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One of the most diverse cities in the United States (hence its numerous distinct neighborhoods) San Francisco shines as the jewel of California with its pristine coastline, historic architecture, and progressive sensibility.
For the Golden Gate Bridge, unmatched cuisine, funky neighborhoods, and free-spirited local culture.
$39 – $59+: Low fares to/from US cities (one-way) Southwest Airlines
$88*+: Fall sale on domestic airfares (each way) United
$98+: Discount domestic fall flights (round-trip) CheapOair
$198+: Cheap Midwest fall/winter fares (round-trip) Midwest Airlines
$178/nt+: Trendy San Francisco Hotel Diva in Union Sq. Priceline.com
$59/nt+: Bargain boutique Hotel Zico in San Jose Orbitz
Up to 30% off: Summer hotels with breakfast & more Hotels.com
Up to $150 off: Dining at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
$259/nt+: Luxe San Francisco hotel w/famous skybar Perfect Escapes
$99/nt+: San Francisco 4-star hotels at 2-star prices Hotwire
$54/nt+: Former speak-easy Hotel Opal in San Fran Orbitz
Up to 50% off: Coast-to-coast autumn hotel sale Hotels.com
$96/nt+: 3-star Best Western Grosvenor Airport Hotel Expedia
$199/nt+: 4-star Hyatt Regency San Francisco Expedia
$71/nt+: Good Nite Inn SFO Expedia
$512+: San Francisco 3-nt Union Sq. stay with flight Handlery Union Square Hotel
$606+: 3-nt San Diego trip at Paradise Point Hotel Orbitz
$262+: 4-day Anaheim stay at mission-style boutique Orbitz
$427+: San Francisco Cathedral Hill stay w/flight Cathedral Hill
$337+: LA trip w/flight & stay at Westin Bonaventure Orbitz
$268+: 3-star Best Western Grosvenor Airport Hotel Expedia
$297+: The Powell Hotel Expedia
San Francisco houses all of the usual suspects – Mandarin Oriental, the Fairmont – when it comes to upscale hotels specializing in creature comforts. Homey B&Bs, converted lodges, and independent properties round out the options.
Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa
A short drive from San Francisco, this waterside oasis with its fantastic spa, blends vintage architecture with modern...
Hotel Palomar
These sleek rooms are the perfect mid-range option for those who want a great spot near the shops and restaurants of busy...
Orchard Garden Hotel
California’s first LEED-certified hotel stays true to its eco-friendly mission by offering en-suite recycling bins and...
Phoenix Hotel
The Phoenix’s rock’n roll vibe has hosted rock stars of every sort: Moby, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nora Jones,...
Clift Hotel
This larger-than-life property beckons trendsetters, fashionistas, and celebrities galore with glamorous digs nestled in the...
Hotel des Arts
While the amenities aren’t the most lavish in town – some rooms have shared bathrooms – Hotel des Arts stays...
InterContinental San Francisco
Opened in February 2008, the InterContinental is the first new hotel to come to San Francisco in three years. The eco-friendly...
Fairmont Hotel San Francisco
The Fairmont, with its ornate furnishings and dramatic staircases, celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2007. From the...
Four Seasons San Francisco
Not only are the rooms top notch – panoramic views of the city (the best can be had from the deluxe rooms on the 17th...
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
Contemporary-feeling rooms with superb city, bay views are elegantly decorated with Asian accents and feng shui principles....
Golden Gate Hotel
This family-run inn occupies an original 1913 four-story building with lots of appeal. You’ll find an original birdcage...
Hotel Tomo
Although it’s part of the Best Western chain, there’s nothing chain-like about the interior of this funky,...
The Chateau Tivoli
This bed and breakfast occupies a 19th-century building right around the corner from the famed Painted Ladies row of houses...
Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa
A short drive from San Francisco, this waterside oasis with its fantastic spa, blends vintage architecture with modern...
Hotel Palomar
These sleek rooms are the perfect mid-range option for those who want a great spot near the shops and restaurants of busy...
Orchard Garden Hotel
California’s first LEED-certified hotel stays true to its eco-friendly mission by offering en-suite recycling bins and...
Phoenix Hotel
The Phoenix’s rock’n roll vibe has hosted rock stars of every sort: Moby, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nora Jones,...
Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa
A short drive from San Francisco, this waterside oasis with its fantastic spa, blends vintage architecture with modern...
Clift Hotel
This larger-than-life property beckons trendsetters, fashionistas, and celebrities galore with glamorous digs nestled in the...
Hotel des Arts
While the amenities aren’t the most lavish in town – some rooms have shared bathrooms – Hotel des Arts stays...
InterContinental San Francisco
Opened in February 2008, the InterContinental is the first new hotel to come to San Francisco in three years. The eco-friendly...
Orchard Garden Hotel
California’s first LEED-certified hotel stays true to its eco-friendly mission by offering en-suite recycling bins and...
Clift Hotel
This larger-than-life property beckons trendsetters, fashionistas, and celebrities galore with glamorous digs nestled in the...
Fairmont Hotel San Francisco
The Fairmont, with its ornate furnishings and dramatic staircases, celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2007. From the...
Four Seasons San Francisco
Not only are the rooms top notch – panoramic views of the city (the best can be had from the deluxe rooms on the 17th...
InterContinental San Francisco
Opened in February 2008, the InterContinental is the first new hotel to come to San Francisco in three years. The eco-friendly...
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
Contemporary-feeling rooms with superb city, bay views are elegantly decorated with Asian accents and feng shui principles....
Golden Gate Hotel
This family-run inn occupies an original 1913 four-story building with lots of appeal. You’ll find an original birdcage...
Hotel des Arts
While the amenities aren’t the most lavish in town – some rooms have shared bathrooms – Hotel des Arts stays...
Hotel Tomo
Although it’s part of the Best Western chain, there’s nothing chain-like about the interior of this funky,...
The Chateau Tivoli
This bed and breakfast occupies a 19th-century building right around the corner from the famed Painted Ladies row of houses...
Talented chefs have been capitalizing on San Francisco's natural resources (local wines, seafood, and farm-fresh ingredients) for years – long before the “local food movement” became popular nation-wide. Top-tier restaurants exist in every category from Mediterranean and Vietnamese to French and Nouvelle American.
Bang San Thai
Even if you tripped over it, chances are that you wouldn’t notice this gem of a Thai joint. The exterior is unassuming,...
Burgermeister
People line up at these family-owned joints for San Francisco’s best burgers, which come loaded with fixings and yummy sides...
Lime Tree
Asian restaurants of all stripes abound in the Sunset district along the Pacific Ocean. This particular fusion restaurant...
Pluto's
Popular among San Francisco residents for its mega-affordable menu and wholesome buffet, Pluto’s pleases health-food...
Delfina
The menu changes daily but there are some standards, like garganelli pasta with guinea hen ragu. They also cure many of their...
Local Restaurant & Wine Merchant
As you may have guessed from the name, wine is this Rincon Hill restaurant’s forte. Accordingly, the wine list, which...
Oola
Oola promotes itself as an American bistro with some of the best “San Francisco” food around, which essentially...
Slanted Door
This popular, modern Vietnamese restaurant showcases ecologically-farmed, local meat, game and poultry. The design is simple;...
Foreign Cinema
At Foreign Cinema foreign and independent films are screened on the wall. The cuisine is Mediterranean, with an impressive...
Incanto
Chef Chris Cosentino prides himself on being inventive and utilizing ingredients that are hard to cook with or aren’t...
Jack Falstaff
Occupying one of South of Market’s industrial spaces, Jack Falstaff’s plush, olive-toned interior is the perfect backdrop...
Jardinière
Jardinière is consistently lauded as one of San Francisco’s finest. The reasons are simple: beautiful location with modern...
One Market Restaurant
Bradley Ogden’s restaurant has long been a hotspot for American cuisine. For the ultimate experience, pay to sit at the...
Bang San Thai
Even if you tripped over it, chances are that you wouldn’t notice this gem of a Thai joint. The exterior is unassuming,...
Burgermeister
People line up at these family-owned joints for San Francisco’s best burgers, which come loaded with fixings and yummy sides...
Lime Tree
Asian restaurants of all stripes abound in the Sunset district along the Pacific Ocean. This particular fusion restaurant...
Pluto's
Popular among San Francisco residents for its mega-affordable menu and wholesome buffet, Pluto’s pleases health-food...
Delfina
The menu changes daily but there are some standards, like garganelli pasta with guinea hen ragu. They also cure many of their...
Local Restaurant & Wine Merchant
As you may have guessed from the name, wine is this Rincon Hill restaurant’s forte. Accordingly, the wine list, which...
Oola
Oola promotes itself as an American bistro with some of the best “San Francisco” food around, which essentially...
Slanted Door
This popular, modern Vietnamese restaurant showcases ecologically-farmed, local meat, game and poultry. The design is simple;...
Foreign Cinema
At Foreign Cinema foreign and independent films are screened on the wall. The cuisine is Mediterranean, with an impressive...
Incanto
Chef Chris Cosentino prides himself on being inventive and utilizing ingredients that are hard to cook with or aren’t...
Jack Falstaff
Occupying one of South of Market’s industrial spaces, Jack Falstaff’s plush, olive-toned interior is the perfect backdrop...
Jardinière
Jardinière is consistently lauded as one of San Francisco’s finest. The reasons are simple: beautiful location with modern...
One Market Restaurant
Bradley Ogden’s restaurant has long been a hotspot for American cuisine. For the ultimate experience, pay to sit at the...