> winter'So that's 3 American cities I've acted as tour guide in"mute

I'd like to get on a tour like that sometime.
Actually, San Francisco is one of those town where you can have a good time without much planning. It just sort of happens.

There are other towns like that. Lexington, Mass. comes to mind. But it helps if you are a history buff.

And if somebody drops you off at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets in New Orleans, fun happens. You can walk down Canal to Hannah's which is like a brief stop in Las Vegas, and then go on down to the Riverwalk. Those two stops are good for a couple of hours at the very least. Or you can walk down Bourbon street, where there are several really great restaurants mixed in with some fashionably sleezy joints. Go in the afternoon the first time. New Orleans has some nice streetcar rides. Or you can take a short riverboat cruise.

Fun happens in Key West. Go down on DuVal street and look into all the tourist traps. There's good food and some rowdy bars. You don't have to go into the bars because they are wide open and you can hear the music and watch the fun out on the sidewalk. They have a treasure museum and an aquarium, but the big attraction is the sunset. Yep, the sunset. Every evening as the sun gets low on the horizon, the entire population goes down to the plaza at the end of DuVal and has an unbelieveable party. Mimes, jugglers, magicians, vendors, music, and just about anything you want for a party is there. Then everybody watches the sun sink into the sea, intently watching for "The Green Flash." After that, about 2% of them leave.
Don't hesitate to go into restaurants with rainbow flags. The food and service are great.
There are several historical sites there and the climate ain't bad either. Don't miss the southern most place in the lower 48. It's just a big ugly monument, but a visit is practically required. The best way to get there is to ride the Conch Train.

Hershey, Pennsylvania has the best smelling air pollution in the world.

Myrtle Beach has the best beaches.

Boca Raton, Florida has the best downtown.

Morro Bay, California has the best rock.

Port Townsend, Washington has the best waterfront.

And Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has everything but a beach.

Nashville, Tennessee has the best Capitol Hill and Chattanooga has the Tow Truck Museum, the Tennessee Aquarium, and Lookout mountain. (Ride the inclined railroad to the top.) It's another great place for history buffs.

LA has *everything* but it is so spread out it's a chore to enjoy it. Still if you have the time and the money, it's fun city number one. I sorta liked San Diego, too.
Howard