# San Fernando (Pampanga)

San Fernando$^{[deadlink]}$ is a city and capital of the province of Pampanga, known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.

## Understand

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
### By bus

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.
* 15.03120.67531 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. (updated Oct 2023)
* 15.0391120.6822 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. (updated Oct 2023)

### By car

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

The nearest airports with passenger flights are Clark International Airport (CRK) in Angeles and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA, MNL) in Manila.

### By train

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
### By jeepney

You can hop onto a colorful jeepney which takes you most corners of the city, but most run only at major roads

### By tricycle
## See

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.
* 15.028378120.6931351 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. (updated Jul 2020)
* 15.0513120.6919812 Paskuhan Village (WOW Philippines Hilaga). Christmas-themed park, open all year round (updated Dec 2018)
* 15.02392120.687323 Pampanga Provincial Capitol, Capitol Boulevard. American-era Neoclassical building housing the offices of the provincial government of Pampanga (updated Dec 2018)
* 15.02682120.686664 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. (updated Jul 2020)
* 15.053945120.6967145 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 (updated Dec 2018)
* 15.02464120.687216 Governor Macario Arnedo Park, Capitol Drive. Historical and good for unwinding even though the place is simple. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0284120.67637 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. (updated Sep 2023)

## Do
### Festivals

* Ligligan Parul (Giant Parol Festival)(December)

### Religiously observances

* 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

* 15.02949120.687171 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 (updated Dec 2018)

## Buy

* 15.053120.69761 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). (updated Dec 2018)
* 15.0495120.69792 Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (adjacent to SM City Pampanga). 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0467120.69293 S&R Membership Shopping - San Fernando, Jose Abad Santos Avenue. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.1205120.60224 SM City Telabastagan, McArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0279120.69245 SM City San Fernando Downtown, V. Tiomico Street. 10AM–8PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0253120.69726 New Public Market - City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Jose Quiwa Street. 5AM–9:30PM. (updated Sep 2023)

## Eat

* 15.0614120.65461 The Orange Bucket, Cajun-Fusion Restaurant, MacArthur Highway. Open 24 hours. a Cajun-Fusion seafood restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0601120.655782 Funside Ningnangan-San Fernando Branch, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–11PM. Very affordable place if you want high quality seafoods. It's super Pinoy. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.05898120.656163 Baja California Foodhouse. Mexican food restaurant. ₱600–800. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.05841120.657144 Jeju Island Korean Restaurant, MacArthur Highway (located in: Kingspire Business Centre). noon–10PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.05514120.660825 Shrimp Avenue San Fernando Branch, #16 Kalayaan Service Road. 11AM–9PM. Authentic Cajun seafood and baby back ribs. (updated Sep 2023)
* 0120.66486 Yoshimeatsu San Fernando, MacArthur Highway (in C3 Dash Building). 11AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0497120.66587 Grumpy Joe, #140 MacArthur Highway. 10:30AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0477120.66818 Aling Lucing Sisig - San Agustin, MacArthur Highway. the inventor of the famous Sisig. Up to ₱199. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04974120.670789 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. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.05013120.6718410 Cheryls Kitchen and Bakeshop, Lebanon Street corner Milano, St. Dominic Villa. 9AM–6PM. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04381120.6736211 Hungry Neighbors PH CSFP, MacArthur Highway. 11AM–11PM. American food restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04056120.6725312 Souq Pampanga, Lazatin Boulevard. 10AM–9PM. Filipino food restaurant. Try the Lechon Kawali Kare-Kare, Okoy, or Crispy Sisig. ₱400-600. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04038120.6728313 Laqui Tyan, Lot 7, Block 3, Lazatin Boulevard. 7:45AM–9:30PM. Filipino food restaurant. Cheaper than Souq Pampanga. ₱200–400. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04233120.6755314 Pipanganan Capampangan, #2000 MacArthur Highway. 9AM–8PM. Filipino buffet restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0404120.6792915 Onyangs Chicken Bagnet, MacArthur Highway. 4–10PM. (updated Sep 2023)

## Drink

* 15.04159120.684981 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. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.04049120.680692 Diplo Fleur Café, The Parkside, Jumbo Jenra, Dolores Intersection. noon–2AM. Pasta, hot and cold coffee. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.090125120.630163 Café Essa, Unit 100 CJG Building MacArthur Highway Barangay, ☏ +63 949 143 1744, cafe.essasf@gmail.com. 9AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.034779120.6745774 Croissants De Pampanga Café, Lazatin Boulevard, Dolores, ☏ +63 915 953 5055, croissantsdepampanga2020@gmail.com. 9AM-10:30PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.088247120.631235 Black Scoop Cafe - Pampanga, Dela Paz Norte, ☏ +63 926 927 0919, blackscoop.csfp@gmail.com. 9AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.046873120.6893026 The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Laus Group Complex), ☏ +63 9177013566. 8AM-1AM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.069458120.6472617 Primero Coffee Ph - Del Rosario, Pampanga, primerocoffeeph@gmail.com. 24 hours open. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.049718120.6651078 Coffee Project, ☏ +63 9282434178. 8AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.047639120.6698339 Paya Street Coffee, Unit 2, Margaret Building, Don Ramon Village, San Agustin, ☏ +63 906 246 6496, payastreetcoffee@gmail.com. 7AM-9:30PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.041594120.68501710 Café Amazon San Fernando Pampanga, Dolores Flyover & Jose Abad Santos Avenue Juliana, ☏ +63 945 159 4627, maxecafe@yahoo.com. always open. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.059136120.65633911 Pueblo Coffee by BCFH - San Isidro, Era Zone Bldg, Kalahi Street, Industrial Road Brgy San Isidro, pueblocoffee12@gmail.com. 8AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)
* 15.116639120.60712712 Brewhub Coffee, Orchards Community Place Brgy, ☏ +63 9678901492. (updated Mar 2024)

## Sleep

* 15.0472120.68771 Microtel Pampanga, LGC Blvd. LausGroup Complex, Jose Abad Santos Ave, ☏ +63 45 402 8888, pampanga@microtel.ph. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Aug 2023)
* 15.0758120.6412 RedDoorz Plus @ Casa Lucia Sindalan San Fernando City Pampanga, Magsaysay, ☏ +63 2 8249 8745. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Aug 2023)
* 15.03912120.680383 Bendix Hotel, 2MQJ+P2C, ☏ +63 45 961 2378, sales@bendixhotel.com.ph. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,000-5,000. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.051120.66624 Hotel Gracelane, McArthur Highway, San Agustin,, ☏ +63 45 961 3696. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱2,500. (updated Aug 2023)
* 15.05803120.655345 Hotel Mara, MacArthur Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.046120.69546 Azure North Residences in Pampanga, Jose Abad Santos Avenue. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. ₱3,500. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0516120.70357 OYO 425 Residences By Sirc, Jose Abad Santos Avenue (at the back of SM City Pampanga). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.008120.65558 Sky Hotel Pampanga, Sitio Gugu Bridge, Bacolor. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱2,640-3,500. (updated Sep 2023)
* 15.0228120.67229 King's Royal Hotel and Leisure Park, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Macable. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱3,120 - 11,686. (updated Sep 2023)