The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

The men and women who serve on our military forces always deserve special recognition for their hard work and diligent sacrifices. San Francisco goes a step further to celebrate their efforts with Fleet Week, held every October. Families of those currently serving as well as veterans and their families are sure to enjoy the events of Fleet Week that include such attractions as an air show by the Blue Angels, Team Oracle, and the Air Force's F-16 Demonstration Team. Other events that are part of the festival include a Marine Band concert, ship tours, a fireworks display, and a parade of ships.

At Biordi Art Imports, they travel the world, so you don't have to! You will, however, reap the benefits of their globetrotting when you enter their incredible import shop. The truly amazing inventory includes such treasures as fine Italian majolica, among many other exotic items. Biordi has been consistently delivering the most sought-after items since it opened its doors in 1946, and that tradition of excellence continues to this day.

When you visit San Francisco for the first time, visiting Alcatraz is definitely a must-do. The Rock, as Alcatraz is known locally, was originally a lighthouse and a military out post and prison before becoming a federal prison. The likes of Al Capone, among others, served their time here. The tour takes you from the shore to this ominous island and the guides are all well-informed and always ready to answer your questions. The inherent drama of Alcatraz itself makes it worth seeing, but the added touches and expert treatment by the guides only underscore how essential it is to see this dramatic facility when you are in the Bay Area.

San Francisco basketball fans love their college team, the Dons of the University of San Francisco, who are an NCAA Division 1 team. Bill Russell has guided the sports team to much success, not the least of which are the coveted basketball championships of 1995 and 1996.