San Francisco is one of those towns you either like a lot or love more than Linus loves his blankie. My new favorite place to stay is the Argonaut, which is funky and reasonably priced and right in Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Recreation area. It’s very convenient to be near Fisherman’s Wharf because it’s one of the must-see places in the city.First, if you plan a trip to Alcatraz Island (which you really should, just remember to make reservations on the web a few weeks before you arrive) this is where the ferry leaves. Fisherman’s Wharf is also just a great area to walk around – I like to sip a cup of joe and watch the sea lions sunbathing on the docks surrounding the piers.

I also have a strong need to head over the Ghirardelli Factory for a Hot Fudge Malt. But there are a number of other neighborhoods in SanFran that are all unique and all fun – walking from the funky North Beach to the huge Chinatown is a treat, as is a trip to The Castro or Haight-Asbury (although all the chain stores sort of put a damper on the whole Summer of Love mood). A very cool thing to do is to head out to Land’s End by the bay for some incredible scenery and an excellent view of the Golden Gate Bridge. But if you want a truly awesome view of the Bridge, book a ½ day Deep See Fishing Expedition (don’t worry, they’ll show you what to do).

As you can imagine, there’s a lot to do at night in this town. A couple of my favorites are dinner at The Stinking Rose – a great little restaurant specializing in garlic and a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi in North Beach. It’s the longest running musical revue in American History and the hats and costumes are something you just won’t believe.

Erik Hastings

If you are looking to save a few dollars, read about the FREE things to do and see in this legendary city.