San Francisco à deux

By Sarah Musgrave

From the first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge to the last sip of California wine, San Francisco is made for romance. Couples will score top marks with this top ten.

de Young

1. De Young at heart

It's been called the finest example of museum architecture since Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Bilbao. The new de Young by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron is worth a peek as much for its contemporary art as for the stunning building, rising from the midst of Golden Gate Park.

50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, 415-863-3330

2. Get lucky

Find out what the future holds with a visit to the atmospheric Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown, where the treats are still made by hand.

56 Ross Alley, 415-781-3956

3. Be poetic

Browse City Lights bookstore for the perfect collection of verses. It's easy to wile away the afternoon among the wooden shelves of this literary landmark, founded by Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti in 1953.

261 Columbus Ave., 415-362-8193

4. Find the food

Coit Tower

The revamped Ferry Building is the centre of all things culinary in San Francisco. Begin Saturday morning at Rose Pistola's breakfast stand, with exquisite French Toast soaked in maple syrup and heavy cream, before perusing the farmer's market.

At Embarcadero and Market, 415-693-0996

5. Take your breath away

It's worth climbing Telegraph Hill to reach Coit Tower, a 210-foot tall Art Deco structure that offers spectacular views of the city skyline – and maybe the flock of wild parrots that lives in the environs.

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, 415-362-0808

6. Drink to each other

A cork art mural greets easy-going oenephiles at Cav. For those “sick of Sideways,” wine flights might feature Rieslings, Australian Shiraz or hard-to-find bottles from the Loire Valley. In 2006, the bar will offer wine classes on weekends.

1666 Market St., 415-437-1770

7. Reading Hotel Rex

Hotel Rex

From literary readings in the lobby to quaint guest rooms with checkered bedspreads, Rex Hotel is an intriguing and intimate choice for couples seeking a holiday hideaway.

562 Sutter St., 415-433-4434

8. Soak it in

Located in Japantown, Kabuki Springs and Spa is a traditional bathhouse, offering pools of different temperatures and relaxing signature touches like chilled cucumber face cloths.

1750 Geary Blvd., 415-922-6000

Kabuki Spa

9. Table for two

Quince has quickly become the quintessential San Francisco supper experience. In his tiny but exquisite Pacific Heights dining room, chef Michael Tusk unites California creativity, Italian inspiration and the finest local ingredients from the surrounding countryside.

1701 Octavia St., 415-775-8500

10. Flower power

Mandy Scott's downtown floral boutique is a feast for the senses. Stop in for a bouquet, and you'll come out smelling like roses.

1738 Union St., 415-441-3758

(Sarah Musgrave is a Montreal-based writer. She wrote about desserts in the December 2005 issue of onAir.)

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