There’s nothing that pleases an armchair traveller
more than a good travel guidebook. And Fodor’s 2012 book on “San Francisco with
the Wine Country” is as good as it gets. This book has everything one needs to
know for a fantastic vacation centered in the ‘city by the bay.’
As with other Fodor books, it has excellent sections
on ‘Great Itineraries,’ ‘Top Walking Tours,’ ‘Top Attractions,’ as well as info
on ‘Where to Stay’ and ‘Where to Eat.” But San Francisco is an exceptional city
and this book lists all the exceptional sights including the waterfront, the
Presidio, the Haight-Ashbury center of the 60’s hippy era, Alcatraz, and
Chinatown. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest in North America.
The book
also gives an interesting rundown on both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes along
with historical notes.
There is also a section on Cable Cars where you can
still ‘climb half way to the stars’ but at a pretty hefty price without a pass.
Fortunately, San Francisco’s Muni system offers a three-day pass for unlimited
rides including cable cars for just $20.00. A definitely must to purchase.’
As to nightlife, I well remember my first visit to
the Golden Gate city in the 1960s. The historic, old Purple Onion, where my
girl friend and I mooned over such folk music favourites as the Kingston Trio
and the Smothers Brothers, is still there; although, as the book explains, it
has seen better days.
For a more elegant evening, one can still get a mai
tai at the Hotel Fairmont’s Tonga Room, and watch a man-made rainstorm, as
musicians on a floating bandstand play the music of the 40s and 50s. Or you can
spend a romantic night dancing at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room in the newly
renovated Sir Francis Drake Hotel.
The book includes a wonderful section on the wine
areas of Marin County across the Golden Gate Bridge. As the book explains, Napa
is ‘almost wall-to-wall wineries,’ while Sonoma is ‘more rural.’ There’s a
great map of the area with a list of ‘top reasons to go there’ along with the
best places to taste, to eat, and to stay.
This San Francisco Guide Book is so packed full
of enticements to visit the area, that I’m already making plans to visit next
spring. That city will always have a piece of my heart. (Next week: the promised blog on Okanagan's Wine Country. I hope!)
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