One of the world's great cosmopolitan cities, San Francisco is one of the most popular destinations in the United States. "The City" is an endlessly exciting place filled with some of the country's finest theater, music, and sports, in an environment of great natural beauty and cultural diversity. World-class dining, fascinating history, and an unrivalled range of activities await you here!
Interested in shopping? For a quaint shopping and dining experience, walk to Broadway Avenue which features unique shops, restaurants, and ice cream and candy parlors. Or stroll Burlingame Avenue and enjoy the variety of boutique shops mingled with Pottery Barn, The Gap and Ann Taylor - just two miles away.

Just need to relax between events? You and your Kees can play in the neighboring Bayside Park, or take a walk along the waterfront on the Bay Trail that runs by the hotel.
In San Francisco itself, there is a nearly endless variety of entertainments. For a complete rundown you can visit the San Francisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau's Web site. In the meantime, here's a few popular suggestions to whet your appetite:

Golden Gate Park: The Park is practically a destination in its own right. Established in 1870 as California's first state park, the three-mile-long by half-mile-wide park was transferred to the City of San Francisco in 1899. Popular attractions in Golden Gate Park include the California Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the Japanese Tea Gardens.

San Francisco Zoo: The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. New exhibits simulating the natural habitats of the animals living in them support the Zoo's conservation mission and enhance the visitor experience.

Fisherman's Wharf: Craving the San Francisco Bay experience? Then you'll want to visit Fisherman's Wharf, where you can see the commercial fishing fleet at work, shop for unique gifts, eat at one of the delightful restaurants, or enjoy attractions such as the Wax Museum, Ghirardelli Square, or the Aquarium of the Bay. Hop a ferry to Angel Island State Park or Alcatraz, or sail along the San Francisco waterfront and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fine art: If masterpieces of art from across time and around the world delight you, then you're in the right city. San Francisco has a host of museums to inspire and inform you. The de Young Museum houses one of the finest collections of American paintings in the United States, and important collections of American crafts and African art. The Legion of Honor, San Francisco's most beautiful museum, displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. The San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design exists to showcase the decorative arts, and to educate people on their importance in our lives. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was the first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th-century art, and strives to engage and inspire a diverse range of audiences.

Science and technology: Think science is no fun? Then visit the Exploratorium and see how wrong you are! This "museum" is a collage of hundreds of interactive exhibits in the areas of science, art, and human perception, providing access to and information about science, nature, art, and technology. Zeum, opened in October 1998, is not your typical museum. At Zeum YOU drive the experience, using arts and technology tools with the power of your imagination to create a clay animation, make a music video, compose a soundtrack, or experiment with digital art. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, Zeum provides the tools and guidance you need to feel like a pro at every stage in the learning process. And when you’re done, you’ll have something unique to take home with you. Hint: these are both "museums" your kids will love!

Performing arts: San Francisco is simply one of the best places on Earth to enjoy live performances by some of the world's best artists. Drama, music, or dance - they're all here. Whether your taste runs to classical music or standup comedy, you'll find something to please you in San Francisco. Your choices include the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, the Smuin Ballet, 42nd Street Moon (musicals in concert), American Conservatory Theater, Broadway hit shows with SHN, and too many more to list here. The Crowne Plaza's concierge will be able to help you plan your evening out (and our Show Chairman, Ron Spaulding, KNOWS local theater!).

And those "little cable cars": Yes, they're still running, and you can ride them on Powell Street or California Street. Read about the history and technology of cable cars here, and learn all about these "moving museums" (do you know the difference between a cable car and a street car?).
Did you know...

That there are two Dutch-style windmills in Golden Gate Park?
Monterey and Carmel: Two hours by car to the south is the Monterey Peninsula with its breathtaking scenery, the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium, the magnificent Point Lobos State Reserve, and the charming village of Carmel (Carmel is also consistently rated as one of the world’s best cities for dogs!).

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Come and view the magnificent coast redwoods (the world's tallest trees!) while hiking some of the over 80 miles of trails. Be sure and pick up a map at park headquarters before your hike and take a look at the multimedia kiosk in the Sempervirens Room (next to park headquarters). There you will find great information, photos, and video of some of the most popular trails. Big Basin is less than an hour's drive from our show site.

Wine country: About an hour to the north by car is the world-famous Napa Valley, famous for its wineries and beautiful scenery. Tours of the valley and its wineries are available by car and hot air balloon rides take off at dawn. Several hundred wineries call Napa home and many are open to the public (some by appointment only, others not at all). No matter your taste, you can find several wineries at which to explore and learn about wine - from large, world-famous vineyards to small, family-owned hands-on wineries.

Sacramento: Our state's capital is one hour east of San Francisco, and has its own attractions. High on the list are the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento. If you're a train buff, the Railroad Museum is a must-see. Old Sacramento, right next to the Museum, harks back to Gold Rush days and offers a variety of shopping and dining choices.