We are going to San Francisco this weekend for a wedding. I have never been there and we are only going to have 2 days of free time. What should I definitely do in these 2 days?
Thanks so much - Kim

Kim: Find a nice place to eat, like the Garden Court at the Sheraton Palace Hotel (try the Pacific halibut), then go for a drink at the Top of the Mark-classy!

Ride the California Street cable car at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco to the top of Nob Hill

Take a Muni bus to the Golden Gate Bridge and walk across it-beautiful views of the bay and the city

Walk down Grant Street through Chinatown and window shop

Have a glass of wine at Roxanne Cafe, corner of Bush and Powell streets and watch the cable cars go by

Enjoy your trip!

A visit to S.F. wouldn't be complete without a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, the part of the city you usually see on postcards! Go explore Pier 39. There's a nice restaurant on the Wharf called The Waterfront. Walk around Union Square, take an Alcatraz tour, and I also recommend seeing Ghirardellli Square. You must try their chocolate! And speaking of chocolate...a great place for lunch and desserts is Max's Opera Cafe on Van Ness Ave. Have fun!

Having lived there for four-and-a-half years, I would discourage your spending much time at Fisherman's Wharf. For chocolate, go to Galler in BRU. For Thai food, I would suggest Thai House at Noe and Henry in the Duboce Triangle/Castro area. At Union Square, a ride up the glass elevator in the Westin is fun. Near there, at 720 Post Street, is a Burmese restaurant where I've been about 140 times. Ask for Pia. For chocolate (if BRU isn't convenient!), Joseph Schmidt has a shop at 16th and Sanchez. I think their truffles are too hard, but they have smaller choclates as well.

I miss living there very much; write and let me enjoy it vicariously!

I just read your message to Kim re travel to San Franciso. Sounded great! What are the chances you have information on Philadelphia. My husband and I are going there in mid-August and have never been there before. We are looking for a moderately priced B&B. I know this is a real long shot in the dark, but thought I would try.

For a decadent dinner, eat at the Cypress Club. For exotic, New Delhi behind the Nikko Hotel. If you can afford it, stay at the Pan Pacific. I travel all over and this is one of the finest for the price.