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San Francisco Highlights: The Very Best of the City by the Bay

Program Number: 21058RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/26/2013 - 5/31/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: San Francisco, California
Price starting at: $1,098.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 10; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Multitudes of residents and visitors alike believe this City By the Bay is one of the world’s greatest cities. Join us to experience some of its notable highlights as we explore — literally — high and low and get to know the distinctive neighborhoods, history, culture, and people with local experts.




Highlights

• Take expert-led field trips through North Beach and Pacific Heights, and experience a ferry ride in beautiful San Francisco Bay.
• Discover unforgettable Golden Gate Park, one of America’s most extraordinary urban delights with its extensive gardens, museums, and other attractions.
• Revel in a classic San Francisco experience, a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon.



Program includes significant amount of free time for personal independent exploration. Extensive use of public transportation.




Date Specific Information

5-26-2013

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.
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. Hotel Carlton is a non-smoking 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: * Phone with voice mail/data port * Complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the hotel * Cable TV * Clock/radio/CD player that is MP3 compatible * Electronic locks * Hair dryer * In room safe * Coffee maker * Iron/board * Operable windows * Ceiling fan in all rooms
  Facility amenities: * Nightly complimentary wine reception * Saha Restaurant serves Arabic Fusion Cuisine - breakfast and dinner * Concierge services for your stay in San Francisco * Bellman services * Pet friendly hotel offering pet bed made of organic material * Daily newspaper in lobby * Laundry/valet service * Valet parking - $30 plus tax * Meeting space accommodates up to 50 people * Complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the hotel * High-speed Internet access at computer stations in lobby (fees apply)
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Discount on best rate Special Road Scholar rates available directly from hotel. Ask for Road Scholar rates.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Discount on best rate Special Road Scholar rates available directly from hotel. Ask for Road Scholar rates.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 PM at hotel. You will be staying at Hotel Carlton that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after final lecture around 11:00 AM. You will be staying at Hotel Carlton the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. No waivers are required for this program.
  Parking availability:
Guests of the hotel may 'self-park' in the 5 level garage beneath the hotel. The rate is $32 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

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$17
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-45 minutes 
 

Oakland

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 800-258-3826

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$27 for the first person, $15 for the second person
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

About 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic 
 
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 $5 toll to cross the Bay Bridge to 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 / San Francisco Intl Airport South / 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, May 26)
   
 Afternoon: Check in and registration at 3 PM. Reception and orientation to follow.
 Dinner: Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.
 Evening: Get to know your fellow participants. You will be given extensive information about all there is to see, do and eat in the Bay Area.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: North Beach, Coit Tower
(Monday, May 27)

Note: Walking through North Beach over mostly flat terrain. We will take a public bus up to Coit Tower as it sits on top of the very steep Telegraph Hill. Will descend via the Telegraph Hill Stairs-all 400 of them--as you take in beautiful homes and gardens. San Francisco has over 300 staircases so you will experience one of them--downhill, of course!
   
 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: Take a walking exploration of North Beach, San Francisco's historic Italian section. A local expert will guide you through the colorful streets, giving you detailed background on such notable landmarks as Saints Peter and Paul, Washington Square, City Lights Bookstore and the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, San Francisco's patron saint for whom the city was named.
 Lunch: We will enjoy a lunch together at a delicious local eatery.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore San Francisco on your own.
 Dinner: Independent dinner. Find one of San Francisco's many eateries and dig in!
 Evening: Free time to continue discovering "Baghdad by the Bay."
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Ferry Building Marketplace; ferry ride on San Francisco Bay
(Tuesday, May 28)
   
 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: Spend the day at the Ferry Building Marketplace. Wander through the stalls of the Farmer's Market, sampling sumptuous local food and flavors. Docent-led visit of Ferry Building.
 Lunch: Make your own meal! Professional chefs will guide you through recipes culminating in a mouth-watering meal. Bon appetit!
 Afternoon: Ferry ride on beautiful San Francisco Bay
 Dinner: Independent dinner. Find one of San Francisco's many eateries and dig in!
 Evening: Free time to continue discovering "The Golden Gate City." Make sure you get a good night's sleep for tomorrow you'll be climbing the streets of San Francisco.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Architectural walking tour of Pacific Heights
(Wednesday, May 29)

Note: Moderately challenging walk up and down the hills of Pacific Heights.
   
 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: San Francisco is one of the most interesting architectural cities in the world. A local expert will walk you through the streets (and hills!) of Pacific Heights, San Francisco's tony neighborhood of the rich and famous. The architecture is breathtaking as are the views which await you on every street corner. They make the hills worth the climb.
 Lunch: We will enjoy a lunch together at a delicious local eatery.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore San Francisco on your own.
 Dinner: Independent dinner. Find one of San Francisco's many eateries and dig in!
 Evening: Free time to continue discovering "Everybody's Favorite City."
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Golden Gate Park, deYoung Museum; Conservatory of Flowers, Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, Beach Chalet murals
(Thursday, May 30)
   
 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: Discover Golden Gate Park. Docent-led visit through deYoung Museum. Golden Gate Park's other attractions include the Conservatory of Flowers, housed in one of the most beautiful and unusual Victorians on earth, Japanese Tea Garden, California Conservatory of Sciences and the Beach Chalet's Depression-Era murals depicting life in San Francisco during the 1930s.
 Lunch: Independent lunch
 Afternoon: Free time to explore San Francisco on your own.
 Dinner: Group dinner in North Beach, San Francisco's historic Italian section. Mangia, mangia authentic Italian fare.
 Evening: You've waited all week and the night has finally arrived! Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon is the longest running musical revue in theatre history. Hailed as "a constant cascade of showstoppers" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Beach Blanket Babylon follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming." Along the way she encounters a star-studded, ever-changing line-up of hilarious pop-culture characters. (Courtesy of Beach Blanket Babylon)
   
Accommodations: Hotel Carlton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Departure Day
(Friday, May 31)
   
 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 Dalesandro will present a final lecture expanding on your knowledge of San Francisco as well as providing a recap of the program. After your week in San Francisco, you will know why Tony Bennett and millions of other visitors leave their hearts here.
 Lunch: Our program will conclude by 11:00AM giving participants ample time to depart for the airport to catch flights returning home.
   
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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