Charming tour of San Francisco neighborhoods, plus "fun facts" about the city. Intricate collage illustrations – look for a dog, a cat and a baby in every scene. (Picture book)

"Maybelle was a cable car, a San Francisco cable car …" Big Bill might be a newer, faster bus, but Maybelle is still the best on the steep hills. Irresistible story of how the people of San Francisco saved their beloved cable cars, Maybelle is a perennial children's favorite (ours too). (Picture book)

"Today I moved to a twelve acre rock covered with cement." Moose Flanagan was an ordinary seventh grader, until his dad takes a job on Alcatraz. With humor and honesty, Moose sizes up his new surroundings, where the kids collect convict's baseballs and Al Capone's mother comes to visit. (Chapter book)

Warm, humorous story of Charlie, the cable car who jumps his tracks to see a New Year's parade in Chinatown, and helps out a great Chinese dragon, Chu. "Hey, aren't those WHEELS under the dragon's trail?" (Picture book)

It's 1906, and young Nick has recently arrived in San Francisco. On the night of the earthquake, Nick leads a little girl and her injured mother to safety, and risks his own life to save his employer's golden dog. A fabulous story that conveys the experience of devastation and heroic efforts after the earthquake. (Chapter book)

Absorbing fictional account of a young woman who finds herself in San Francisco on the morning of the big earthquake. Equipped with her camera, she photographs unforgettable scenes of destruction in the city. The author seamlessly interweaves fact and fiction, and actual photos are included in the book. (Chapter book)

"The Earth Dragon is mad." Gripping story of two families during the San Francisco earthquake, and the aftermath, the Great Fire. Wonderful local color – people setting up households on the sidewalk, pumping water from underground cisterns to fight the fire, escaping the city on ferries across the bay. (Chapter book)

A cultural tour of San Francisco's Chinatown. This is a wonderful background for what you'll see – herb shops with unique aromas, stationery stores and calligraphy, the Tin How temple, art galleries with brush paintings, New Year's parades, festivals and dragon lore. (Picture book)

Gorgeously illustrated story that captures the heart of San Francisco. A new imigrant, Ming is left alone to tend store in Chinatown. Befriended by a kind-hearted Irish boy, Ming widens his horizons, and together the boys have a plan to save the store. (Picture book)

Engaging photo story of a San Francisco family as they celebrate Chinese New Year – sweep away the bad luck, buy flowers (symbols of rebirth), put oranges on the family altar, cook special dishes and enjoy a New Year's feast. (Picture book)

Based on a true story, a young boy and his father come to San Francisco, leaving the rest of his family in China. At Angel Island, the boy must prove his ancestry, or be sent back to China. A super story of the immigrant experience. (Chapter book)

Pop's Bridge
Eve Bunting, C.F. Payne

"My pop is building the Golden Gate Bridge." Two boys watch their dads work on the bridge, skywalkers who string the cables, painters, carpenters, riveters, laborers, working together to build the most beautiful bridge. (Picture book)

Endearing true story of Humphrey, a humpback whale, who made a wrong turn and wandered into San Francisco Bay. When Humphrey swims up the Sacramento River, he's in big trouble, but there's a plan to save him. (Picture book)

Editor's note: In May 2007, a mom and baby whale made the same wrong turn.

50 colorful cards, with fun maps on one side, and information on the other, for walks around Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, Union Square, Golden Gate Park, and more, plus how to get there with public transportation. Let the kids pick what to see today! (Guide)