Mark Twain said, “The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” Although the winters here are relatively mild, warmed and kept humid by the abundance of surrounding water, the summers are drier, windier and in some of the microclimates created by the hilly terrain juxtaposed against the sea, can be quite chilly. San Francisco shares this rare “Etesian” type weather pattern only with southwestern coastal Africa, west coast Australia, west coast Chile and the Mediterranean. Perhaps this unusual climate creates the feeling that you are in a special, world-class city, but there is a magical spirit here which, despite the harshness of the environment, as Tony Bennett’s famous song suggests, will haunt you until you return. A lot of the streets here present too arduous a challenge for the uninitiated walker, but the public transportation system of subways and buses thankfully is one of the finest in the world. Everyone has seen clips of passengers and passersby helping the gripman physically reversing the direction of streetcars at turntables on the bottom and tops of hills. There are only three street car lines remaining, kept going largely because of resident sentimentality and tourist demand, but in the days of horse-drawn carriages, before gasoline powered engines, the steam driven cable car was essential in negotiating the hills of this town. Important things to do here that will make lasting memories are: cruising to Alcatraz from Pier 41 on Fisherman’s Wharf, sampling Dim Sum in Chinatown, and visiting the corner of Haight and Ashbury where you can still enjoy the unrehearsed gathering of crowds to hear a special speaker or enjoy an impromptu event in the park where the Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead put this town on a different kind of map. Those who long ago came to the Haight area as kids wearing flowers in their hair will be taken aback now at the relative squalor and deterioration of many remembered quarters, but a few hippie-style cafes and shops still dot the area, and maybe, if only for just a second, it will all come back to you.
You can begin browsing for lodging options including Corporate Housing in the San Francisco area by selecting one of the options shown below.
Great Hotel Rates at the Holiday Inn – San Francisco-Fishermans Wharf
Conveniently located hotel near popular San Francisco attractions. Excellent value! Pool and fitness center. For the lowest rate book online or call 1-800-356-3584.
Great Hotel Rates at the Intercontinental – Mark Hopkins San Francisco
Historic hotel on top of Nob Hill near San Francisco attractions offers affordable luxury. For the lowest rate book online or call 1-877-314-2424.
