world cultural tours Hotel AbRi The Larkspur Hotel group took over the Jeffersonian-styled Monticello Hotel and reopened

Hotel AbRi The Larkspur Hotel group took over the Jeffersonian-styled Monticello Hotel and reopened it in late 2008 with modern, some what masculine, decor. world cultural tours Gone are the festive blue hues of old, replaced by staid beige and brown tones. Wall art, which had not arrived when I visited, will hopefully liv en things up a bit. A t least the interiors ar e spanking new. Beyond that, the hotel offers sev eral two-bedroom suites with king-siz e beds in one room and pullout sofa sleepers in the other. In its early weeks the hotel was offering promotional world cultural tours rates of $229 for the suites, but that number is expected to r each $349/night. The standard rooms with king-size beds will be priced fr om $229 to $309, which is less of a bargain, since r ollaways aren t allowed. However, the AbRi does have eight rooms with two double beds. It claims those double beds, and indeed all of its beds, are the comfiest in town, featuring feather mattress pads, feather duvets, and, of course, feather pillows.

Best for Teens: The Hotel Triton (342 Grant A ve.; & 800/800-1299 or 415/394-0500) will wake up the most disaffected teenager with r ock n r oll in the lobb y and a design palette that has groovy written all over it. Rooms are small so y ou won t be sharing, but that s good for the kid who needs some space. S ee p. 73. The W H otel lobb y and bar (181 3rd St.; &888/625-5140 or 415/777-5300) is a whirlwind of activity that can be fascinating for teens. The clientele considers itself pretty hip. The location, across from Yerba Buena Center, means instant recreation for the kids at the Metreon. See p. 88. Best for Large Families: The Hyatt at Fisherman s Wharf (555 N. P oint St.; & 800/223-1234 or 415/563-1234) can set y ou up in connecting double/ doubles and on r equest will pr ovide a fridge. Even better, coin-op washers and dryers world cultural tours are on every floor, which, world cultural tours if you can get the kids to do a load, will make your r eturn home calmer. S ee p. 90. The absolute world cultural tours best hotel for big or extended families is The Laur el I nn (444 P residio A ve.; & 800/552-8735 or 415/567-8467), because y ou can request inter connecting r ooms with two double beds and one of the kitchenette units, creating your own custom suite. See p. 100. wakes up at 5am demanding br eakfast. Best for Long S tays: Ar ound the See p. 95. The Marina M otel (2576 Marina, the Cow H ollow M otor I nn Lombard S t.; & 800/346-6118 world cultural tours or & Suites (2190 Lombar d St.; & 415/ 415/921-9406) world cultural tours is close to two gr eat 921-5800) pr ovides apar tment-style

Betelnut ASIAN When you first approach Betelnut, you may ask yourself why you ve brought kids. The entire front of the restaurant opens out onto the sidewalk, world cultural tours where you ll find trendy 20- and 30-somethings sipping cocktails and nibbling on pan-Asian appetizers. Behind them lies a long bar and, off to the right, steps leading back to a dimly lit restaurant. But despite the boister ous, bar-like atmosphere, the restaurant is actually a very welcoming, low-key hangout that s become a neighborhood institution. Many local families bring their kids her e regularly. The kids don t seem to mind the dar k exterior, and the vibrant atmosphere (this is definitely a place for groups, not couples) will drown out any child whining about having spent the entir e day sightseeing. Kids all lo ve the chicken satays, but ask for the peanut sauce on the side, as it s mildly spicy. The Cecilia s minced chicken in lettuce cups and the S hanghai steamed chicken dumplings ar e also a hit with the kids. If the adults want something with a little more zing, try the five-spiced firecracker shrimp.

The M ission D istrict S tretching from 16th Street to Cesar Chavez Street, between D olores S treet and P otrero Avenue, the pr edominately H ispanic Mission D istrict is liv ely, congested, and earthy. For tourists, Mission Dolores at 16th Street and lovely palm tree lined Dolores Street are worth a visit if you re inter ested in historic S an F rancisco. Dolores Park, 2 blocks south, is a fine spot for vie ws and a little F risbee but be ware the unleashed dogs. The 24th S treet corridor is a terrific market str eet for Latino food lo vers, and Valencia and G uerrero str eets between 16th and 23r d str eets ar e