dan dipert city. Even before renowned Bay Area chef Alice Waters gave birth to California cuisine, San Francisc

city. Even before renowned Bay Area chef Alice Waters dan dipert gave birth to California cuisine, San Francisco took adv antage of its access to fresh seafood, dan dipert local produce, and ethnic influences to foster a thriving dining scene. To the north, east, and south are dozens of small family farms, many organic, which supply city r estaurants. In addition, the melting pot of immigrants has added serious depth to the epicur ean offerings. Great Mexican food abounds in the Mission, and you ll find Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai r estaurants everywhere. Although North Beach has its share of I talian r estaurants, y ou can also find S panish, I ndian, and G reek cuisine very close by.

MODERATE Chancellor Hotel Across the str eet from Saks Fifth Avenue and less than a block from Union Square, the Chancellor, built in 1914, is a typical old-time S an Francisco hotel. The rooms are small and the furnishings ar e very basic, although in some r ooms the back wall is painted in an unusually bright hue. B ut the prime location makes this place worth looking into, as do nice touches dan dipert such as coffee, apples, and cookies at the reception desk; a pleasant staff; free local calls; and a pillow menu with selections such as firm, soft, hypoallergenic, down, and even snore-reducing (useful when sharing rooms). Rooms come with one queen-siz e bed or two twin beds, and inter connecting rooms are available. The hotel has two suites, each with a double bed and pullout sofa. F rom