Understand
[edit]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.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]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 and Bataan Transit.
- 2 Victory Liner, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Station near the Hyundai dealer). Travels from their terminal in Caloocan to Iba, Santa Cruz, and Olongapo. Buses arrive every 5-15 minutes from both directions.
By car
[edit]San Fernando lies at a major highway crossroads; the toll North Luzon Expressway, and national highways MacArthur Highway and Jose Abad Santos Avenue meet here.
By plane
[edit]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]Rail service ceased on the late 1980s. 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 (under construction since 2018, though still in the clearing process) is planned to open by 2022 or 2024 (from Malolos to Clark Airport), and the new San Fernando station will be somewhere near the heritage station.
Get around
[edit]
By jeepney
[edit]You can hop onto a colorful jeepney which takes you most corners of the city, but most run only at major roads
By tricycle
[edit]See
[edit]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. A Neoclassic 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. M-F 3PM-midnight, Sa-Su 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, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Lazatin Boulevard. 6AM–6PM. This is a must visit landmark as it is full of history and heroes. Inside the compound are statues of our national heroes mostly was born in Pampanga.
Do
[edit]Festivals
[edit]- Ligligan Parul (Giant Parol Festival)(December)
Religiously observances
[edit]
- Crucifixions at San Pedro Cutud (Good Friday) - realistic reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus, where penitents, usually men, are crucified on the hill in the barangay of San Pedro Cutud.
Sports
[edit]- 1 Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center. A giant arena with a seating capacity of 30,000 people, used for conventions, concerts, sports, beauty pageants
Buy
[edit]- 1 SM City Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Lagundi (Near NLEX San Fernando Exit). 10AM-10PM. Giant SM mall opened in 2000, with hundreds of shops and restaurants, and the Sky Ranch Pampanga theme park (see #See).
- 2 Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (adjacent to SM City Pampanga). 10AM–9PM.
- 3 S&R Membership Shopping - San Fernando, Jose Abad Santos Avenue. 10AM–9PM.
- 4 SM City Telabastagan, McArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM.
- 5 SM City San Fernando Downtown, V. Tiomico Street. 10AM–8PM.
- 6 New Public Market - City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Jose Quiwa Street. 5AM–9:30PM.
Eat
[edit]- 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. 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.
Drink
[edit]- 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, [email protected]. 9AM-10PM.
- 4 Croissants De Pampanga Café, Lazatin Boulevard, Dolores, ☏ +63 915 953 5055, [email protected]. 9AM-10:30PM.
- 5 Black Scoop Cafe - Pampanga, Dela Paz Norte, ☏ +63 926 927 0919, [email protected]. 9AM-9PM.
- 6 The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Laus Group Complex), ☏ +63 9177013566. 8AM-1AM.
- 7 Primero Coffee Ph - Del Rosario, Pampanga, [email protected]. 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, [email protected]. 7AM-9:30PM.
- 10 Café Amazon San Fernando Pampanga, Dolores Flyover & Jose Abad Santos Avenue Juliana, ☏ +63 945 159 4627, [email protected]. always open.
- 11 Pueblo Coffee by BCFH - San Isidro, Era Zone Bldg, Kalahi Street, Industrial Road Brgy San Isidro, [email protected]. 8AM-10PM.
- 12 Brewhub Coffee, Orchards Community Place Brgy, ☏ +63 9678901492.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Microtel Pampanga, LGC Blvd. LausGroup Complex, Jose Abad Santos Ave, ☏ +63 45 402 8888, [email protected]. 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, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,000-5,000.
- 4 Hotel Gracelane, McArthur Highway, San Agustin,, ☏ +63 45 961 3696. 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 Sky Hotel Pampanga, Sitio Gugu Bridge, Bacolor. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱2,640-3,500.
- 9 King's Royal Hotel and Leisure Park, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Macable. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,120 - 11,686.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through San Fernando |
| Manila ← San Simon ← | S  N
|
→ Angeles |
| Malolos ← Santo Tomas ← | S  N
|
→ Angeles |
| Gapan ← Mexico ← | E  W
|
→ Bacolor → Olongapo |