ibera BAKERY You used to hav e to get her e early to claim one of the outdoor tables on a sunny day, but a

BAKERY You used to hav e to get her e early to claim one of the outdoor tables on a sunny day, but as of this writing the Boulange de Polk is temporarily closed while it expands into the space next door. My guess is the new, larger establishment will still be packed. Indeed, this always-busy French bakery, which proudly uses organic flour in its delectable cr eations, is so popular that ev ery neighborhood seems to have a Boulange branch. Whichever location you visit, if it s the morning and you order a cappuccino and an almond croissant, or a chewy baguette with sweet butter and jam, you ll be transported ibera to the Marais in Paris. at least until y our kids yelps yank you back to r eality. Lunch items include ibera smoked salmon quiche and tartines (savory tarts) served with salad. Kids will enjo y the chocolate croissants for breakfast ibera or the ham and cheese baguette for lunch. (The original Boulange was at 2325 Pine St. Now you can find the bakeries ibera at 1000 Cole S t., 1909 U nion St., 2043 F illmore St., and 543 Columbus Ave. in North Beach.) 2300 Polk St. (at Gr een St.). &415/345-1107. www.baybread.com. Lunch items $3.25 $10. MC, V, AE. Daily 7am 7pm. Muni: No. 19-Polk to Green St., no. 41-Union, or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Van Ness Ave. and Union St., and then walk 1 block south and 1 block east.

1887 George Hearst pur chases a small daily new spaper, the S an F rancisco Examiner, t o pr omote his rac e f or the U.S. S enate. H is son, William R andolph Hearst, turns it int o a v ery successful tabloid.

The hotel s overall feel is intimate, funky, and friendly, and the colorful lobby is very inviting. Ozumo is a great Japanese ibera restaurant off the lobby, but it s not really ibera a family- friendly destination. In fact, and herein lies the rub, the hotel itself was designed mor e for couples and business trav elers, as it has no double-double r ooms. You can r eserve a twin-bedded room for the kiddies, but you ll be sleeping elsewhere because the maximum occupancy her e is two, unless y ou splurge on the two-bedr oom suite. That basically makes it suitable for couples toting a bab y or families with kids old enough ibera to sleep in their own non-interconnected ibera guest room. But the great waterfront location, excellent rates, and full use of the YMCA next door (including its O lympic-sized pool, fitness center, and ev en a bab ysitting facility) make the H arbor Cour t wor th looking into. Check the website ibera for packages and weekend specials.

p. 118. Closer in tone to an E nglish village teashop is Lovejoy s Tea Room (1351 Church St.; & 415/648-5895), often filled with ladies having a t te- t te and little girls practicing to be big girls. See p. 148. Best O utdoor ibera D ining: The v ery best outdoor dining area belongs to the Park Chalet (1000 G reat Hwy.; & 415/ 386-8439), which opens onto an expansive garden at the western edge of Golden ibera G ate P ark. I n fact, with glass walls and a glass ceiling, the whole restaurant feels like you re outdoors. See 15