pictures of vietnam memorial is an annual benefit for O pen Hand, a worthy local charity that delivers food to homebound AIDS pat

440 Post St. (btw. Mason and Powell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/288-4346 or 415/397-3510. Fax 415/989-0529. w ww.unionsquare.com. 30 units , including 11 suit es. $239 $249 singles only ; $269 $329 suite. Kids under 14 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $25; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $36; oversized vehicles $41; self-parking $25. Amenities: pictures of vietnam memorial Laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, CD player, wireless high-speed Internet access, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

is an annual benefit for O pen Hand, a worthy local charity that delivers food to homebound AIDS patients. pictures of vietnam memorial Chocoholics pictures of vietnam memorial wander fr om one tasting to another , provided by local shops and r estaurants. Serious eaters can enter the sundae-eating contest. The priz e is the winner s weight in chocolate! Call & 415/7755500 or visit www.ghirardellisq.com.

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality , value, service, amenities, and special featur es using a star-rating system. I n countr y, state, and regional guides, we also rate to wns and regions to help y ou narrow down your choices pictures of vietnam memorial and budget pictures of vietnam memorial your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of z ero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions pictures of vietnam memorial are rated accor ding to the follo wing scale: z ero stars (r ecommended), one star (highly r ecommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

maupintours city. Even before renowned Bay Area chef Alice Waters gave birth to California cuisine, San Francisc

alike. O rder tickets w ell ahead of time; online is best, as you can print them out at home and head straight to the ferr y lineup at Pier 33. I recommend taking the first ferry of the day , at 9:30am, as the prison will be less cr owded when y ou arriv e. Bring sw eaters, comfor table shoes, and something to eat (or choose fr om the options some of them organic on the ferry), as ther e s no concession stand on the island. S ee p. 156. ( Note: If you were unable to r eserve Alcatraz tickets in time, take a 1-hour bay cr uise on the B lue & Gold Fleet. In addition to lo vely vistas of the city and an up-close look at the Golden G ate B ridge, an audio track imparts plenty of histor y and local city lore. See p. 185.)

Hotels here are close to shopping, museums, and gr eat family maupintours entertainment, including the Yerba Buena Center. As an up-and-coming par t of town, SoMa enjoys some of the city s newest restaurants and attractions. The downside to the newness is constant construction. Also, some sections of the neighborhood hav e not yet emerged, and the unsavory 6th and 7th streets should definitely be avoided.

Rainforest C afe Overrated AMERICAN The phony flo wers and plastic rainfor est complete with waterfall, aquarium, and African music in the background just cry out for a B ticket (for those of you old enough to remember how things once worked at Disneyland). The food at this mer chandised-to-the-hilt restaurant is strictly pedestrian: a little fish, a little chicken, a hamburger , a steak something for ev eryone. With 500 seats, however, you re going to get production-line quality. The draw here is the decor, but my suggestion is that if y ou want the fun of a tr opical storm, head for the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel. maupintours There, for a lot less money, treat the kids to snacks and an umbrella- bedecked drink with benign rainstorms maupintours on the half-hour.

city. Even before renowned Bay Area chef Alice Waters gave birth to California cuisine, San Francisco maupintours took adv antage maupintours of its access to fresh seafood, local produce, and ethnic influences to foster a thriving dining scene. To the north, east, and south are dozens of small family farms, many organic, which supply city r estaurants. In addition, the melting pot of immigrants has added serious depth to the epicur ean offerings. Great Mexican food abounds in the Mission, and you ll find Chinese, maupintours Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai r estaurants everywhere. Although North Beach has its share of I talian r estaurants, y ou can also find S panish, I ndian, and G reek cuisine very close by.

tissue paper balloons Fisherman s Wharf is on the water, of course, and that often means fog, or at least a cool breeze. S

Fisherman s Wharf is on the water, of course, and that often means fog, or at least a cool breeze. So bring sweaters. If you plan to take the ferry to Alcatraz, bring jackets as well. Schedule rest/play periods to help avoid meltdowns and consider packing snacks the food in this area can be crummy and expensive.

For information on how to get a passport, go to Passports in the Fast Facts section in the appendix at the end of this book the w ebsites listed pr ovide do wnloadable passpor t applications as w ell as the curr ent fees for pr ocessing passpor t applications. I nternational visitors can obtain a visa application at the w ebsite of the U.S. S tate D epartment at http:// travel.state.gov.

sun holiday tours 25 Mason St. (btw. Eddy and Turk sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/553-1900 or 415/775-4600. Fax

25 Mason St. (btw. Eddy and Turk sts.), San Francisco, sun holiday tours CA 94102. &800/553-1900 or 415/775-4600. Fax 415/775-4606. w ww.hotelmetropolis.com. 105 units , including 6 suit es. $99 $200 double; fr om $250 suite. Kids under 17 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $10; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking

4 466 Bush St. (at Grant A ve.), San Francisco, CA 94108. &888/717-2881 or 415/399-9807. Fax 415/3939917. w ww.theorchardgardenhotel.com. sun holiday tours 86 units , including 9 suit es. $199 $339 double; $349 $489 suite. Rollaways $25; cribs $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; exercise room; concierge; courtesy sun holiday tours car; room service (limited hours); laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, dataport, free high-speed Internet access, sun holiday tours fridge, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, CD player, iPod alarm clock.

Please be advised that trav el information is subject to change at any time and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirmation when making your travel sun holiday tours plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held r esponsible for the experiences of r eaders while trav eling. Your safety is impor tant to us, ho wever, sun holiday tours so w e encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.

Amici s East C oast Pizzeria PIZZA Located across the street from AT&T Park, this is the second S an Francisco location sun holiday tours (the other is in Co w Hollow) of this r egional pizza joint specializing in East Coast style pizzas baked in wood-fir sun holiday tours ed brick o vens. Although it s not my very favorite pizza in the city, it is pretty good, and there aren t too many other reasonably priced options near the ballpark. The menu features several other items as well, including an assortment of pastas, hearty sandwiches such as Italian sausage or eggplant parmigiana, and salads (the Caesar salad is quite tasty). With friendly waiters, crayons, and speedy service, what more could you need? Kids can get a mini cheese pizza for $7.75, or a small plate of plain noodles for just $2.50.

sex and the city hotspots tour Just because your cellphone works at home doesn t mean it ll wor k else where in the country (thanks

If y ou re in the mar ket for a rhinestone tiara or a set of chopsticks, this is nirvana. Kids lo ve all the little knickknacks: sex and the city hotspots tour you could lose many hours poking around the stores, snacking on freshly baked for tune cookies, and wandering the alleyways. S tockton S treet, sex and the city hotspots tour with its exotic grocery stores and traditional sex and the city hotspots tour herb shops, is equally alluring. Ov erall, Chinatown is great for shopping and eating, and several of its restaurants are listed in chapter 5. Given the noise and cr owds,

Just because your cellphone works at home doesn t mean it ll wor k else where in the country sex and the city hotspots tour (thanks to our nation s fragmented cellphone system). It s a good bet that y our phone will work in major cities. But take a look at y our wir eless company s co verage map on its w ebsite befor e heading out T-Mobile, S print, and N extel ar e par ticularly weak in rural areas. If you need to stay in touch at a destination wher e you know your phone won t work, rent a phone that does fr om InTouch USA (& 800/8727626; www.intouchglobal.com) or a r ental car location, but beware that you ll pay $1 a minute or more for airtime.

davis tours In this one building y ou ll find mor e top-quality lunch options than in man y entire cities. In ke

Best for Teens: The Hotel Triton (342 Grant A ve.; & 800/800-1299 or 415/394-0500) will wake up the most disaffected teenager with r ock n r oll in the lobb y and a design palette that has groovy written all over it. Rooms are small so y ou won t be sharing, but that s good for the kid who needs some space. S ee p. 73. The W H otel lobb y and bar (181 3rd St.; &888/625-5140 or 415/777-5300) is a whirlwind of activity that can be fascinating for teens. The clientele considers itself pretty hip. The location, across from Yerba Buena Center, means instant recreation for the kids at the Metreon. See p. 88. Best for Large Families: The Hyatt at Fisherman s Wharf (555 N. P oint St.; & 800/223-1234 or 415/563-1234) can set y ou up in connecting davis tours double/ doubles and on r equest will pr ovide a fridge. Even better, coin-op davis tours washers and dryers are on every floor, which, if you can get the kids to do a load, will make your r eturn home calmer. S ee p. 90. The absolute davis tours best hotel for big or extended families is The Laur el I nn (444 P residio A ve.; & 800/552-8735 or 415/567-8467), because y ou can request inter connecting r ooms with two double beds and one of the kitchenette units, creating your own custom suite. See p. 100. wakes up at 5am demanding br eakfast. Best for Long S tays: Ar ound the See p. 95. The Marina M otel (2576 Marina, the Cow H ollow M otor I nn Lombard S t.; & 800/346-6118 or & Suites (2190 Lombar d St.; & 415/ 415/921-9406) is close to two gr eat 921-5800) pr ovides apar tment-style

p. 150. A much smaller outdoor dining area next to a pleasant lawn can be found at Town s End (2 Townsend davis tours St.; &415/512-0749). See p. 123. Best Delivery: For basic I talian at terrific prices davis tours deliv ered to y our hotel or home, Pasta Pomodoro (1875 U nion St. and other locations; & 415/7717900) is a v ery good thing. I ts salads and fresh vegetables really round out a meal. See p. 137. HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

4 600 St ockton St. (at C alifornia St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465. F ax 415/291-0288. www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/san_francisco. 336 units. From $439 double; davis tours from $529 suite. Additional person $30. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $62. Pets under 10 lb. welcome. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; indoor pool; health club; c oncierge; courtesy car; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/mo vies and games , datapor t, wir eless high-speed I nternet ac cess, minibar , fridge , c offeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod dock.

In this one building y ou ll find mor e top-quality lunch options than in man y entire cities. In keeping with its r ole as the epic enter of San F rancisco davis tours s food scene (p. 161), the Ferry Building davis tours entails more than a biweekly farmers market and esoteric gourmet shops selling the finest-grade olive oil, rare breed pork, or exotic fungi. davis tours Many of the cit y s best restaurants have lunch counters here, with scrumptious to go versions of their sit-down fare, and other shops pr offer unusual, irresistible take-out goodies.

national monuments in washington dc Although this Eastern-influenced hotel caters largely to corporate travelers, it holds one of the fe

Innkeepers John and Renate Kenaste, and daughter G abriele, are polite hosts who maintain some nice touches in their family-r un inn such as vintage national monuments in washington dc claw-foot tubs, an antique bird-cage elevator, and complimentar y afternoon tea with homemade cookies. The continental breakfast included in the room rate features coffee, tea, croissants, and muffins. There s also Humphrey, a friendly golden r etriever. Note: During peak months in summer, rates push the Golden Gate into the moderate price category.

When choosing a part of town in which to stay, think about family members special needs or inter ests. Perhaps a little one takes a midday nap , so a central location would be best. I f y ou hav e activ e y oung children, y ou may appr eciate the playgrounds within walking distance of Marina or N ob H ill hotels. Teens may pr efer Union S quare or S oMa for pr oximity to shopping and the Metreon. If your family s main inter ests ar e classic attractions such as Alcatraz and Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman s Wharf could be the place (although

Although this Eastern-influenced hotel caters largely to corporate travelers, it holds one of the fe w, and one of the most spacious, indoor swimming pools in the city. The pool is connected to the N ikko s health club, but the staff insists that guests tend to exercise in the early morning and evening, which means the rest of the day children can splash around freely. The pool is located in an expansive glass-roofed atrium, which also houses ex ercise equipment and J apanese hot tubs, so y ou can wor k out or enjoy a soak while y ou keep on ey e on the kids. A full-ser vice spa is set to open in 2009. Decor is tastefully understated, and rooms get a lot of natural sunlight. With a pullout sofa and guest washr oom, the N ikko s junior suites ar e quite family-friendly. E ven standard double-double rooms are large and have entryways that give the impression of more space. Views start above the 10th floor. Rooms on the three executive-level Nikko Floors also have vanities and more spacious bathrooms, and the Nikko Lounge offers national monuments in washington dc board games and Internet access, so your teenagers national monuments in washington dc can still IM their pals at home. The Nikko welcomes all pets. (Just be sure to inform the hotel if y ou plan to leave a Great Dane in y our r oom for the day , so they can aler t the housekeeping national monuments in washington dc staff!) The white marble lobby is stark, but kids will enjoy the indoor fountain, which has become a multi- currency wishing well. The hotel houses an on-site Starbucks and Anzu restaurant, which specializes in sushi and steak, but has a childr en s menu as well.

columbus capitol building 2 New Montgomery St. (at Market St.). &415/546-5089. www.gardencourt-restaurant.com. Kids menu, high

2 New Montgomery St. (at Market St.). &415/546-5089. columbus capitol building www.gardencourt-restaurant.com. Kids menu, highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Tea service $40 $52; children s tea $32. AE, DC, MC, V. Sat 1 3pm. From first Fri after Thanksgiving through Dec tea is Mon Sat 2 4pm. Muni: Any streetcar to Montgomery St. Station.

Room configurations include double-doubles, but if y ou ar e coming to the city between November and April, ask about off-season rates for king pr emieres (a king-size bed and a sofa bed) or suites, which are sometimes available at excellent rates. The hotel s Cafe Pescatore (p. 131), specializing in reasonably-priced Italian fare, opens onto a pleasant outdoor dining area on the sidewalk.

blue hawaii helicopter Tango Gelato Finds ICE CREAM Like the U.S., Argentina has had its fair share of Italian immigrants a

1625 Post St. (at Laguna St.), San F rancisco, CA 94115. &800/533-4567 or 415/922-3200. Fax 415/6145498. www.jdvhotels.com/kabuki. 218 units, 15 suites. $129 $289 double; $209 $329 suit e. Kids under 17 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $15; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35/day, self- parking $15/night. Amenities: Restaurant; c oncierge; business c enter; fitness c enter; r oom ser vice (6:30am 11pm), laundry blue hawaii helicopter service; dry cleaning; club-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, free wireless high-speed Internet access, fridge, tea kettle, hair dryer, iron, safe, iPod dock.

Tango Gelato Finds ICE CREAM Like the U.S., Argentina has had its fair share of Italian immigrants and, as a r esult, has a delicious array of gelaterias. F ortunately for San F ranciscans, one enterprising Argentine made his (v ery long) way up nor th and opened a gelateria in Pacific Heights. In addition to recognizable Italian flavors like nocciolo (hazelnut) and amaretto, you ll find luscious South American favorites like dulce de leche, an ultrasw eet caramel concoction, and coconut. You ll also find other Argentine specialties, such as alfajor cookies.

52 As I recall from my own visits to S an Francisco in b ygone y ears, teens feel a magnetic pull to this place. I f you have some with y ou, definitely blue hawaii helicopter hav e lunch here on y our way to or fr om G olden Gate Park, but, because the ar ea can be noisy, and a bit seedy, at night, blue hawaii helicopter I wouldn t recommend overnighting here.

North of Union Square, blue hawaii helicopter a short walk up Grant Street, is the entrance to Chinatown. The draw here for you and yours is the sights and sounds of a community that is steeped in local history but which pr eserves its unique for eign culture. Possible stops include the playgrounds at St. Mary s Square or Portsmouth Square, the Chinese Cultural Center, the Canton Bazaar, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company, and lunch. blue hawaii helicopter

duck tours boston If you re staying in a hotel, ther e s a good chance y ou ll be near the P owell-Hyde cable car line

San Francisco occupies the northernmost tip of a 32-mile-long peninsula. Its western coast is battered by a chilly and unrelentingly forceful piece of the Pacific Ocean, while its eastern side looks out onto the calm waters of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the towns and mountains bey ond. To the nor th, the photogenic G olden Gate Bridge spans the tiny opening to the bay, less than 2 miles in length, and connects San Francisco to the picturesque hills of Marin County. San Francisco has its own share of hills, and as such offers visitors one fabulous vie w after another.

If you re staying in a hotel, ther e s a good chance y ou ll be near the P owell-Hyde cable car line. ( That said, if y ou re staying in Fisherman s Wharf, you may prefer to start this tour at stop no. 3 below and then fit in time for U nion Square after visiting Chinatown.) Your first stop , the cable car turnaround at the corner of M arket and Powell streets, is the hear t of San Francisco s shopping scene. G iven the ev er-present queue for the cable car , you ll want to get there early, which may mean y ou ll be out before the stores open. Even so, you ll enjoy people-watching, from local worker bees starting their day to other early-rising tourists to street duck tours boston performers getting ready to perform to the occasional odd bird carrying a sign lamenting the coming doomsday. duck tours boston It s certainly a lively spot to start your excursion. See p. 159.

ahi tours Hotel Del S ol Once upon a time, the D el Sol was a modest motel with the good fortune to be located

Hotel Del S ol Once upon a time, the D el Sol was a modest motel with the good fortune to be located in Cow Hollow, away from noisy Lombard Street. Then the clever hospitality company, Joie de Vivre, came along. Many gallons of bright yellow, green, and blue paint later, a star was born. She s even got the swimming pool, hammocks, and palm trees to pr ove it. M ost of the all-nonsmoking guest r ooms and suites surr ound a tiled,

1416 Powell St. (btw. Broadway and Vallejo sts.). &415/397-2290. http://licheegarden.citysearch.com. Highchairs. Reservations recommended. Main courses $5.50 $20. MC, V. Daily 11am 9:15pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Broadway.

JULY As the largest fr ee jazz festiv al on the west coast, stretching over 8 blocks, the Fillmore S treet J azz F estival draws more than 90,000 visitors o ver the July 4 w eekend. You can listen to music performed on sev eral stages, vie w ar t

30 traveling with a bab y, an easy-to-fold umbrella stroller will be the most practical piece of equipment. I f y ou can manage with a baby front pack or backpack, y ou ll be ev en better off. Toddlers ar e another issue. Since you really will need a stroller at some point during a walk, y ou ll hav e to practice r eleasing the closur e and folding the str oller while holding the child at the same time. This is ev en mor e fun if y ou have mor e than one small child to deal with.

capitol of washington dc The real treasures are the 12 suites located in the adjacent building on Chestnut Street. These are

The real treasures are the 12 suites located in the adjacent building on Chestnut Street. These are brightly decorated one- or two-bedroom apartments that are true homes-awayfrom- home, with living r ooms, fully equipped kitchens, and dining r ooms with wood flooring. The two-bedr oom suites hav e two bathr ooms, and one of the one-bedr capitol of washington dc oom rentals contains two double beds. Coin-operated washers and dr yers are on every floor. The trick is to reserve far in advance up to a year for visits over holidays. The Inn also discounts the suites an extra $25 per day for stays longer than 5 days.

four main courses. I f this family would have to pay $150 or mor e for a meal, I consider that r estaurant Very Expensive; from $100 to $150 Expensive; betw een $60 and $100, Moderate; under $60, Inexpensive. I ve included cafes, pizzerias, and casual, capitol of washington dc or der-at-the-counter places under the Inexpensive header, and restaurants that hav e positioned themselv es as combining high-quality ingr edients and value in the M oderate column. The Expensive category includes afternoon tea in hotels, usually costly , but delightful if you like that sort of thing. Very Expensive restaurants ar e for the ev enings y ou ve hired a bab ysitter, unless y ou re rearing a future J ulia Child or J acques P epin and wish to inspir e her or him. Tax in S an Francisco is 8.5%. Tip your server 15% to 20% for good to great service, and at your

andeantravelweb p. 80. If you want to do something silly with the kids, take them to the Tonga Room at the Fairmont

p. 80. If you want to do something silly with the kids, take them to the Tonga Room at the Fairmont H otel (950 Mason S t.; & 800/441-1414 or 415/772-5000) for appetizers and a mild tropical storm. See p. 94. Best Lobb y: I f the kids ar e into fair y tales, the Fairmont Hotel (950 Mason St.; & 800/441-1414 or 415/7725000) andeantravelweb will leave them waiting for Princess andeantravelweb Aurora to arrive. See p. 94. A close contender is the Palace Hotel (2 New Montgomery St., at Market St.; &415/ 546-5089); the ceiling of its historic Garden Court consists of 80,000 panes of glass. See p. 86. For the most stunning lobby in town, the truly opulent, yet tasteful, Ar t D eco inspired Four Seasons (757 Market St.; &415/6333000) tops the list. See p. 86. Best If You Have a C ar: F or stays around U nion S quare, the Galleria Park H otel (191 S utter S t.; & 800/ 792-9639 or 415/781-3060) is built over a par king garage, so it won t take long to r etrieve y ours. Like all do wntown hotels, parking charges are nuts $30 per day is av erage so it s not economical to par k her e, just conv enient. See p. 72. O ne car per r oom gets fr ee indoor par king at the Cow Hollow M otor I nn & S uites (2190 Lombard S t.; & 415/921-5800). See p. 97. A spot for y our car also comes courtesy of the Hotel Del Sol (3100 Webster S t.; & 877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520; p. 97) or the Marina Motel (2576 Lombard St.; &800/3466118 or 415/921-9406; p. 98). Best I f You B rought the D og: The Hotel Monaco (501 Geary St.; &800/ 214-4220 or 415/292-0100) has packages for pooches that riv al anything other hotels have for kids. I don t know if ther e s an underlying message ther e.

When y ou step out of the dar kened Exploratorium Hall into the light of day , take a moment to appr eciate the lo vely scenery at the Palace of Fine Arts (p. 161) abutting the E xploratorium. H ave y our kids look at the ducks and run on the grass before andeantravelweb heading nor th on B aker S treet, crossing M arina Boulev ard and continuing to the water s edge. Walk onto the breakwater, wher e y ou ll see the bizarr e Wave Organ (p. 202), created by scientists from the Exploratorium.

denure tours Note: Remember that many banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank s ATM, and tha

Note: Remember that many banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank s ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic denure tours ones (wher e they re rarely more than $3). I n addition, the bank fr om which y ou withdraw cash may charge its own fee. To compare banks ATM fees within the U.S., use www.bank rate.com. F or international withdrawal fees, ask your bank.

Expect cr owds ar ound F isherman s Wharf and on the F-M arket str eetcars. Book Alcatraz Island tickets at least 1 week ahead of time and, after 9am, expect to wait in long lines to boar d the P owell Street cable cars. Fortunately, because San Francisco sees fe wer conv entions in the summer, you may actually get better hotel rates at the business-oriented hotels downtown (although not at F isherman s Wharf).

address of the capitol building A NO TE ABOUT PRICES The restaurants in the reviews that follow are categorized as Very E xpensive,

Editor: Linda Barth Production Editor: Jonathan Scott Cartographer: Elizabeth Puhl Photo Editor: address of the capitol building Richard Fox Production by Wiley Indianapolis Composition Services Front cover photo: A boy mimics the span of the G olden Gate Bridge Back cover photo: Alamo Square, with the San Francisco skyline

A NO TE ABOUT PRICES The restaurants address of the capitol building in the reviews that follow are categorized as Very E xpensive, E xpensive, Moderate, and I nexpensive, based on an approximation of what a family of four would spend for nonalcoholic drinks and

Union S quare Named for the historic plaza it encompasses, U nion Square is the cultural and commer cial heart of S an F rancisco. address of the capitol building This is wher e tourists, and plenty of r esidents, come to shop. The roughly 22 square blocks bordered by Market, Mason, Bush, and Kearny str eets house S an F rancisco s

virtual vietnam wall art in the countr y, and is housed in an impressive building designed by the Swiss architect M ario

IT ALIAN This r enowned Tuscan-Italian r estaurant defines what s incredible about the city s neighborhood eats. Every day chef/co-owner Craig Stoll, one of Food & Wine s Best New Chefs a few years back, whips up a new menu of delectable, ultra-fresh fare. Diners trek in from all over the city for it, even though there s absolutely nowhere to park. (Take a cab.) The Niman Ranch flat-iron steak with french fries is a standard, but a more seasonal option might be winter gnocchi with squash and chestnuts or lamb with polenta and sw eet peas. Don t fail to order the buttermilk panna cotta for dessert. The yellow walls, close-together tables, and hip young clientele give this place an adult energy, so I suggest it for a night when y ou have a babysitter. An added plus is its proximity to many hopping Mission virtual vietnam wall bars: If you do have a sitter, you can enjoy an hour or two out on the town after dinner.

art in the countr y, and is housed in an impressive building designed by the Swiss architect M ario Botta. I f the kids ar e tired or not big museum-goers head straight virtual vietnam wall to the permanent collection on the second floor. The wacky Warhols, playful Pollocks, and magical M atisses are sure to perk them up. You ll also see some impressive sculptures and a Calder mobile or two. See p. 182.

337 3rd St. (btw. Folsom and Harrison virtual vietnam wall sts.). &415/512-1693. Boosters, highchairs. Reservations recommended. M ain c ourses $11 $26. AE, DISC, MC, V. M on Fri lunch 11:30am 2:30pm; M on Thurs dinner 6 10pm, F ri Sat dinner 6 10:30pm. Muni: An y str eetcar t o M ontgomery St. Station; no. 15-3r d, no. 30-Stockton, or no. 45-Union to Folsom St.

VEGETARIAN The setting is so lo vely and the food so good at this vegetarian spot, even dedicated carnivores will enjoy it. Built by the San Francisco Zen Center in a conv erted warehouse, virtual vietnam wall the r estaurant boasts v ery high ceilings and a wall of windows that frames a stunning view of a marina, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Come in the early evening, and you ll be rewarded with a glorious sunset as well.

vietnam war memorial list of names Haight-Ashbury Bordered on the west by Golden Gate Park, on the north by Fulton Street, on the east

5 1300 Batt ery St. (at Embar cadero). &415/982-2000. www.fogcitydiner.com. K ids menu , highchairs , boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $14 $24; kids menu all it ems $6.50. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Thurs 11:30am 10pm; F ri 11:30am 11pm; Sat 10:30am 11pm; Sun 10:30am 10pm. Muni: No. 10-Townsend bus or F-Market streetcar to Battery St., or no. 15-3rd St. to Jackson St., and then walk 1 block south.

Haight-Ashbury Bordered on the west by Golden Gate Park, on the north by Fulton Street, on the east by Divisadero Street, and by Waller Street to the south, gritty Haight-Ashbury has never fully put the 1960s behind vietnam war memorial list of names it. This isn t a complete bummer, by any means; the main drag, H aight Street, is filled with vintage clothes much of it on hangers and for sale as w ell as independently owned stores that y ou won t see in y our local indoor mall. The str eet is also action-packed, albeit with people looking for handouts, but it s historic, man.

vietnam vets memorial As one of the most beautiful places on the a horse, a dog, and a human gymnast were planet, San Fran

As one of the most beautiful places on the a horse, a dog, and a human gymnast were planet, San Francisco has been a favorite of shown to viewers using a primitive projecmovie studios since the bir th of film. I n tor made from a box with light, a lens, and fact, the first public motion pictur e was a reflector. The following list of films and presented in San Francisco silhouettes of books will pique the inter est of the most

5 In-N-Out Burger HAMBURGERS Having spent my teenage y ears in California, I can tell y ou that I n-N-Out is a state wide phenomenon. F ans who insist it s the best fast food anywhere tell me what makes the burgers so good ar e the toasted buns, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomatoes. They also swoon o ver the extra-crisp , extra-thin fries, which ar e, in addition vietnam vets memorial to a grilled-cheese sandwich, the only vegetarian option on the very short menu.

watts towers tours 312 Mason St. (btw. Geary and O Farrell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &888/GOHIUSA (464-4872) or 4

1875 Union St. (btw. Hyde and Larkin sts.). &415/771-7900. North Beach: watts towers tours 655 Union St. (at C olumbus Ave.). &415/399-0300. Presidio Heights: 3611 C alifornia St. (at Spruc e St.). &415/831-0900. watts towers tours Castro: 2304 Market St. (at 16th St.). &415/558-8123. Sunset: 816 I rving St. (at 9th A ve.). &415/566-0900. www.pastapomodoro.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. M ain c ourses $7.50 $15.25. AE, MC, V. M on Thurs 11am 10:30pm; Fri 11am 11:30pm; Sat noon 11:30pm; Sun noon 10:30pm. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Laguna St.

Hotels here are close to shopping, museums, and gr eat family entertainment, including the Yerba Buena Center. As an up-and-coming par t of town, SoMa enjoys some of the city s newest restaurants and attractions. The downside to the newness is constant construction. Also, some sections of the neighborhood hav e not yet emerged, and the unsavory 6th and 7th streets should definitely watts towers tours be avoided.

601 Union St. (at Stockton St.). &415/421-5633. www.joedimaggiosrestaurant.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $16 $38. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5 11pm. Muni: P owell- Mason cable car to Union St., and then walk 2 blocks east, or no. 30-Stockton bus to Union St.

312 Mason St. (btw. Geary and O Farrell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &888/GOHIUSA watts towers tours (464-4872) or 415/788-5604. Fax 415/788-3023. w ww.sfhostels.com. watts towers tours 105 units (39 privat e, 241 dorm beds). Host elling members $24 $29 per person in dorm; nonmembers $27 $32 per person in dorm; $60 $89 in privat e room w/shared bath; $77 $95 in privat e room w/private bath. No child rat e. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: TV lounge; full kitchen; Internet access at kiosk for small fee; free wireless Internet access; laundry facilities. In room: Lockers, no phone.

distance venice to rome the need arise. M y husband and I hav e dragged our kids to any number of local restaurants and foun

the need arise. distance venice to rome M y husband and I hav e dragged our kids to any number of local restaurants and found that, b y follo wing the guidelines I list below (see the Dining Out in P eace bo x), w e ve been able to enjoy many wonderful dinners and, at the same time, introduce our little ones to new and interesting foods.

Dragon distance venice to rome Well Finds CHINESE Dragon Well was established distance venice to rome with the idea of serving light, fresh, flavorful, and reliably good Chinese food. It has succeeded. This is definitely west coast Chinese, distance venice to rome the Tex-Mex of Asian food, but it s the best rendition of it I ve had. Traditional favorites like pork-filled pot stickers (a big hit with my kids) and cashew chicken are exceptionally well executed, and the tea-smoked duck, ser ved in a bun with plum sauce, is not to be missed. Owned b y a friendly and talented local mom, D ragon Well is pr obably the fav orite takeout destination for most local families. The interior decor spacious and airy, in keeping with the light and healthful food makes D ragon Well an inviting place to eat in as w ell. I m confident everyone in your family will enjoy his or her meal at Dragon Well.

interactive tour of ellis island 8 Mission St. (at Steuart St.), San Francisco, CA 94105. &888/890-8688 or 415/278-3700. Fax 415/2783

For standard rooms, it s worth the long walk fr om the lobby to the Club R ooms on the O Farrell Street side, where rooms are larger and include a dr essing area, robes, and extra amenities. (There s a hotel entry on O Farrell St. as well.) Many of the Club Rooms, which aren t much more expensive than those in the historic interactive tour of ellis island section, o verlook the tiled

8 Mission St. (at Steuart St.), San Francisco, CA 94105. &888/890-8688 or 415/278-3700. Fax 415/2783750. interactive tour of ellis island www.hotelvitale.com. 199 units. $329 $399 double; $379 $699 suit e. $30 for 3rd adult in room; kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $51. Dogs w elcome, $35 f ee. Amenities: Restaurant; bar ; fitness c enter; c oncierge; interactive tour of ellis island c ourtesy car ; business center; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, dataport, free high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker interactive tour of ellis island (on request), hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod dock.

graffiti tour nyc 1887 George Hearst pur chases a small daily new spaper, the S an F rancisco Examiner, t o pr omote h

777 Sutter graffiti tour nyc St. (btw. Jones and Taylor sts). &415/673-7779. www.fleurdelyssf.com. Reservations essential. 3-course menu $72, 4-course $82, 5-course $95, v egetarian $72. M on Thurs 6 9:30pm; F ri 5:30 10pm; Sat 5 10:00. Closed Sun. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Muni: No. 2-Clement, no. 3-Jackson, no. 4-Sutter, or no. 27-Bryant to Jones St.

1887 George Hearst pur chases a small daily new spaper, the S an F rancisco Examiner, graffiti tour nyc t o pr omote his rac e f or the U.S. S enate. H is son, William R andolph Hearst, turns it int o a v ery successful tabloid.

flight of the lost balloon San Francisco Blues Festival is a fun weekend at Fort Mason. The festival is complete with food and

SFO (www.flysfo.com) consists of four main terminals: N orth ( Terminal 3), South (Terminal 1), Central (Terminal 2), and I nternational. The baggage lev el of each terminal also houses an information booth. Bank of America operates flight of the lost balloon a branch on the mezzanine level of the North terminal, and y ou can locate A TMs on the upper level of all terminals. The number for general infor mation is & 650/8218211; for transit infor mation call &650/817-1717. The traveler s information desk in each terminal can also giv e you information on ho w to get wher e you re going.

Airlines that fly into the B ay Ar ea include Air C anada (&888/247-2262; www.aircanada.ca), Alaska (&800/2527522; www.alaskaair.com), American (& 800/433-7300; www.aa.com), flight of the lost balloon British Airways (&800/247-9297; www.ba. com), Continental (&800/525-0280; flight of the lost balloon www.continental.com), Delta (&800/ 221-1212; www.delta.com), JetBlue (&800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com), Northwest (& 800/225-2525; www.nwa. com), Southwest (& 800/435-9792; www. southwest.com), United (&800/2416522; www.ual.com), and US Air ways (& 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com).

San Francisco Blues Festival is a fun weekend at Fort Mason. The festival is complete with food and a fe w booths with T-shirts and CDs, but the draw is the excellent roster of local and national blues musicians and the setting. F or information and tickets call & 415/ 979-5588 or visit www.sfblues.com.

555 N. Point St. (btw. Jones and Taylor sts.), San Francisco, CA 94133. &800/233-1234 or 415/563-1234. Fax 415/486-4444. w ww.fishermanswharf.hyatt.com. 313 units. $168 $268 double. flight of the lost balloon $400 $1,200 suit e. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent s room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $45. Amenities: Restaurant; heated outdoor pool; exercise room; Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; courtesy car; room service (limited hours); babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, flight of the lost balloon high-speed wireless Internet access, fridge (on request), coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, iPod dock.

alla tours INEXPENSIVE 121 Hunan Home s Restaurant CHINESE I was struck by a recent newspaper article stating t

To access the R ental Car Center fr om the Airpor t terminals, take the AirT rain Blue Line, which operates daily 24 hours a day. AirTrain stations are located in all terminals, par king garages, the R ental Car Center, and SFO s BAR T station. I f y ou need a car seat (r equired for childr en who weigh less than 60 lb.), inquire when y ou make y our r ental r eservations. O nce y ou have loaded up the v ehicle, follow the airport signs to H ighway 101 N orth to driv e into San Francisco. Stay toward the left so that you don t end up on I nterstate 280. If your destination is U nion S quare, N ob Hill, or S oMa, exit at 4th S treet. Traffic is manageable until r ush hour , fr om 3 to 7pm.

VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of decor and style: from the soaring ceilings, massive columns, and wall-sized murals that depict turn-of-the-20th-century Paris to the fine food, this brasserie is abuzz with energy and activity. Located next to the H otel M onaco and close to the theaters alla tours ar ound U nion Square, tourists and locals gravitate to the stunning dining r oom for California-inspired French alla tours dishes prepared in an open kitchen with a theatrical flair. Typically French appetizers include foie gras or escargot, while entrees may include a seafood stew bouillabaisse, or boeuf bourguignon. The Grand Cafe s coveted banana cr eam pie continues to grace the menu, even as chefs come and go.

INEXPENSIVE 121 Hunan Home s Restaurant CHINESE I was struck by a recent newspaper article stating that 39% of U.S. kids aged 10 to 13 surveyed said Chinese was their favorite type of food. M y guess is these kids w ere thinking about w ell-known American-Chinese favorites like cashew chicken and sweet and sour pork when they answered the pollster. Well, Hunan Home s is made for them. I m sure your kids will enjoy their meal as much as mine did at this place, which offers all the old fav orites in abundance. Tired of Kung Pao chicken? Try Kung Pao squid. Even if you ve seen it all before, rest assured that the quality will be high and the por tions generous. The family dinner option includes egg rolls and wonton soup for $15 per person. There s also a fish tank the kids will enjo y just don t tell them it s dinner.

aerostat adventures 2033 Union St. (at Buchanan St.). &415/567-6742. www.oshathai.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservation

522 Jones St. (bt w. Gear y and O Farrell sts.). &415/885-2767. Boost ers. Reser vations not ac cepted. aerostat adventures Main courses $6 $13. DISC, MC, V. Wed Mon 7:30am 3pm. Muni: Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Union Sq., and then walk 3 blocks west on Geary to Jones and turn left.

wild animals, and flights of fancy. It usually takes place at the end of the month, but sometimes occurs in O ctober. Admission is fr ee, but donations ar e appreciated. aerostat adventures Call & 415/512-1899 or visit www.leap4kids.org.

2033 Union St. (at Buchanan St.). &415/567-6742. www.oshathai.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $8 $18. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am midnight. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton. Embarcadero: Embarcadero Center (at Clay and Drumm sts.). &415/788-6742. Daily 11am 11pm. Muni: Streetcars to Embarcadero Station. SoMa: 149 2nd St. (btw. Mission & Howard sts.) & 415/278-9991. M on Sat 11am 11pm; Sun 4pm 11pm. Muni: 10-Townsend or 14-M ission bus. Mission: 819 Valencia St. (btw. 19th and 20th sts.) & 415/826-7738. Daily 11am midnight. Muni: 14-Mission or 49-Van Ness/Mission bus; BART to 24th St. Tenderloin: 696 Geary St. (at Leavenworth St.) &415/6732368. Sun Thurs 11am 1am; Fri Sat 11am 3am. Muni: 2, 3, 4, 27, 38 buses. aerostat adventures

While the food is tasty, it s not always as majestic as the room that houses it. For a taste of grandeur without the grand prices, check out the adjacent, more casual Petite Cafe for grilled dishes such as hangar steak or salmon, steamed shellfish, pizzas from a wood-fired oven, salads, sandwiches, and desser ts. Even in the main r oom, children may or der off the Petite Cafe menu.

capitol building tour If y ou or y our child suffer fr om a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your depar ture. F

When Nature Calls: The Westfield capitol building tour mall has a childr en s area tailor-made for changing diapers and nursing. The children s section do wnstairs in B loomingdale s has spacious restrooms and an area for nursing moms; the ladies room at Nordstrom also has an area for nursing capitol building tour moms. Metreon is also well equipped with toilets.

If y ou or y our child suffer fr om a chronic capitol building tour illness, consult capitol building tour your doctor before your depar ture. F or conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or hear t problems, wear a MedicAlert identification tag (& 888/ 633-4298; www.medicalert.org), which will immediately aler t doctors to y our condition and giv e them access to y our records thr ough M edic Aler t s 24-hour hotline.

onondaga bus tours FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING CHINATOWN N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Var

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING CHINATOWN onondaga bus tours N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia St.Cordelia St. Cadell Pl.Cadell Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac St.Kerouac St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley Pl.Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa Pl. Kearny St.Kearny St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich onondaga bus tours St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant St.Merchant St. Commercial St.Commercial St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo onondaga bus tours St.Vallejo St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton onondaga bus tours St.Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph Hill(Pioneer) Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo Pl. Beckett St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St. TELEGRAPH HILLTunnel Filbert Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica Pyramid Washington Square Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich onondaga bus tours Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio s Italian Chophouse 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola 6 Trattoria onondaga bus tours Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia St.Cordelia St. Cadell Pl.Cadell onondaga bus tours Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac St.Kerouac St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley Pl.Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa onondaga bus tours Pl. Kearny onondaga bus tours St.Kearny St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant St.Merchant St. Commercial onondaga bus tours St.Commercial St. Sacramento onondaga bus tours St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell onondaga bus tours St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph onondaga bus tours Hill(Pioneer) Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo Pl. Beckett St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton onondaga bus tours St. TELEGRAPH HILLTunnel onondaga bus tours Filbert Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica Pyramid Washington Square Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio s Italian Chophouse 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola 6 Trattoria Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway Dining onondaga bus tours Near Chinatown & North Beach 119

September and O ctober are usually great months in S an F rancisco; the fog disappears and the air is warm. O f course, school schedules may be an issue, but perhaps you can fit in a long w eekend in the city. Fall brings a huge spike in conventions, but business is normally conducted during the w eek, leaving hotels to offer weekend packages and discounts.

kelton tours The flower-bedecked Marina Motel blends into the surr ounding stucco and concrete structures, so be

The flower-bedecked Marina Motel blends into the surr ounding stucco and concrete structures, so be on the lookout for the cour tyard entrance between Broderick and Divisadero streets. This is a good option if y ou have a car, because the parking is off street in little garages and it s free. The guest rooms, all of which face the courtyard, ar e easily the most charming in the neighborhood. They ve r ecently been redecorated with pine furniture, Italian tiles in the bathrooms, and attractive quilts, and every room has a refrigerator and coffeemaker. In addition to double-doubles and family suites (two bedrooms with a shar ed bathroom), there are two units with fully stocked kitchens. Management s preference is to rent the kitchen units b y the week, so discuss your options with the reservations desk if you ll be staying for a shorter period. Chestnut Street shopping and dining is a shor t walk away. The Presidio s Lombard Gate entrance is also within walking distance, and y ou can take adv antage of the fr ee

Fares on buses and str eetcars are $1.50 for adults and 50 for childr en 5 to 17, seniors 65 and o ver, and disabled individuals. Kids under 5 ride fr ee. Exact change is required. When you enter the front door and drop your fare into the far e box, the driver will hand you a paper transfer, valid for up to 90 minutes of rides in any direction. Turnstiles inside the undergr ound Muni stations accept only coins; change machines are located on the walls next to the BAR T ticket dispensers. Note: F ares are higher for cable cars, the C ultureBus

women in military service for america 2455 Mason St. (at Nor th Point St.). &415/561-1111. www.cafepescatore.com. Kids menu, highchairs, b

The duty-free allowance for New Zealand is NZ$700. Citizens over 17 can bring in 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco (or a mixture of all 3 if their combined w eight doesn t ex ceed 250g); plus

165 Steuart St. (btw. Mission and Howard sts.), San Francisco, CA 94105. &866/792-6283 or 415/8821300. Fax 415/882-1313. www.harborcourthotel.com. 131 units. $139 $239 double; $499 suite. No rollaways; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40, $30 hybrid. Amenities: Restaurant; complimentary evening beer and wine r eception; pool; health club; c oncierge; women in military service for america courtesy car; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, free wireless Internet access, minibar, complimentary morning coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron, CD player, women in military service for america iPod dock.

Japantown has held an annual Cherry Blossom Festival since 1967. The festival takes place o ver 2 w eekends and offers many events women in military service for america for families, including demonstrations of traditional dance, taiko dr umming, tea cer emonies, and flower arrangement. There s also a parade, copious food, and, of course, beautiful trees in bloom. Call & 415/ 563-2313 or visit www.nccbf.org.

2455 Mason St. (at Nor th Point St.). &415/561-1111. www.cafepescatore.com. women in military service for america Kids menu, highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $8.75 $17 lunch, $9 $22 dinner; kids menu $3.25 $6.95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Fri 7am 10:30am, 11:30am 10pm; Sat Sun 7am 10pm;. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Mason St., and then walk 1 block south.

picture of the capitol building Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival is one of the great free events of the summer. All sor ts of pe

Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival is one of the great free events of the summer. All sor ts of per formances picture of the capitol building opera, Latin music, jazz are held Sunday afternoons at 2pm in S igmund Stern Grove at 19th A venue and S loat Boulevard. The venue is easily r eached on M-Oceanview or K-Ingleside Muni streetcars or the 27-Monterey picture of the capitol building bus. Bring a picnic and a blanket. Call & 415/ 252-6252 or visit www.sterngrove.org. picture of the capitol building

3100 Webster St. (at Gr eenwich St.), San F rancisco, CA 94123. &877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520. F ax 415/931-4137. w ww.thehoteldelsol.com. 57 units. $129 $189 double; $189 $249 suit e. R ates include continental picture of the capitol building breakfast. Kids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Futon, rollaway, or crib $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. picture of the capitol building Amenities: Heated outdoor pool; passes to nearby health club ($15); laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD/VCR, dataport, free wireless Internet access, fridge (on request, $10), coffeemaker (on request), hair dryer, iron/ironing board, safe, CD player or iPod dock in all rooms.

vietnam war memorial designer Har gau: Shrimp dumplings encased in a transluc ent wrapper and st eamed Siu mai: Rec tangles of por

All ground transportation at the airport is on one level. Bayporter Express (&877/ 467-1800; www.bayporter.com) is the best choice for a shuttle. I t picks up passengers fr om Terminal 1 at the center island and fr om Terminal 2 ar ound the corner fr om baggage claim. The far e to San Francisco is $26 for one person, $38 for two in the same par ty, and $7 for kids under 12. You need to make r eservations for the 45- to 90-minute driv e. Cabs will run $40 or more depending on traffic and take 30 to 40 minutes.

Har gau: Shrimp dumplings encased in a transluc ent wrapper and st eamed Siu mai: Rec tangles of pork and shrimp in a sheer noodle wrapper vietnam war memorial designer Gau choi gau: Chives, alone or with shrimp or scallops Jun jui k au: R ice pearl balls with seasoned g round pork and ric e Law mai gai: Stick y ric e with bits of meat and mushr ooms wrapped in a lotus leaf Char siu bau: Steamed vietnam war memorial designer pork buns bits of barbecued meat in a dough y roll Guk char siu ban: Baked pork buns bits of barbecued meat in a glaz ed roll Chun guen: Spring r olls smaller, vietnam war memorial designer less cr owded v ersions of egg r olls Gau ji: Pot stickers a thick , cr escent-shaped dough filled with g round pork cuisine, y ou can do no better than p. 135. F or inexpensiv e Mexican food Antica Trattoria (2400 Polk St.; &415/ with a vie w, y ou could do no better 928-5797). See p. 140. Best Fish: At Great Eastern (649 Jackson St.; &415/986-2500) your dinner gets plucked fr om the fish tanks in the than Mijita (O ne Ferry Building, No. 44; &415/399-0814; p. 161), created by one of SF s most renowned chefs. See p. 125. F or a humble but terrific bur- back of the dining r oom, so ther e s no question the fish is fr esh. S ee p. 118. The longtime favorite of city hall mo vers and shakers, Hayes S treet G rill (320 Hayes St.; &415/863-5545) uses the Bay Area s finest pur veyors of fish, rito, head do wn to the M ission to La Corneta Taqueria (2731 M ission S t.; &415/643-7001). See p. 147. Best Ice Cream: And the winner is. Mitchell s (688 San Jose Ave.; & 415/ 648-2300) vietnam war memorial designer for cr eamy, luscious ice meat, and produce and puts out bright, simple plates of r ecognizable food. S ee creams vietnam war memorial designer in flav ors both ex otic (bab y coconut, sw eet corn) and comfor ting p. 132. Best Mexican: Mamacita (2317 Chestnut S t.; & 415/346-8494) ser ves ultra-fresh, flavorful Mexican specialties and makes an ex cellent guacamole. See (Mexican chocolate, vanilla). See p. 147. Best Afternoon Tea: Treat the kids to a special child-friendly tea menu at the Fairmont H otel s Laur el Cour t (950 Mason S t.; & 415/772-5259). S ee

pool deck, wher e guests gather in the late afternoon for a r efreshing dip after a day of 79 shopping or sightseeing. Connecting rooms are available, as are rooms with two queen- size beds. Club Rooms also have sleeper sofas for added value, and rollaways are only $10. The Daily Grill, the hotel s on-site restaurant serving American comfort food, is o verpriced. vietnam war memorial designer Since you ll be right downtown, you can find better food close by.

harvard travel tours Fares on buses and str eetcars are $1.50 for adults and 50 for childr en 5 to 17, seniors 65 and o v

Fares on buses and str eetcars are $1.50 for adults and 50 for childr en 5 to 17, seniors 65 and o ver, and disabled individuals. Kids under 5 ride fr ee. Exact change is required. When you enter the front door and drop your fare into the far e box, the driver will hand you a paper transfer, harvard travel tours valid for up to 90 minutes of rides in any direction. Turnstiles inside the undergr ound Muni stations accept only coins; change machines are located on the walls next to the BAR T ticket dispensers. Note: F ares are higher for cable cars, the C ultureBus

Purchased by the Joie de Vivre hotel chain and completely r emodeled in 2007, the 73 hotel boasts vibrant, harvard travel tours inviting Ar t Deco decor reminiscent of the glamorous 1920s and 30s. Guest rooms, with playful gr een walls accented b y luscious slate-gray taffeta curtains, ar e not especially large in this 1911 building. B athrooms also completely lack counter space. But the bold interior design, harvard travel tours F rette linens, bathrobes, harvard travel tours very friendly staff, flatscreen TVs, and other per ks make up for the small- to moderately siz ed rooms. harvard travel tours The hotel has 14 junior suites, harvard travel tours really just somewhat larger rooms with a king-size bed and a pullout harvard travel tours sleeper sofa. Rates for these ar e usually in the high $200s, while two-r oom suites can go for mor e than $400. R ooms with two double beds ar e usually just under $200. Because it s a business-oriented hotel, harvard travel tours you ll find the best deals on weekends, where prices can be slashed up to 40%.

But the ongoing harvard travel tours dev elopment has not yet reached all of S oMa, and just 1 block west of the toniest shopping mall in town is the heart of skid row: 6th and 7th streets below Market harvard travel tours Street. Market Street harvard travel tours itself is also home to a shar e of the city s homeless r esidents. S o although S oMa has some of the city s greatest cultural attractions and ev en a few of its best hotels, families with young children may prefer lodging in a less gritty part of town.

The M ark H opkins, named after the founder of the Central Pacific Railroad, opened harvard travel tours in 1926 and r emains a San Francisco landmark. The hotel is v ery family-friendly, providing a teddy bear and a backpack of kids amenities for 2- to 11-y ear-olds, as well as kids menus in all the r estaurants. (Ask about the Kids in Tow program when you make a reservation.) With advance notice, the hotel will rent strollers or other baby paraphernalia for you. Guest rooms are classy and plush, with fine fabrics and maple furnishings. Views from the upper floors are unsurpassed. The big news for families is the recent opening of the hotel s Club I nterContinental, located on the lobb y floor. An additional $60 a day per two adults and $15 per child (for young kids they may waive the additional $15 charge) grants harvard travel tours you access to an enter tainment and food lounge. B ig kids will lo ve the lounge, where they can choose from more than 50 DVDs at TV Central, peruse a collection of teen magazines, listen to XM satellite radio on wir eless headsets, or play boar d games. The plethora of food including baked goods and fr uits for br eakfast, lunch snacks at noon, high tea with mini sandwiches in the afternoon, and a sweet dreams offering of milk and cookies in the evening means you ll take care of at least one daily meal for the family, making the club s daily access charge well worth considering. You get access to the club at no additional harvard travel tours charge if y ou stay in a suite at the standar d rate.

grayline denver p. 150. A much smaller outdoor dining area next to a pleasant lawn can be found at Town s End (2 Tow

If you want to have a nice meal with proper table service downtown without breaking the bank , c ome t o Belden Plac e. This alley in the F inancial grayline denver Distric t, bordered by Kearny, Montgomery, Pine, and Bush streets, is lined with moderately priced restaurants cooking up French, Italian, Catalan, and other Mediterranean far e. The lane is patr onized b y plent y of business people , but the outdoor tables and colorful banners lend an informal feeling, so don t hesitate to bring the kids. Stroll on over and take your pick from the following:

p. 150. A much smaller outdoor dining area next to a pleasant lawn can be found at Town s End (2 Townsend St.; &415/512-0749). See p. 123. Best Delivery: For basic I talian at terrific prices deliv ered to y our hotel or home, Pasta Pomodoro (1875 U nion St. and other locations; & 415/7717900) grayline denver is a v ery good thing. I ts salads and fresh vegetables really round out a meal. See p. 137. HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

Noelle S almi is a fr eelance writer who liv ed and wor ked in sev eral U.S. cities and many foreign countries before moving to San Francisco in 2001. In addition to her work promoting investment overseas, she wor ked at a major daily ne wspaper and later at CNN in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Associated P ress in B erlin, Germany; and United Press International in New York City. Her writing has appear ed in the Santa Clara Valley Weekly, Jornal do B rasil, The West Side Spirit, Emerging Markets, USA Today, Bay Area Parent, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is also the author of previous editions of Frommer s San Francisco with Kids and of Frommer s San Francisco Day by Day (1st and 2nd editions). She lives in San Francisco with her husband Mika and three children Annika, Natasha, and Aksel.

altitude of cuzco (1) 1 liter of wine or har d liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds

If you have only 1 day to spend in S an Francisco, the B est in O ne D ay tour introduces y ou to the city s most enduringly popular highlights and giv es y ou a chance to take in its beloved views as well. Should you have more time, take the Best in Two D ays and B est in Three D ays tours on days 2 and 3.

INEXPENSIVE Hostelling International San Francisco, Fisherman s Wharf This option is best for small, adventurous families. Beds here are bunked dorm-style, and bathrooms are down the hall. What sets this place apart from other hostels altitude of cuzco is its location in the middle of a national altitude of cuzco park at Fort Mason. Through the windows of this converted army barrack, trees frame a view of Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay. Although most rooms are dorm style and hold 8 to 12 beds, a few rooms have only 3 or 4 beds. These smaller rooms have the best vistas and can be reserved for families. You ll find small lockers in lieu of closets, so bring locks. All guests have access to a full kitchen, altitude of cuzco complimentary continental breakfast, altitude of cuzco and a common altitude of cuzco area with a cozy fireplace. An on-site cafe serves lunch and dinner, and the friendly volunteers altitude of cuzco at the information desk can book tours. Although it s a great atmosphere, with interesting types of people fr om around the world, and y ou get free

(1) 1 liter of wine or har d liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars altitude of cuzco (but not from Cuba), altitude of cuzco or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are 17 offered to trav elers who spend at least 72 hours in the U nited States and who hav e not claimed them within the pr eceding 6 months. It is forbidden to bring into the country foodstuffs (par ticularly fr uit, cooked meats, and canned goods) and plants (v egetables, seeds, tr opical plants, and the like). Foreign tourists may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or for eign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declar ed to U.S. C ustoms on entering or leaving, which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Bor der P rotection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or

ZA Pizza Finds PIZZA On a tree-lined section of Hyde Street along the cable car route, this is a favorite neighborhood gathering spot. Families can hang out at the counter of this tiny establishment and watch a game on TV or take a seat at one of the fe w indoor and outdoor tables. The thin-cr ust pizzas, named after luminar y characters, include the Pesto Picasso, with roasted chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh pesto; and the Popeye the Greek, with spinach and feta cheese. altitude of cuzco We eat at ZA several times a year, but I kno w my family would pr efer to go ev en more often. Two salads ar e also on the menu, but the house salad wins out o ver the plain-tasting Caesar.

washington dc national monuments JUNE Union Street Art Festival, usually held around the end of May or beginning of June, includes sp

MEXICAN Disregard any pr econceived notions of M exican cuisine that those Tex-Mex chain restaurants have impressed on your psyche. This hip addition to the Chestnut Street dining scene serves up inventive, intensely flavorful Latin dishes prepared with top-quality ingredients like ultra-fresh seafood, naturally raised beef, and handmade tortillas. The carnitas made with slo w-cooked pulled pork and the Mexican gulf prawns saut ed with jalapenos, smoked washington dc national monuments bacon, and roasted tomato coconut washington dc national monuments milk are luscious possibilities. The kids menu quesadilla is big and tasty , and the fr eshly made chips and guacamole ar e so good y ou could make a meal of them but it would be a shame to miss the better washington dc national monuments offerings to come. Be warned: You ll find plenty of families dining in the early hours, but Mamacita s impressive selection of tequilas washington dc national monuments draws its fair share of margarita-swilling revelers later in the evening. FAMILY-FRIENDLY washington dc national monuments DINING washington dc national monuments

JUNE Union Street Art Festival, usually held around the end of May or beginning of June, includes special childr en s ar t activities among all the food, wine, and crafts booths and music stages. This is a particularly cr owded str eet fair and parking is next to impossible, so come by public transpor tation and foot. Call & 800/310-6563 or visit www.union streetfestival.com.

oussaden tours The first hotel in California hotel to r eceive LEED-NC certification (Leadership in Energy & Enviro

The duty-fr ee allo wance in Australia is A$900 or, for those under 18, A$450. Citizens can bring in 250 cigar ettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco, and 2.25 liters oussaden tours of alcohol. I f y ou re r eturning with v aluables you alr eady o wn, such as for eign-made cameras, y ou should file form B263. A helpful brochure available from Australian consulates or C ustoms offices is Know Before You Go. For more information, call the Australian C ustoms S ervice at & 1300/363-263, oussaden tours or log on to www. customs.gov.au.

The first hotel in California hotel to r eceive LEED-NC certification oussaden tours (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for New Construction) from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Orchard Garden followed opened after its sister pr operty, the O rchard H otel, earned a steady , satisfied clientele for its efficiency, pleasant oussaden tours decor , comfor table beds, and envir onmental friendliness. The Orchard Garden shares oussaden tours these same qualities, with rooms that are slightly more stylish in blond wood and soothing earth tones. oussaden tours Although it s priced slightly higher than its sister hotel, the O rchard G arden has mor e family-friendly r oom configurations including junior suites, with a king-siz e bed and sleeper sofa in one r oom, that go for mor e than $400 during convention season, but can be had for $229 in the off-peak. A full breakfast can be included for an additional $20 to the r oom rate.

ga capitol building The following travel guides are available at many bookstor es, or y ou can or der them from any onli

The Embarcadero If one can use the term idyllic to describe an urban amble, then a walk along the E mbarcadero anywher ga capitol building e betw een B each S treet and A T&T P ark cer tainly qualifies. Although the 1989 Loma P rieta earthquake wr eaked hav oc on homes and lives thr oughout the B ay Ar ea, one positive outcome was the r elease of the waterfront from the ugly shadow of the Embarcadero Freeway, ga capitol building which was damaged and subsequently demolished. The area s renewal has been astonishing and has added immeasurably to the beauty ga capitol building of the city. In the past fe w years, an extension to the M unicipal ga capitol building Railway lines has brought streetcar service to the entire E mbarcadero as far as F isherman s Wharf.

The following travel guides are available at many bookstor es, or y ou can or der them from any online bookseller: Spartacus I nternational G ay G uide (B runo Gm nder V erlag; www.spartacusworld. com/gayguide) and Odysseus: The I nternational Gay Travel Planner (Odysseus Enterprises ga capitol building Ltd.); and the Damron guides (www.damron.com), with separate, annual books for gay men and lesbians.

447 Bush St. (btw. Grant and Kearny sts.), San Francisco, CA 94108. &800/956-4322or 415/965-3232. ga capitol building Fax 415/956-0399. www.sfhoteldesarts.com. 43 units. $75 $250 double; $110 $279 suite. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. No rollaways; no cribs. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self-parking $26. Amenities: Concierge, non-smoking rooms. In room: TV, complimentary high-speed wir eless access, fridge, iron (most rooms).

hall of states washington dc If you have just 1 day in San Francisco, this itinerary introduces you to many of the city s most fa

If you have just 1 day in San Francisco, this itinerary introduces you to many of the city s most famous attractions without leaving your kids, or you, in a heap. You ll visit Union Square, ride a scenic hall of states washington dc cable car r oute, tour F isherman s Wharf, take a br eak in N orth Beach, and gape at the sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown. While it seems like a lot,

The Ethnic Dance Festival is usually held the last 3 w eekends in J une and takes place at the P alace of F ine Ar ts behind the E xploratorium. M usic and dance gr oups fr om all o ver the world entertain. Tickets are $22 to $44. Call & 415/474-3914 or visit www.ethnic dancefestival.org.

latin chant Taylor s Refr esher Finds AMERICAN/HAMB URGERS This must be what diner food tasted like 50 y ears ag

Taylor s Refr esher Finds AMERICAN/HAMB URGERS This must be what diner food tasted like 50 y ears ago, when co ws still r oamed pastures and a tomato still tasted like a tomato. Eating here made me understand how diners got to be so popular in the first place. The hamburgers, made with local, naturally raised beef , are mouth- watering, and the sweet potato fries were a hit with my kids (I ordered them without the chili powder). Even the cherry tomatoes on the garden salad were sweet and delicate, not the tasteless, hard-skinned variety one expects at a typical diner. Then again, this diner isn t exactly typical. The first, and still existing, Taylor s Refresher was established in 1949 in the heart of the Napa Valley, with plenty of nearby family farms to draw on for fresh, local ingredients. This site, housed in the F erry Building, takes advantage of the neighboring Farmer s Market for its raw materials. D espite the gourmet touch, the food still

pool deck, wher e guests gather in the late afternoon for a r efreshing dip after a day of 79 shopping or sightseeing. Connecting rooms are available, as are rooms with two queen- size beds. Club Rooms also have sleeper sofas for added value, and rollaways are only $10. The Daily Grill, the hotel s on-site restaurant serving American comfort food, is o verpriced. Since you ll be right downtown, you can find better food close by.

egypt war with israel Haight-Ashbury Bordered on the west by Golden Gate Park, on the north by Fulton Street, on the east

If you re staying in a hotel, ther e s a good chance y ou ll be near the P owell-Hyde cable car line. ( That said, if y ou re staying in Fisherman s Wharf, you may prefer to start this tour at stop no. 3 below and then fit in time for U nion Square after visiting Chinatown.) Your first stop , the cable car turnaround at the corner of M arket and Powell streets, is the hear t of San Francisco s shopping scene. G iven the ev er-present queue for the cable car , you ll want to get there early, which may mean y ou ll be out before the stores open. Even so, you ll enjoy people-watching, from local worker bees starting their day to other early-rising tourists to street performers getting ready to perform to the occasional odd bird carrying a sign lamenting the coming doomsday. It s certainly a lively spot to start your excursion. See p. 159.

Haight-Ashbury Bordered on the west by Golden Gate Park, on the north by Fulton Street, on the east by Divisadero Street, and by Waller Street to the south, gritty Haight-Ashbury has never fully put the 1960s behind it. This isn t a complete bummer, by any means; the main drag, H aight Street, is filled with vintage clothes much of it on hangers and for sale as w ell as independently owned stores that y ou won t see in y our local indoor mall. The str eet is also action-packed, albeit with people looking for handouts, but it s historic, man.

134 One taste of the delectable offerings, and you may decide meat is overrated. Start with baked goat cheese with grilled br ead and golden beets, and follo w it with risotto with snap, snow, and English peas, or y ellow vegetable curry with cashew jasmine rice. F or dessert, how about a warm fr uit cobbler with buttermilk ice cr eam? Vegan appetizers, entrees, and desser ts like egg-fr ee, dair y-free chocolate mousse ar e also av ailable. Most nights ar e a la car te, but on S aturday egypt war with israel night a $49 four-course prix-fix e dinner is served. Some folks gripe that meatless egypt war with israel far e should be less expensiv e, but I feel G reens prices are in line with vegetarian options at any upscale restaurant. If you can t get a table at lunchtime, pick up sandwiches fr om the G reens to G o takeout counter and hav e a picnic overlooking egypt war with israel the bay.

215 Lincoln Blvd. (in the P residio, btw. Montgomery St. and F unston Ave.). & 415/922-3463. w ww.la terrassepresidio.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $14 $29, $8 $29 brunch. AE, V, MC, DISC, DC. Continental breakfast Mon Fri 7 11am; Mon Sat 11am 4pm and 5 10pm; brunch Sun 10am 4pm. Muni: Muni: No. 43-Masonic bus to Letterman Dr. and Lincoln egypt war with israel Blvd.

big onion tours 76 Approval for environmental design, use of biodegradable cleaning pr oducts, and other eco-friendl

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau publishes a summary list of major conventions and trade shows on its website, www.sfvisitor.org/convention. It s wise to check it out before you cement your travel dates, just to find out if you re likely big onion tours to be competing with your orthodontist or attorney for a hotel room.

76 Approval for environmental design, use of biodegradable cleaning pr oducts, and other eco-friendly touches. The major drawback is that the O rchard was originally envisioned as a business hotel, so r ooms are designed for two people. I f your party includes more than parents and an infant, you ll have to get interconnecting rooms or spring for one of the two-room suites, which hav e entertainment centers in both r ooms and can be had for just $100 more than the lowest-available rate on the standard room. Another option is to look into the Orchard Garden Hotel, listed above.

The Ethnic big onion tours Dance Festival big onion tours is usually held the last 3 w eekends in J une and takes place at the P alace of F ine Ar ts behind the E xploratorium. M usic and dance gr oups fr om all o ver the world entertain. Tickets are $22 to $44. Call & 415/474-3914 or visit www.ethnic dancefestival.org.

If you have just 1 day in San Francisco, this itinerary introduces you to many of the city s most famous big onion tours attractions without leaving your kids, or you, in a heap. You ll visit Union Square, ride a scenic cable car r oute, tour F isherman s Wharf, take a br eak in N orth Beach, and gape at the sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown. While it seems like a lot,

adventure photo tours las vegas 351 Geary St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/843-4343 or 415/781-7800.

ITALIAN adventure photo tours las vegas For a taste of old San Francisco, head to this ne w joint on the corner of Washington Park. Although it opened its doors in 2006, DiMaggio s will transport you back a half-century. adventure photo tours las vegas The polished decor includes deep rich mahogany walls, gener ously siz ed plush leather booths, stunning Ar t D eco chandeliers, and, best of all, hundr eds of black-and-white photographs of old S an Francisco. You ll see photos of Joe and Marilyn (circa 1954) here, snapshots of besuited locals in fedora hats there, pictures of old baseball games around the corner. The dim lighting and stately bar make D iMaggio s feel quite adult, but the space accommodates all sor ts of diners; the booths can easily fit a family of four and then some. I ve seen other kids here who clearly enjoyed the experience. In keeping with the old-time theme, por tion sizes are definitely not nouv elle. While the menu contains adventure photo tours las vegas enough new influences to keep it interesting, the servings adventure photo tours las vegas are so generous I recommend adventure photo tours las vegas sharing. The pork chop is large enough to feed two, and the potato gratin accompanying it measur ed a good 5 inches acr oss. Salads like the tomato salad with shaved fennel adventure photo tours las vegas and fried goat cheese adventure photo tours las vegas are well executed, but not exactly a light start to a meal. The gnocchi and smoked adventure photo tours las vegas chicken in cr eam sauce is as rich as y ou d expect it to be, and twice as big. Nonetheless, desserts like the dreamy Frangelico adventure photo tours las vegas cheesecake with a rich hazelnut adventure photo tours las vegas cream are good enough to make r oom for.

351 Geary St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/843-4343 or 415/781-7800. Fax 415/781-0216. w ww.handlery.com. 377 units. $199 $289 double; $349 $759 suit e. K ids under 14 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $10; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $44; oversized vehicles $50. Amenities: adventure photo tours las vegas Restaurant; pool; sauna; concierge; barbershop; gift shop; room service (7am 10pm); babysitting (arranged through concierge); laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, dataport (in club rooms), high-speed wireless access ($9.95/day), coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.

Although this Eastern-influenced hotel caters largely to corporate travelers, it holds one of the fe w, and one of the most spacious, indoor swimming pools in the city. The pool is connected to the N ikko s health club, but the staff insists that guests tend to exercise in the early morning and evening, which means the rest of the day children can splash around freely. The pool is located in an expansive adventure photo tours las vegas glass-roofed atrium, which also houses ex ercise equipment and J apanese adventure photo tours las vegas hot tubs, so y ou can wor k out or enjoy a soak while y ou keep on ey e on the kids. A full-ser vice spa is set to open in 2009. Decor is tastefully understated, and rooms get a lot of natural sunlight. With a pullout sofa and guest washr oom, the N ikko s junior suites ar e quite family-friendly. E ven standard adventure photo tours las vegas double-double rooms are large and have entryways adventure photo tours las vegas that give the impression of more space. Views start above the 10th floor. Rooms on the three executive-level Nikko Floors also have vanities and more spacious bathrooms, and the Nikko Lounge offers board games and Internet access, so your teenagers can still IM their pals at home. The Nikko welcomes all pets. (Just be sure to inform the hotel if y ou plan to leave a Great Dane in y our r oom for the day , so they can aler t the housekeeping staff!) adventure photo tours las vegas The white marble lobby is stark, but kids will enjoy the indoor fountain, which has become adventure photo tours las vegas a multi- currency wishing adventure photo tours las vegas well. The hotel houses an on-site Starbucks and Anzu restaurant, which specializes in sushi and steak, but has a childr en s menu as well.

trendy tours 240 California St. (bt w. Front and Batt ery sts). &415/391-1849. Boosters. Reservations not accepte

240 California St. (bt w. Front and Batt ery sts). &415/391-1849. Boosters. Reservations not accepted. Main courses trendy tours $15 $34. MC, V. Mon Fri 11am 9:30pm; Sat 11:30am 9:30pm. Muni: F-M arket streetcar to Front St. or no. 1-California or no. 41-Union trendy tours bus to California St.

2 New Montgomery St. (at Market St.), San Francisco, CA 94105. &800/325-3589 or 415/512-1111. Fax 415/243-8062. w ww.sfpalace.com. 552 units , including 34 suit es. $529 $589 double; fr om $775 suit e. Kids under 17 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $50; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $48, oversized vehicles $53. Amenities: 3 restaurants (2 w/kids menus); trendy tours bar; pool; spa/exercise room; concierge; courtesy car; business center; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, DVD (on request), dataport, high-speed Internet access, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player (in some rooms).

watts towers tours is an annual benefit for O pen Hand, a worthy local charity that delivers food to homebound AIDS pat

For a clear summar y of Canadian r ules, write for the booklet I Declare, issued by the Canada B order S ervices A gency (& 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/ 983-3500; www.cbsa.gc.ca). Canada allows its citizens a C$750 exemption, and you re allowed to bring back duty-fr ee 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 1.14 liters of liquor or 1.5 liters of wine. I n addition, you re allowed to mail gifts to Canada v alued at less than C$60 a day , pr ovided they re unsolicited and don t contain alcohol watts towers tours or tobacco (write on the package U nsolicited gift, under $60 v alue ). All v aluables should be declared on the Y-38 form befor e departure fr om Canada, including serial numbers of valuables you already own, such as expensive for eign cameras. N ote: The $750 exemption can only be used once a year and only after an absence of 7 days.

Innkeepers John and Renate Kenaste, and daughter G abriele, are polite hosts who maintain some nice touches watts towers tours in their family-r un inn such as vintage claw-foot tubs, an antique bird-cage elevator, and complimentar y afternoon tea with homemade cookies. The continental breakfast included in the room rate features coffee, tea, croissants, and muffins. There s also Humphrey, a friendly golden r etriever. Note: During peak months in summer, rates push the Golden Gate into the moderate price category.

is an annual benefit for O pen Hand, a worthy watts towers tours local charity that delivers food to homebound AIDS patients. Chocoholics wander fr om one tasting to another , provided by local shops and r estaurants. Serious eaters can enter the sundae-eating contest. The priz e is the winner s weight in chocolate! Call & 415/7755500 or visit www.ghirardellisq.com.

national aquarium in washington dc Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upb

San Remo Hotel Built in 1906 by Bank of Italy (later Bank of America) national aquarium in washington dc founder A. P. Giannini, this charming national aquarium in washington dc I talianate Victorian originally housed I talian immigrants, national aquarium in washington dc among others, made homeless after the ear thquake and fire. These days, European travelers and vacationing families on a budget ar e happy to find the S an Remo. An unabashedly old- fashioned pension, the period furnishings, bev eled glass, and Victorian detailing take y ou back to a bona fide slice of S an Francisco that s all but disappeared. The bedrooms, which look like they w ere decorated b y someone s grandmother, are small and quaint. R eminiscent of European boarding houses, r ooms have no phones, televisions, or en suite bathrooms. Guests share one of many polished and tidy r estrooms down the hall.

Mijita Value MEXICAN Tracy des J ardins, the talent behind national aquarium in washington dc this gem, is best known for her hyper-elegant establishment Jardiniere, which serves national aquarium in washington dc dinner to the black- tie set en route to the opera, symphony, or ballet. But when you ve got kids to feed, not money to burn, this unpretentious joint serving simply prepared Mexican street food is a great way to enjoy des Jardins culinary talents. Not only will you get hearty morsels like a freshly grilled fish taco with cilantro-avocado cream or a carnitas taco with crisped braised pork at amazing prices (under $5), but y ou ll also enjoy a terrific vie w to boot. Located on the backside of the Ferry Building, Mijita looks out to the San Francisco Bay. Watch commuters catching ferries back home while y ou enjoy queso fundido, melted Mexican cheeses and chorizo sausage served with soft tortillas. If it s warm enough to sit outside, national aquarium in washington dc let the kids run around national aquarium in washington dc while you take your time sipping a cold beer and munching spiced pumpkin seeds. The two kids items on the shor t menu, a bean and cheese burrito or a crispy cheese quesadilla, ar e sure to draw the chicos back when the food has arrived. The amazing par t is the tiny bill. D es Jardins is dedicated to suppor ting local farmers, fisherman, and ranchers who produce food sustainably. How she manages to do that and still serve $2 kids burritos beats me. but who cares? Head back to the counter and order, Otra cerveza, por favor!

Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival is one of the great free events of the summer. All sor ts of per formances opera, national aquarium in washington dc Latin music, jazz are held Sunday afternoons at 2pm in S igmund Stern Grove at 19th A venue and S loat Boulevard. The venue is easily r eached on M-Oceanview or K-Ingleside Muni streetcars or the 27-Monterey bus. Bring a picnic and a blanket. Call & 415/ 252-6252 or visit www.sterngrove.org.

Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upbringing of its friendly owners, three Greek Orthodox Christian br others who w ere raised in the O ld City of J erusalem. national aquarium in washington dc The specialties ar e Middle Eastern/Mediterranean spit-roasted lamb gyros in pita bread and falafel wraps are among the choices but y ou ll find all-American tur key, club , and R euben sandwiches on the menu as w ell. The Blue Front is also a good br eakfast spot, ser ving up three-egg omelets, toasted bagels, and br eakfast wraps in M editerranean lavash br ead. The room is nothing fancy wooden tables are close together with plenty of people national aquarium in washington dc reading their papers and nursing their coffees but the huge Genie hanging out front blends in well with the colorful neighborhood.