Destination: San Francisco

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Harding Park hosted The Presidents Cup in 2009 and will host the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in 2010.

Anybody who is headed to Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open would do well to stop for a couple of days to enjoy the food, sights and atmosphere of one of the greatest cities in the world. Like Pebble, it is one of the few places that doesn't disappoint, no matter how high your expectations.

WHERE TO PLAY

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Half Moon Bay Golf Links: While Pebble Beach may be a bit far for a day trip, this 36-hole facility along the ocean is just 30 miles south of downtown. Or you can lengthen your experience with a stay at the on-site Ritz-Carlton resort.

Harding Park Golf Course: Set along Lake Merced on the southwest side of the city, this gently rolling muni layout has undergone major renovations over the last decade to host big events like the 2009 Presidents Cup.

Presidio Golf Course: This former military course in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge is as hilly as the city itself. Keep your drives straight on the holes lined by eucalyptus trees and Monterey pines.

WHERE TO STAY

Fairmont San Francisco: Under construction at the time, this palace-like structure atop Nob Hill survived the infamous 1906 earthquake. It opened the following year and has been a city fixture ever since.

Four Seasons San Francisco: Just blocks from near Union Square, this modern high-rise will allow you to see the sights of the city from above before seeing them up close at ground level.

Hotel Vitale: Explore the attractions of the revitalized Embarcadero waterfront like AT&T Park and the Ferry Building from this boutique hotel that offers the ultimate big-city experience.

WHERE TO EAT

Boulevard: The James Beard-honored Nancy Oakes serves up dishes like wood-fired boneless quail at this restaurant that has become a San Francisco institution.

Foreign Cinema: Offering a California/Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an industrial chic setting in the Mission district, this unique restaurant gets its name from the foreign and independent films screened in its covered courtyard.

Spruce: Chef Mark Sullivan is known for using local, organic ingredients for his sophisticated menu. If you're short on time, the bar serves one of the best burgers in the city.