No worries about staying healthy in San Francisco. The water's A-OK to drink, food's fresh -- and tasty -- and we tend to be a fit bunch. That said, you can spend your vacation in your hotel room if you wear shoes impractical for hiking the city's hills, or if you catch a cold because you don't dress for winter, spring, and summer -- which often occur all in 1 day. Also, consider bringing pants with expandable waistbands, because you'll probably overindulge in San Francisco's restaurants.

What To Do If You Get Sick Away From Home

In most cases, your existing health plan will provide the coverage you need. But double-check; you may want to buy travel medical insurance instead. Bring your insurance ID card with you when you travel.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure. For conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or heart problems, wear a MedicAlert identification tag (tel. 888/633-4298; www.medicalert.org), which will immediately alert doctors to your condition and give them access to your records through MedicAlert's 24-hour hot line.

Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage and keep them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise, they won't make it through airport security. Also bring along copies of your prescriptions in case you lose your pills or run out. Don't forget an extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses.

Staying Safe

San Francisco is as safe as any big city, and requires only that you use common sense (for example, don't leave the new video camera on the seat of your parked car). However, in neighborhoods such as Lower Haight, the Mission, the Tenderloin (a few blocks west of Union Square), and Fisherman's Wharf (at night especially), it's a good idea to pay attention to yourself and your surroundings.