle and take in the magnificent scenery.

In the heart of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park you will find the de Young Museum. The landmark art museum showcases priceless collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, and art of the native Americas, Africa, and the Pacific. Adult entrance fees are US$10, but it's worth noting that the first Tuesday of every month is free.

Head down to the piers and sidewalks of Fisherman's Wharf where you can glimpse the sunbathing resident sea lions crowded onto pontoons. You will also find plenty of bay-view restaurants and souvenir shops nearby. Take a two-hour "duck tour" onboard a restored World War II landing craft for an excursion of the city by land and sea, operated by Bay Quackers. Tickets cost about US$35 per person.

San Francisco's Coit Tower is a 210-foot high Art Deco tower on Telegraph Hill. The tower contains 19 painted murals, most of which are open to the public at no charge.

Duck tour

The viewing platform at the top of the tower (approx. US$3.75 entrance fee) offers sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island, and other area attractions.

Visit the California Academy of Science - complete with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. It's an architectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals. General admission adult tickets cost US$29.95.

Where to eat:

With generations of immigrants from Asia and Europe settling in San Francisco, dining out is one of the city's great pleasures. You can enjoy some great classic Cantonese in San Francisco's Chinatown, which was established in the 1850's. Head to North Beach and you'll reach the city's Italian district. If its sushi you're after, then visit Nihonmachi where you will find a small but vibrant Japanese community - even the local McDonald's has a slightly Japanese feel.

Here are some of Joyce's top picks for dining on a budget:

Taylors Refresher Address: Ferry Building Marketplace, 1 Ferry Building, Space #6 Tel: 866 328-3663 Web: www.taylorsrefresher.com

For a cheap, cheerful and casual bite, head to Taylors Refresher. The "Eat" giant neon sign over the ordering counter gets right to the point of what Taylor's Refresher is all about. Grab your fill of burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, tacos and much more.

Yank Sing Address: 101 Spear Street or 49 Stevenson Street Tel: 415 781 1111 / 415 541 4949 Web: www.yanksing.com

This restaurant is located in the financial district and specializes in traditional and contemporary Dim Sum, offering over 100 different varieties. Unlike most restaurants, Yank Sing has no official menu. Instead food servers carry freshly cooked dim sum, which you can request as they pass by. Open to the public during lunch hours only, it's a great place to pop in for a quick business lunch.

Pacific Catch Address: 2027 Chestnut Street Phone: 415.440.1950 Web: www.pacificcatch.com

Pacific Catch offers great fish and seafood dishes using local Californian ingredients, which are infused with flavors from Asia, Latin America and Hawaii. The reasonably priced menu includes dishes such as fish and sweet potato fries, grilled sandwiches, Island tacos, and Japanese rice bowls. Sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

Where to shop:

San Francisco is a haven for shopaholics, with numerous shopping centers, districts and malls. Although shopping in San Francisco can be an expensive venture, savvy shoppers will find possibilities for every budget.

Mural in Mission district

Union Square is a popular shopping haunt where you can find stores such as Macy's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, as well as designer boutiques. Street performers can keep you entertained as well as a visit to the nearby Theatres.

If it's urban sophistication or funky clothing you're after, then head to Haight Street. The streets are dotted with Victorian houses, anarchist bookstores and piercing salons, and some shops still retain an air of the 60's hippie counter culture. Another great place for unconventional items is the Mission district. Here you can find offbeat boutiques and funky ethnic clothing.

Fancy something with an Asian twist? Then walk through the red dragon gates and enter the bustling Chinatown. Complete with ornate lampposts and pagoda roofs, Chinatown offers everything from scented teas to vivid silks and statues of Buddha to mahogany furniture.

San Francisco Tourist Attractions  by Kenneth Ng

Alcatraz Island

Visible from Fisherman’s’ Wharf, Alcatraz has a checkered history. Alcatraz got its name when the army vacated the island, it served as a military post protecting the bay shoreline. After which buildings were converted into a maximum-security prison - believed to be escape proof, given the sheer cliffs, treacherous currents, and frigid water temperatures. However after a apparent escape in which no bodies were recovered, the government closed the prison. A group of American Indians chartered a boat and symbolically reclaimed the island for the Indian people and became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The wildlife driven away during the military and penitentiary years has started returning and visitors can view them from a nature trail that runs through the island. Park rangers lead entertaining tours through the prison block as well, including an audio tour and slide show.

It’s a ridiculously popular excursion and the space is limited, so purchase tickets as far in advance as possible, From Blue & Gold Fleet (415/705-5555). You can also buy tickets in advance from the Blue & Gold ticket office on Pier 41. Wear comfortable shoes; bring snacks; take a heavy sweater or windbreaker; and prepare yourself to climb a lot of steep steps.

Coit Tower

In a city known for its panoramic views and vantage points. If it’s a clear day, it’s wonderful to walk up the Filbert Steps to get here, then take in the panoramic views of the city and bay at the base of the tower. I’d recommend against paying the admission to go to the top; the view is just as good from the parking area, and you can see the murals for free.

Cable Cars

San Francisco beloved cable cars clank across the hills like mobile museum pieces. Each weighs about 6 tons and runs on a cable under the street in a center rail moving at constant 9.5 mph. This may strike you as slow, but it doesn’t feel that way when you’re cresting an almost perpendicular hill and looking down at what seems like a bobsled dive into the ocean. In spite of the thrills, they’re perfectly save. ($5 per ride, lines begin at the base of Powell and Market sts. and foot of market.)

Farmers Market

Several days a week around the Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco foodies and chefs peruse alfresco stands hawking the finest Northern California fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, flowers, and ready-made meals - including great breakfasts - by local restaurants. You’ll be amazed at the variety and quality, and the crowded scene itself is something to behold. You can also watch demos on Saturdays and pick up locally made vinegar and oils; they make wonderful gifts.