Getting to where my party is traveling to Magnimar for the first time and am trying to prepare my introductory box text for their first sight of the city.
The map on page 389 with the road labeled "Lost Coast Road" suggests the party comes in at the Alabaster District/Capital District, but the tone of the district (especially Alabaster) does not imply that it would handle common travelers. Likewise, the description of the gatehouse in the Keystone district implies that this gate is the primary entrance.
Adding to the confusion, north is into the gutter of the book (left side of page), but the map in the Varisia source book suggests that the spur of land on which Magnimar sits is more westerly than northerly oriented.
So where would the party first arrive if they are coming from Sandpoint.
I'd let them enter via the twin gates (with the statues of two wizards?) which leads to the Avenue of Honors.
Regardless, I'd show them one of these two images to give them a feeling for the city.
Ruyan.