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Delta Airlines Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Atlanta (ATL)
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Delta Airlines, which operates 5 regularly scheduled daily non-stop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Atlanta (ATL), departing between 6:20am and 10:20pm. The average travel time from San Francisco, CA to Atlanta, GA is 4 hours and 35 minutes.
During your Atlanta vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Zoo Atlanta
This delightful 40-acre zoo dates from 1889, when George W. Hall (aka "Popcorn George") brought his traveling circus to town. Employee claims against Hall for back wages forced him to relinquish his menagerie, and the animal entourage was purchased by a prominent Atlanta businessman who donated the collection to the city as the basis for a zoological garden in Grant Park. It grew considerably over the years and was a popular local attraction, but had fallen into disrepair by the mid-1980s. Director Terry Maple was brought in to rescue the zoo and oversee a still-ongoing multimillion-dollar renovation.The turnaround has been dramatic. Today, Zoo Atlanta is one of the finest zoos in the country, with animals housed in large open enclosures that simulate their natural habitats. The zoo participates in breeding programs, many of them focusing on endangered species, and is home to many endangered animals, including Sumatran orangutans, 19 western lowland gorillas, black rhinos, 3 African elephants, 2 Komodo monitors, and big-mouthed African dwarf crocodiles.Currently the exhibit creating the biggest stir is the Asian Forest, home to Lun Lun and Yang Yang, two giant pandas. The two Chinese natives are a huge hit with adults and children alike. Although the pandas' rowdiest period is in the afternoon, the two put on quite a show most of the day: munching bamboo, tussling with each other, playing on their log swing, or climbing on the swinging ladder. When Lun Lun has had enough of Yang Yang's roughhousing, she heads for the water. In the summer, the two can be especially entertaining; if it's really sweltering, zoo officials give each of them a huge block of ice to help them cool off. Yang Yang likes to hug his until it melts. Unfortunately, as this guide went to print, reproductive efforts between the two have been unsuccessful. But hey, who can work under this kind of pressure?Your first stop will probably be Flamingo Plaza. Farther on, Mzima Springs and Masai Mara house elephants, rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and other African animals and birds. The landscape in this section resembles the plains of East Africa, with honey locust trees and yuccas, and the lion enclosure replicates an East African kopje (rocky outcropping). Frequent animal demonstrations, African storytelling, and educational programs take place under the Elder's Tree in Masai Mara. The newest addition here is a baby waterbuck, daughter of Kokopelli (who was aptly named for the ancient fertility god).The lushly landscaped Ford African Rain Forest -- one of the most popular sections -- centers on four vast gorilla habitats separated by moats. Studies on gorilla behavior take place here, and there are usually quite a few adorable babies (they're hard to spot sometimes, so be sure to ask if there are any to be seen). The zoo's longtime mascot, Willie B. (named after former Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield), died in 2000, but his daughters Kudzoo and Olympia live in the forest and usually put on a pretty good show. The best time to visit is around 2pm, when the gorillas are fed. Also in this section is a walk-through aviary of West African birds, an exhibit of small African primates, and the Gorillas of Cameroon Museum. Landscaping includes burned-out areas of forest and deadfall trees -- gorillas do not live in manicured gardens.In the Ketambe section, several families of high-climbing orangutans show off their skills among the trees and bamboo clusters of an Indonesian tropical rainforest. If you're lucky enough to be there at feeding time -- around 2:30pm -- you might see them swinging on ropes from tree to tree. In the Sumatran Tiger Forest, rare Sumatran tigers prowl a lush forest, sometimes dipping into a stream or waterfall. Nearby is a superb Reptile House -- the zoo is home to one of the finest reptile collections in the country -- and a special exhibit area, often used to house visiting animals.A zoo train travels through the Children's Zoo area. Here, you'll find a playground and petting zoo where kids can get friendly with llamas, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, goats, and more. There are aviaries here, too. Kids (and adults) will love the entertaining and informative free animal shows at the zoo; shows are held in the Wildlife Theater during summer, and African elephant demonstrations are given daily year-round.There are snack bars (including a McDonald's) throughout the zoo. Or you can picnic in tree-shaded areas in Grant Park. The Zoo Atlanta Trading Company features zoo memorabilia and gifts.Some other new zoo news: First, the Australian-themed Outback Station in the Orkin Children's Zoo recently introduced two new species -- red kangaroos and kookaburras. Secondly, Turner Broadcasting made a $5 million donation in 2004. The single largest gift in Zoo Atlanta history, the money will allow the zoo to enhance the public offerings and educational programs in its Conservation Action Resource Center.
High Museum of Art
Designed by architect Richard Meier, this facility -- part of the Woodruff Arts Center complex -- is itself a work of art. A dazzling white porcelain-tiled building with an equally pristine white interior, the museum houses four floors of galleries connected by semicircular pedestrian ramps girding a spacious, sun-filled, four-story atrium. A $130 million three-building expansion is scheduled for completion in 2005; the new additions will include additional gallery space for the museum's permanent collection, enlarged special exhibit space, a coffee bar, and a new retail shop.The permanent collection here includes more than 10,000 pieces, among them a significant group of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings. Hudson River School artists such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church are featured, as are Thomas Sully, John Singer Sargent, and William Harnett. The Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection of American Decorative Arts comprehensively documents trends in decorative arts from 1825 to 1917. The Samuel H. Kress Foundation collection includes Italian paintings and sculpture from the 14th through the 18th centuries. The Uhry Print Collection contains important works by French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, German Expressionists, and 20th-century American artists. Also notable are collections of sub-Saharan African art, a folk art collection, and works by noted 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographers.In addition to the permanent collection, which is shown on a rotating basis, the museum hosts a number of major traveling exhibitions each year, complemented by films, lectures, workshops, gallery talks, concerts, and other cultural events. Ask at the desk about events during your stay. Free guided gallery tours of the High's permanent collection are offered every Friday and Saturday at 2pm; free guided family tours are given every Sunday at 2pm.The museum has a wonderful gift shop with an impressive stock of art books, prints, and interesting art-related objects. There's an excellent cafe run by Alon's, which has two other locations in town. It's a delightful space, accented with the same colors as the Calder mobile that is visible just outside the big glass windows. The cafe serves up sandwiches, soups, pastries, and desserts, plus fresh juices, teas, and specialty coffees. It's open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday noon to 5pm. You don't have to enter the museum to get to the cafe.As this book was going to press, it was announced that the photography and folk art collections of the High Museum's downtown branch will be moving to this branch. Stay tuned for details.
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
Set on 30 acres of gardens, lakes, and waterfalls, this impressive presidential library houses some 27 million pages of documents, memoranda, and correspondence from Jimmy Carter's White House years. There are also 1 1/2 million photographs and hundreds of hours of audio- and videotapes. The library's hilltop site is a historic one; it was from this spot that Sherman watched the Battle of Atlanta.In the extensive museum, you'll find an exact replica of the Oval Office during Carter's presidency -- an exhibit enhanced by a recording of Carter speaking about his experiences in that office. A large display of "gifts of state" runs the gamut from a Dresden figurine of George and Martha Washington (a gift from Ireland) to a carpet from the Shah of Iran. You'll also see the table setting used when the Carters entertained Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and his wife in the State Dining Room; a video of artists such as the late pianist Vladimir Horowitz performing in the East Room; campaign memorabilia; and a large display devoted to the activities of Rosalynn Carter. Other exhibits focus on Carter's support of human rights (there's a letter from Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov and Carter's reply); his boyhood days (his sixth-grade report card and a photo of the Plains High basketball team are two of the items on display); and his pre-presidential life as a peanut farmer, governor, and state senator.There are informative videos throughout, including an interactive "town meeting" video through which visitors can ask Carter questions on subjects ranging from world affairs to his personal life. Another intriguing participatory video lets you choose your response to a terrorist crisis and learn the probable consequences of your choice.Consider having lunch here. There's an excellent cafeteria, run by one of the city's top catering companies, with patio seating overlooking a Japanese garden and pond. If you're still in a political mood, stop by nearby Manuel's Tavern, a local pub at 602 N. Highland Ave. that's popular with journalists and politicians. President Carter stops in occasionally.
Make your reservations for discount hotel rooms in the
Atlanta area, including:
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
A major $100 million expansion brings 593 new rooms (in a 24-story tower) and a complete personality change to this hotel, wiping out the blah sterile convention atmosphere and injecting class and sophistication. Plus, the Omni still offers an excellent location -- especially if you're attending a sporting event. It adjoins the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, the Georgia Dome, and the CNN Center, and is across from Centennial Olympic Park and Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta. Many of the rooms have balconies that overlook the bustle of the CNN Center atrium; the rest have views of Centennial Olympic Park or the downtown skyline. The location of the Omni inside the CNN Center is convenient if you want to do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat, or just let the kids burn off steam.Rooms are appointed with cherry furnishings, including oversized headboards and armoires. Bathrooms feature marble floors and Chinese granite countertops. Impressive views of the downtown skyline or Centennial Olympic Park are available from some rooms -- be sure to request one. The suites here include huge living/dining areas with wet bars. If you're in Atlanta for a very special occasion and don't have a problem dropping $2,000 a night, ask for The Omni Suite. This three-bedroom, four-bathroom, two-level suite extraordinaire is where media mogul Ted Turner stays when he is in town. Sadly, a room search for Turner relics came up empty; not even a forgotten workout video was to be found. Eleven rooms have been modified for visitors with disabilities. Signs around the hotel are written in Braille, and each guest room has a strobe fire alarm for deaf guests. While these digs are comparable to the Embassy Suites just across the street, service here is just a tad better. If you're traveling with kids, don't forget to ask about the Omni Kids program.
Seren-Be Bed and Breakfast Farm
Steve and Marie Nygren have created a retreat on 284 acres of farmland thirty-two miles southwest of Atlanta -- amid rolling meadows, horse pastures, verdant woodlands, and fields of sage. Here, they offer warm Southern hospitality to visitors seeking a place to kick back and relax, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation that offers close encounters with farm animals. Visiting children are invited to play in a treehouse, pet the baby animals, feed the chickens, and otherwise participate in farm chores. Other activities include croquet, occasional hayrides, marshmallow roasts around a bonfire, fishing from a well-stocked lake, hiking along trails dotted with streams and waterfalls, moonlit canoe rides, and antiquing in the nearby town of Newnan.In the 94-year-old house, a rustic recreation room with a working stone fireplace is comfortably furnished and equipped with games, books, puzzles, a TV, and videos. There are also many patios, porches, and gazebos where guests can gather or enjoy their privacy. In the dining room, which has lovely views of the surrounding countryside, you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast -- perhaps cheese grits, baked ham, fresh eggs, fried green tomatoes, and biscuits.The rooms -- all with private bathrooms, one with a Jacuzzi tub -- are charming and unpretentious, with unique features such as knotty-pine floors strewn with rag rugs, antique furnishings, a bed piled high with decorative pillows, and lace-curtained windows. One room has been modified for guests with disabilities. The cottage has its own full kitchen, living room, front porch, and screened dining porch. The lake house has four bedrooms with private entrances and private baths. All share a huge common screened porch.The Nygrens are Atlanta restaurant royalty: Steve, now retired, was the founder of the successful Peasant group (which runs Mick's, City Grill, and others), while Marie is the daughter of Margaret Lupo, who established Mary Mac's Tearoom, a local institution.Facilities: Swimming pool w/adjoining Jacuzzi; exercise room w/equipment; bicycles; conference room w/multimedia equipment; massage; babysitting; communal kitchen and barbecue grill; unstocked fridge; fax and dataport available; complimentary washers and dryers.
Homewood Suites Hotel
This well-run suite hotel is an excellent value, perfect for an extended business stay or a long weekend. The spacious and homey one- and two-bedroom apartment-style suites offer pull-out sofas and large kitchen areas that include full-size appliances, coffeemakers, dishwashers, and toasters. The bathrooms are fairly standard. Some of the two-bedroom suites can easily sleep eight people, making these a great option for large families. The hotel is set back from a busy street, so all the rooms are quiet. Ask for one of the rooms overlooking the pool and patio.Although you won't be within walking distance of most of the Buckhead attractions or the MARTA station, there is a courtesy van that will take you anywhere within a 3-mile radius. Four suites are accessible to travelers with disabilities. Pets are allowed with a $75 nonrefundable deposit.In addition to a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, there is an evening social Monday to Thursday with complimentary beer, wine, and light snacks or meals. About once a week, the social moves out to the patio for a cookout. If you're in the mood, you can even cook out yourself. There's no restaurant or room service, but delivery is available from several restaurants.
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