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- For other cities by the name, see San Fernando (disambiguation).
San Fernando, sometimes referred to in short as CSF or SFDO, is a city and capital of the province of Pampanga, known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
Understand
[edit | edit source]While surpassed by Angeles as the largest city and commercial center of Pampanga, San Fernando is the political, administrative, religious and cultural center of Pampanga. It is rich in culture and history, with a downtown filled with historic buildings.
San Fernando is also the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines", and every December, it holds the Giant Lantern (Parol) Festival, showcasing the handmade star-shaped Christmas lanterns created by local crafters. The city also has a Christmas-themed park, which is open all year round.
San Fernando is named after King Ferdinand II of Spain, also the patron of the city. It became the provincial capital in 1904 and a legally-designated city in 2001. It is home to about 378,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]By bus
[edit | edit source]Victory Liner, Genesis Transport, Bataan Transit and Philtranco have buses from Manila westward towards Bataan, Olongapo, and Zambales. There are no buses to Ilocos that stop here.
- 1 San Fernando Central Bus Terminal, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (After Lazatin Boulevard). Open 24 hours. San Fernando's central bus station, serving all bus companies with the exception of Victory Liner, Genesis Transport and Bataan Transit.
- 2 Victory Liner, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Dolores (Station near the Hyundai dealer and Dolores junction). Travels from their terminals in Caloocan and Cubao, Quezon City to Iba, Santa Cruz, and Olongapo. Buses arrive every 5-15 minutes from both directions.
- 3 Genesis Bus Terminal, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Dolores (beside Victory Liner).
By car
[edit | edit source]San Fernando lies at a major highway crossroads; the toll North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), and national highways MacArthur Highway (Manila North Road) and Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA, Gapan-Olongapo Road) meet here.
By plane
[edit | edit source]The nearest airports with passenger flights are Clark International Airport (CRK IATA) in Angeles and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA, MNL IATA) in Manila.
By train
[edit | edit source]Rail service ceased in 1988. While the tracks have long been dismantled, San Fernando's heritage station remained, and is preserved as it is the endpoint of the Bataan Death March (find at #See). The Manila-Clark Railway is under construction since 2018, and the new San Fernando station will be somewhere near the heritage station.
By jeep
[edit | edit source]San Fernando is the central hub of jeepneys from all across Pampanga, including Angeles. There are jeepneys, passenger vans and minibuses going to San Fernando from Malolos, Baliwag, Bocaue, Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and from Gapan in Nueva Ecija.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
By jeepney
[edit | edit source]You can hop onto a colorful jeepney which takes you most corners of the city, but most run only at major roads
See
[edit | edit source]San Fernando has a historical downtown district, containing many heritage buildings dating back to both the Spanish and American colonial eras. There are 32 historical buildings and structures contained in that district, some of them damaged by neglect, repairs, or squatting.
- 1 Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando (San Fernando Cathedral), Consunji St. cor. Gen. Hizon Ave, Santo Rosario (in front of city hall), metropolitancathedralsf@gmail.com. A Neoclassical church that serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando. Originally a wooden church with a thatch roof built in 1754, it was burned by the Filipino revolutionaries under General Antonio Luna, and a Neoclassical church building was built on its place during the American era. It was again burned in 1939, and restored by the Kapampangan architect Fernando Ocampo.
- 2 Paskuhan Village (WOW Philippines Hilaga). Christmas-themed park, open all year round
- 3 Pampanga Provincial Capitol, Capitol Boulevard. American-era Neoclassical building housing the offices of the provincial government of Pampanga
- 4 San Fernando Station. A restored train station along the abandoned Philippine National Railways northern main line. It served as the endpoint of the 102 km (63 mi) Bataan Death March. The restored station houses a well-preserved wooden boxcar used on the "death trains" that carried surrendered soldiers, both Filipino and American, to the rural municipality of Capas in Tarlac.
- 5 Sky Ranch Pampanga, ☏ +63 45 963-7681. Mon-Fri 3PM-midnight, Sat-Sun noon-midnight. Part of SM City Pampanga, it houses Pampanga Eye, a 65 m (213 ft) high Ferris wheel providing a 360-degree view of Pampanga, including San Fernando itself, Mount Arayat and Mount Pinatubo
- 6 Governor Macario Arnedo Park, Capitol Drive. Historical and good for unwinding even though the place is simple. Free.
- 7 Heroes Park, Lazatin Blvd. 6AM–6PM. This is a must visit landmark as it is full of history and heroes. Inside the compound are statues of Filipinos national heroes, mostly those born in Pampanga
- 8 Museum of Philippine Arts and Culture (MOPAC), MacArthur Highway, Ramar Village, San Agustin, ☏ +63 915 475 2725, adfmopac@gmail.com. 10AM-5PM, closed Mon, by appointment for group tours only Tue and Sun. A privately-owned museum featuring Philippine art, religious artefacts and other items about Filipino culture. PHP300, PHP240 senior citizens and disabled, PHP200 students.
Do
[edit | edit source]Festivals
[edit | edit source]- Ligligan Parul (Giant Parol Festival)(December)
Religiously observances
[edit | edit source]
- 1 Crucifixions at San Pedro Cutud, Barangay San Pedro Cutud. Realistic reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, where penitents, usually men, are crucified on a hill.
Sports
[edit | edit source]- 2 Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center, PHS Boulevard. A giant arena with a seating capacity of 30,000 people, used for conventions, concerts, sports, beauty pageants
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 SM City Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, San Jose (Near NLEX San Fernando Exit), customercare@smsupermalls.com. 10AM-9PM. Giant SM mall at the boundary with Mexico that opened in 2000, with hundreds of shops and restaurants, and the Sky Ranch Pampanga theme park (see #See).
- 2 Robinsons Starmills, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, San Jose (adjacent to SM City Pampanga), toll-free: 045 403 9763Country code missing, 045 403 9764Country code missing. 10AM–9PM.
- 3 S&R Membership Shopping - San Fernando, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, toll-free: +63 (45) 963 7788. 9AM–9PM. A members-only warehouse grocery.
- 4 SM City Telabastagan, MacArthur Highway, Telabastagan, ☏ +63 917 876 1111, +63 908 876 1111, toll-free: 02-8876-1111Country code missing, customercare@smsupermalls.com. 10AM–9PM.
- 5 SM City San Fernando Downtown, V. Tiomico corner Consunji Streets, Santo Rosario, customercare@smsupermalls.com. 10AM–9PM.
- 6 New Public Market, Jose Quiwa Street. 5AM–9:30PM.
- 7 Mareng Cely Pasalubong Center, Eusebio Building, General Hizon Extension, Santa Lucia (at the corner leading to Baluyut Bridge), ☏ +63 967 971 1659. 8AM-8PM. A shop selling various Kapampangan confectionery.
- 8 WalterMart San Fernando, MacArthur Highway, San Agustin, ☏ +63 920 945 6521, wms.operations.sanfernando@waltermart.com.ph. 9AM–9PM.
- 9 Robinsons Supermarket Dolores, MacArthur Highway,Dolores, toll-free: 045 403 9384Country code missing. 7AM-9PM.
- 10 Jumbo Jenra Dolores, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Dolores (before the flyover and beside KFC), toll-free: 045 403 9321Country code missing, jasa.cs@jumbojenra.com.
- 11 Jumbo Jenra Sindalan, MacArthur Highway, Sindalan, ☏ +63 968 891 6897, sindalan.cs@jumbojenra.com.
- 12 Robinsons Easymart Capitol Boulevard, Capitol Boulevard, Santo Niño, toll-free: 045 963 7733Country code missing, re498sm@rsc.com.ph. 7AM-10PM.
- 13 Puregold Jr. Cafe Fernandino, MacArthur Highway, Dolores (in front of Monumento Fernandino). 8AM-9PM.
- 14 Puregold Jr. San Fernando, MacArthur Highway, Dolores (in front of Our Lady of Sorrows Church).
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 The Orange Bucket, Cajun-Fusion Restaurant, MacArthur Highway. Open 24 hours. a Cajun-Fusion seafood restaurant.
- 2 Funside Ningnangan-San Fernando Branch, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–11PM. Very affordable place if you want high quality seafoods. It's super Pinoy.
- 3 Baja California Foodhouse. Mexican food restaurant. ₱600–800.
- 4 Jeju Island Korean Restaurant, MacArthur Highway (located in: Kingspire Business Centre). noon–10PM.
- 5 Shrimp Avenue San Fernando Branch, #16 Kalayaan Service Road. 11AM–9PM. Authentic Cajun seafood and baby back ribs.
- 6 Yoshimeatsu San Fernando, MacArthur Highway (in C3 Dash Building). 11AM–9PM.
- 7 Grumpy Joe, #140 MacArthur Highway. 10:30AM–9PM.
- 8 Aling Lucing Sisig - San Agustin, MacArthur Highway. the inventor of the famous Sisig (grilled and diced pork face). Up to ₱199.
- 9 The Royal Place by JPS, #699 Don Ramon Ave, San Agustin. 10:30AM–10PM. America/Italian food restaurant. This place offers foods and beverages. it also caters for small events in their second floor as long you put a reservation.
- 10 Cheryls Kitchen and Bakeshop, Lebanon Street corner Milano, St. Dominic Villa. 9AM–6PM.
- 11 Hungry Neighbors PH CSFP, MacArthur Highway. 11AM–11PM. American food restaurant.
- 12 Souq Pampanga, Lazatin Boulevard. 10AM–9PM. Filipino food restaurant. Try the Lechon Kawali Kare-Kare, Okoy, or Crispy Sisig. ₱400-600.
- 13 Laqui Tyan, Lot 7, Block 3, Lazatin Boulevard. 7:45AM–9:30PM. Filipino food restaurant. Cheaper than Souq Pampanga. ₱200–400.
- 14 Pipanganan Capampangan, #2000 MacArthur Highway. 9AM–8PM. Filipino buffet restaurant.
- 15 Onyangs Chicken Bagnet, MacArthur Highway. 4–10PM.
- 16 LALA Garden Café, Purok 1, San Isidro, ☏ +63 956 256 9989, lalagardencafe.csf@gmail.com. 8AM-12MN. A Korean-style bakery and cafe that also serves rice meals. PHP180-800.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Café Amazon-San Fernando Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (in PTT San Fernando 3 Station). 10AM–midnight. The cafe has the most delectable Mille cake on this side of San Fernando, Pampanga. Layers of crepe between crème and mangoes, it’s a light airy cake that is different than your usual sponge. A must try when you have the chance! The coffee selection was good.
- 2 Diplo Fleur Café, The Parkside, Jumbo Jenra, Dolores Intersection. noon–2AM. Pasta, hot and cold coffee.
- 3 Café Essa, Unit 100 CJG Building MacArthur Highway Barangay, ☏ +63 949 143 1744, cafe.essasf@gmail.com. 9AM-10PM.
- 4 Croissants De Pampanga Café, Lazatin Boulevard, Dolores, ☏ +63 915 953 5055, croissantsdepampanga2020@gmail.com. 9AM-10:30PM.
- 5 Black Scoop Cafe - Pampanga, Dela Paz Norte, ☏ +63 926 927 0919, blackscoop.csfp@gmail.com. 9AM-9PM.
- 6 The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Laus Group Complex), ☏ +63 9177013566. 8AM-1AM.
- 7 Primero Coffee Ph - Del Rosario, Pampanga, primerocoffeeph@gmail.com. 24 hours open.
- 8 Coffee Project, ☏ +63 9282434178. 8AM-9PM.
- 9 Paya Street Coffee, Unit 2, Margaret Building, Don Ramon Village, San Agustin, ☏ +63 906 246 6496, payastreetcoffee@gmail.com. 7AM-9:30PM.
- 10 Café Amazon San Fernando Pampanga, Dolores Flyover & Jose Abad Santos Avenue Juliana, ☏ +63 945 159 4627, maxecafe@yahoo.com. always open.
- 11 Pueblo Coffee by BCFH - San Isidro, Era Zone Bldg, Kalahi Street, Industrial Road Brgy San Isidro, pueblocoffee12@gmail.com. 8AM-10PM.
- 12 Brewhub Coffee, Orchards Community Place Brgy, ☏ +63 9678901492.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Microtel Pampanga, LGC Blvd. LausGroup Complex, Jose Abad Santos Ave, ☏ +63 999 223 0308, +63 917 854 0862, toll-free: +63 45 402 8888, pampanga@microtel.ph. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 2 RedDoorz Plus @ Casa Lucia Sindalan San Fernando City Pampanga, Magsaysay, ☏ +63 2 8249 8745. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 3 Bendix Hotel, 2MQJ+P2C, ☏ +63 45 961 2378, sales@bendixhotel.com.ph. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,000-5,000.
- 4 Hotel Gracelane, MacArthur Highway, San Agustin, ☏ +63 45 961 3696, toll-free: +63 45 455 5555, info@hotelgracelane.com.ph. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱2,500.
- 5 Hotel Mara, MacArthur Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 6 Azure North Residences in Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. ₱3,500.
- 7 OYO 425 Residences By Sirc, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (at the back of SM City Pampanga). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 8 King's Royal Hotel and Leisure Park, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Macable. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,120 - 11,686.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]A low-lying city, San Fernando is highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.
Respect
[edit | edit source]Be respectful when discussing the chronic flooding situation, as many residents have had enough from the long-term disruptions and displacement. Since 2025, protests have erupted in the city after it emerged that public funds meant for the construction of dikes and flood control measures have been embezzled by corrupt politicians, engineers and contractors.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through San Fernando |
| Manila ← San Simon ← | S  N | → Angeles |
| Malolos ← Santo Tomas ← | S  N | → Angeles |
| Gapan ← Mexico ← | E  W | → Bacolor → Olongapo |