Darigayos - Paraoir Beach.
Site of Camp Spencer, the General Headquarters of the USAFIP-NL during the liberation of Northern Luzon and also the landing site of the American submarine that brought supplies for the forces. It can be reached thru the road leading to the Bacnotan Cement Industries in barangay Bitalag, Bacnotan.
Blanket weaving.
Wooden looms operated manually are still used to weave blankets in Bangar, 38.5 kilometers northward frm San Fernando.
Presidential Resthouse.
Predominantly made of bamboo and other local materials, the beautiful structure is located in Sta. Rita, Agoo. The place is ideal for group outings, conferences and sports activities.
Christ on the Mount.
Likened to the "Christ on the Andes" of Chile and Argentina, this landmark stands atop a hill overlooking the town of Tubao, along the Marcos Highway.
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Pindangan Ruins.
The remnants of the first church of San Fernando, built of coral stones in 1674. This was the center of the settlement that was to become the capital town of San Fernando.
Bauang Beach.
A stretch of grayish sand beach in barangays Baccuit and Paringao, about six kms. south of San Fernando. Resort, hotels and cottages line the area providing accommodation and amenities to visitors. The calm, crysstal water is ideal for swimming, waterskiing, windsurfing and boating.
Marcos Park.
Located on the Maliligayang Bundok of Palina, Pugo, 64 kms. away from San Fernando. It features a sprawling 18 hole golf course complete with pyramid-shaped clubhouse, viewdecks, swimming pool, conference hall and hostel.
La Union has 20 municipalities with San Fernando as the capital. It has a land area of 1,493.1 sq. km.
The province was created by virtue of a "Superior Decreto" issued on March 2, 1850 by Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco. It was born out of the fusion of towns from the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan and later some towns of Benguet. Its establishment as a province was formally approved by a Royal Decree of Queen Isabela II of Spain on April 18,1854.
The province has flourished since its creation in 1850 to the present. San Fernando, the capital is the administrative regional center for Region I.
The province experiences two pronounced seasons - dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Mean temperature for the lowlands is greater than 7°C compared to the highlands. Coolest temperature occurs during December to February ranging from 24°C. Hottest months are April and May.
Ilocano is the common dialect of the people. English and Pilipino are widely spoken and still remain as basic tools of instruction in schools.
Major industries are farming and fishing. Principal products are rice, corn, tobacco, garlic, sugarcane and cassava. Grapes are mostly grown in Bauang, La Union
Cottage industries include blanketweaving, basketry, shellcraft, broom making, pottery-making, blacksmithing, jewelry making, among others.
Furniture making is another industry known in La Union. La Union is also well-known for its "basi" - making industry. "Basi" a favorite native wine of the Ilocanos is made from fermented sugarcane juice, boiled with pounded duhat bark and guava leaves, thus giving it a reddish color.
Points of interest.
San Nicolas Beach. Once an entry point of Japanese traders furing the pre-Spanish time earning for Agoo the name "Puerto de Japon. A Japanese shrine stands on the area near Agoo Playa Hotel.
Bacsil Ridge. Located 9 kilometers northeast of San Fernando town proper, Bacsil Ridge constituted the East Flank of the 121st Infantry of the USAFIP-NL during the liberation and was also the last bastion of the retreating Japanese Imperial Army in the Province.
Museo Iloko. Located beside the Agoo Municipal building, it houses religious artifacts, antique furniture, pocelain wares and miniature dolls depicting Filipino traditions.
Museo de la Union. The museum can be found west-northwest of the Provincial Capitol of La Union. It showcases archaeological finds in La Union.
White Sand. Favorite for snorkeling and skindiving. This white sand beach in Poro Point is reached by banca from Bauang beach. Farther out into the sea are scuba diving spots.
San Francisco - Canaoay - Pagudpud Beach. Privately owned cottages and smaller resorts line this stretch of beach in San Fernando.
San Juan Beach. Investors are eyeing this area north of San Fernando to be developed for tourism purposes. From November to February, the surf is ideal for amateur surfers.
Marcos Bust. The bust of former President Marcos is located on a vantage point in Palina, Pugo along the Marcos Highway. Inspite of the controversy regarding its construction, many still love to seeit amidst the beautiful scenery.
Privincial Capitol. An imposing yellow building built during the American regime, now seat of the Provincial Government of La Union. It rests atop a hill at the southern prtion of San Fernando, overlooking the panoramic San Fernando Bay.
Festivals:
Semana Santa. This nationwide religious festivity is celebrated in the town of Agoo in a simpler way. Flagallation is not a practice. Processions are common. The town is teeming with visitors during the Good Friday procession. Carrozas bearing life-size images are usually pulled by the people along the town´s processional routes
Feast of St. William. San Fernando, La Union celebrates its fiesta in honor of St. William. February 9 is the feast day but activities usually last for a week
Special Interest
Diving Areas:
Black Buoy. Marking the right side of the channel in departure located at the mouth of San Fernando, La Union Harbor. The reef is mostly flat on top and to the east, 30-40 feet deep. Best area is about 100 yards north of the buoy along the drop - off in 40-70 feet of water. Caverns and coral heads with lobsters and nice grouper up to 100lbs., also nurse sharks and large turtles have been seen.
Cement Plant. Located north of San Fernando, about 12 miles by boat is a 3-10 ft. reef which drops 60 ft. and runs north for about 50 miles. This area is excellent for beach dives. The entry and the exit over the edge of the reef can be quite dangerous though when the surf is up.
Fourteen Mile Reef. A must for the serious, experienced diver. Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes on a 165 radial from the Poro Point will put you on a large almost virgin reef which is actually an extension of the western edge of the Lingayen Gulf. You are almost completely out of sight of landmarks so the services of a local boatman is a must. The reef is several miles long. Depths range from 10-120 ft. with the western edge dropping away to over 800 ft. Excellent for shells, fishing, photography or just sightseeing. Nearest land is the island off the town of Bolinao, Pangasinan to the south, with the palm trees of the nearest island just barely seen on the horizon.
Tamyo Reef. South of Poro Point is small deeper reef known locally as Tamyo. Water is 40-85 ft. with remarkable crevices. Several large fish have been taken here. Good lobstering at night.
Research Reef. Less than a mile south of Tamyo reef. Several tunnels, caverns and crevices make it an excellent dive. Beginners must beware of caverns as some are a tight fit and go in quite far.
Fagg Reef. Located at 330 approximately 2 miles from the tip of Poro Point. Large flat reef at 40 ft. with sharp drop-offs to the north and west sides. Best area is to the north, drop in and drift with the current to the north south( from June to January). Coral heads big enough for 10 divers to crawl under and still have places for fish to hide. Lobsters are large but hard to find under the coral heads, Morey eels are up to 150 lbs. and 8 ft. long. Sharks barracuda, sea snakes and lots of friendly sea creatures adorn the area. Visivility is nearly excellent always.
Surfing:
Mona Liza. Located in San Juan, La Union. One of the premier spots in the Philippines. Catches swells like a giant magnet, good power on winter swells with jacking peaks long wells and an inside bowl all right. Between Mona Liza´s and Bacnotan is a long stretch of beach with some breaks over sandbars best for beginners.
