Source: Department of Tourism
Fiesta Casino
Try your luck at Fiesta Casino located at Poro Point in San Fernando
Bacsil Ridge
Located 9 kilometers northeast of San Fernando town proper through the San Fernando-Bagulin Road, Bacsil Ridge was the last bastion of the retreating Japanese Imperial Army in the province. Later, 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.
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 the Poro Point.
Battle of San Fernando Marker
Situated at the northwestern portion of the Town Plaza, inscribed as an account of how the Battle was started and won, enabling the establishment of the United States Army Base at Poro Point, which was eventually used as a build up area for the projected invasion of Japan. San Fernando is 264 kilometers north of Manila.
Luna Watchtower
This rotund structure built along the shore in Luna during the pre-Spanish time was used as lookout point for impending attacks by pirates.
Baroro Bridge Marker
The siege of Baroro in Bacnotan started the operation to liberate San Fernando. This marked the first victory of the Luzon Guerillas over a Japanese armed unit before the American Liberation forces landed on Luzon. The marker stands at the southern approach of the bridge approximately 14 kilometers north of San Fernando.
USAFIP, NL Military Shrine and Park
Camp Spencer, the general headquarters of the USAFIP, NL located along Darigayos Cove in Luna, is reserved as a Military Shrine and Park by virtue of Proclamation 590 signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on June 1, 1995. Darigayos is approximately 34.2 kilometers north of San Fernando accessible through the Bitalag Junction in Bacnotan or through Balaoan.
Museo de La Union
Located at the Provincial Capitol ground in San Fernando, the Museum showcases archaeological finds in La Union during the pre-Spanish period. The Museum is open on Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays by appointment.
Pottery-making
Clay products are on display and produced in Taboc, San Juan utilizing the same age-old procedure in pottery-making. Taboc is about 9 kilometers away from San Fernando City.
Blanket-weaving
This age-old practice of weaving wider Ilocano blankets is a prime home industry in Bangar. Rayon, cotton and polyester combination, and the “tinagudan” are yarns used in the weaving of blankets and other products.
Basi-making
Basi, the Ilocano native wine concocted from sugar cane juice and bark of “duhat” tree for the coloring, is a home industry in Lioac, Naguilian. Utilizing the age-old process, the taste of the basi differs from one producer to another.
Museo de Iloko
The old “presidencia” of Agoo houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos. The Museum is open from Monday to Friday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays by appointment.
Bauang Beach
Lined along the fine grayish sand of Bauang Beach from Baccuit to Pagdalagan are establishments providing accommodation and other amenities. The beach is 6 kilometers south of San Fernando.
San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud Beach
Tourism-related establishments dot the beach area in San Fernando.
San Juan Beach
Approximately 8 kilometers north of San Fernando, the beach stretching from Urbiztondo to Ili Norte is dotted with tourism-related establishments. The surf in the area is ideal for amateur surfing during the months of November to February.
Agoo-Damortis National Seashore Park
Declared as a National Park, the beach stretching from Sta. Rita, Agoo up to Damortis, Rosario is proposed for development as a tourist destination in La Union.
Shrine of Our Lady of Charity
The Agoo Basilica enshrines the miraculous image of Our Lady of Charity. This imposing structure of Mexican-Baroque architecture is the venue of religious rites, foremost of which is the Semana Santa.
Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan
The century-old church of St. Catherine in Luna, formerly called Namacpacan, houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Namacpacan, patroness of Ilocano travellers. The shrine is located at the town proper of Luna, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of San Fernando.
Agoo Apparition Site
The much publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary in San Antonio have established Agoo as a destination of Marian devotees.
Macho Temple
This Chinese temple believed to be the only one built with five gates sits on a promontory north of the town proper of San Fernando and overlooks the San Fernando Bay. The temple enshrines the image of the Virgin of Caysasay, the patroness of the Filipino-Chinese residents.
La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden
Located in Sitio Japan, Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union. Showcased are the following: Shade Garden, Sunken Garden, Medicinal Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Evergreen Garden, Arid Paradise, Fragrance Garden, Fernery and Palmery.
Rambak
The upland municipality of Bagulin offers trails and sites for trekking. Its terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous with second growth forests and traversed by the winding Bagulin-Naguilian River. One passes through geological formations, scenic spots and some areas which are being threatened by environmental degradation. Trekking time starts in October. Other sites recommended for trekking activities are the Bebeco, Condura and Dacanay Reforestation in Sto. Tomas, Rosario and Pugo, respectively.
Scuba Diving - Fagg Reef
This is, without doubt, the most famous site in the area. Situated a 40 min boat trip away from La Union, the reef is actually part of the shelf that marks the divide between The Lingayan Gulf and The South China Sea. The site may also be referred to as The Tanks as three WW2 M10 tanks were dropped off a barge at the end of the war and came to rest on a ledge part of the way down the drop-off at 39m. As a result, they have become home to a wide and diverse range of marine life.
Scuba Diving Research Reef
Adjacent to the Bauang Beach, the Research Reef has several tunnels, caverns, and crevices. Beginners must beware of narrow caverns that extend quite far.
It’s not the usual beach setting you have in mind when spending your summer escape. You will not enjoy this place either if your idea of going to the beach is just to make sandcastles or bury yourself with sand (of course with your head still uncovered). BUT, if you are a photographer, this location is where you can capture a distinct part of nature.
The seashore of Luna was replaced with pebbles, which makes it bizarre, if I may say. But I’m sure you’re going to love the place just as I did! Make the most of your vacation by taking pictures of the different sceneries from sunrise to sunset. And to treasure the memories, you can also bring home pebbles with you.
From the City of San Fernando , it’s only an hour away. When you reach the town of Balaoan , just ask for directions among the friendly locals. Don’t forget to wear your inch-high flip flops so that strolling would be more comfortable and exciting!
Green corn is being planted in the Municipality of Tubao as a cash crop after rice. Due to its maturity of 60-70 days after planting, the farmers can plant two crops of corn per year. Marketing of farmers produce is done thru “pakyaw” system whereby buyers come to see the area. The buyer will be responsible for harvesting and packaging. On the second crop where demand of green corn is lower, farmers will let their corn get matured. This will be processed into “cornik” and other recipes. Others will mill it, consumed as substitute to rice and processed into different kinds of cake.
Bamboo basket was one of the major industries in the area. Although production for the past few years declined, the LGU aimed to bring back the industry through the OTOP Program. An OTOP Council was created through Executive Order No. 28 - 2005 issued by Mayor Alexander O. Buquing. The OTOP Council is tasked to develop and promote their bamboo basket.
The guapple, unlike the common guavas found almost anywhere in the country, is a large fruit with a very thick and crispy flesh a tangy sweet taste. It is round to pear-shaped fruit rich in Vitamins A, B and C. A guapple fruit weights 300-500 g. Bauang has 50 farms with a total land area of 50-hectare plantation of guapple. The aim of the LGU is to come up with other products made from guapple such as pies, candles, jam and others, making guapple not only a table top fruit.
Handloom weaving is a process where thread that makes up the warp and weft are interwoven in an upright loom by one or two weavers. Handloom woven products are blankets, pillowcases and towels. Handloom woven products are widely accepted in the Philippines. Wholesalers from other regions come to the place to buy products. Handloom weaving had been the main pre-occupation of the people of Bangar for a long time. It is here where the exquisitely hand-woven blankets, towels and pillow cases emanate. Bangar has been known to be the weaving center of Ilocandia.
Sea urchin may just be a local delicacy and an exotic fare for food lovers but to the Balaoan fisher folks along its coastal waters here, this edible marine resource now housed in fish cages along the coastal areas of Barangays Paraoir and Almeida are now a veritable treasure trove more precious than gold because its growing commercial production now assures regular added income for the residents here who rely mainly on limited marine catches and seasonal farm produce for their existence.
The broom making industry is the alternative source of livelihood next to farming in this upland municipality, Tiger grass, the main raw material for brooms, grows abundantly in this town. For years, soft broom, produced from this upland municipality, is sold popularly in the City of Pines as a Baguio product. It can be that the kind of soil and just the right climate makes tiger grass adopt well only in the area.
