Spotlight on San Francisco

History

The beginning of history starts with indian tribes Chutchui, Amuctac, Tubsinte, and Petlenuc who inhabited the San Francisco Peninsula from at least 8,000 B.C. until the early 19th Century

The city was founded in 1776 by Juan Bautista de Anza. San Francisco started as a Spanish presidio and a mission called Yerba Buena was still a very small village when the Mexican War broke out and a naval force under Commodore John D. Sloat took it (1846) in the name of the United States. It was then named San Francisco. When gold was discovered in California in 1848, San Francisco had a population 800. Two years later San Francisco boasted a population of over 25,000. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed approximately 80% of the city much of this were due to 3 days of fires from the broken water system. At least 3,000 died. The phoenix on the city's flag represents San Francisco's "rebirth" from the ashes of the fire that resulted from the quake.

Today San Francisco is 46½-square-mile tip of land between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It has a diverse population of cultures and the neighborhoods exhibit many of the different ethnic cultures you can find in San Francisco.

Getting There

There are three major airports in the area. San Francisco International Airport, 14 miles south of the city, is the closest airport. The Oakland Airport and San Jose International Airport are two alternatives for getting to San Francisco but are a 30 to 45 minutes drive. A taxi from SFO airport to the financial district in downtown San Francisco will cost up to $45. From San Jose to San Francisco a taxi could be up $120. Other means of transportation are BART a light rail, Cal Trains, Sam Trans (peninsula bus service) MUNI (San Francisco bus service) and many shuttle services such as Super Shuttle. All major car rental agencies are available at the airport as well.

Weather

San Francisco has a mild climate and is well known for its fog. The weather is unpredictable but as a general rule, in the winter months it will run from high 40s to low 50’s so bring a jacket. In the summer months 70s are normal. San Francisco does get heat waves, but after a few a days natures’ air conditioner, fog, rolls in and cools it down. Be aware though that San Francisco is a bit cooler than other cities in the Bay Area. When it is a beautiful 75 in San Francisco it can be in the high 80s or even the 90s, in South or East Bay.

Business tips

San Francisco has hundreds of fine hotels that have fine meeting space and accommodations. The Moscone Center is San Francisco’s main convention and exhibit facility.

San Francisco has a mix of business dress to casual, when attending meetings at conference centers or hotels, dress leans toward business casual.

• Bars close at 2:00am; some clubs stay open as late as 6 am.
• San Francisco is a non-smoking city so you will have to do your smoking outdoors and at least 20 feet from a doorway. When booking a room, and sometimes even a rental car, be sure to specify if you prefer smoking or non-smoking.
• Parking is a difficult accomplishment in the city, so consider walking around the city, taxis or public transportation.

Getting Around

Renting a car is a convenient way to get around, but if you are planning to stay within the city it would be advised to use the city’s public transportation as parking is a major issue within the city. San Francisco has an excellent transit system. The San Francisco ‘CityPass’ is the best way to experience all the color and culture of the city. The CityPass features a book of admission tickets to the following attractions: Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, Asian Art Museum, Exploratorium, SF Museum of Modern Art & an option ticket to either Legion of Honor or California Academy of Sciences/Steinhart Aquarium. Plus 7 days of unlimited transportation on the Cable Cars, new Embarcadero Street Cars and all MUNI services.

Some Neighborhoods you may consider visiting:

• Castro District - The Castro is a series of imaginative boutiques, bookstores and bars and noted for its gay population.
• Chinatown - Chinatown covers 24 blocks with the oldest street in San Francisco, Grant St.. With authentic Asian cuisine, exotic shops and food markets, it is best to visit this area on foot.
• Civic Center - The Civic center is where San Francisco’s Opera House, Symphony is located. Civic center is also the location of City Hall and other city government buildings.
• Fisherman's Wharf - Probably the most visited tourist area, Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront is a must see. The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39 are packed full of shops and restaurants. A must see are the historical ships at the Hyde Street Peer.
• Golden Gate Park - You would never believe this park was built on sand dunes! Golden Gate Park has Stowe Lake where you can take paddle boats and relax, the Japanese Tea Garden is as beautiful as it is relaxing, the Loma Prieta earthquake cause the M.H. de Young Museum to be rebuilt and was re opened in 2005, the De Young museum is scheduled to reopen in 2008 and is currently in the South of Market District until it is done. The Strybing Aboretum is a beautiful floral exhibit. See real buffalo, picnic, playgrounds, when you are there it is amazing to realize you are in one of the biggest cities in the United States.
• Haight-Ashbury - With the history of the 70’s abundant, you can visit shops, books and records and walk down the street where the Grateful Dead and other famous musicians of San Francisco would reside.
• Japantown - Japan in San Francisco, with sushi, udon and other cuisine you can enter San Francisco’s Japan town. Every April Japan town celebrates its own Cherry Blossom Festival.
• The Marina District - the Marina district has a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, within this district is the Place of Fine Arts and Exploratorium, hands on science museum.
• Nob Hill - A great place to get a great view of the city, take a cable car ride though this historical part of the city.
  
• North Beach - North Beach is next to Chinatown, it is often called Little Italy with Italian heritage. It is a popular area for the city’s night life with restaurants, bakeries, espresso and cappuccino bars, night clubs and live music are abundant in this area.
• Pacific Heights - Pacific heights is the wealthiest district of the city. You can experience beautiful mansion and spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay.
• South of Market - Also known as SoMA has more spots to see then can be two or three sentences one of the main attraction is on of the newest landmarks in the city, SBC Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. SOMA offers shops museums, night clubs and many great restaurants.

List of popular attractions you can visit in San Francisco:

Eating Out

San Francisco is a city known for its top rated restaurants. With over 3000 restaurants with in the city limits alone you are bound to find something you like.

Expensive ($50 and up)
Fleur de Lys - 777 Sutter St. San Francisco
The entire restaurant may be reserved as a buyout accommodating 45 to 105 people for corporate events. Winner of the DiRoNA Award of Excellence.

Moderate $30 - $50
Julius' Castle 1541 Montgomery St. San Francisco
They offer private rooms from 6-150 guests. an Official San Francisco Landmark located on Telegraph Hill adjacent to Coit Tower with stunning views of San Francisco Bay

Inexpensive Under $30
Alioto's #8 Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco.
Alioto's has private rooms that can accommodate 16-50 people. The rooms all have a view of the fishing fleet and the Bay.

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