From the unbeatable fare of hole-in-the-wall tacquerias in the Mission District to the North Beach cafes reminiscent of the '50s beat generation, The Best of San Francisco and Northern California takes readers on an unparalleled tour of the city's finest restaurants, hotels, shops, and sights. Whether it's the fabulously ritzy shops of Union Square or the sights, smells, and tasty treats of Fisherman's Wharf, travelers know they're getting the best advice for a memorable vacation. More than 200 discriminating restaurant reviews -- including over 50 eateries for bargain bites -- point to the best food in San Francisco, one of America's great gastronomic capitals. From posh to practical, the guidebook provides details on lodging choices, the best stores and services, and the city's world-famous views. Tourists will find a discerning commentary on arts, attractions, and outdoor activities, from beachgoing to meandering through Golden Gate Park, And for travelers whose trips aren't complete until they take in life after dark, The Best of San Francisco also includes an insider's guide to bars and nightlife spots.But it doesn't stop there. Destinations around the Bay Area and Northern California are also covered in frank detail. Readers will find excellent information food, hotels, and sights in day-trip destinations including the Nape Valley wine country, Monterey and Carmel, the East Bay, and the quaint hamlets of Marin County.Gayot's unique tour guide, as always, combines valuable travel advice with a straightforward rating system -- for restaurants, a toque tally gauges the appeal of a wide range of eaterles, while a castle emblem ranks lodgings from comfortable to luxurious. Newlectures in this edition include free and inexpensive things to do, excursions for weeken