Attractions

San Francisco's parks, museums, tours, and landmarks are favorites for travelers the world over and offer an array of activities to suit every visitor. But no particular activity or place makes the city one of the most popular destinations in the world. It's San Francisco itself -- its charm, its atmosphere, its perfect blend of big metropolis with small-town hospitality. No matter what you do while you're here -- whether you spend all your time in central areas like Union Square or North Beach, or explore the outer neighborhoods -- you're bound to discover the reason millions of visitors keep leaving their hearts in San Francisco.

We're Number One! -- It's the kind of old news that we never get tired of hearing: San Francisco was voted the number-one city in the United States to visit in the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Survey. This is the 18th time San Francisco has topped the annual poll's "Top Cities -- United States" category since it debuted in 1990. It is the 17th consecutive year that San Francisco has scored the highest (Santa Fe won in 1992).

Finding Your Way -- When asking for directions in San Francisco, be careful not to confuse numerical avenues with numerical streets. Numerical avenues (Third Avenue and so on) are in the Richmond and Sunset districts in the western part of the city. Numerical streets (Third Street and so on) are south of Market Street in the eastern and southern parts of the city. Get this wrong and you'll be an hour late for dinner.

Italian-Style Saturday Sing-Along -- If you haven't completely fallen in love with San Francisco yet, then show up at Caffe Trieste in North Beach on most Saturdays between 1 and 5pm. That's when the stringed instruments are tuned up, the chairs are scooted against the walls, and the locals entertain the crowd with their lively version of classic Italian operas and heartwarming folk songs. Everybody's so high on caffeine that it quickly becomes one big happy party and the highlight of everyone's vacation. (Even jaded locals -- myself included -- still get a kick out of it.) This family-owned corner institution is one of San Francisco's most beloved cafes -- a Beat Generation hangout that's been around since 1956 serving locally roasted Italian coffee and playing the muse to numerous artists, including Francis Ford Coppola, who supposedly penned The Godfather here. You'll find it at 601 Vallejo St. at Grant Avenue (tel. 415/392-6739; www.caffetrieste.com). Call to confirm that the show's on.