San Francisco

Boasting breathtaking views of the San Francisco bay, unique Victorian architecture and exciting cultural and natural landmarks, S.F. (never "Frisco") has long been counted among America's most beautiful cities. As California's fourth-largest city and as Season 8's first audition city, you can be sure it will draw hopefuls from both near and far to test their chops. And speaking of chops, did we mention San Francisco's deserved reputation for delicious eats? With so much to offer, after your stay you may recall the Tony Bennett classic about leaving your heart in San Francisco. And however your audition goes, you can be sure that a visit to the "city by the bay" will be a memorable one.

Transportation

Air travelers will arrive at the San Francisco International Airport, which coincidentally, is south of city and only a short distance to the Cow Palace and the auditions. San Franciscans are rightly proud of the city's efficient mass transportation options for getting around without a car. MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway) costs $1.50, and the state-of-the-art BART system (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has tickets starting at $1.40. Both systems have routes that crisscross the city, and include stops at the airport. MUNI and BART are online so you can plan your intended routes ahead of time. More limited in range, but rich in history and definitely worth the experience, is a ride on one of the famous cable cars which run mostly between downtown at Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf.

Sightseeing

San Francisco is such a picturesque and interesting city, you might have a hard time deciding where to start. One fun intro might be to just jump aboard a cable car downtown and ride it up and down through Chinatown all the way to Fisherman's Wharf. SF's cable cars have been ringing their bells since 1873. Another idea is to hike to the top of Coit Tower for a commanding view of the Bay (fog permitting) with the Golden Gate Bridge rising in front or the island of Alcatraz off to the side. Winding downward in hairpin turns, Lombard Street is "the crookedest street in the world" and a fun photo opportunity. With a million trees, a thousand acres and a beach on its west edge), Golden Gate Park offers a variety of museums, performances and recreational spaces for your enjoyment. The greater Bay Area is equally rich in attractions. With a little more time, you could head an hour out of town to see the mighty Redwoods or ride a boat around the bay and Treasure Island.