San Francisco offers an 'Escape to the City'

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau is developing a new program to encourage visitors to "Escape to the City."  A micro site on San Francisco's official Web site, http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/escape/, provides visitors with suggested itineraries and value-added incentives to plan their own perfect "escape."

"Now more than ever, it's important that people make and take the time to get away.  And with so much to explore in San Francisco, both visitors and locals will find something new every time," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

The "Escape to the City" micro site lists "American Express Exclusive Offers - Only in San Francisco" from San Francisco retailers, hotels, restaurants and attractions valid through Dec. 31, 2009.  In addition, the "Get 3 Nights for 2" lodging promotion, which runs through June 30, 2009, offers three hotel nights for the price of two when reserved with any American Express Card and booked on www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/offers. American Express® is the Official Card Partner of the SFCVB.

The "Escape to the City" site also includes:

• San Francisco hotel packages and online reservations;
• Suggested itineraries from local personalities and other San Francisco "celebrities;"
• "Blog & Win" for visitors to share their favorite ways to "Escape to the City" and be eligible to win "Only in San Francisco" prizes;
• A list of "Only in San Francisco" exhibitions and attractions, including "Wicked," King Tut, Georgia O'Keefe, Ansel Adams, and others;
• "San Francisco After Dark" - providing night owls with an excuse to book an overnight hotel stay;
• Information on featured special events and a link to the SFCVB's comprehensive Calendar of Events;
• "Free & Easy" - a list of museum special admission days and free activities throughout San Francisco;
• "Getting There & Getting Around" - transportation information to and around San Francisco;
• "Diverse City Destinations" - tour itineraries celebrating San Francisco's diverse communities;
• In-depth information on the city's 15 main neighborhoods, including what to see and do;
• Audio walking tours created by students at San Francisco's Galileo High School;
• "Today in San Francisco" - a compendium of traditions, history, facts and ideas