Stephen Colbert Steals San Francisco's Tourism Throne

Conde Nast readers decide San Francisco is no longer North America's best tourist destination.

Candlestick Park may have to change its longstanding banner behind the end zone to: San Francisco is no longer North America's No. 1 tourist destination.

The City by the Bay lost its 18-year standing as the most popular tourist travel spot in North America, according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

Who knocked San Francisco off its lofty perch? Charleston, S.C. of all places. Not even a real city like New York could knock off San Francisco.

About 90 percent of the magazine's readers said Charleston was a friendly place, while only 66.9 percent gave San Francisco the same rating.

"It's like winning the Academy Award for tourism," Helen Hill, the head of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the Post and Courier after the city received the top tourist award from Charleston native Stephen Colbert.

It might be time for Robin Williams to come out with another hit movie, or a comedy tour, for San Francisco to get its seat back.

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