Bacsil Ridge Monument

San Fernando City is a living museum of a spirited past of La Union. The city is the home of different cultural and historical sites that have made San Fernando City famous.

Pindangan Ruins in the Olden Times

Pindangan Ruins is the vestige of the oldest church in the area, built in May 6, 1786. It symbolizes the union of two sitios, San Vicente de Balanac, a coastal village, and San Guillermo de Dalangdang, a village at the foothills of mountains. Both sitios desired for mutual protection against their assailants, the pirates and the headhunters, through Fr. Jose Torres in 1759. The settlement was named as Pindangan which was derived from the Ilocano word Pindang, a traditional method of drying fish in the locality. On the same date, May 6, 1786, Pindangan was founded as Ministerio de San Fernando in honor of King Ferdinand of Spain. The church was damaged due by an earthquake that occurred in the year 1892.

The Carmelite Nuns built their Monastery in the area given to them by Bishop Victorino Ligot in 1974 and the ruins were uncovered for the people to see and appreciate. The ruins have been preserved during the two hundred years.

The Vicinity of Saint William the Hermit Cathedral

The church was reconstructed by the residents through the efforts of Bishop Santiago C. Sancho in 1947-1949, after it was destroyed during the liberation of the province in 1945, and rededicated on February 10, 1949.

The Tomb of Unknown Soldier

The tomb was built in recognition of the great courage of the soldiers who fought during the last World War. The marker stands at the junction leading to the Poro Point.

The Taoist Ma-Cho Temple

Many Filipino-Chinese honor the image of Ma-zeun at the Ma-cho Temple. The image is believed to have a Christian counterpart known as Virgin of Caysasay, which is found in Taal, Batangas. The building was constructed by skilled workers from Taiwan and was designed by Architect Diokno.

The Historical Bacsil Ridge Monument

Bacsil Ridge is one of the most famous battle sites in the region. The site can be found on a mountainous terrain about 10 kilometers east of the city proper. It was the border of the Japanese Line established in mid-January 1945 and the Joint 121st Infantry Regiment of USAPIF-NI. A monument stands in the ridge to commemorate the hard-fought and won battle in the city.

Moro Watch Tower

Moro Watch Tower Stands as a symbol of the bravery and unity of the earlier residents in their fight against the marauding pirates called "Tirong", who plundered the Ilocos seacoasts more than 400 years ago. The watch tower was turned over to the City Government on June 29, 2007.

La Union Science Centrum & Museum

La Union Science Centrum and Museum (LUSCM), the first-ever interactive hands-on discovery museum in the North, provides a practical and exciting alternative to formal education through interactive exhibits and its portable Planetarium. LUSCM is a learning center for everyone. It is an environment where science is portrayed as a dynamic and active process more than just a collection of facts and figures. It encourages children and adults alike to explore, interact, and appreciate science and technology, culture and environment.

A museum, collections coming from the formerly the Museo de La Union, was also instituted to augment the science interactive exhibits aiming to preserve the rich local history of La Union.

Poro Point Boardwalk

Another prided attraction of the city is the Poro Pint Boardwalk. Billed as the “Key West of the Philippines”, it is the home of the Presidential Rest House, the Catalnaan. There is a Philippine Navy Detachment strained south of the point and now being occupied by the Philippine Air Force.

The Battle of San Fernando Marker

The Battle of San Fernando Marker is located 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.

The Baroro Bridge Marker

The Baroro Bridge Marker was the site of the first victory by the Luzon Guerillas over a Japanese armed unit before the American Liberation Forces landed in Luzon.

Eagle of the North Park

Eagle of the North Park is located in La Union, Philippines. It is a huge statue of an eagle standing like a sentinel at the entrance of the Marcos Highway to Baguio City.

USAFIP, NL Military Shrine and Park

The USAFIP, NL Military Shrine and Park, formerly called Camp Spencer, was the General Headquarters of USAFIP-NL, located along Darigayos Bay in Luna. The camp today was reserved as a Military Shrine and Park by virtue of Proclamation 590 signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on June 1, 1995.

How to get to La Union?

From Manila, there are various bus lines that offer trips to La Union. Air conditioned bus firms (Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit, Partas, Fariñas, Maria de Leon, and Viron) depart from terminals in Manila bound for Ilocos. The destination can either be La Union, Narvacan, Vigan, Laoag, or Abra.

San Fernando City, La Union's capital, lies 273 km. from Manila. Travel time is about 5 hours by land and 30 minutes by air. Also, it is about an hour’s drive from Baguio City.

Getting around La Union! You can take jeepneys and mini-buses with fixed routes at a minimal fare. Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are commonly used to access must-see places in between towns. Rented transportation that plies this town is also available which will bring you to the city proper.

Nearest Accommodations: There are many inns, pension houses, and hotels located in and around San Fernando.
•    Oasis Country Resort - Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    China Sea Beach Resort - China Sea Beach Resort
•    Hotel Ariana - Paringao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines
•    Bali Hai Beach Resort - Parungao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines