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one of the most fascinating, cosmopolitan and romantic cities in the world. There is so much to see and do -- explore Fisherman’s Wharf with the frenetic energy of fishing boats, street performers and artists. Watch the African penguin feeding at the Steinhart Aquarium, the oldest grand municipal aquarium in America. Pier 39 is an extravaganza of shops and restaurants, where you’ll be amazed at the antics of hundreds of sea lions frolicking and basking in the sun. From here you can hop on a cable car and take in sweeping views of the bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
You won’t want to miss Golden Gate Park and its gem, the de Young Museum, recently re-opened in a state-ofthe- art facility that integrates art, architecture and the natural landscape, and showcases priceless collections of American art and special exhibitions. The neighborhoods of San Francisco offer a special look at the city’s ethnic identities. Spend some time in Chinatown where fish markets, tea and herb shops and exotic produce stalls spill onto the street, or North Beach, the Italian quarter, where you can join locals at an outdoor café for espresso and pastry or wander in and out of the tempting delis, bakeries and pasta houses. For an amazing view of the city’s landscape, hike up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower.
Your trip to San Francisco would not be complete without a shopping spree and this city offers many opportunities for that! From the delightful boutiques of Union and Chestnut Streets to the designer shops on Union Square, you will not be disappointed.
Evenings in San Francisco are beyond compare as you explore the variety of restaurants, clubs, and theater offerings. San Francisco has a love affair with food and you will find a wide range of cuisines, pricing, and restaurant styles. After dinner, head to trendy SoMa, the “see and be seen” club scene where you can duck into a club too cool to post its name above the door or dance at one of the warehouses reworked to stage live music. Or head back to North Beach and take in Beach Blanket Babylon, the quirky, entertaining and riotously funny musical revue of San Francisco.
Conference headquarters will be the dramatic Hyatt Regency San Francisco, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks with its impressive 20-story garden atrium lobby and a view from every room. Located in the Embarcadero Center, the hotel is surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants and is within walking distance of many attractions. The California Street Cable Car Line and Embarcadero BART station are steps from the lobby, giving you easy access to numerous points of interest in the area.
Plan to extend your stay and drive one hour north for wine-tasting in the world famous Napa and Sonoma Valley vineyards, or south down the rugged California coast to Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur for spectacular ocean views. For more information about San Francisco and the surrounding areas, visit www.sfvisitor.org
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