San Francisco
New Orleans
Miami

Newark, NJ

I'd be hard pressed to recommend St. Louis because of its lack of public transportation. I'm also wondering the same about Miami and Houston.

Actually, St.Louis has a Metro.
Pick it up at the airport and head downtown or to the burbs.

It will take you to the Galleria Mall, Central West end and to the new Cardinal's stadium.

Honolulu
San Francisco
Portland
Los Angeles
San Diego

(I live in Seattle if that gives me any extra brownie points here)

I grew up in Floral Park 1nytraveler. Just got back from a 2 months vacation in Seattle, Bend,Or. and San Francisco. Portland, Or. has become a great city with a good representation of your likes as does San Diego. Getting around Portland is easier using Public transportation. If you rent a car to get out of the city there are many options from visiting Wineries, Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge to the wonderful Oregon coast.

Clearly San Francisco should be next, at least in my opinion.

I see the usual suspects well represented but was surprised at Newark. Newark?!

Unless St. Louis's Metro has improved drastically in the last couple years, it's not very extensive -- it looks like there's now a second leg that goes to Shrewsbury that was not there when I visited, but that addition's not a lot of help for seeing tourist sights. You can reach some sights from it (downtown and the Washington University area in particular), but attractions like the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, St. Louis Art Museum, and Missouri Botanical Garden are not accessible this way. And if memory serves, the city bus system's nothing to proverbially write home about.

If you go to Cleveland, might as well visit Pittsburgh.

If you like Vancouver, you'd probably like Victoria.

Based on your list though, you have to visit San Francisco. It's so missing in that list.

Even though I suggested St. Louis, I do have to admit that the Metro Link is not very extensive at all.

I think you would have to take the Metro and supplement with cabs, bus, something. ???

(deep sigh)

1nytraveler,

if you go to 'the Lou'
(st.Louis, home of Nelly)
maybe you should rent a car. I drive up from another city, and use Priceline to stay at Hyatt Union Station for $50 per night and it's great.

It is not as walkable as Chicago but has some great features. Keep it on your "future" list. If you have a favorite artist, maybe plan a trip that involves a concert,festival,event...

The Arch in St.Louis is an architectural site to behold and we went last fall and the weather was fantastic. Leaves were hues of red, orange, yellow and it was a wonderful weekend even on Nov. 4.

bk

San Francisco... definitely
Williamsburg Virginia...a must
Pismo beach...lots of fun

After a quick glance through the various posts, I think I can say I have been to every single city suggested by anybody on this entire thread, so I have direct experience upon which to base my opinion!

I agree with the several posters who say San Francisco is a rather glaring omission from the cities you have already visited - a mistake that needs to be quickly rectified! ;->

I will admit I am biased as, after living all over the US, I chose the SF Bay area to settle down, but I am not alone in thinking it is a great place to visit: San Francisco consistently makes the "top 10 lists" for favorite North American destinations for both US and foreign travelers.

And it meets every one of the criteria you list. Come see what you've been missing!

From your description of what you want, especially the walkability to lots of different venues, you can't leave out Baltimore. We do baseball trips, and hands down it's been our favorite out of about 12 pure baseball trips.

Eat soft crabs off of the counters where they sell them- it was fabulous- NICK's- the counter was concrete.

Camden's Yards has the best of the old and the new combined. Great food, loving and often personal friendly interchange with your observations at the Harbor- museums if you want them- some history- Ft. McHenry was a great day trip- loving outside views to experience on a nice weather day. Enough for 4 to 5 days at least. Gritty city feel too, if you want it.

Not like a D.C., NYC or Chicago or SF- much more user friendly because it is on a much smaller scale.

San Diego is a great vacation city too, but you said walkability- and we used our car there ever day. But it has enough for a entire week- lovely weather being pretty common you can also do much outside. Tide pools and watching the ships- very interesting re non-city type activities as well.

Gig Harbor Washington has got to be one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to. It's a very old town feel with out the hustle and bustle of a big city. It's a beautiful little fishing town on the Puget Sound. Granted its been almost 12 years since I have been there but my family still lives close to there and they love it.

Portland, OR with side trip to Cannon Beach
http://www.oregoncitylink.com/cannonbeach/transport.htm
Eugene & Bend, OR
Portland, ME
Portsmouth, NH (you could easily combine Portsmouth and Portland, ME into one trip)
Port Townsend, WA
Charleston, SC


Daytrip (or short week-end trips, travel by train or bus):
Lancaster, PA
Bethlehem, PA

Portland, OR, is a great city, easy to get around by train and streetcar, but you would definitely want a car for day trips to Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood/Columbia gorge and the coast.