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Browsing San Francisco
111 Minna Gallery
Part art gallery, part nightclub, part performance venue, 111 Minna Gallery is a rotating space catering to a chic and urban crowd interested in art in all forms. The gallery first opened in 1993, and has since set the scene for an influx of local and international artists and DJs in the 4,200 square foot space. The cosmopolitan warehouse-like dwelling is in the SOMA neighborhood in downtown San Francisco and hosts different art exhibitions every six weeks, transforming the gallery according to the art. Check the 111 Minna website for each week's calendar of events for both art exhibitions and events at night when the gallery morphs into the club scene.
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16th Avenue Steps
The 16th Avenue Steps are covered by a beautiful tile mosaic covering 163 steps with imaginative fish, water, and animal imagery. This celebration of color is a group effort; San Francisco artists Aileen Barr and Collette Crutcher gave guidance to over 300 neighbors who helped with the project. In addition, over 220 individuals donated handmade tiles to produce an innovative work of community art. This work of art is not just a celebration of local talent, but also a demonstration of San Francisco's unique (and often preposterous) topography. This is one of the city's many dizzying climbs that you won't forget.
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49 Geary
49 Geary is something of a hidden treasure for art lovers; tucked away in an otherwise nondescript building in the Financial District, the tiny elevator opens to floor after floor of ravishing displays and exquisite collections. This collection at 49 Geary houses many of the most well known San Francisco contemporary art galleries all under one roof: Catharine Clark, Haines, Fraenkel, Robert Koch, Scott Nichols, Patricia Sweetow, and Brian Gross are just a few of the galleries that you will find on the second through fifth floors. This is an excellent place to prove that you're in the know when it comes to finding the city's finest quality artwork.
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49 Mile Scenic Drive
Discover San Francisco by cruising along the 49 Mile Scenic Drive, which is literally a 49 mile circuit linking the best neighborhoods and sites within the city. Simply follow the signs that feature a seagull with the words "Scenic Drive" in red. The route is a connected loop and drivers can begin their journey anywhere along the way. Featuring everything from gardens to famous streets and lookouts, the drive is a great way to explore the city on this self-guided tour. The drive spans the city from the San Francisco International Airport in the east, the Embarcadero and the Presidio in the north, and stretches as far south as Stow Lake in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The San Francisco Downtown Association created the famous drive in 1938 to showcase the treasures within the city and although the route has changed since its creation, the idea is the same: to discover the beautiful city at your own pace.
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Alamo Square
Hailed as one of the most photographed nooks in all of San Francisco, this park is located on the slopes of one of the city's infamous hillsides, affording picturesque views of the downtown area--including the iconic TransAmerica Building on clear days. In the foreground of your view will be the row of "Painted Ladies," six brightly colored and beautifully well-kept Queen Anne houses, instantly recognizable to anyone who's seen the opening credits to the hit-but-defunct sitcom Full House. Swing by for a quick snapshot, or stick around to enjoy what is one of San Francisco's very fine parks, a quiet retreat from the bustling city all around you.
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Alcatraz Island
No longer a prison for some of America's most dangerous offenders, Alcatraz is part of the National Park Service and is a must-see for visitors to the city. Once on the island, you will certainly be captivated by its history and its incredible beauty. Take your camera because regardless of the view, a photo opportunity awaits. Also, dress in layers (even during the summer months) because the island can be breezy and inside the prison walls it is cold and damp. If you want to scare your kiddies into good behavior, there is a cellhouse audio tour of Alcatraz; for more info check out the website.
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Alta Plaza
John McLaren, who created Golden Gate Park, designed Alta Plaza Park in 1910 after choosing the site for its spectacular vista point. Alta Plaza's sprawling views include those of Marin, downtown San Francisco, and the entire bay. In addition, its posh location makes it a perfect place for dog-walking, playing with children, or picnicking before a day of mansion-spotting in the Pacific Heights. The first Sunday of the month is affectionately known as Pug Day, so come to witness the city's finest collection of wrinkly-faced pups.
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Amoeba Records
Amoeba Records is the largest independent record store in the world, and certainly the most fun. Located in the pulsing heart of the Haight-Ashbury district, Amoeba houses any music you desire, no matter how obscure or hard to find. From recordings of Allen Ginsberg's spoken-word to Pakistani sacred Quwwali music, your deepest, darkest, rarest musical desires will be found here. Legend has it that the cavernous store was once a bowling alley before being converted to San Francisco's new mecca of music. Amoeba's staff displays a frightening knowledge of music trivia along with multiple facial piercings. Amoeba is also a great place to watch punk rockers brush up against classical buffs as they peruse 24,000 square feet of music. Amoeba buys and sells CDs, Vinyl, 45s, 78s, and DVDs of all genres.
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Anchor Steam Brewery
Anchor Steam Brewery offers an opportunity to see one of the most traditional and handsome breweries in the country. Anchor Steam is made using brewing methods that are virtually unchanged since its inception in 1896. The brewery offers a tour of its three stores, a history of its handmade brewing process, and perhaps most important, a generous beer-tasting session afterwards. Make reservations early, as tour groups fill up quickly. You can stumble around Potrero for the good weather after the tour.
Children are allowed, but of course cannot sample the beer. The tour is free of charge. The tour takes approximately 40-45 minutes, with approximately an hour of tasting afterward. More »
Angel Island State Park
What was once a gateway to the United States for Asian immigrants, today is the State Park and recreational area of Angel Island. The island has a rich history and has been used for a variety of purposes during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, but Angel Island is most known for its use as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. The 740-acre island is now a popular retreat from the city where visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, and more. The island features a small harbor area where boats can dock for the day. Hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the bay, the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, and Mt. Tam. State Park volunteers run tours, including the recently added Segway tours, of the island and there is a visitor center at Ayala Cove on the North side of the Island. Ferries run regularly from San Francisco, Tiburon, and Oakland.
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Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is a great way to discover the San Francisco Bay. Explore the wonders the Bay as you walk through crystal clear tunnels surrounded by sharks, eels, octopi and thousands of marine animals indigenous to its waters. This is your chance to go face-to-face with the Pacific's most fascinating residents. See, touch, learn and discover the San Francisco Bay in an adventure you will never forget.
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Aquatic Park
Located at the west end of Fisherman's Wharf near Russian Hill, San Francisco's Aquatic Park is the scenic center of San Francisco's maritime history. The Aquatic Park offers a visitor's center, a museum of maritime history and navigation, and a view of historic ships. Its location, with its park benches and lush gardens, makes it a perfect location to fly kites, play bocce ball, or to explore the city's unique maritime history.
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Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. Its holdings include nearly 15,000 treasures spanning 6,000 years of history, representing cultures throughout Asia. The museum's new home is the result of the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the city's former Main Library, a 1917 beaux arts – style building. Renowned architect Gae Aulenti oversaw the dramatic transformation of the building — now featuring 40,000 sq ft of gallery space — allowing the museum to better fulfill its mission of leading a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture.
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Baker Beach
Rugged mile-long Baker Beach contains the ultimate view of the Golden Gate Bridge, smooth sands, and views across the bay. Small and scenic, Baker Beach is one of the most cherished beaches in San Francisco. Baker Beach's location protects it from the winds found at Ocean Beach and also makes it one of the cleanest beaches in the bay, free of kelp and floating debris of any kind.
Baker Beach has acquired a bit of a reputation over the years--the now infamous Burning Man festival was conceived here before moving out to the austere Nevada desert. The north corner of the beach has achieved minor notoriety for attracting clothing-optional sunbathers. For all other visitors, remember to bring layers, as it can be cold--even during the summer months. More »
Balclutha
At the end of Hyde Street Pier you will find a National Historic Landmark adding her graceful masts to the maritime skyline--the Balclutha. This steel hull square rigger was built in 1886 and has had an illustrious life, from hauling grain around The Cape to starring in the 1935 film Mutiny on the Bounty. Easily explored, this bit of history sitting in the bay is worth a visit, especially if you are interested in sailing ships.
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Bank of America and Carnelian Room
Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, the Bank of America building is one of the tallest in the city. The former World Headquarters of Bank of America, the skyscraper is now a collection of financial offices in the thriving center of the city's financial district.
The Carnelian Room, housed in the top floor, offers elegant dining and an unparalleled atmosphere. Famous both for its excellent service and for its panoramic views of the city, the Carnelian Room is an unforgettable dining experience. The Carnelian Room is also famous for its impressive wine collection to accompany its flawless dishes. Make reservations and dress smart, because the Carnelian Room is a coat and tie affair. More »
Bank of Canton
From 1847-1849, this was the site of the first newspaper in San Francisco, The California Star, published by Sam Brannan. The Bank of Canton was originally built to house the Chinese Telephone Exchange in 1909 after the first building was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake. The female telephone operators who worked here each spoke not only English but also five dialects of Chinese. They also memorized the names of every one of their customers because in Chinatown people would want to be connected to a name, as it was considered to be rude to refer to a human being as a number. Therefore, to tell people with the same name apart, they also knew all of their addresses and job titles. The Telephone Exchange was closed in 1949, and the Bank of Canton took over the site in 1960. The building is a whimsical landmark and a historical part of Chinatown.
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Berkeley Sauna
The Berkeley Sauna has provided massages, hot tubs, and saunas to the East Bay since 1977. Hidden away in a street off of University Avenue, Berkeley Sauna is the perfect place to get away from the stress of the city. It offers three types of massages (Esalen, Swedish, and Deep Tissue) guaranteed to rub out any tension you may have, as well as saunas and hot tubs to soak in the experience. Berkeley Sauna is a family business and offers friendly service with a knack for putting you at ease. Call to make reservations.
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Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Housed in a massive four-story Beaux-Arts building, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium hosts everything from rock concerts to black-tie galas. The Civic Auditorium occupies an entire block in San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza, neighboring the Opera House, Symphony Hall, and San Francisco's elegant City Hall.
This 7,000-seat auditorium is the premiere location to check out San Francisco's biggest attractions. Following the spectacle, you can visit one of the many cafes, French bistros, or restaurants in the surrounding Hayes Valley neighborhood. More »
Bocce Ball Courts
There is nothing quite like the sport of bocce ball: the Zen art of lazily lobbing small, hard balls next to other small, hard balls in groomed courts. Traditionally an Italian sport, North Beach retains this sport while giving it a San Francisco flavor. Bocce balls are clinked in courts that overlook Alcatraz and San Francisco Bay. Hipsters, yuppies, as well as retirees can be seen playing the game together, both honoring the tradition of holding a glass of red wine in one hand while delivering a shot with the other.
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Boudin at the Wharf
A tradition since the Gold Rush, Boudin Bakery has been consistently providing San Francisco with its baked goods since 1849. Boudin has a particular claim to fame: originally founded by a group of French artisinal bakers, Boudin combined Bay Area Sourdough bread with the French culinary expertise to provide San Francisco with its signature dish: sourdough french bread.
Boudin at the Wharf provides a Bakery Museum and Bakery Tour, as well as a Gourmet Marketplace to stock up on baked goods or coffee. Visit Boudin Bistro upstairs for an elegant meal with an excellent waterfront view, delicious food, and, of course, plenty of fresh-baked bread. More »
Britex Fabrics
Colors, textures, patterns, notions, buttons--Britex Fabrics has everything a seamstress/person or tailor could ever imagine wanting. The shop is four stories high and contains too many varieties of fabrics and designs to count, as well as offering a selection of 30,000 buttons on the third floor.
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Buena Vista Park
The oldest of San Francisco's parks, Buena Vista Park offers dazzling views of the city. Nestled between Haight-Ashbury and Lower Haight neighborhoods, Buena Vista Park, with its winding paths and natural beauty, allows you to escape the city. Its collection of winding staircases and dense thickets creates a natural space that evokes the wilderness that existed before the construction of the city.
Prepare yourself for steep climbs and breathtaking views, as Buena Vista Park ("good view park") overlooks all of San Francisco. Through dense foliage, you can glimpse the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, and many other neighborhoods among the beautiful trees and exotic flowers. More »
Buffalo Paddock in Golden Gate Park
One of San Francisco's quirkiest and little-known attractions is the herd of buffalo that lives in Golden Gate Park. Opened in 1892, around the time that the great American Buffalo was on the verge of extinction, this Paddock has been around for over 100 years. When first established, the park was a "free-range zoo" consisting of bison, bears, elk, goats, and many more animals. Today, the buffalo live in a corral (as opposed to the zoo down the road) grazing and playing, just waiting for folks to come and see them. If you are spending any time in Golden Gate Park, stop by to say hello to one of North America's most famous animals.
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Cable Car Museum
If you want to know how a cable car works, this is the place to learn. The world's first cable car rests here and with it a concise explanation of how those little cable cars go halfway to the stars. In an underground viewing area, you can look at the system's enormous cable wheels, which pull 11 miles of cable at 9.5 miles per hour. The cable cars move by clamping onto it and stop by their release. Examine closely the steel cables, gears, and pulleys that bring this city's most famous transportation to life. Don't miss the gift store.
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Cable Cars
Once the most popular from of public transportation for early San Franciscans, the cable cars have become a major tourist attraction. It's still a reliable and scenic way to travel around parts of the city. There are three lines: Powell- Hyde (Powell-Market, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Hyde and Beach), Powell-Mason (Powell-Market, Nob Hill, North Beach, Bay and Taylor) and California Street (California and Market, Embarcadero BART/MUNI, Financial District, Chinatown, Nob Hill to Van Ness).
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Caffe Trieste
Caffe Trieste is the first espresso bar on the West Coast and a longtime haunt of San Francisco poets and artists. Witness coffee being made by hand in the massive vintage 1920s roaster, and then sip some as you watch the thoroughfare on Columbus Ave. Since it is run by a family with a long musical tradition, Caffe Trieste holds concerts every Saturday afternoon. Long a meeting place of Old Italian flavors and San Franciscan Bohemia, Caffe Trieste is the place to get your regular caffeine fix in a uniquely North Beach venue.
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California Academy of Sciences
This is a great place for an inquiring mind. The wonders of the natural world are on display in the Steinhart Aquarium, complete with a penguin colony; the Morrison Planetarium offers a sky show; and a natural history museum with a hunk of jade the size of a steamer trunk. There are also a collection of artifacts from the local native populations of the Bay Area and Oceania, and a whimsical courtyard display of animal statues by renowned sculptor Buffano.
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California Palace of the Legion of Honor
This museum houses more than 87,000 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and tapestries. Some pieces date back 4,000 years. The main floor is dedicated to the museum's permanent collection, much of which features the works of Rodin. European and ancient art are also on display. The lower garden level features temporary exhibitions, ranging from Andy Warhol to Francis Bacon. Take a break in the museum cafe, which features light snacks and has outdoor seating. The gift shop, though small, has a nice selection of postcards, books, posters, jewelry, and some reproductions from this and other fine arts museums.
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Camera Obscura and Holographic Gallery
This unique San Francisco landmark uses technology and ideas based on Leonardo da Vinci's design from the 15th century to recreate images. The building is the size of a large room and essentially acts as a giant camera reflecting images from the nearby seal rock area on the coast onto a screen inside the room using a combination of mirrors and lenses. The structure, which in fact resembles a giant camera, is located at Point Lobos near the famous Cliff House and was built in 1946 as part of the World Famous Playland at the Beach, which no longer exists. When the facility is open, depending on weather conditions, the room serves as an interesting learning experience and is one of very few of its kind and size.
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Carmel
There are few places on earth as picturesque as the oceanside village of Carmel. A European-style village nestled between pine forests and white sand beaches, it's no wonder that Clint Eastwood was convinced to move here to become its mayor. Strolling along the shops famous for their incredible glass-blown art and other crafts is a serene way to spend an afternoon, or you can opt for the famous 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach. A jewel of North California's coastline, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a must see for those wishing to explore California's hidden treasures.
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Carnaval Mural
The Mission District has a love affair with painting murals, stemming from the Mexican population that immigrated in the 1970s. Today San Francisco has over 600 murals, with the most spectacular in the Mission District.
The Mission District has hosted a Carnaval celebration since 1978, a colorful celebration of music and dance with Afro-Caribbean roots. In 1994, local artists created this enormous mural, which runs for nearly a block, to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the festival and the district that houses it. The Carnaval Mural is a festive and unique expression of the city's deep artistic and cultural history. More »
Cartoon Art Museum
Home to 6,000 original pieces in total, San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum is considered the only museum dedicated solely to the art of cartoons in the western United States. Today the museum is located in the artsy neighborhood of Yerba Buena Gardens, but the museum's roots began in 1984 when a group of cartoon artists began to exhibit their work around the city at various venues and galleries. In 1987, the famed Charles M. Schulz, who created Peanuts, offered the group an endowment to establish the museum. In its 20 years, the museum has offered over 100 exhibits and 20 publications, all focused on cartoon art. In addition to displaying both historical and contemporary examples of cartoon art, the museum offers classes in cartooning and hosts a variety of special events and benefits throughout the year.
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Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre's unmistakable marquee is a landmark in The Castro District, not just as a throwback to older times, but of resistance to the commercialization of the film industry. A film lover's dream, this independent theater is packed with the newest indie films and forgotten Hollywood hits.
Both lavish and intimate, the Castro Theatre evokes an image of film's golden age. Once you enter the lobby, antique film posters are hung by the dramatic gold-framed mirrors. Take the stairs to the mezzanine for the best view of the art deco chandelier and the authentic Wurlitzer organ. This is the place to find foreign films, indie films, as well as general rarities and gems not shown in the multiplex near you. More »
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
The design of this ultra-modern Catholic church has been compared to the agitating element in a washing machine. And once thought of that way, it is hard to see it as anything else. Go inside the dazzling white structure, though, and such frivolous comparisons go by the wayside. The interior is sleek, spare and remarkably intimate considering that it seats 2,400 people in a semi-circle around the altar. The central dome soars 15 stories into the air and is supported by buttresses that have been incorporated into each of the four corners of the building's interior. The corner walls beyond them are floor-to-ceiling plate glass. The effect gives the building the feeling of somehow being lighter than air for all its mass.
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CELLspace
CELLspace (CELLspace = Collectively Explorative Learning Labs Space) was founded in 1996 by a group of San Francisco artists whose goal was to create a space to foster collaborative art and education. In CELLspace, you can find classes and a workspace for almost any artistic medium: drawing, painting, digital video, music, dance, and theater.
CELLspace also holds the Crucible Steel Gallery, a multipurpose gallery that holds the occasional "call for art," an opportunity for local artists to display their art and to collaborate with other artists. In addition, the 10,000-square-foot exhibition area hosts everything from individual exhibitions and workshops to spoken word events and roller discos. More »
Chestnut Street
San Francisco's Chestnut Street is located between the Marina and Cow Hollow, and it offers some eclectic upscale shopping. Wine bars and pizza joints rub shoulders in this area filled with independent stores and window shoppers. As this shopping district is closest to the Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio, come here after soaking in the views of the bay; you're bound to find something to please every member of your group.
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Children's Fairyland
This is a 10-acre outdoor park in Oakland's Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt that features larger-than-life displays, rides, and entertainment inspired by children's literature. For 50 years Bay Area families have turned here for wholesome family fun. Enjoy a restored old-fashioned carousel, puppet shows, the Johnny Appleseed Cafe, and all your favorite childhood literary characters from Alice In Wonderland to the Swiss Family Robinson. It is highly recommended that you buy the "magic key" that activates the narration of most displays.
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Chinatown
Chinatown is simply one of those places that you can't leave San Francisco without visiting. Home to one of the largest and oldest Chinese-American populations outside of China, the historic and cultural imprint is still palpable on the streets, with Chinese markets emitting the smell of smoked duck, the percussive sound of Mandarin Chinese, and the sight of the many pagoda-style buildings lining the alleys.
Historically this was one of the seediest areas of the city, with opium dens and brothels catering to the lax mores of the Gold Rush era. Today, this is a place where tourists buy porcelain statues, Oriental home furnishings, and other tchotchkes. However, Chinatown has not merely become a tourist theme park; in many areas, English is not spoken, signs are in Chinese, and local families can be seen enjoying the most authentic Dim Sum in the United States. Located right between Financial District and North Beach, this is one of the most central and unique areas in the Bay Area. In Chinatown's winding alleys you will find many landmarks, such as the Fortune Company Factory and the Tin How Temple. More »
Chinatown Gateway
The Dragons winding atop the Pagoda-shaped Chinatown Gateway announce your entry into Chinatown, the staggeringly unique area of San Francisco where English is not necessarily the spoken language. Formerly known as Dupont Street, this road was notorious for its bordellos, opium dens, and gambling halls. Let this be the portal between cultures, as the dividing point between the Financial District's currency exchange markets and Chinatown's poultry markets. Start at Bush and Grant and head up the street for the some of the finest (and cheapest) shopping in the city.
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Chinatown's Grant Avenue
Extending along Grant Avenue, the city's oldest road, is San Francisco's iconic Chinatown. Once the early center of city life for the fledgling Yerba Buena village, this area was transformed by the steady influx of Chinese immigrants into the city after 1850, making the area the thriving borough that it is today. Thronging with both tourists and locals alike, this neighborhood is the picture postcard Chinatown, featuring pagoda rooftops, tiny Chinese restaurants, shop windows hung with all manner of strange fare, and merchant stores packed to the rafters with exotic goods. Spend an afternoon strolling the packed sidewalks looking for that perfect take-home souvenir, sit down for a delicious dim sum feast, or just sit back and watch the people flow by. This is one of San Francisco's truly must-see spots.
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Chinese Cultural Center
Located between Chinatown and the Financial District, the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, established in 1965, is a major non-profit organization devoted to the study and appreciation of Chinese-American art, history, and culture in San Francisco. The center has a gallery, book shop, classroom, and several offices devoted to the study and appreciation of San Francisco's greatest cultural roots.
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Chinese Historical Society of America
San Francisco's Chinese Historical Society is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to the study of Chinese-American culture and history. It holds a permanent art collection, as well as several rotating exhibits. It also hosts several readings, conferences, lectures, and other events celebrating San Francisco's diversity. The history of the Chinese and their role in early San Francisco history is told through photographs and artifacts here at the Chinese Historical Society.
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City Hall
While the original City Hall was destroyed and left in ruins by the infamous 1906 earthquake, the Beaux-Arts style building that you see today was designed by Arthur Brown and opened on the same site in 1915. The grand monument sits in the midst of San Francisco's Civic Center complex and occupies two full city blocks. The building has played host to many historical events for the city. The halls are dotted with statues and busts of former mayors and the height of the dome, modeled after Rome's St. Peter's Church, even rivals that of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The palatial space has been the setting for some notable occasions, including the marriage of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in 1954. The building saw tragedy in 1978 when former Supervisor Dan White assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Visitors may take self guided tours of City Hall, which is open to the public on weekdays.
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City Lights Bookstore
City Lights Bookstore is a literary landmark, not just for San Francisco but for the entire country. This independent bookstore, located in the heart of North Beach, was the center of the Beat poetry movement, with "beatniks" like Jack Kerouac and William S. Borroughs holding their readings upstairs while other artists traded ideas downstairs. Outside the building the thought provoking banners hanging from the roof between the windows offer subjects for community debate. Here, you won't find the wide aisles and obviously named sections known in chain bookstores, but City Lights is well organized in its own way, with narrow corridors crammed full of people reading and browsing.
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Claremont Resort
The Claremont Resort was built in the 1930s as a way to escape the sturm und drang of San Francisco in an atmosphere of unparalleled elegance. The Claremont is simply the finest hotel in the East Bay, a monument to the wealth and luxury of a bygone era. Its all-white edifice overlooks the Bay Bridge and San Francisco's inimitable skyline. Upon entering its lobby, it is obvious that this hotel is a cut from a different cloth than most luxury resorts--drawing upon a Romantic-Era aesthetic, the entire hotel is bedecked with antique luxuries and current amenities. Each of its 250+ rooms is unique, offering every guest an unforgettable and individual experience. The Claremont has no lack of activities, as it hosts 10 tennis courts, badminton courts, two pools, and most famously, its spa, consistently rated as one of the country's finest.
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Clement Street
Located in the middle of the Inner Richmond district, Clement Street houses one of the finest collection of Asian restaurants in the city. And this is not merely a collection of dim sum restaurants like you'll find in Chinatown, but a splendid array of Vietnamese soups, Chinese noodles, Indian curries, Japanese tempura, Korean barbecue, and Burmese spices--all within a few blocks' distance. But Asian food is not the only card up Clement Street's sleeve; there is also a variety of French and California cuisine, serving out tasty dishes for locals wary of Chinatown's overcrowdedness and looking for a more diverse selection of San Francisco's eateries. Come to Clement Street for a wider variety of authentic cuisine located in a relaxed part of town.
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Cliff House
The Cliff House, where San Francisco begins, has always been a quaint and utterly charming stop-off point for San Francisco visitors. Even with a renovation, the Cliff House maintains its original charm, but it is now 21st century spectacular. Gone are the old fashioned 1900's mahogany/tar & spar-like decor and fittings, supplanted by brilliant vistas available throughout by the walls upon walls of glass overlooking the rocky precipice to the Pacific. The most striking addition is the ultra-modern Sutro Wing, home of Sutro's, which features seafood and organic produce. The Cliff House Bistro--situated in the original location--offers more traditional fare and has a beautiful bar. Another addition is the Cliff House To Go, for takeaway orders. Diners should be aware that despite the ultra-modern decor, the cuisine at the Cliff House leaves a lot to be desired. Besides being overpriced, most of the fare is tasteless. On Thanksgiving, for example, you might order the turkey dinner and not know whether you were eating turkey, chicken, fish, or ham! Or maybe it is simply cardboard. If the Cliff House is on your itinerary--and it should be--make the most of the tremendous ocean vistas, but steer clear of the food.
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Club Fugazi
Club Fugazi is the home of Beach Blanket Babylon, a constantly evolving musical famous for its laugh-out-loud comedy, dead-on social commentary, and funny hats. Now in its 30th year of sold-out performances, this spoof of pop culture is the longest-running musical in the Bay Area. In this show centering around a Snow White looking for bachelors in San Francisco, be prepared to witness pop culture at its most ridiculous.
Club Fugazi is located at the top of North Beach, just off of Columbus Ave. After the show you can visit San Francisco's hottest nightlife or its best restaurants. Kiddies should attend the Sunday Matinee, when jokes are cleaned up for a family audience. More »
Coit Tower
Conventional wisdom holds that this monument is shaped like a fire-hose nozzle. It is not, at least not by design. The tower is the gift of Lilly Hitchcock Coit, an eccentric heiress who managed to stand out in a city full of them. Lilly's particular passion was for the San Francisco Fire Department. So when the money she left in her will for The City's beautification was used to construct the art deco tower on Telegraph Hill in 1932, people made assumptions. The view from here is one of the most impressive in San Francisco, taking in the Bay, two bridges, and the Marin Headlands. Inside, the first floor is decorated with excellent murals, commissioned by the WPA in 1933, depicting San Francisco history.
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Columbus Avenue
Columbus Avenue is many things rolled into one: a historic avenue, a busy nightlife, a scenic vista point, and a vital commercial artery of the city. Connecting the Financial District, Telegraph Hill, and Fisherman's Wharf, Columbus Ave cuts through the city in one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the Bay. It's also the home of North Beach's many Italian restaurants, and weekend nights bring hundreds of hungry locals and visitors to the outside dining. Historically, Columbus Ave was the seat of San Francisco's Beat Poetry movement. Close to Washington Square, you'll find the stairs to Coit Tower, sitting atop Telegraph Hill with its splendid views of the city. Continue along Columbus until you reach Russian Hill and Fisherman's Wharf, and you'll find some fantastic views of the Financial District (especially the TransAm building). Do yourself a favor, and give yourself plenty of time to explore the most unique street in the world; no trip to San Francisco is complete without it.
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Conservatory of Flowers
Housing many rare orchids, palms, bromeliads, and the occasional carnivorous plant, San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers is no mere greenhouse. The brilliant white of this massive Victorian structure, itself surrounded by colorful gardens of Dahlia, virtually jumps out and demands your attention as you roam through Golden Gate Park. Examine over 2000 types of rare, prehistoric, and exotic plants in the permanent collection, or check out one of their latest exhibits. As opposed to the verdant collections that surround it, the Conservatory is a meeting of nature's beauty framed by the finest aesthetic building in San Francisco.
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Conzelman Road
On the far side of the Golden Gate Bridge, at the first exit, is a road that follows the hills in the Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Along this road, depending on the weather, you can get spectacular views back over the Golden Gate Bridge and into The City. If you drive far enough you'll come to a parking lot with a trailhead on one end. This trail is about a half mile long and ends up at Point Bonita Lighthouse. The trail is easily walkable, and it goes through a tunnel before reaching a short bridge that goes out to the lighthouse.
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COPIA
COPIA - The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts is a cultural institution, museum, and educational organization dedicated to the discovery, understanding, and celebration of wine and food with the arts. Named appropriately for the goddess of abundance, the center embodies the unique culture of the Napa Valley, which is world renowned for its fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and the arts. COPIA is a place for visitors to enjoy a great meal at Julia's Kitchen (Julia Child's restaurant), see exhibitions (don't miss the interactive fun in Forks in the Road), attend a wine tasting, or listen to a concert on the river terrace. There are also cooking classes, lectures on all things to do with taste, and Julia's own set of copper cookware on display.
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Corona Heights
This is one of San Francisco's green spots that anyone can see from the street, but few know how to get to. Located adjacent to the Field Museum, this park is for those who enjoy the climb as much as the view. It will most likely be uninhabited save for wildflowers, dog walkers and urban explorers. Climb the path towards the rocks at the top of the hill and behold a grand view of San Francisco. Don't let the strong winds sweep away the moment, you can walk down the stairs and grab an ice cream on Castro Street.
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Crissy Field
Crissy Field is a picturesque park, neighboring the Golden Gate Bridge, whose shoreline is a favorite for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and thousands of birds. Just a brisk jog from the Palace of Fine Arts and the Presidio, Crissy Field is one of the most scenic parts of San Francisco. This is also the beginning of the Golden Gate Promenade, where you can take a languorous stroll along the coast leading to the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Crissy Field Center provides a variety of services and programs for visitors: walks, workshops, and ecology labs are designed to entertain and educate the public about San Francisco's natural beauty. Grab some warm food at the Coffee Hut as you watch the fog roll in. More »
Crocker Galleria
Conveniently located in the center of San Francisco's Financial District, Crocker Galleria is an assortment of shops, cafes, and restaurants catering to the hyper-busy San Franciscan. Light dapples into the three-story arcade of colorful shops and through the glass ceiling, as well-dressed individuals hammer out deals over elegant Thai lunches. This is a good place to grab a bite to eat, to window shop in the small stores and boutiques, and to take a glimpse at the fast-paced world of San Francisco's economic machine.
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de Young Museum
Opened in 1894 for San Francisco's Midwinter International Exposition and bearing the name of S.F. Chronicle publisher and famed media mogul M.H. de Young, the de Young Museum has been a major S.F. cultural landmark and respected museum ever since. The de Young Museum houses a world-class collection of American painting, sculpture, and decorative art, African, Oceanic, and Native American art, and textiles and contemporary crafts. In addition, the museum hosts fantastic temporary exhibitions and is located in the picturesque Golden Gate Park, a work of art in its own right. Reopened after sweeping renovations finished in late 2005, the de Young is once again ready to occupy its place as one of the City's great repositories of art.
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di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature
The di Rosa Preserve is a unique place. Rene di Rosa has collected the work of over 900 local Bay Area artists, and many of these pieces are on display in one of the three galleries located on the property. You can see work by Joan Brown, Enrique Chagoya, Roy DeForest, William Wiley, Jay De Feo, Ray Beldner, and many other Bay Area artists.
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Dolores Park
Dolores Park is located in the Mission District, and it is not surprising that the park is surrounded by several churches in the Spanish missionary style. Dolores Park has six tennis courts and one basketball court, as well as soccer fields and open grass areas. A reflection of the Mission's diversity, Dolores Park has held political rallies, festivals, Aztec ceremonial dances, and Cinco De Mayo celebrations since the 1960s.
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Embarcadero Center
The Embarcadero Center offers some of the best shopping in San Francisco. With over 125 retail shops densely packed into five blocks, you can spend hours wondering if you can find clothes to match the color of the shoes you just bought. It was originally designed to be a "city within a city," and the lively crowd that descends on the weekends is never disappointed with the Embarcadero Center's commercial frenzy. The Embarcadero Center also has a cineplex and dozens of restaurants so that you can cool your heels after hours and hours of shopping. While some may never want to leave this commercial center, remember that you are but a stone's throw away from even more shops on Union Square and Market Street.
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Exploratorium
Developed by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and opened in 1969, this innovative, interactive museum, located behind the Palace of Fine Arts, is dedicated to art, science, and human perception. The hands-on displays unveil the mysteries of science and language (trace hundreds of languages through family trees!). The exhibits present theories simply and succinctly. For a different kind of hands-on experience, check out the tactile dome, a labyrinth of different textures that explorers negotiate in the dark. Seminars on quirky subjects are offered on weekends.
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Ferry Building Marketplace
Ferry Building Marketplace is a must-see for San Francisco visitors. This multi-million dollar development has an abundance of activities for the entire family. Take a tour of the historical Ferry Building, browse through antique shops (Culinaire), enjoy a view by the bay and a bowl of chowder at Ferry Plaza Seafood, or buy organic produce at the Farmer's Market. Enjoy the sights and sounds of what makes the Ferry Building one of the Bay's most popular destinations for entertainment, food, and fun. Ferry Building Marketplace has a near year-round schedule of interesting activities like their annual October Harvest Festival and a Holiday Lights Celebration. Visit the website for full details on their calendar of events.
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Filbert Street Steps
These stairs are perhaps the most famous in San Francisco, as they lead up, and up, and up, and just when you think it's over there's one last turn and one last climb, eventually reaching the magnificent Coit Tower. The stairs snake through sculpture gardens and art deco buildings; yet perhaps the most dazzling sight are the cars parked by the stairs and tightly wedged in next to each other at precariously steep angles. Although the stairs may at times seem never to end, the climb is steep but brief, with a magnificent vista of the city to reward you while you catch your breath.
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Fillmore Auditorium
In the 60s, if you were anybody in the music world, you played at the Fillmore. More of an institution than a concert hall, the Fillmore has hosted some of the world's largest acts and some of the world's craziest audiences. This is the place where the Summer of Love came to rock out, where long hair and bellbottoms became the hottest fashion, and where a little band called the Grateful Dead held its first concert. Today, the Fillmore is a venerable concert hall that has cleaned up its acts since the freewheeling '60s. Check out the country's hottest acts, and then get a bite to eat on Fillmore Street as your ears keep ringing.
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Fillmore Street
After the 1906 earthquake, Fillmore Street was one of the only areas left undamaged. It quickly shifted to the center of San Franciscan culture and politics; after the destruction of Chinatown, the Japanese-American population increased dramatically until their internment during WWII. It was here that the San Francisco Zen Center was founded, perhaps explaining the serenity unique to the West Coast. Black Panthers congregated, hippies descended during the Summer of Love, Maya Angelou and Allen Ginsberg read poems--it was the site of several cultural revolutions all splashing against each other.
Today, Fillmore Street is the home of some of the city's most clever and innovative chefs, the best clubs, the best bookstores, all in an area with one of the richest histories in San Francisco. More »
Fisherman's Wharf
As one of San Francisco's most popular attractions, Fisherman's Wharf serves as a hub for tourists and is quintessentially San Francisco with its myriad of souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, piers, and premiere waterfront address. Besides offering its visitors unparalleled views of the bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and city, the Wharf is also conveniently located near many popular attractions and is on the cable car line. The Wharf area stretches from Pier 39 on the east end to the Municipal Pier on the west end, all along the Embarcadero. The Wharf is home to many of the city's most popular attractions such as the Aquarium of the Bay, the San Francisco Maritime Historic Park, the Cannery shopping area, and Ghirardelli Square among many more. Visitors can even meet some of the bay's sea life by heading over to Peir 39's West Marina where a slew of sea lions hang out on a cluster of docks. To find the entertaining sea lions, just listen for their rowdy barking. Pier 39 is also home to the California Welcome Center, which serves as a great resource for travelers with maps and information on Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, and even the entire state of California. Visit the Wharf's website for a printable walking tour featuring all the popular sites.
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Fort Funston
Fort Funston is a popular dog-walking spot, so it is quite a common experience to see many a dripping wet dog, happily chewing a piece of driftwood and trotting in the sand. Also common is the occasional windsurfer, horseback rider, and just about anybody else looking to enjoy the dramatic cliffside view. A popular destination from Fort Funston is to make it to Ocean Beach; along the way check out the flora and fauna, which are some of the most interesting in the Bay Area.
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Fort Mason
This is an old military base that has been transformed into a Mecca of art and culture. It is home to an array of galleries, museums, theaters, performance halls, nonprofit organizations, classes, festivals, and events. The center offers numerous facilities available for rent and can accommodate both small and large events. Just a few of the tenants you can visit at the Fort Mason Center are the Mexican Museum of Art, Museo Italo Americano, Book Bay, Blue Bear School or Music, the Magic Theater, Batz Improv, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, SF Moma's northern California artist galleries, the Oceanic Society, Childrens Art Center, and the Young Performers Theatre.
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Fort Miley Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Off Point Lobos Avenue, just up the hill from The Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point was originally constructed in 1861 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the city and the bay from invasion during the Civil War. After the war, the Fort served a number of different purposes from storage to training grounds until in 1933, it became the operations headquarters for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge until 1937. Then, during World War II, soldiers were stationed at Fort Point to monitor submarine activity at the entrance of the San Francisco Bay. It wasn’t until 1970 that Fort Point officially became a National Historic site and today it is a popular destination to peer into the unbeatable views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. The museum here displays exhibits on the history of Fort Point, women at war, the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. Guided tours are also available.
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Fourth Street
Fourth Street is Berkeley's Rodeo Drive--expensive and eclectic. Some of the nicest places to eat and shop in the East Bay can be found here, at a much more comfortable pace than San Francisco's frenetic bustle. The sun shines through the leafy avenues on a nice day as families looking for some shopping after their weekend brunch roam around; Berkeley students can be found grabbing a bite to eat while putting off their homework. While roaming around here, you will find several independent bookstores, diners, and cafes. Fourth Street offers a respite from the hectic urbanity of SF and allows die-hard shoppers to spend their money in an intimate, friendly environment.
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Galeria de la Raza
This gallery is deep in the heart of the Mission and worth getting to. The walls are lined with artists you have never heard of but should have. See different mediums of local talent present their work in this down-home, yet sophisticated gallery. There are no prices on the work, but that will not deter those who appreciate unique products of the mind. Check out the Chicano/Latino drawing and works on paper, the documentary on jail-art, or beautiful black-and-white photos of the Latinos in and outside of the neighborhood.
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Ghirardelli Square
Don't leave San Francisco without a stroll through this legendary square at Gleneagles Golf Club
Tucked away in McLaren Park just south of the city, the nine holes at Gleneagles Golf Club are known for their tree-lined fairways, rolling hills, and often windy conditions. The quiet nature of the club keeps the clientèle mostly local and the course has been considered a favorite in the area, despite its almost hushed existence. The nine holes of the course have the ability to transform into 18 holes with different angled tee boxes. Originally designed by Jack Fleming in 1962, the course was then redesigned by Robert Muir Graves and Erik De Lambert in 1982 and has seen slight changes to the improvement of the course and facility. The 19th hole is revered for its Scottish ambiance.
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Glide Memorial United Methodist Church
Glide Memorial Church was a rallying point in the 1960s and '70s against the Vietnam War, a locus for the counterculture movement sweeping across San Francisco, and a center in the fight against racial discrimination. Glide has been a pioneer in fighting AIDS, drug abuse, and hunger in San Francisco and attained iconic status as celebrities from Maya Angelou to Bill Clinton regularly visit to praise its humanitarian work.
Staffed by local volunteers who specialize in medicine, psychiatry, and nursing, Glide Memorial Church has become a model of a compassionate church that has shaped the community. Today Glide rallies against poverty, discrimination, and social inequity in San Francisco; its stated goal is to build a "church without walls" and to reach out to all individuals regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. More »
Golden Gate Bridge
An engineering masterpiece, this bridge, built in 1937, towers with sturdy grace over the Golden Gate. Stretching over 4,200 feet, it is every bit as awesome an accomplishment in suspension-bridge engineering today as it was over half a century ago. Pedestrians and bike riders can access the east entrance for a jaunt on one of the world's most famous corridors. For photos, or to view the bridge in its entirety, try the spectacular lookout points located at the southeast and northeast ends. Don't miss the historic Roundhouse, a gift shop/visitors center, which boasts a fine selection of souvenirs, and an informative exhibit about the bridge's construction and history.
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Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Half of the fun of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is trying to find it. Nestled deep in one of Chinatown's smaller alleys, the Fortune Cookie Factory provides fresh fortune cookies and dispenses nuggets of wisdom to diners in Chinese restaurants all across America. You can also bring your own fortune to be wrapped into a cookie, if you want to spook your friends or propose to your fiancee, depending on her sense of humor. Here, over 20,000 fortune cookies are baked and folded daily; buy cookies wholesale, or simply marvel at the factory and then move on to all the sights Chinatown has to offer.
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Golden Gate Golf Course
At the western edge of Golden Gate Park, fronting the Pacific, is this 9-hole, par three public course. Start at Beach Chalet, fill your lungs with fresh, salt air, and play your way towards the surf around the gnarled Monterey Pines. No advance reservations are available this course, you get your tee times on a walk-up basis. If you have some time to spare before teeing off, visit the nearby Buffalo Paddock or Queen Wilhelmina's Tulip Garden.
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Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of the most remarkable sections of wonderful San Francisco. Its 1,000 acres provide an unparalled opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a little respite from fast-paced city life. With miles of trails for walking, jogging, biking, and even horseback riding, you can feel like you are in the midst of wilderness, even if the city is only a few blocks away. The park stretches all the way to the Pacific Ocean (from Stanyan Street), so the more adventurous visitors can make their way all the way down to Ocean Beach. The park also hosts a golf course, bison, several lakes, lawn bowling greens, soccer fields, a baseball diamond, basketball courts (in the panhandle), a Japanese tea garden, the California Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory of Flowers, and much more. It is the perfect place for relaxation, contemplation, exercise, family time, and fun. Don't miss it!
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Grace Cathedral
This impressive neo-Gothic structure crowning Nob Hill was built on the site of the Crocker Mansion after the 1906 earthquake and fire. The interior features stained glass windows in celestial blues and vibrant reds and yellows. There are also frescoes depicting the history of San Francisco and scenes from the life of San Francisco's patron saint, St. Francis of Asissi. The gilded bas-reliefs that adorn the doors of the main entrance are cast from Ghiberti's original molds for the Gates of Paradise that adorn the Baptistry in Florence. This facility also boasts an indoor and an outdoor labyrinth.
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Great American Music Hall
San Francisco's oldest and grandest nightclub, the Great American Music Hall, has a rich (albeit colorful) history that exudes from its frescoed walls. Its elegant, ornate balconies and marble columns harken back to the earlier, luxurious and freewheeling era in which it was created. Since 1907, the Great American Music Hall was once Blanco's, a notorious restaurant/bordello offering fine food, fast women, and gambling during San Francisco's notorious Barbary Coast era.
After the Great Depression, Blanco's evolved into a jazz club and eventually cleaned up its act, calling itself the Music Box. Today, concertgoers enjoy the modern-day luxuries of a professional sound and lighting setup, two full bars, and a spacious dance floor. Visit their website to find the latest acts and to purchase tickets. More »
Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center
The Green Gulch Farm Zen Center was formed by the venerated Japanese Zen priest, Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi, in 1959. Impressed by the seriousness of San Franciscans' "beginner's mind," he created the Green Dragon Temple (Soryu-ji) and became its abbot. Today, the Zen Center promises to awaken the Bodhasiattva spirit within and to point you toward the Eightfold Noble Path.
Located just north of San Francisco, in a valley that faces the Pacific, this center offers a garden with classes in organic gardening and healing herbs, workshops in meditation, lectures in Buddhist philosophy and practice, and a traditional Japanese teahouse. Call to make reservations and to find upcoming events. More »
Greenwich Steps
Stretch your calves before venturing into this San Francisco landmark--the Greenwich Steps offer vertiginous views leading up to Coit Tower. These steps, similar to the Filbert Street Steps, are laden with brick and surrounded with gardens, and they are therefore a great way to make your way from North Beach to Telegraph Hill. With over 380 steps, however, make sure not to carry anything too heavy; otherwise, you'll find it difficult to make it.
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Gump's
Gump's is more than a store or a shop--it's an emporium of the exotic, a purveyor of elegant, unusual gifts that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Founded in 1861 by Solomon Gump, this boutique provides jewelry, exotic stones and pearls, fine glassware, and antique toys to San Francisco's elite. As you enter the massive facade, you are greeted by exotic lighting, wooden toys, and a tremendous Buddha statue at the jewelry counter. These seemingly incongruous images find a harmony in Gump's, where everything is tied together by the incomparable luxury and distinct uniqueness. This is capitalism at San Francisco's finest, a wild variety of never-before-seen luxuries that are sure to captivate you.
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Haas-Lilienthal House
The first thing you will learn here is that the fanciful polychrome paint jobs on SF's Victorians are a recent invention. This turreted and gabled gingerbread fantasy is a uniform and authentic shade of gray. Inside, this large house still feels like the family home that it was from 1886-1972, with rooms covered in expensive wood paneling, embossed wallpapers, and featuring marble fireplaces. Guided tours leave every 20-30 minutes and last about an hour.
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Haight-Ashbury
Famed as the cultural nerve-center of the 1960s hippy movement, the modern-day Haight preserves much of the verve and style that defined it during the 1967 "Summer of Love"--but now adds to the mix a healthy dash of capitalism. Alongside spike-headed punks and grey-headed burn-outs, you'll now find trendy retro-clothing stores, fantastic ethnic food, mellow sidewalk cafes, exotic boutiques, ultra-hip clubs and bars, used book crannies, and cavernous music stores--including San Francisco's deservedly-famous Amoeba Music. Though somewhat grittier than other spots around town (thanks to its location between two city parks), the Haight keeps alive the spirit of the era that created it, and it is a worthwhile place to check out--even if it's just long enough to have a coffee and reminisce about the good ol' days.
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Half Moon Bay State Beach
A highlight of the charming little town called Half Moon Bay is this four-mile stretch of beach that kisses the Pacific Ocean. The trail runs along the beach and is accessible by pedestrians and bikes. Parallel to that trail is a designated horse trail, but note that horses are not allowed on the beach itself. Swim at your own risk. Even in the summer the water is very cold and the currents are dangerously strong. Camping is permitted by reservation only. After a day at the beach enjoy dinner in the Half Moon Bay area, it is full of great seafood restaurants.
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Hayes Valley
Although in the past it had a seedier reputation akin to New York's Times Square, today's Hayes Valley is the ultimate destination of San Francisco's genteel symphony-goers and opera fans. Its location right by the War Memorial Opera House and Louise Davies Symphony Hall makes Hayes Valley a spot for top-notch shopping. There are not many restaurants, but you can find in their place a plethora of bistros and brasseries; feel free to mingle with other moneyed San Franciscans in one of the many art galleries. All the shops are chic and lively, so make a reservation if you are trying to catch a quick bite before the show.
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Henry Miller Library
Not only does this cultural center honor the work of controversial American author Henry Miller (1891-1980) with its collection of his rare editions and art, but it also provides a gathering place for writers and artists of all kinds. During Miller's heyday, Big Sur was a creative haven for writers like Jack Kerouac who immortalized the area in his novel of the same name. Amid a picturesque setting of redwood trees, expansive meadows, and the specters of the beatniks who loafed here, the Library functions as a community center where concerts, workshops, exhibits, lectures, and readings find loving homes. Miller used to call this place home too, but as they say in California, "mi casa, su casa." So make yourself comfortable. There's free Internet access for all guests. The Library and its grounds, which include gardens and a redwood amphitheater, are available for private parties and events.
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Hess Collection Winery
A massive art gallery/vineyard in Napa Valley, Hess Collection Winery hosts collections of some of the finest wine and works of contemporary art in the Bay Area. Past elegant stone pillars and ponds of lilies, the Visitor Center holds a three-floor art collection, with informative tours on wine, art, and, of course, the Hess Collection. Feel free to sample their extensive list of wines with a $10 tasting session. This gallery/vineyard was built with impeccable style and good taste, and visitors are invited to taste wines and peruse the art in a Northern Californian vision of an aesthete's paradise.
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Historic Street Cars
In addition to San Francisco's historic cable car system, Market Street and the Embarcadero are equipped with many vintage streetcars, trolleys, and trams that roam about the Waterfront and Financial District. Marked by their sleek art deco design and sharp colors, these historic vehicles have been imported from all over the country in order to provide public transportation with classic style. Although there are many ways to get across the city, none can provide the luxury and the historic feel of these unique trams. Take a Milan or a Streamline PCC to get from the Financial District up the Embarcadero toward Fisherman's Wharf.
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Holy Virgin Cathedral
This imposing Byzantine-style structure is crowned with five onion domes, each covered in 24-karat gold leaf. On a bright day, the sunlight hitting it is dazzling. Inside, is a glimpse back in time. The interior, consecrated in 1977, could just as easily date from 1577. Through the incense gleams the gold of more mosaics, these depicting various saints, and the precious metals of the icons that are everywhere.
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Inner Sunset
Don't be fooled by the name--Inner Sunset is fog country, and everybody knows it. That doesn't stop them from enjoying one of the nicer parts of San Francisco, an area with a small-town feel and a relaxed vibe. Its great restaurants and ethnic diversity make it a great place to spend a morning, visiting one of the many diners and getting some coffee. The Mom-and-Pop stores still thrive here, so come down and you're bound to find something you've never tried before.
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Jack London Square
Located across the bay in the city of Oakland, Jack London Square remains to be one of Oakland's top tourist attractions. Teeming with restaurants, shops, and entertainment, the square is named after the famed author who was an Oakland native. The famous waterfront square, located on the Oakland Estuary, was where the roots of the city began in 1852 and also a favorite place for the author of The Call of the Wild and White Fang to stroll about in the 1880s. Today, the square boasts a charming setting complete with alfresco dining, events throughout the year such as the Farmer's Market, a national historic floating lighthouse museum, and the historic Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon, where Jack London is said to have frequented. Ferries depart from the dock at Clay Street and regularly cruise to Alameda, the San Francisco Ferry Terminal, Pier 41 in San Francisco, SBC Park for Giants games, and Angel Island.
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Jackson Square Historical District
Once San Francisco's Barbary Coast, famous for its gambling, rough characters, and women of the night, Jackson Square is one of the city's oldest areas, even surviving the 1906 earthquake and fire mostly intact. The sudden flood of miners entering California during the Gold Rush made Jackson Square San Francisco's first financial center, long before the TransAm pyramid and the Bank of America skyscrapers graced the skyline. The Jackson Square Historical District is now filled with shops, restaurants, and a unique variety of vintage antique shops. At the foot of Columbus Ave, this is a great spot to check out San Francisco's past before heading up the hill toward North Beach or the Financial District.
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Japanese Tea Garden
Nestled in Golden Gate Park is this traditional Japanese Garden featuring relaxing pathways lined with beautifully landscaped Japanese trees, shrubs, and flowers. Ponds, ornately designed structures, and bronze sculptures dot the paths. Don't miss the large bronze Buddha, which was cast in 1790 in Japan and is considered the largest bronze Buddha outside of Asia. First established in 1894 for the California Midwinter Fair, the garden is considered the oldest public traditional Japanese Garden in the United States. The organizers of the fair commissioned a Japanese gardener, Makota Hagiwara, to take care of the garden and he soon imported a number of plant life and bronze sculptures from Japan to enhance the garden's authenticity. The family lived in and maintained the gardens from 1895 through 1942 when the family was forced into concentration camps during World War II. Though changes have been made over the years, the Tea House and Moon Bridge are lasting features from the fair and the garden continues to be a popular place to take a stroll through the meandering pathways and to enjoy the calming surroundings. The most popular time to visit is when the cherry trees are in bloom in April.
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Japantown
Japantown, also known as Nihonmachi, is historically where San Francisco's Japanese-American population resided. Japantown suffered a blow during the internment of Japantown's population during WWII, and some say that the district has never recovered. Nonetheless, it remains a lively area comprised of several ethnic restaurants and local attractions. Situated across from the Fillmore, J-town houses some excellent sushi and tempura, traditional sculpture, and plenty of shopping to pass the time. If Chinatown left you unsatisfied, come to Japantown for some of the best sashimi and tempura the city has to offer.
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John Berggruen Gallery
The John Berggruen Gallery, located near Union Square, is three floors of exquisitely presented modern art. Specializing in the major American post-war artists, the exhibits are constantly changing. In addition to showing art, the curators work closely with private collectors and individuals looking to purchase a piece of contemporary art.
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