washington dc world war ii memorial Whereas do wntown hotel prices don t vary much with the seasons, M arina and Fisherman s Wharf rates

The San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, 900 Market St. (at Powell St.), Hallidie Plaza, Lower Level, San Francisco, CA 94102 (&415/391-2000; www.onlyinsan francisco.com), is the best source of specialized information about the city. Even if you don t hav e a specific question, y ou might want to r equest the fr ee Visitors Planning Guide and the S an F rancisco Visitors Kit. You can also check online for specific

For desser t, it s har d t o pass up the divine pastries at Miette (Shop #10; &415/837-0330 ). E ven har der t o r esist ar e the luscious fr ozen tr eats nex t door at Ciao Bella Gelato (Shop #8; &415/834-9330), with inspired flavors like cinnamon oatmeal cookie or key lime with graham cracker washington dc world war ii memorial swirl.

Whereas do wntown hotel prices don t vary much with the seasons, M arina and Fisherman s Wharf rates climb in the summer. Given the summertime fog, the price increase has less to do with the best time to visit San Francisco than with when most families take their v acations. If you buck the tr end and come in the late winter , you ll save money.

V isit the California P alace of the Legion of Honor , Asian A rt Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern A rt, or de Young Museum, all are free the first Tuesday washington dc world war ii memorial of each month. The California A cademy of S ciences, Exploratorium, and San F rancisco Z oo ar e fr ee the first Wednesday of each month , and the C ontemporary Je wish Museum is fr ee the first Monday of the month. Ride the P owell/Mason cable car t o the Cable Car Museum (p. 178) f or a close-up look at ho w the cars w ork. View displa ys of antique equipment, ar tifacts fr om the 1906 ear thquake, and local fir efighting memorabilia at the San Francisco Fire Department Museum (p. 182). Head t o the Main Libr ary s childr en s wing (p. 267) or bring y our w ee ones to story hour at most public librar y branches, held ev ery day of the week except Sunday. For a schedule, check w ww.sfpl.org. Tour the cit y on a Muni bus (see Getting Ar ound, in chapt er 4 f or suggestions). Climb the Filbert Steps, the most famous of San Francisco s many staircases, offering lo vely view s and v erdant gar dens. Spend Satur day morning at the Ferry Plaza F armer s Mark et. You could almost make a meal of all the fr esh fruits, breads, spreads, and other f ood samples offered by the farmers, breeders, and bakers. washington dc world war ii memorial Walk down the crooked part of Lombard Street. PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO