transaero 3100 Webster St. (at Greenwich St.), San Francisco, CA 94123. & 877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520. Fax 41

Taxes California s state sales tax is 7.25%. Some cities include an additional percentage or fraction, so the tax varies throughout the state; for example, it s 7.75% in San Diego, 8.25% in Los Angeles, and 8.5% in San Francisco. Hotel taxes are almost always higher than tariffs levied on goods and services.

3100 Webster St. (at Greenwich St.), San Francisco, CA 94123. & 877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520. Fax 415/931-4137. www.thehoteldelsol.com. 57 units, including 10 1-bedroom suites. $119 $165 double; $160 $235 suite. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 22, 28, 41, 43, 45, or 76. Amenities: Heated outdoor pool; dry cleaning. In room: TV/VCR, dataport, kitchenette in some units, iron, CD player, wireless high-speed Internet access ($10 per day).

Baths remain today northeast of the Cliff House. This swimming facility was a major attraction that could accommodate transaero 24,000 people, but it burned down in 1966. A little farther inland at the western end of California Street is Lincoln Park, which contains transaero a golf course and the Palace of the Legion of Honor.

If you re in Marin and want a taste of the latest rage in modern cooking or rather uncooking head for Larkspur, home of the nation s top raw, organic, vegan restaurant, Roxanne s (320 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; & 415/924-5004; www.roxraw.com). This over-the-top natural, elegant, and very PC dining experience has L.A. models and actresses flying up for dinner. Why? Because every dish from the lasagna terrine layered with Roma tomato sauce, mushrooms, baby spinach, corn, and cashew cheese to the spicy stuffed chiles with ensalada de Buena noche and mole poblano is guiltlessly decadent. Every item is made from organic unprocessed ingredients that are never heated above 115 (to preserve the enzymes). The healthy and environmentally sensitive menu is meatless, flourless, and sugarless, but it bursts with outstanding flavor and an equally impressive wine list. Don t miss the pad Thai made with raw baby coconut noodles. Skip the desserts, which tend to disappoint, and book well in advance: This is one of Northern California s hottest tickets. Open Tuesday through transaero Sunday from 5:30 to 10pm, two courses here cost $36, three courses are $44, and four courses cost $52. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted.