San Fernando Attractions

Beaches

Splendid beaches adorn the city’s coastline. It can be found in eleven of the coastal barangays of the city supplementing these are resorts and wide row picnic sheds.

La Union Botanical Garden

Location: Barangay Cadaclan, San Fernando City

The Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on March 2, 1996.

The Garden as main tourist destination is meant to give an accurate impression of the various plant worlds, which grow in tropical, sub-tropical and desert climates. All plants are labeled in their local and scientific names with their origin. It is a country-style garden where plant life and wildlife, ornaments and oddments go hand in hand. The resulting harmony, together with the solitude and peace naturally give the Garden a great therapeutic effect * Shade Garden : displays the shade-loving plants
* Sunken Garden : which has natural terrain of the area
* Fragrance Garden : especially for the blind
* Children’s Garden : which has natural playground
* Medicinal Garden : where dozens of herbs and medicinal plants are cultivated and neatly arrange serves also as a butterfly sanctuary that can surely catch a visitor’s eye.
* Chinese Garden : with a complete scenery of ornamental plants which leads the way up to the White Garden and a View Deck.
* Banana Area and the Garden of Native species which all could be reached through the Mabolo Avenue, lined with opposite rows of Mabolo or Kamagong, (Diospyros philippinesis), a tree specie native to the Philippines.
* Japanese Garden : which gives fitting honor to the Japanese Peace Corp Volunteers, whom planted about 1,500 mango trees in the area about twenty eight years ago.
* Arid Paradise : where several species of cacti and succulents are found.
* Friendship Garden : located just above the Picnic Ground.
* Evergreen Garden
* Palmery
* Arid Collection
* Heliconia Collection
* Small Mulbery and Pineapple Plantations
* Mango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specieMango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specie.
* Aviary : where exotic birds like talking mynah, monkeys, eagles, iguana and other friendly animals were displayed.
* Doña Corazon Ortega Orchidarium : a place of different orchid specie.

Christ the Redeemer

Location: Barangay I (Reservoir Hill)

In grateful thanksgiving to the City of San Fernando and Province of La Union, of Congressman Victor F. Ortega and Former Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega and their family, they personally commissioned the 25 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at Reservoir Hill, overlooking the city proper and San Fernando Bay.

This was inspired by statue of Christ the Redeemer of former Undersecretary Jose “Peping” Mabanta whose wife Belle, that he put up in his retirement home in Pililla, Rizal, similar to that in Brazil. The Ortega family thought it would be good to have similar statue at Bacsil Ridge but Mr. Mabanta suggested that it is better to put up the statue near the city proper. When Mr. Juan Go heard about this, he offered his lot for free. Mr. Juan Go and family donated the 100 sq. meter area on which the statue stands. Having a common dream, a dream of leaving a landmark that would express their gratitude for the love and support from our community.

Kasay Marine Sanctuary

• 30 hectares Kasay MPA- area designated in Barangays San Vicente and Canaoay for the rehabilitation and replenishment of fishery and other coastal resources
• 100 out of 400 coral species in the Philippines are found in the Kasay MPA
• 70-100 years olds coral growth
• Estimated 50 years old giant clam (Tridacna gigas) was found in the MPA
• Location: Barangay Canaoay

Children's Park

Location: Barangay II (City Plaza)

Engineered Sanitary Landfill

Location: Barangay Mameltac)

• 10.6 hectares landfill facility with the following features:
• 3 cells ( good for 15 years )
• leachate collection system
• wastewater treatment system
• material recovery facility
• low cost liner facility

Poro Poimt Special and Freeport Zone formerly Wallace Air Station

Location: Barangay Poro

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Annual City Fiesta - Date: February
The city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Saint William the Hermit, on February 10 with much merrymaking that lasts for about a month.

Bacsil Ridge Celebration - Date: March 19
To commemorate the bravery of the Filipinos during the Battle in Bacsil Ridge in the year 1945 that led to the complete liberation of the town.

Pindangan Festival - Date: March 20
The celebration of the Founding Anniversary of San Fernando as a City ratified during a plebiscite on March 20, 1998 subsequent to Republic Act 8509, authored by then Gov. Victor F. Ortega, converting the municipality into a component city of La Union on February 13 that same year.

Ma-tzu Festival -Date: September 16
September is the feast of the Lady of Caysasay, patroness of the Filipino-Chinese, whose image journeys annually from Batangas and is enshrined at the Ma-cho Temple. TRADE FAIRS

• Rimat ti Amianan Date: December Venue: In front of the City Hall
• City Agri-Trade Fair Date: February Venue: In front of the City Hall
• Baratillo sa San Fernando Date: February Venue: Around the City Market
• Provincial Agri-Trade Fair Date: March Venue: In front of the City Hall
• Night Market Date: Every weekend Venue: In front of the City Hall