Move over Seattle, San Francisco is on your caffeinated heels. Coffee is the lifeblood of most Americans, with 83 percent considering themselves coffee-drinkers. Whether you want coffee in the morning or afternoon, from a coffee shop or a regular eatery that offers coffee, chains like Starbucks are becoming just as commonplace as McDonald's. But, San Franvisco urges you to cut the chains and try out some of these top local coffee houses in the area next time you're around.

The weather gods sent us a flawless day to wander San Francisco. Bob and I targeted the historic Ferry Building to enjoy the sun and warm, and indulge a bit of browsing.  It’s a destination easily combined with a trip to Alcatraz, Sausalito, or Fisherman’s Wharf.

Are you heading to San Francisco soon? Well, you’re going to love it. San Francisco is one of those cities that’s friendly, compact and really easy to get around if you only have a few days, making it the perfect destination for a long weekend. 

There are plenty of well-priced hotels in San Francisco, meaning you can see the city on foot or via the cable cars without having to travel a long way into the center from the suburbs.

One look out my window, and there was no mistaking where I was. The early morning sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and buildings. I lay there watching the light show thinking, I MUST GET UP.  The sun was shining and I was in San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world - but I did not want to get out of my bed. You may be thinking I had a wee bit too much wine the night before, or perhaps there was another, more seductive reason to linger. But no, it was the bed itself that wooed me.