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- For other cities by the name, see San Fernando (disambiguation).
San Fernando is a city, the capital of the province of La Union in the Philippines. It is sometimes referred to with the initials of La Union's name, L.U. (as "San Fernando, L.U."), to distinguish it from the capital city of Pampanga of the same name.
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Understand
[edit | edit source]The site of San Fernando was a thriving hub for trade between Filipinos and overseas merchants from China and Japan during the precolonial era. It was then known as Pindangan, or a place for salting meat and fish. It was conquered by the Spanish in 1572 and renamed San Fernando in 1786. The town became the capital of the province of La Union upon its establishment in 1850. The town was attacked by Japanese forces during World War II due to its military bases and strategic location on a headland that juts out along the La Union coast and saw fierce fighting. It became a legally-designated city in 1998.
It is home to about 125,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
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San Fernando is along Route 2 (Manila North Road). A junction at San Fernando City Plaza leads east towards the highland areas of San Fernando and the neighboring municipality of Bagulin along F. Ortega Highway.
By bus
[edit | edit source]- The air-con bus from Laoag to San Fernando (215 km) takes 6 hours and costs ₱330.
- The air-con bus fare from San Fernando to Dau (Angeles) costs ₱300 and takes 6 hours.
- There are also many buses from Metro Manila, Baguio, and Dagupan.
By plane
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Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of public transportation around town.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ma-Cho Temple, Quezon Avenue. Barangay II. Taoist temple. At 7 stories high, it affords views of the sea. Has gardens and fountains too.
- 2 Christ the Redeemer Statue. A 25 feet (7.6 m) statue of Jesus Christ with arms wide open.
- 3 Poro Point. A headland containing Poro Point Baywalk and Lighthouse. Also don't miss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Built as a tribute to the heroism of the soldiers who fought during the last World War, the marker stands at the junction leading to Poro Point.
- 4 Kasay Marine Sanctuary. It features a 50-year-old giant clam. Formerly Wallace Air Station, this 101 hectares of base land at the end of Poro Point in San Fernando was acquired in 1903 for the United States Cavalry. It was the home of the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron which provided logistics and administrative support to other radar detachments under its chain of command. Turned over by the United States to the Republic of the Philippines on September 16, 1991, the Bases Conversion Development Authority is overseeing the plans for the conversion of the area into a prime tourism and industrial estate.
- 5 Heroes' Hill. This is a nice diversion if you like climbing a staircase to see not much at all.
- 6 Pindangan ruins. Spanish church ruins from 1764 looked after by Carmelite sisters.
- 7 La Union Botanical Gardens, ☏ +63 72 888 6901. Daily 8AM-5PM. Landscaped gardens featuring orchids and aviary specimens, maybe a monkey or two.
- 8 Cathedral of St. William the Hermit, Gomez Street, Barangay II, ☏ +63 938 728 4514, st.williamcathedral@gmail.com. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic church in La Union is housed in a Baroque building built during the Spanish era in the 19th century.
- 9 San Fernando City Plaza. Includes the Battle of San Fernando Marker at the northwestern portion of the Town Plaza with an inscription as to the account of how the Battle was started and won, enabling the establishment of the United States Army Base Base M at Poro Point which was eventually used as a build up area for the projected invasion of Japan.
- 10 Bacsil Ridge, F. Ortega Highway, Bacsil (9 km northeast of San Fernando town proper). The Ridge constituted the East Flank of the 121st Infantry of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP NL) during the Liberation in 1945.
- 11 Gidday Beach, San Vicente. Open 24 hours. A hidden place to enjoy. The overall views are beautiful. Free.
- 12 Poro Point Lighthouse, Poro Point. The view is great. Free.
- 13 The Cliff of Poro, Poro Point. See the beautiful coastline alone with the sunset. Be careful. Free.
Do
[edit | edit source]Go scuba diving. [formerly dead link]
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 La Union Pasalubong Center, #17 Gen. Luna Street, Barangay II. 8AM–6PM. A well-managed government pasalubong center featuring local products of La Union province, some items are comparatively cheaper than in Vigan. Has clean restrooms. Artworks are also exhibited.
Malls, supermarkets and markets
[edit | edit source]- 2 Savemore Market San Fernando, La Union, Rizal Street. 8AM-9PM.
- 3 Puregold-La Union, Pagdaraoan-Biday Road, Pagdaraoan (in Manna Mall), toll-free: +63 72 687 5929, +63 72 687 5930. 9AM-8PM.
- 4 Robinson's La Union, MacArthur Highway, Barangay Sevilla. 9AM-9PM.
- 5 CSI Mall La Union, Pagdaraoan Biday Road. 8AM–7PM.
- 6 Manna Mall, Pagdaraoan Biday Road, Pagdaraoan. 9AM–7PM.
- 7 San Fernando Public Market, Rizal Avenue. 4AM–6PM.
- 8 SM City La Union, Diversion Road, Biday. 10AM–9PM.
- 9 Robinsons Easymart Lingsat, Manila North Road, Lingsat, re4010sm@rsc.com.ph. 7AM-10PM.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Jollibee, Governor Luna Street. Open 24 hours.
- 2 McDonald's-San Fernando, La Union, Rizal Avenue.
- 3 Mang Inasal-San Fernando, La Union.
- 4 Chowking, Governor Luna Street.
- 5 Burger King, MacArthur Highway.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 6 Grumpy Joe La Union, CCC Building, MacArthur Highway. 10PM-9PM. Pizzeria.
- 7 Dencio’s Bar & Grill Restaurant La Union Branch, MacArthur Highway, Pagdalagan Norte. 9AM–8:30PM.
- 8 Kamanggaan Grill and Restaurant, MacArthur Highway, Pagdalagan Norte. 10AM–10PM.
- 9 Halo-Halo de Iloko, Zandueta Street. 9AM–8PM.
- 10 Pares ni Peso San Fernando La Union, Quezon Street. 8:30AM–9:30PM.
- 11 The Northern Point Food Paradise & Skatepark, Pennsylvania Avenue, Poro Point. This food park is perfect for late night dinners, meetings, dates, chill hangouts, etc. In front of the place is a skatepark and it adds character to the establishment.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 12 Amare La Cucina, MacArthur Highway, Barangay Carlatan. 11AM–9PM. Pizza restaurant.
- 13 Pig Out Korean Grill House- La Union, #182 Diversion Road, Purok 3. 10:45AM–10PM.
- 14 Starbucks San Fernando La Union, MacArthur Hi-way corner Guerrero Rd. 6AM–midnight.
- 15 Lampara Kitchen + Bar, #1396 Mabini Street. 11AM–midnight.
- 16 Max's Restaurant, MacArthur Highway. 8AM–9PM. Filipino restaurant chain popular for its fried chicken served with banana ketchup.
- 17 Patio del Sol Seafood Restaurant, #39 San Vicente Road. 8AM–9PM.
- 18 Biryani Station - La Union, P. Burgos Street. 10AM–9PM. Halal restaurant.
- 19 The Food Cartel - Ilocandia City SFC, Manila North Road (in Sea & Sky Hotel).
- 20 The Burrito Hub, #53 F. Ortega Highway. 9AM–8PM. Mexican restaurant.
- 21 Kamarin Bay Grill and Restaurant, San Vicente Road, ☏ +63 92 7401 0980. 9AM–9PM.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Lampara Kitchen + Bar, Mabini Street, Catbangen, ☏ +63 917 334 8262, lamparakitchen@gmail.com. 11AM-10PM.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Plaza Hotel, Quezon Avenue (next to the Plaza), ☏ +63 72 8882996. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Fan single/double with out side bathroom.
- 2 Bu-boat Beach Resort, #136 Baccuit Sur. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 3 Alekin Beach Resort, Taberna, Bauang.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 4 La Union Blue Marlin Resort, Airport Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 5 Balay Ni Manuel Ken Maria, #2 Almeida Street, ☏ +63 9189484391. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 6 J&V Hotel and Resort, Diversion Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 7 Marand Resort and Spa, MacArthur Highway, Bauang. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 8 Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos Poro Point, Poro Point Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 728887777. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
- 9 Aureo La Union, Munar Residence Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 10 Lafaayette Luxury Suites Resort, #353 Baccuit Sur, ☏ +63 9074326377. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 11 Sunset Bay Beach Resort, Airport Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Set on a sandy beach on the shores of the South China Sea, this simple hotel with a garden is 4 km from The Cliffs Golf and Beach Club and 5 km from Ma-Cho Taoist temple, dedicated to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Cope
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through San Fernando |
| Vigan ← San Juan ← | N  S | → Bauang → Manila |