Girlfriends can easily escape to the city for some dedicated “R&R” and fun.  San Francisco provides the perfect respite with neighborhoods and city blocks dedicated to serious shopping; a variety of pampering spas; opportunities to walk and take in majestic vistas; gourmet food and artisan wine, spirits and beer. To plan a weekday or weekend getaway visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.

Shopping

San Francisco is a haven for fashionistas. For every fashion style, there is a store to find the perfect accoutrement. Fashion walking tours showcase Union Square and flagship stores, as well as  other San Francisco neighborhoods including Hayes Valley, the Mission and Cow Hollow, where independent designers display their creations in hip boutiques. For a list of stores, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/where_to_shop. For tours of the City’s enclaves:

Kim Connector
Fashion Slave
www.sffashionslave.com
415-846-7037

Donna Fujii
Shop and City Tours
www.shopandthecitysf.com
415-922-9000

RAG’s salon in Hayes Valley features clothing from many San Francisco independent designers:

Blakely Bass
RAG Co-op San Francisco
www.ragsf.com
415-621-7718

Spa-ing

There’s no better way to recuperate from shopping than a soothing massage, pedicure, facial or other indulging body treatment. San Francisco spas have many ways to indulge – whether it be based on Eastern practices, deep-tissue muscle therapies, herbs, salt, wine, chocolate, hot stones – a palette of sensory pleasures.

For a list of San Francisco spas, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/what_to_do/directory.asp?mbc=healthclub&mbc=mssgonsite

Walking

The best way to become intimate with a city is to walk around and discover the nooks and crannies of the neighborhoods, meet the locals, learn its history and discover its character. San Francisco is one of the world’s most walk-able cities, and with 43 hills, it’s also an invigorating work out. San Francisco features more than 20 walking tours, some specializing in neighborhoods, others concentrating on food, architecture or culture. For a complete list of walking tours, visit:
http://www.sfcvb.org/members/otherbiz_directory.asp?mbc=SIGHTWALK

Eating

For a girl-getaway vacation, food is central for bonding. San Francisco has more than 5,000 restaurants with cuisine from almost every part of the world, many of which lead the field in haute cuisine. Wine and spirits are unique in the City with celebrity mixologists, breweries, and wine from the Napa Valley and surrounding wine regions. To find a unique San Francisco dining experience, visit the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau foodie Web site, TasteSF at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste.

Drinking

Drinks w normally be rolled into a typical dining section, but there’s nothing typical about the cocktails found in San Francisco. A drink is just a drink unless it’s in the hands of creative mixologists who use spirits, fruit, herbs, and sugar as pure alchemy. The refreshing results have made many mixologists celebrities in San Francisco, many whom have their own following.

Some of San Francisco’s celebrated mixologists include:

Ethan Woodill, Amber India Restaurant (South of Market) – www.amber-india.com
Creative selection: Fire & Ice 12 (Ketel One Vodka infused with roasted cumin and rimmed with house spice).

Carlos Yturria, Bacar (South of Market) – www.bacarsf.com
Creative selection: Argylle (Old Overholt Rye, Cinzano Rosso, Laphroaig 1/4 Cask, Peychaud’s Bitters).

Vinny Montana, BAR 888 at the InterContinental San Francisco (South of Market) www.grappabar888.com
Creative selection: Mojitos made with an extensive collection of Grappa

Thad Vogler, Beretta (Mission District) – www.berettasf.com
Creative selection: Dolores Park Swizzle (rum, lime, maraschino, absinthe, bitters)

Bryan Ranere, Foreign Cinema and Bar Laszlo (Mission District) – www.foreigncinema.com
Creative selection: Little Sputnick (Gosling’s Black Rum floated over a tall glass of spicy ginger beer served with lime)

Hunter Leigh, Kuleto’s (Union Square) – www.kuletos.com
Creative selection: Organic Lavender Daiquiri (Papagayo Organic Rum mixed with
Organic Lavender Cello, organic Agave Nectar and organic lime juice)

Brandon Clements, Spruce (Pacific Heights) – www.sprucesf.com�
Creative selection: Lady Marmalade (brandy, Qui White Tea liqueur, orange marmalade, lemon and orange)

For the latest in “haute” mixology, visit www.onlyinsanfracisco.com/tastesf.

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For general information on hotel packages and reservations; events; activities and transportation in San Francisco, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.   For lodging reservations, call 800-637-5196 within North America or 415-391-2000 or 415-392-0328 (TTY/TTD) elsewhere.
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The San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide is available at the Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., at the corner of Powell and Market streets, lower level, Hallidie Plaza.  A visitor’s kit may also be ordered online at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com, by phone at 415-391-2000 or 415-392-0328 (TTY/TTD), by written request to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, 900 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102, or via email to vic1@sanfrancisco.travel.  Domestic and international shipping charges apply. 

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop links with more than 30 international points on 25 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with more than 65 cities in the U.S. on 20 domestic airlines.  For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. 

Note to editors: To access and download images from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau’s online photo gallery, click on the link http://www.sfcvb.org/travel_media/photolibrary.asp.