San Fernando

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.

Get in

By bus

• 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 Baguio, and from Dagupan.

By plane

• 1 San Fernando Airport (SFE  ^IATA). No commercial flights. (updated Sep 2019)

See

• 1 Ma-cho Temple. Taoist temple. At 7 stories high, it affords views of the sea. Has gardens and fountains too. (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Christ the Redeemer Statue. The 25-foot statue stands with arms wide open awaiting your company. (updated Oct 2020)
• 3 Poro Point. 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. (updated Oct 2020)
• 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. (updated Oct 2020)
• 5 Heroes' Hill. This is a nice diversion if you like climbing a staircase to see not much at all. (updated Oct 2020)
• 6 Pindangan ruins. Spanish church ruins from 1764 looked after by Carmelite sisters. (updated Oct 2020)
• 7 La Union Botanical Gardens, ☏ +63 72 888 6901. Daily 8AM-5PM. Landscaped gardens featuring orchids and aviary specimens, maybe a monkey or two. (updated Oct 2020)
• 8 Cathedral of St. William the Hermit. (updated Oct 2020)
• 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. (updated Oct 2020)
• 10 Bacsil Ridge (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. (updated Oct 2020)
• 11 Gidday Beach, San Vicente. Open 24 hours. A hidden place to enjoy. The overall views are beautiful. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 12 Poro Point Lighthouse, Poro Point. The view is great. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 13 The Cliff of Poro, San Fernando City, Poro Point. See the beautiful coastline alone with the sunset. Be careful. Free. (updated Sep 2023)

Do

Go scuba diving.

Buy

• 1 La Union Pasalubong Center, #17 Gen. Luna Street. 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. (updated Sep 2023)

Malls, supermarkets and markets

• 2 Savemore Market San Fernando, La Union, Rizal Street. 8AM-9PM. (updated Sep 2016)
• 3 Puregold-La Union, Pagdaraoan-Biday Road (in Manna Mall). 8AM-8PM. (updated Sep 2016)
• 4 Robinson's La Union, MacArthur Highway, Barangay Sevilla. 9AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 5 CSI Mall La Union, Pagdaraoan Biday Road. 8AM–7PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 Manna Mall, Pagdaraoan Biday Road. 9AM–7PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 San Fernando Public Market, Rizal Avenue. 4AM–6PM. (updated Sep 2023)

Eat

Budget

• 1 Jollibee, Governor Luna Street. Open 24 hours. (updated Jun 2023)
• 2 McDonald's-San Fernando, La Union, Rizal Avenue. (updated Jun 2023)
• 3 Mang Inasal-San Fernando, La Union. (updated Jun 2023)
• 4 Chowking, Governor Luna Street. (updated Jun 2023)
• 5 Burger King, MacArthur Highway. (updated Sep 2023)

Mid-range

• 6 Grumpy Joe La Union, CCC Building, MacArthur Highway. 10PM-9PM. Pizzeria. (updated Jun 2023)
• 7 Dencio’s Bar & Grill Restaurant La Union Branch, MacArthur Highway, Pagdalagan Norte. 9AM–8:30PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 8 Kamanggaan Grill and Restaurant, MacArthur Highway, Pagdalagan Norte. 10AM–10PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 9 Halo-Halo de Iloko, Zandueta Street. 9AM–8PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 10 Pares ni Peso San Fernando La Union, Quezon Street. 8:30AM–9:30PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 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. (updated Sep 2023)

Splurge

• 12 Amare La Cucina, MacArthur Highway, Barangay Carlatan. 11AM–9PM. Pizza restaurant. (updated Jun 2023)
• 13 Pig Out Korean Grill House- La Union, #182 Diversion Road, Purok 3. 10:45AM–10PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 14 Starbucks San Fernando La Union, MacArthur Hi-way corner Guerrero Rd. 6AM–midnight. (updated Jun 2023)
• 15 Lampara Kitchen + Bar, #1396 Mabini Street. 11AM–midnight. (updated Jun 2023)
• 16 Max's Restaurant, MacArthur Highway. 8AM–9PM. Filipino restaurant chain popular for its fried chicken served with banana ketchup. (updated Jun 2023)
• 17 Patio del Sol Seafood Restaurant, #39 San Vicente Road. 8AM–9PM. (updated Jun 2023)
• 18 Biryani Station - La Union, P. Burgos Street. 10AM–9PM. Halal restaurant. (updated Jun 2023)
• 19 The Food Cartel - Ilocandia City SFC, Manila North Road (in Sea & Sky Hotel). (updated Jun 2023)
• 20 The Burrito Hub, #53 F. Ortega Highway. 9AM–8PM. Mexican restaurant. (updated Jun 2023)
• 21 Kamarin Bay Grill and Restaurant, San Vicente Road, ☏ +63 92 7401 0980. 9AM–9PM. (updated Jun 2023)

Drink

• Lampara Kitchen + Bar. (updated Jun 2023)
• Dencio’s Bar & Grill Restaurant La Union Branch. (updated Jun 2023)

Sleep

Budget

• 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. (updated Mar 2015)
• 2 Bu-boat Beach Resort, #136 Baccuit Sur. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 3 Alekin Beach Resort, Taberna, Bauang. (updated Jun 2023)

Mid-range

• 4 La Union Blue Marlin Resort, Airport Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 5 Balay Ni Manuel Ken Maria, #2 Almeida Street, ☏ +63 9189484391. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 J&V Hotel and Resort, Diversion Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 7 Marand Resort and Spa, MacArthur Highway, Bauang. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)

Splurge

• 8 Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos Poro Point, Poro Point Freeport Zone, ☏ +63 728887777. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 9 Aureo La Union, Munar Residence Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 10 Lafaayette Luxury Suites Resort, #353 Baccuit Sur, ☏ +63 9074326377. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2023)
• 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. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

Routes through Cauayan

Laoag ← Vigan ←

N  S

→ Bauang → Manila