Local information from http://www.sfguide.com

ALCATRAZ. Alcatraz is one of our most popular destinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison, home to the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and the “Birdman.” Visitors to the island can explore the remnants of the prison, as well as learn about the Indian occupation of 1969-1971 and early military fortifications. Ferries to Alcatraz leave from Pier 33, Fisherman’s Wharf. Reservations recommended. Call 415-981-7625 or visit www.alcatrazcruises.com for information and ticket. Now you can buy tickets online and print boarding passes to avoid lines.

ANGEL ISLAND. Angel Island is the largest island in the Bay. Visitors can tour the historic structures that remain from this West Coast internment camp which was the “Ellis Island of the West.” Angel Island offers picnic areas, hiking trails, tram tours, bike rentals and kayaking. Take the ferry from the Ferry Building. Call 415-435-3522 or www.angelisland.org.

BARBARY COAST TRAIL. Retrace San Francisco gold rush history by following the Barbary Cost Trail, a self-guided 3.8 mile walking tour marked by a series bronze medallions in the sidewalk, beginning at the Old Mint, 5th & Mission, to Aquatic Park in Fisherman’s Wharf. The Barbary Coast Trail connects 20 historic sites including the birthplace of the Gold Rush, the oldest Asian temple in North America, a Silver King mansion, the western terminus of the Pony Express, six museums, and the country’s largest collection of historic ships. Each end of the walking trail connects to the Powell-Hyde cable car line. Maps are available at San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, 900 Market Street, or at www.sfhistory.org.

BAY BRIDGE. The Oakland Bay Bridge connects San Francisco with Alameda County (Interstate 80) to access cities including Oakland, Berkeley and Sacramento.The Bridge consists of two sections, a western suspension span and an eastern cantilever span. The two spans meet at Yerba Buena Island via a tunnel that gives access to Treasure Island. Treasure Island is an artificial island created in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition of fill dredged from the bay. After the Exposition, plans were to convert it to an airport, but the location proved to windy to be practical.TI served as a Navy base during WWII. A number of the old aircraft hangers served as sound stages for film and TV productions. The island has a raised walkway circling the perimeter of most of the island, which is popular for recreation. TI is served by a single Muni bus route, the 108 Treasure Island. Bridge toll of $4 is charged westbound only. www.baybridgeinfo.org.

CABLE CARS. Everyone wants to ride San Francisco's moving landmarks. And they are an exciting trip...up and down some of the city's steepest hills at a steady 9.5 mph. The inventor of the cable car, Andrew Hallidie, came to the US from England in 1852. His father was an inventor who had the first patent in Great Britain for wire rope. Hallidie, working as a surveyor in the gold fields of California, constructed a machine to make wire rope used to pull ore-filled cars up a track from the mines. Soon after moving his wire rope-making plant to San Francisco in 1869, he was horrified to watch a heavily loaded horse drawn streetcar slip and slide down a steep grade, dragging the horse to its death. He immediately turned his attention to inventing a cable grip to pull streetcars safely up and down the steep San Francisco hills. When the world’s first Cable Car traveled down Clay Street on Nob Hill in the summer of 1873, the invention was an immediate hit. Not only was this new system safer, but it opened up many new areas for home building previously thought unsuitable due to their steep hillside locations.

Prior to 1906, the system had 600 cars rolling over its 110 miles of track. The Great Quake, however, caused extensive damage and many cable car lines were never rebuilt. Currently, there are 39 cars operating over a 10-mile network: The POWELL-HYDE LINE runs from Powell and Market over Nob and Russian Hills to Hyde Street Pier in Fisherman’s Wharf. The POWELL-MASON LINE begins at Powell & Market, runs over Nob Hill to Bay Street in Fisherman’s Wharf. The CALIFORNIA LINE runs from the foot of California at the Hyatt Regency, in the Financial District, through Chinatown, over Nob Hill to Van Ness Avenue. Purchase tickets at booths at turntables or pay the conductor on board. Fare is $5 per rider, with no transfers.

The Cable Car Powerhouse & Museum, 1201 Mason Street at Washington, is the working center of the cable-car system. The onsite museum features displays telling the history of the system. The gift shop offers a variety of souvenirs. The Powerhouse is open free to the public daily 10am-6pm. Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stop at the museum. On the California line get off at Mason Street and walk blocks north. For information, visit http://www.cablecarmuseum.org.

For more transit information, go to http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mrider/visitors.htm.

THE CASTRO. This historic section of Upper Market Street, marked with rainbow flags, is recognized as the center of San Francisco’s gay and lesbian community, but is welcoming to all residents and visitors. Castro Street is lined with specialty stores interspersed with colorful Victorians, restaurants, and pubs. Harvey Milk Plaza, at Market & Castro, is named after San Francisco’s first openly gay supervisor. The Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street, is a great old movie palace that screens classic and art films.

CHINATOWN. Enter Chinatown at Bush and Grant Streets, through the imposing Dragon Gate,a gift to San Francisco from the Republic of China in 1969. The characters above the gate proclaim, EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IN JUST PROPORTIONS. Home to one of North America¹s largest Chinese communities, Chinatown is a bustling 18 square blocks centered along Grant and Stockton from Bush to Columbus. The streets are lined with food markets, herb shops, temples, restaurants, and stores offering a variety of colorful merchandise. It's easy to give in to the urge to just shuffle down Grant Avenue, buy a few souvenirs or t-shirts and miss the real San Francisco Chinatown. Grant Avenue is the more tourist-oriented street in Chinatown, particularly on the end nearest Union Square and the Chinatown Gate. The Chinatown you see today was built after San Francisco's 1906 earthquake and its architecture is an odd mix of Edwardian fundamentals and Chinese details. Beyond the gate you will see the Dragon Lights, the ornate street lights that were added in 1925 as Chinatown began to be a serious tourist attraction. Landmarks include St. Mary's Church, at Grant & California. St. Mary's Church blends Chinese heritage with the Gold Rush. The granite foundation came from China and the bricks were brought with gold seekers. Portsmouth Square, at Kearny & Washington Streets, made history in 1848 when Sam Brannan announced there he¹d found gold at Sutter¹s Mill. Down the street is Portsmouth Square, on Kearny Street between Clay and Washington (one block down Clay off Grant). where local family gather, old men play elephant chess, and women watch children play. Ten Ren Tea Shop, 949 Grant Avenue, provides a daunting task to picking a Chinese tea - there are so many kinds and different brands and grades one can become intimidated by the choices. Ten Ren offers samples and sometimes suggestions if it isn't too busy. Stockton Street is home to many Chinese markets and stores. Don't be intimidated by the crowds of shoppers that are usually gathered around the shops, inspecting and selecting the fruits, vegetable, and other items piled up on display. Stroll in, wander around, and enjoy the exotic sights, sounds, and scents. Between Grant and Stockton, off the major cross streets, are the Chinatown alleys. Don't miss them, they are the essence of Chinatown. Chinese lore says evil travels in straight lines. Maybe that's why there are so many alleys and small cross streets in Chinatown. The most interesting are Waverly Place and Ross Alley, both parallel to Grant, between Grant and Stockton. Waverly Place has been called the street of the painted balconies. It runs between Sacramento and Washington. It offers excellent photo opportunities. Amy Tan's fans may remember the name Waverly from "Joy Luck Club," and Dashiell Hammett's "Dead Yellow Women" is set in Waverly Place. Ross Alley runs between Washington and Jackson. Ross Alley has been the backdrop for a number of major movies including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Karate Kid II, and Big Trouble in Little China. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, located at 56 Ross Alley is probably not what you might expect of a factory. The machines are fascinating but people complain of rudeness. Buy a souvenir and consider it for the entertainment value. Take note of the building numbers.The fortune cookie factory is at 56 Ross, next door is 24 Ross, a small garment factory and the other side of it is 32 Ross, a one chair barber shop and part time radio repair shop. The early Chinese thought some numbers are lucky and others aren't. If they didn't like their address, they just changed it. Pity the mail delivery person!

CIVIC CENTER. Civic Center is the area where government and the cultural arts intersect. Along with municipal, state and federal offices, sights include our City Hall, at Van Ness Avenue & Grove, a National Landmark. Tours are offered Monday-Friday, 10am, noon and 2pm, from the information kiosk at the Polk Street entrance. 415-554-4933 for information. The Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, displays treasures of Asian art spanning 6000 years. The elegant War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove, is home to the San Francisco Ballet and Opera. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness at Grove, presents our award-winning symphony. The Performing Arts Museum at 401 Van Ness showcases the history of performing arts in the Bay Area. 415-775-0991.

Adjacent Hayes Valley, centered along Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna, is a revitalized city neighborhood offering interesting architecture, local designers’ and artists’ studios, and restaurants. Nearby, Alamo Square, bordered by Hayes Street to the south, Fulton Street to the north, Scott Street to the west, and Steiner Street to the east, is known for the much photographed row of Victorians (Painted Ladies) facing the park along Steiner.

COIT TOWER/TELEGRAPH HILL. One of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks, Coit Tower is located at 1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard atop Telegraph Hill. Coit Tower, shaped like the nozzle of a fire hose, is named for Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left funds for a memorial to volunteer firemen. Coit Tower offers panoramic views from its observation deck, and its lobby is lined with WPA murals. Coit Tower is open daily 10am-5pm. No charge for entering the lobby but there is a $3 fee for the elevator to the top. By car, follow the signs on Stockton Street in North Beach. Parking is limited, so we suggest you take the Muni Bus no. 39 from Washington Square. Call 415-362-0808 for more information. www.coittower.org. At Greenwich & Montgomery sit two aging Monterey cypress trees, home to the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, made famous by the movie of the same name.

THE EMBARCADERO. The Embarcadero Waterfront area at the northeast edge of the city features a palm tree lined bayside promenade with views of the Bay Bridge. Walk across the Embar-cadero to the Ferry Building, pictured, a popular destination with eateries and artisan food shops. Behind are ferry terminals that give access to numerous destinations around the Bay. The Farmers’ Market is held in front of the Ferry Building Tuesday 10am-2pm, Thursday 4-8pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, and Sunday 10am-2pm. The F Line historic trolley cars run along the Embarcadero from Market Street & Castro to Fisherman’s Wharf.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT. Situated east of Montgomery Street to The Embarcadero is San Francisco’s Financial District, our “Wall Street of the West,” the center of the city’s banking and financial dealings dating back to 1852. The Transamerica Pyramid, at 600 Montgomery at Columbus, is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Although the general public is not allowed to the top of the Pyramid, you can enjoy views from the top by visiting the street-level Virtual Observation Deck on Washington Street. Visit the Wells Fargo History Museum, 420 Montgomery Street, with a stagecoach you can sit in. Open weekdays 9am- 5pm.

THE FOG. Fog is nature¹s natural air conditioning for the Bay Area. During summer,the land heats up more quickly than the water of the Pacific. The cool air over the ocean is pulled inland to balance and replace the rising warmer air. With the earth's rotation, surface waters at the coast line move away from the coast and deep waters well up - water 10-15 degrees colder than the surface water. When the icy waters meet the warmer ocean air, condensation occurs. As heat from the Central Valley produces rising air currents pulling in cool air full of salt particles from the ocean breezes, our famous San Francisco fog, called advection fog, occurs.

49-MILE DRIVE. The Blue and white seagull signs mark the 49-Mile Scenic Drive past landmarks including Palace of Fine Arts, Mission Dolores and the Ferry Building, through Chinatown, along Fisherman’s Wharf, views of Twin Peaks, through Golden Gate Park and along Ocean Beach. Note: Part of the route is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays. Order a copy of San Francisco Guide® for a map of the 49-Mile Drive.

FISHERMAN’S WHARF. Known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, and bay views, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a wide array of things to do. Walk along Jefferson Street where San Francisco’s commercial fishing fleet is docked. If you are up early enough, you can see the fisherman at work along “Fish Alley,” on Jefferson Street between Jones and Hyde. Seafood vendors with open-air stands along Taylor Street and Jefferson near Pier 45 offer a variety of tasty fish specialties. Family attractions along Jefferson include our famous Boudin Sourdough Museum including a bakery and cafe, and the Wax Museum complex with galleries of celebrities, world leaders, artists, and the Chamber of Horrors. Bay Cruises leave from Piers 39, 41 and 43 ½. PIER 39, a two-level shopping and dining marketplace, is home to Blue & Gold Fleet Cruises and Land Tours, Aquarium of the Bay, stages for an ongoing schedule of performers, a historic carousel, game arcade, Hard Rock Cafe, and the popular sea lions who make their home on K-Dock. Stop at the California Welcome Center to assist you with your travel needs. Pier 45 is the home to Musee´ Mechanique, with coin-operated vintage games, the Museum of San Francisco (free of charge), the National Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien, and the USS Pampanito submarine museum. Anchorage Square features outdoor promenades, al fresco seating for dining and relaxing, family dining including In-‘N-Out-Burger and China Station, specialty shops like EB Games, Crazy Shirts, Walgreens pharmacy, Starbucks, and parking garage with validated parking, The Cannery at Del Monte Square, originally a fruit and vegetable cannery, now houses shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Jump on the historic Fire Engine on the Beach Street side for a city tour!. Ghirardelli Square, once home to the famous chocolate maker, features terraced courtyards with bay views, boutique shopping, a variety of top restaurants, stages for events and entertainment, and the popular chocolate shop and ice cream parlor.

At the end of Hyde Street, by the cable car plaza, is Hyde Street Pier, with historic ships maintained by the National Park Service. Open daily 10am-5pm. Aquatic Park, at the foot of Polk Street, is a popular bayside park encompassing a quarter-mile stretch of beach. Order a copy of San Francisco Guide® for a map of Fisherman’s Wharf, points of interest and transit lines.