San Francisco

(FAST FACT: The infamous Alcatraz Island, once home to notorious criminals like Al Capone, is now a lush ecological preserve with one of the largest western gull colonies in California.)

Idyllic San Francisco houses some of the most revered cultural landmarks in the country. The Golden Gate city has some new places to peruse. So drop that tourist map, hop a trolley and tour the most recent additions to this modern metropolis.

Dine

If there’s one culinary genre guaranteed to appease your San Fran epicurean desires, it’s seafood. Anchor & Hope mixes San Francisco and Eastern Seaboard fare in an authentic 97-year-old mechanics’ garage complete with a roll-up metal door. www.anchorandhopesf.com.

Venture northeast for the sake of your taste buds. The Slanted Door in the Ferry Building dishes up modern Vietnamese creations with the highest quality locally grown produce and meats. www.slanteddoor.com.

When San Franciscans fancy French cuisine, Fleur de lys is one place with that certain je ne sais quoi. (And they make a mean chocolate soufflé.) www.fleurdelyssf.com.

Imagine hopping out of your Model T and dining at a jazz bar reminiscent of the 1950’s. Well, 1300 Fillmore provides just this opportunity, with Chef David Lawrence’s bold north-meets-south flavor combinations accentuated by the smooth riffs of live jazz on Sundays and Mondays. www.1300fillmore.com.

Stay

A total of seven boutique boudoirs by Personality Hotels are scattered throughout the city, several of them newly renovated. Check out the Hotel Vertigo and its brand-new upcoming fall addition, Bar Florence, the first restaurant venture by celebrity chef Tyler Florence. www.personalityhotels.com.

Experience San Franciscan grandeur at its best by setting foot in the soon-to-be-renovated Westin St. Francis, a timeless Union Square monument. Already home to one of San Fran’s top eateries, Michael Mina, the renovation (slated for completion late this summer) entails a new lobby and the Clock Bar. www.westinstfrancis.com.

Drop anchor in the foggy city for one-tenth of the year. The Fairmont Heritage Place, which opens this month, affords suburban escapees the opportunity for fractional ownership in revitalized Ghirardelli Square. Featuring large living spaces, plasma TV’s, and modern touches throughout, these luxury residences uphold their namesake hotel’s above-par service standards. Unobstructed views of Alcatraz Island and the bay start at $275,000. www.fairmontheritageplace.com.

To Do

Juxtapose an eerie (albeit informative) visit to Alcatraz by strolling through the former prison’s sensational gardens. With a few years in revitalization efforts remaining, the preservation of natural plant species found on The Rock will, upon completion, emulate vintage images of the prison’s past. www.parksconservancy.org.

Eye-popping coastal views, mouthwatering meals and historic San Francisco architecture are staples at the world-renowned Cliff House. An integral element of the Sutro Historical District (walk down stairs to tour the intriguing Sutro Bath ruins on the beach), Cliff House is preserved by the National Park Service and offers an array of dining options in its two restaurants. www.cliffhouse.com.