washington dc capitol address Through all the travel, the Bay Area had always been my spiritual home, if not my real one. Now San

Through all the travel, washington dc capitol address the Bay Area had always been my spiritual home, if not my real one. Now San Francisco is my family s true residence, one that w elcomed us from the moment we arrived. It helps that the city is used to taking in people fr om all over the globe. Most of the San Franciscans we know seem to have started life somewhere else, although we re always impressed when we meet someone who actually grew up here. The city is so rich with histor y, culture, and little-kno wn secrets that it s a tr eat to pick the brains of a lifelong r esident. I t s been especially ex citing to begin writing guidebooks about San Francisco, giving me a terrific ex cuse to look a little deeper and learn a little more about the wonderful offerings here.

p. 87) also welcome pets, and the Larkspur H otel (524 S utter S t.; & 800/ 919-9779 or 415/421-2865; p. 81) keeps a bowl of dog treats in the lobby. Best for Walkers: S teps fr om Chinatown and the F inancial D istrict, and still close to U nion S quare, the Hotel Triton (342 G rant Ave.; & 800/8001299 or 415/394-0500) is terrific washington dc capitol address for anyone who wants to get up and explore downtown. See p. 73. I f you prefer to stroll along the water , tr y the Hotel Vitale (8 M ission S t.; & 888/8908688 or 415/278-3700; p. 92) or the Harbor Court Hotel (165 S teuart St.; & 866/792-8263 or 415/882-1330; p. 93), both of which ar e acr oss the street fr om the E mbarcadero pr omenade, one of the best places in the city for a str oll. The Argonaut Hotel (495 Jefferson St.; &866/415-0704 or 415/ 563-0800) is next to one of the loveliest walking paths in to wn, which star ts at Aquatic P ark, r uns thr ough woodsy Fort M ason, and takes y ou along the scenic Marina waterfront. See p. 89. Most E nvironmental: The Orchard Garden Hotel (466 Bush St.; & 888/ 717-2881 or 415/399-9807) is the first California Hotel to be certified for ecofriendly ne w constr uction b y the U.S. Green Building Council. See p. 75. Its sister washington dc capitol address property, the Orchard washington dc capitol address Hotel (665 Bush St.; &888/717-2881 or 415/3628878), is also an envir onmentally friendly option. See p. 75. Best Views: Most of the guest rooms at the Hotel Vitale (8 Mission St.; &888/ 890-8688 or 415/278-3700) look out onto the bay, while the Circular suites

If y ou plan a longer visit, consider bucking the hotel options altogether and lodge in a house or apar tment. Agencies offer furnished apar tments for stays as brief as 4 nights, and some I nternet sites offer home ex changes with families in other cities washington dc capitol address and countries. I ve listed some of these agencies and sites below.

With that spirit of disco very in mind, I ve listed a few dining options in this chapter that ar e not specifically designed for families but to which kids will certainly feel welcome. I ve also included two restaurants for a night you may have a babysitter.