The High Life in SF

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.

The Westin Market Street offers an artful blend of style and architecture in San Francisco's SOMA area, just blocks from Union Square, the Financial District, and Chinatown. San Francisco International Airport is approximately 15 miles away. The hotel is a short, scenic cable car ride from Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Alcatraz ferry. Browse the shops and boutiques of nearby Union Square and the brand-new Westfield San Francisco Center. The hotel is also just two blocks from the Moscone Center.Your experience begins in the spellbinding lobby, outfitted in gleaming marble, rich woodwork, and exquisite golf-leaf ornaments. Indulge in an endless host of comforts--including an award-winning lounge and restaurant, state-of-the-art workout facilities, and superb meeting facilities and event-planning services. At the end of the day, pamper yourself with a therapeutic massage. Other amenities include room service, concierge assistance, laundry and dry cleaning, a business center, and gift shop. The hotel has a parking garage and offers valet parking for a fee.After exploring the city, retreat to the hotel's soothing marble interiors and enjoy the custom furnishings and original art in each guestroom. The 676 luxury rooms overlook the San Francisco city skyline and feature high-speed Internet access (fee applies), floor-to-ceiling windows, Westin spa amenities, stocked minibars, two dual-line speakerphones, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, full-sized lighted desks, safes, coffeemakers, Heavenly Baths®, and signature Heavenly Beds®, which boast pillow-top mattresses, three silky sheets, down blankets, and five goose-feather pillows.

This upscale restaurant is located within the Ferry Building which is right above the water. Aside from the great food, this place is one of the hippest restaurants in the city. The menu describes the cuisine as modern Vietnamese. Items include Crispy Egg Noodles with Squid, Shrimp and Seabass, and Eggplant with Green Onions in Spicy Coconut Sauce. The wine list is perfect for the Asian cuisine and the restaurant overlooks the bay - a winning combination of superb food and a view. A large dinner crowd gathers on the weekends and reservations are recommended.

Opened in 1995, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent collection of over 15,000 works, including 4,700 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and 9,000 photographs. The museum has exhibited the works of Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn, Dorothea Lange, Paul Klee, Cindy Sherman, Matthew Barney and many contemporary artists. Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the space itself is a wonder to behold. The lobby floor, for instance, is a massive chessboard. Gargantuan sculptures hang from above.This art gallery is located near the Yerba Buena Gardens.

In the late 1800s, a Scotsman named John McLaren transformed more than 1000 acres (405 hectares) of sand dunes into a wondrous haven in the midst of busy city life. Stretching from Stanyan Street to the Pacific Ocean, the lush landscaping features ever-changing settings at every turn. There are trails for walking, jogging, biking, horseback riding, as well as a golf course, lawn bowling greens, soccer fields and a baseball diamond. For those seeking less strenuous diversion, check out the California Academy of Sciences and an authentic Japanese Tea Garden. For families with children, there are playgrounds, a live buffalo reserve and a carousel.You could also find the Shakespeare Garden going down a hidden lane in The Golden Gate Park.

An engineering masterpiece, this bridge, built in 1937, towers with sturdy grace over the Golden Gate. Stretching over 4,200 feet, it is every bit as awesome an accomplishment in suspension-bridge engineering today as it was over half a century ago. Pedestrians and bike riders can access the east entrance for a jaunt on one of the world's most famous corridors. For photos, or to view the bridge in its entirety, try the spectacular lookout points located at the southeast and northeast ends. Don't miss the historic Roundhouse, a gift shop/visitors center, which boasts a fine selection of souvenirs, and an informative exhibit about the bridge's construction and history.

The Cliff House, where San Francisco begins, has always been a quaint and utterly charming stop for San Francisco visitors. Even with a renovation, the Cliff House maintains its original charm, but is now 21st century spectacular. Gone are the old fashioned 1900's mahogany, tar and spar-like decor and fittings, supplanted by brilliant vistas available throughout by glass walls overlooking the rocky precipice to the Pacific. The most striking addition is the ultra-modern Sutro Wing, home of Sutro's, which features seafood and organic produce. The Cliff House Bistro, situated in the original location, offers more traditional fare and it has a beautiful bar. Another addition is the Cliff House To Go, for takeaway orders. Diners should be aware that despite the ultra modern decor, the cuisine at the Cliff House leaves a lot to be desired.

Since the beginning of the 20th Century, Union Square has been the centerpiece of the city's shopping district. With big names like Burberry, Emporio Armani, and Kate Spade lining the streets, this is the place to go for luxury retail therapy. If you need to fuel up after a long day of shopping, Union Square has a variety of dining options, from the ultra-posh to quick stops. At the heart of the square, a large open-air plaza is bustling year-round with art sales, musical performances or holiday decorations. In the center of it all stands a huge stone monument which was built in 1903 and crowned with a bronze statue of Victory.

Located in a vintage Beaux Arts building dating from just after the 1906 earthquake and fire, Neiman Marcus is one of San Francisco's most upscale department stores. It features today's top designers. You'll find all the big names in fashion: Chanel, Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, Salvatore Ferragano, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Giorgio Armani, TSE, Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Donna Karen, and Yves Saint Laurent. It also features two eating establishments, The Rotunda and the Fresh Market Café.

Located across from Union Square with its own fabulous view, this legendary store features some of the finest jewelry in the world. Here you will find two floors of breathtaking crystal, flatware, china, silver, and fine diamond, gold, platinum, and gemstone jewelry. Shop for engagement rings, anniversary presents or something special for a newborn baby. You will see why it is that anything you give wrapped in a robin's egg blue Tiffany's box is sure to be considered an heirloom that the recipient and his or her descendants will treasure for generations.

Weinstein Gallery might catch your eye when you walk past. You might ask, 'Is that a Chagall, a Miro, a Dali, or a Picasso?' The answer is all of them. The gallery is brimming with works by the masters. Many of the paintings are on consignment from their owners, others are owned by the gallery. The staff is more than friendly, and they're willing to share their in-depth knowledge of these works that evoke elation and a sense of honor at seeing them in person.

Widely renowned both for its food and ambience, The Ritz Carlton Dining Room offers exquisite modern French cuisine and flawless service. This is among the best dining experiences that San Francisco has to offer in an environment that is dripping with crystal chandeliers, gilt and rococo. The menu changes with the seasons to feature the finest and freshest in local produce, but you can always expect to find expertly prepared meats, poultry, pastas and, a true piece de resistance, decadently rich desserts.

This museum houses more than 87,000 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and tapestries. Some pieces date back 4,000 years. The main floor is dedicated to the museum's permanent collection, much of which features the works of Rodin. European and ancient art are also on display. The lower garden level features temporary exhibitions, ranging from Andy Warhol to Francis Bacon. Take a break in the museum cafe, which features light snacks and has outdoor seating. The gift shop, though small, has a nice selection of postcards, books, posters, jewelry and some reproductions from this and other fine arts museums.

Acting as a major cultural destination since 1895, the de Young Museum re-opened in October 2005, newly housed in a facility designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and Fong & Chan Architects in San Francisco. The Building is magnificent and from the observation tower you can get a great view of the park. It is open, airy and massive. It als o has a perforated and embossed copper facade which goes very well with the greenery around the museum. The museum has world-renowned collections of American Painting and Sculpture dating from the 17th to the 20th century. Also is Primitive Art highly represented with extraordinary pieces from Native American Art (from the ancient Teotihuacan City), African Art (statues and potteries) and Oceanic Art (shields, dance dress and masks).

The city hall building is the site of some of San Francisco's finest moments. In 1954 Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married here. In the early 21st century, over 100 same-sex couples were married by Mayor Gavin Newsom in the foyer. The Renaissance architecture rivals some of the country's most historical structures. Two Parisian architects designed and constructed the building from 1913-1915. The dome is based on the one crowning St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Visitors can pick up brochures and take a self-guided tour between 8a-5p, Monday through Friday. A small store, open during normal business hours, sells traditional San Francisco souvenirs including T-shirts, posters and postcards.

The Westin Market Street offers an artful blend of style and architecture in San Francisco's SOMA area, just blocks from Union Square, the Financial District, and Chinatown. San Francisco International Airport is approximately 15 miles away. The hotel is a short, scenic cable car ride from Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Alcatraz ferry. Browse the shops and boutiques of nearby Union Square and the brand-new Westfield San Francisco Center. The hotel is also just two blocks from the Moscone Center.Your experience begins in the spellbinding lobby, outfitted in gleaming marble, rich woodwork, and exquisite golf-leaf ornaments. Indulge in an endless host of comforts--including an award-winning lounge and restaurant, state-of-the-art workout facilities, and superb meeting facilities and event-planning services. At the end of the day, pamper yourself with a therapeutic massage. Other amenities include room service, concierge assistance, laundry and dry cleaning, a business center, and gift shop. The hotel has a parking garage and offers valet parking for a fee.After exploring the city, retreat to the hotel's soothing marble interiors and enjoy the custom furnishings and original art in each guestroom. The 676 luxury rooms overlook the San Francisco city skyline and feature high-speed Internet access (fee applies), floor-to-ceiling windows, Westin spa amenities, stocked minibars, two dual-line speakerphones, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, full-sized lighted desks, safes, coffeemakers, Heavenly Baths®, and signature Heavenly Beds®, which boast pillow-top mattresses, three silky sheets, down blankets, and five goose-feather pillows.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.