In reply to Mary's request about hotels in San Francisco with swimming pools.

Our weather in the Bay Area makes outdoor pools chancy and most downtown locations don't have pools. There are a few with pools in Fisherman's Wharf but are more expensive.

Try the following which are near the Moscone convention center.

1. Outdoor pool - Best Western Civic Center Motor Inn 364 Ninth St, SF 94103 415 621 2826 fax 415 621 0833 email : civicenter@reneson.com. There's a coffee shop/restaurant attached with very reasonable prices. Cost:about $100 to $109

2. Courtyard San Francisco Downtown with indoor pool 299 Second Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA Phone: 1 415-947-0700 Fax: 1 415-947-0800 International Toll-Free: 1-800-321-2211 Cost:Averages $150

This is closer to the Embarcadero area but still central. It's across from one my most favorite restaurants in the City the Fly Trap, but nothing like its name. Cozy and what a New York restaurant should be.

Most hotels have weekend specials, but beware of the fixed up older, boutique hotels. They can be very noisy. Although you may think hearing the cable cars humming all night is romantic, these old hotels magnify the hum along with sirens, honking, etc.

Our taxi rates are the most expensive in the country and make sure they immediately turn on the meter. Question vigorously if they take the freeway for an in town trip. You can cover a lot ground by walking and using the cable cars.

Peter in San Francisco area