San Francisco chosen top U.S. city for travelers

San Francisco has been voted the best American city for travelers, receiving the highest score of any city in the United States in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards.

This is the 17th time San Francisco has topped the poll's Top Cities -- United States category. The results come from the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences, the Readers' Choice Survey, second in size only to the U.S. Census.

San Francisco was followed by New York City and Charleston, S.C., in the Top Cities -- United States category. Each city was judged according to specific criteria, such as ambiance, friendliness, culture/sites, restaurants, lodging and shopping. San Francisco was praised for its "lively arts and culture, unique scenery and a vibrant atmosphere."

For general information on hotel packages and reservations, events and activities in San Francisco, or to order a copy of the San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide, go to www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.

If you are planning a city vacation, be sure to look into city passes and activity cards that can save you money and increase your access.

CityPass, www.citypass.com, has a program that covers many cities, from Hollywood to New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, among others. The card costs $19.50 to $185 depending on the location.

If you have one of these booklets, which you can buy online or once you get to the city, you can zip right past people standing in line, plus save as much as 50 percent on individual admissions. It includes every city's must-see attractions, including aquariums, science and art museums, sightseeing cruises and skyscraper observatories.

Another good strategy for cities is to get The Go Card, www.GoCardUSA.com, similar to City Pass and available for one- to seven-day visits. Cities covered include Orlando, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle. Regional cards, such as Go Maui and Go Blue Ridge, also are available.

The Go Card allows for unlimited admissions and includes a guidebook. The cost starts at $49 for adults and $39 for kids under 12. For those counting their pennies, it has a budget version: the Explorer Pass.

In print

"Pauline Frommer's Washington, D.C." is published by Wiley at $16.99. It is not written by Pauline Frommer, whose name heads the series, but by prize-winning Washington Post travel writer James Yenckel.

From the cherry blossoms on the cover to tips on how to visit the White House, the author gives us the skinny on the usual Washington sights, but more importantly he offers insider information on things you wouldn't expect on a trip to the capital: Where to find Ethiopian food; where to locate a bed-and-breakfast that costs under $100 a night, complete with fireplace and garden; or where to find a dance class to prepare you for trotting the boards at the next inaugural ball. He also shares how to find the Democracy Tree, how to sleuth your way to the International Spy Museum and where to sign up for a protest march.

For a lively guide full of fascinating details that will bring history alive, this is your book.