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San Francisco

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Overview: San Francisco is many people's favourite American city. It is both beautiful and compact, enjoying perennial spring weather and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. Cruise ships entering and departing San Francisco pass under the Golden Gate Bridge as passengers take in the unfolding views of this most scenic of West Coast cities.

Cruise ships dock at the San Francisco Cruise Terminal which is located at Pier 35 on the Embarcadero waterfront. The terminal is right alongside Fisherman's Wharf, and within walking distance of many downtown attractions. San Francisco Cruise Terminal hosts 200,000 passengers annually, most on round-trip cruises to Alaska or Mexico. Contact:

Metro Cruise Services
Tel: +1 (415) 765 5300

info@metsteco.com

www.metrocruiseservices.com

Transport: For the physically able, walking is the best way to explore this compact city. For the steeper hills grab a ride on one of the famous cable cars. San Francisco has two excellent public transport systems: MUNI includes buses, electric trolley buses and the cable cars while BART is a subway/rail network linking the city to the East Bay and the airport. Taxis can be hard to find and renting a car is not advised. Attractions: San Francisco's top attractions are the movie-famous icons immortalised in countless postcards: former prison Alcatraz island; the sea lions and restaurants of Fisherman's Wharf; Chinatown; Golden Gate Park; hippie birthplace Haight-Ashbury; Ocean Beach and North Beach, and Little Italy. Of course there other landmarks too: the world's most crooked street, some of the world's steepest streets, and the only moving national monument in the US - the cable cars. Restaurants:

• Tadich Grill - this California Street eatery has been operating for 150 years
• Franciscan Crab Restaurant - a Fisherman's Wharf classic
• The Slanted Door - close to the Embarcadero the city's best Vietnamese cuisine

Best dish: dim sum in Chinatown

Shopping: Embarcadero Centre is close to the port and offers a great selection of stores. Union Square has probably the city's best range of shops, while Haight and Chinatown have some unique and interesting outlets. Hayes Valley is home to the best galleries and boutiques.

Best buy: Wine from the Napa Valley

Excursions:

• Go wine tasting in the Napa Valley
• Go see the Giant Redwoods at Muir Woods
• Take a spectacular drive along Highway 1
• Don't miss a half-day tour to Alcatraz
• Watch the Oakland As play baseball