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Signature City San Francisco: City By The Bay

Program Number: 21052RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/14/2013 - 4/19/2013; 7/14/2013 - 7/19/2013; 8/18/2013 - 8/23/2013; 9/8/2013 - 9/13/2013; 10/20/2013 - 10/25/2013; 11/10/2013 - 11/15/2013; 5/4/2014 - 5/9/2014;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: San Francisco, California
Price starting at: $1,198.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities
Meals: 12; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

From global cuisine to Alcatraz — experience the best of the “City by the Bay.” Walk through Chinatown’s 150-year-old food market for a sensory journey past fresh produce, steaming poultry and buckets of swimming fish. Enjoy a private coach excursion, see the highlights of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods.




Highlights

• Drink in the city’s fine arts at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor displaying a collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an exquisite Beaux-Arts building.
• Join local author and historian James Dalessandro for a look into San Francisco’s devastating fire of 1906 and learn how the city was rebuilt.
• Venture outside the city to discover Muir Woods National Monument.



Activity Particulars

Must be able to walk up to one mile with rests.



Some use of public transportation.




Date Specific Information

4-14-2013, 7-14-2013, 8-18-2013, 9-8-2013, 10-20-2013, 11-10-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




San Francisco

A stunning city with a colorful past and vibrant present, San Francisco offers legendary landmarks — the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, cable cars and elegant Victorian homes — along with spectacular cityscapes and views of bay and bridges.
Accommodations
Charming hotel in Nob Hill.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro has been a screenwriter and novelist for more than 18 years. He is a 20-year veteran of the Writer's Guild of America and has written the screenplays for all four of his books. His most recent novel, “1906,” an epic recreation of the great San Francisco earthquake and fire is in pre-production as a film at Warner Brothers and Pixar. James has sold more than 15 feature films, four novels, and will produce the true-crime drama story “Citizen Jane,” for Court TV.
 
Marie McNaughton
Marie Thomas McNaughton has been a writer, photographer, speaker, and business communications professional since 1980, when she received her B.A. in English from the University of San Francisco. She received her M.A. in humanities from San Francisco State University in 2006, and enjoys studying the "long nineteenth century" in England, France, and the United States. Marie has published her work in numerous magazines and newspapers, and she enjoys leading public lectures and writing workshops.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Carlton
  San Francisco, CA 5 nights
 Hotel Carlton
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The historic 161-room Hotel Carlton in San Francisco's Lower Nob Hill neighborhood offers an international ambiance with outstanding guest service and eclectic and exotic touches from around the world that celebrate the joy of travel. Located near City Hall, the Federal building and the Theater District, this San Francisco hotel is located in a residential neighborhood just five blocks from Union Square and two blocks from the California Street cable car. It is one block away from Polk Street with many eclectic shops and restaurants. The hotel features an international vintage style that offers an eclectic and relaxing haven accentuated by exotic travel photographs. The charming public spaces showcase a cross-cultural design that incorporates one-of-a-kind objects and fascinating treasures. Another cherished facet of this quintessential San Francisco hotel experience is the striking views. The Hotel Carlton isn't flanked by adjoining buildings (a rarity in this district of San Francisco). The majority of rooms look out on an expansive, unobstructed view. The Hotel Carlton is pet friendly, 100% non-smoking and ADA compliant hotel.
  Contact info: 1075 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109 USA
phone: 415-673-0242
web: www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/carlton/overview
  Room amenities: Complimentary wireless high speed Internet access Partial city views 32" flat-screen TV with cable Bathrobe Hair dryer Luxury bath products Coffee maker Iron and ironing board Green cleaning products used on linens In-room laptop safe, marble topped writing desk Telephone with voice mail Ceiling fan CD player that is MP3 compatible
  Facility amenities: Wi-Fi INTERNET ACCESS: Complimentary Wi-Fi IS available throughout the hotel. Complimentary wine hour Complimentary newspaper Complimentary luggage storage Valet parking ($35 per night) Laundry / dry cleaning Pet friendly (additional cleaning fee applies) 24-hour business center with Mac computers that can run both PC and Mac platforms
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call hotel for rate. Additional nights are based on availability. The hotel will offer a 15% discount on its best available rate unless it is sold out. Contact Esther Kim at 415-292-1182 to make a reservation.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call hotel for rate. Additional nights are based on availability. The hotel will offer a 15% discount on its best available rate unless it is sold out. Contact Esther Kim at 415-292-1182 to make a reservation.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 PM at hotel. Opening day activities are in the following order: program registration, orientation, dinner and group introductions. You will be staying at Hotel Carlton that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after lecture at 11am. Please make your travel arrangements so that you can join us for our final class. You will be staying at Hotel Carlton the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Photo ID required. On the enclosed Participant Information Form, please indicate the name of your roommate/traveling companion. In addition, let us know if you wish to be assigned a room near family/friends who are also on the program. Please make sure to sign your form at the bottom of the last page.
  Parking availability:
Guests of the hotel may 'self-park' in the 5 level garage beneath the hotel. The rate is $35 per day + tax, and guests have 'in and out' privileges.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  San Francisco, CA
  Nearest city or town:  San Francisco
  Nearest highway: US101/US80 are the closest highways to the hotel.
  Nearest airport:  San Francisco International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: San Francisco, CA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

San Francisco

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 800-258-3826
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call Super Shuttle for current rates.
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-45 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

14 miles
 

Oakland

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 800-258-3826
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call Super Shuttle for current rates.
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

About 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic 
 

Distance:

 

20 miles
 
Driving Directions
  East / East Bay via Bay Bridge Take I-80 W toward San Francisco * Take the Civic Center Exit onto 9th Street * Bear right after Market and 9th Street becomes Larkin Street * Turn right at Bush St * Turn right at Hyde St * Turn right at Sutter St * The Hotel Carlton is located on your left. * Note: There is a $6 toll to cross the Bay Bridge into San Francisco.
  North / via Golden Gate Bridge Take Highway 101 South over the Golden Gate Bridge * Exit Lombard Street * Turn right onto Van Ness Avenue * Turn left onto Bush Street * Turn right onto Hyde Street * Turn right onto Sutter Street * The Hotel Carlton is located on your left. Note: There is a $6 toll to cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco
  South / From San Francisco Intl Airport Take Hwy 101 North, bear left at Hwy 80 split * Take the Civic Center Exit onto 9th Street * Bear right after Market and 9th Street becomes Larkin Street * Turn right at Bush St * Turn right at Hyde St * Turn right at Sutter St * The Hotel Carlton is located on your left.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Reception and Orientation
(Sunday, April 14)
   
 Afternoon: 3pm: REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during ORIENTATION: We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues and answer your questions. Any portion of the program is subject to change which we will notify you about as soon as possible.
 Dinner: Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant. Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants.
 Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: San Francisco history, bus trip to highlights of "The City by the Bay."
(Monday, April 15)
   
 Breakfast: A full American breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. In addition to good standard breakfast fare, there are also some interesting egg dishes that reflect the Yemeni roots of the Chef. You will receive a voucher for each morning's breakfast.
 Morning: Enjoy a slide illustrated lecture by James Dalessandro, a college professor, writer and filmmaker. His command of factual details is only exceeded by his entertaining and engaging lecture style peppered with fascinating anecdotes about the characters that made San Francisco the city that it is. Learn about the tumultuous history of the San Francisco Bay area.
 Lunch: We will enjoy lunch together at a colorful local eatery.
 Afternoon: 1-5pm: Narrated bus trip to highlights of San Francisco.
 Dinner: Group dinner will be at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Lecture will cover San Francisco's devastation and rebuilding after the 1906 earthquake and fire, as well as the rapid growth of the various neighborhoods and architecture that developed around this time in history.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Barbary Coast, Chinatown, Alcatraz.
(Tuesday, April 16)

Note: Two hour walk along the Barbary Coast Trail and through Chinatown covers about two miles over both flat and slightly elevated territory. After lunch in Chinatown, a public bus is taken to board the ferry at Pier 33 for the 20 minute ride to Alcatraz Much of Alcatraz is steep and hilly; the walking distance from the dock to the cell house at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile and the elevation change is 130 feet. A tram is available for people who do not wish to climb the hill.



   
 Breakfast: A full American breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. In addition to good standard breakfast fare, there are also some interesting egg dishes that reflect the Yemeni roots of the Chef. You will receive a voucher for each morning's breakfast.
 Morning: Walking exploration of the Barbary Coast and Chinatown. In San Francisco's early days after the Gold Rush of 1849, the Barbary Coast was the seedy red-light district where anything and everything went. Now the narrow streets are a walker's paradise, filled with beautiful architecture that belies the history of the area. Chinatown is the oldest Chinese settlement in North America and one of the largest outside of Asia. Stroll the crowded streets filled with locals, tourists, smells, sights and sounds that will overwhelm your senses. It's an experience not to be missed.
 Lunch: After a morning of walking, the group will dine together in a mouthwatering Chinese eatery. Sihk faahn!
 Afternoon: The history of Alcatraz--The Rock-- includes a Civil War fortress, federal prison, bird sanctuary, first lighthouse on the West Coast, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement. Visiting Alcatraz is a self guided experience which you can do at your own pace. Park Service staff offer free programs throughout the day on a variety of topics: escapes, military history, American Indian occupation, natural history, etc. Once on the island you can stay as long or as short as you wish - there is a ferry departing about every half hour and you can return to San Francisco on any ferry. The group leader will let you know which ferry she will be taking back. There are numerous videos and exhibits on the island, as well as a complimentary cell house audio tour which covers the penitentiary era (1934 - 1963). On arriving at the Alcatraz dock, you will be greeted by a park ranger who will give you a brief orientation including information on any special activities available that day. The weather on Alcatraz can be some what unpredictable and can change quickly - it may be warm and sunny in the city and very windy and cool on the island. Summer days can sometimes be as cool as winter due to thick fog and strong winds. We recommend dressing in layers. There is no food service available on the island - only water is available on site. Eating, drinking and smoking are only allowed at the dock level. (Alcatraz Island information courtesy of the National Park Service) .
 Dinner: Participants are free to make their own dining arrangements.
 Evening: Independent evening to explore "Baghdad by the Bay."
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Palace of the Legion of Honor, Muir Woods
(Wednesday, April 17)

Note: Two hours at the Legion of Honor: one hour docent-led visit and one hour free time; two hours of independent exploration in Muir Woods. There are six miles of trails. You can choose to walk a 30 minute loop, a 60 minute loop or a 90 minute loop. The trails in Muir Woods are asphalted or boadwalked and over flat territory. There is a gift shop and cafe on site. Food is not permitted on the trails.
   
 Breakfast: A full American breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. In addition to good standard breakfast fare, there are also some interesting egg dishes that reflect the Yemeni roots of the Chef. You will receive a voucher for each morning's breakfast.
 Morning: Docent-led visit of the highlights of the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum followed by one hour of free time in the museum.
 Lunch: Group lunch in Palace cafe.
 Afternoon: Cross San Francisco's most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. Proceed to the majesty of the old-growth redwoods of Muir Woods in Mill Valley, Marin County. You will be awed and humbled by their towering beauty. The line "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree" by Joyce Kilmer now takes on a whole new meaning. On the way back to San Francisco, stop for a breathtaking view of Pacific Ocean.
 Dinner: Dinner will be on your own to explore the many cuisines available in San Francisco.
 Evening: Independent evening to explore "The Golden Gate City."
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Field Trip to explore Victorian Architecture.
(Thursday, April 18)

Note: One hour docent-led visit through Haas Lilienthal House.
   
 Breakfast: OPTIONAL: April 18 is the 107th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake. For those of you wishing to partake in the memorial activities, you are in for a real San Francisco treat! The festivities begin at 5am on Market Street at Geary at Lotta's Fountain, the gathering spot for people to find each other after the earthquake hit. You can either take a taxi from the hotel to Lotta's which will take about five minutes or you can walk the 1.25 mile distance which should take about 15 minutes. At 5am, a small parade will arrive at the fountain where a wreath will be laid, honoring the thousands that were killed in the 7.5 magnitude earthquake. At 5:11am, there will be a minute of silence. At 5:12am, sirens will go off marking the moment the earthquake struck on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. At 5:40am, the fire hydrant that saved the Mission District will be painted. The hydrant is located at Church and 20th Street, about three miles from Lotta's Fountain. A taxi ride will take about ten minutes; walking is not recommended because you would not get there in time. Finally, at 6am, Lefty O'Doul's Annual Survivor Bloody Mary Breakfast takes place at Lefty O'Doul's Restaurant, 333 Geary Street. Cost: $10. The restaurant is a five minute walk from the fountain. From Lefty's, the return walk to the hotel is a little over a half mile and should take no more than ten minutes. If you are interested in taking part in this very unique San Francisco tradition, please refer to the Notes section for directions to the various places mentioned above. HOTEL BREAKFAST: A full American breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. In addition to good standard breakfast fare, there are also some interesting egg dishes that reflect the Yemeni roots of the Chef. You will receive a voucher for each morning's breakfast.
 Morning: Marie McNaughton is a lecturer at San Francisco State University. This morning she will deliver a lecture on Victorian Architecture, for which San Francisco is so famous. Following the lecture, there is a visit to the interior of the Haas Lilienthal House, a Victorian mansion furnished with period pieces. Your guide will talk about the furnishing and art as well as the history of the house, including ghost stories.
 Lunch: Group lunch at colorful local eatery.
 Afternoon: Independent exploration of "Everybody's Favorite City."
 Dinner: Group dinner at one of San Francisco's signature restaurants.
 Evening: Spend the evening with your fellow participants, savoring the week you have spent together, or go out and enjoy one final night in everyone's second hometown, San Francisco.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Departure Day
(Friday, April 19)
   
 Breakfast: A full American breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. In addition to good standard breakfast fare, there are also some interesting egg dishes that reflect the Yemeni roots of the Chef. You will receive a voucher for each morning's breakfast.
 Morning: James Dalessandro will present a final lecture expanding on your knowledge of San Francisco as well as providing a recap of the program.
 Lunch: Our program will conclude by 11:00AM. On this final day, you will truly appreciate why Tony Bennett and millions of other visitors leave their hearts in San Francisco.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  San Francisco, CA San Francisco Visitor's Bureau
Visit this website to get information on events happening in San Francisco while you are here. The hotel is located very near the theater district. For additional information, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


1906


Author: James Dalessandro


Description: Every disaster has a backstory, none more thrilling than this one. Set during the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, this page-turning tale of political corruption, vendettas, romance, rescue—and murder—is based on recently uncovered facts that forever change our understanding of what really happened. Told by a feisty young reporter, Annalisa Passarelli, the novel paints a vivid picture of the Victorian-era city, from the mansions of Nob Hill to the underbelly of the Barbary Coast to the arrival of tenor Enrico Caruso and the Metropolitan Opera. Central to the story is the ongoing battle—fought even as the city burns—that pits incompetent and unscrupulous politicians against a coalition of honest police officers, newspaper editors, citizens, and a lone federal prosecutor. With the appeal and texture of The Alienist, Carter Beats the Devil, and the novels of E. L. Doctrow, James Dalessandro weaves unforgettable characters and actual events into a compelling epic. Movie rights to the novel have been bought by Barry Levinson/SpringCreek Productions/Warner Brothers. The movie will enter pre-production soon.



California, A History


Author: Kevin Starr


Description: A lively short history in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series, written by a renowned historian.



Eyewitness Guide: San Francisco and Northern California.


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: This superb guide features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps, and a synopsis of San Francisco and Northern California's attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry.



Slouching Towards Bethlehem


Author: Joan Didion


Description: A classic collection of essays on the 60s cultural climate, first published in 1968. In the acclaimed title essay, Didion vividly describes the landscape, mood and culture of 60s San Francisco.



The Haight-Ashbury: A History


Author: Charles Perry




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