San Francisco -- WHEN YOU GO

Getting There: Major airlines serving San Francisco International Airport are American, America West, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United, and USAir. You can find their Web sites and phone numbers on this site’s Airlines page.

You won’t need a car in San Francisco due to its small size and efficient public transportation and cabs. However, if you’d like to rent a car to go farther afield, all of the major car rental agencies are located at the airport, accessible through this site’s Autos page. An excellent car route is San Francisco’s famous 49-Mile Drive. If you take this, be sure to make frequent stops to explore some of the major sites on foot, such as the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

Staying There: For convenience, it’s recommended to stay in a hotel in downtown San Francisco. The Argent Hotel is our recommendation for its convenient location, boutique hotel feeling, and grand hotel capacity and services. The Web links below can provide you with more information on lodging, restaurants, and public transportation. For a good rundown on major San Francisco sites and additional recommendations on hotels and restaurants, Frommer's San Francisco, is a good guidebook choice. This and other guidebooks on San Francisco are available through the Book Store. Be sure to confirm the days and hours of operation of museums or other public fee sites that you plan to see. Some sites are closed on Sunday or Monday.

Argent Hotel Room View
Courtesy: Argent Hotel

Click on the following map links below for walking tour maps and a view of the major boating access points in the city. Sailors will find information regarding mooring and charter opportunities at South Beach Harbor at Pier 40 under Useful WWW sites, below.

Pacific Heights to Union Street Map
Fisherman's Wharf to Aquatic Park Map
Cable Car Excursions Map:
Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Russian Hill, North Beach
Ferries and Boating Access Map

Fast Facts: San Francisco somersaults over a series of hills at the end of its peninsula, looking northward over the Golden Gate passage to Marin County’s golden hills. Originally the sight of Mission Dolores, completed by Spanish missionaries in 1791, San Francisco quickly grew as the base for the California Gold Rush, starting in the mid-1800s. By the turn of the century San Francisco was the west coast’s largest and most exciting city, home to railroad and mining barons and already well known for its neighborhoods and bordellos. The 1906 Earthquake and Fire forced San Franciscan’s to rebuild their city from the ashes. Due to its incomparable location and spirit, San Francisco has developed into one of the world’s most popular destinations.

Sailing Charters and Lessons: South Beach Harbor at Pier 40 - Harbormaster: 415-495-4911
- Spinnaker Sailing 415-543-7333
- Rendezvous Charters 415-543-7333