choice hotels Business Hours Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Banks are open weekdays from 9am t

Business Hours Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Banks are open weekdays from 9am to 3pm or later and sometimes Saturday mornings. Stores typically open between 9 and 10am and close between 5 and 6pm from Monday through Saturday. Stores in shopping complexes or malls tend to stay open late: until about 9pm on weekdays choice hotels and weekends, choice hotels and many malls and larger department stores are open on Sundays.

Shopping This year I enlisted my resident L.A. shopping expert, Tracy Larrua, to fill me in on all the hot new stores. Some highlights include: Cloud s, 2719 Main St. (& 310/3992059), where you ll find heavenly scented candles; Arts & Letters, 2665

THAI By successfully incorporating flavors from India, China, Burma, Malaysia, and the West, Thep Phanom has risen through the ranks to become one of the best Thai restaurants in San Francisco. (The line out the front door proves it s no secret.) Start with the signature dish, ped swan boneless duck in a honey sauce served on a bed of spinach. Larb ped (minced choice hotels duck salad), velvety basil-spiked seafood curry served on banana leaves, and spicy yum plamuk (calamari salad) are also recommended. The Haight location attracts an eclectic crowd; the atmosphere is informal, and the decor quite tasteful. 400 Waller choice hotels St. (at Fillmore St.). & 415/431-2526. Reservations recommended. Main courses $7 $12. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5:30 10:30pm. Bus: 6, 7, 22, 66, or 71.

This is the oldest structure in the city, built on order of Franciscan Father Jun pero Serra by Father Francisco Palou. It was constructed of 36,000 sunbaked bricks and dedicated in June 1776 at the northern terminus of El Camino Real, the Spanish road from Mexico to California. It s a moving place to visit, with its cool, serene buildings with thick adobe walls and especially the cemetery and gardens where the early settlers are buried. 16th St. (at Dolores St.). & 415/621-8203.Donations appreciated. May Oct daily 9am 4:30pm; Nov Apr daily 9am 4pm; Good Friday 9am noon. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25. Muni Metro: J. Bus: 14, 26, or 33 to the corner of Church and 16th sts.