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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. More »

16th Avenue Steps

The 16th Avenue Steps feature a beautiful tile mosaic covering 163 steps with imaginative fish, water, and animal imagery. This celebration of color was 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 the innovative work of community art. But this San Francisco original is not just a celebration of local talent--it's 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. More »

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 onto floor after floor of ravishing displays and exquisite collections. At 49 Geary, you'll find many of the city's most well-known contemporary art galleries together 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. More »

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 inception, the idea is still the same: to discover the beautiful city at your own pace. More »

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. More »

Alcatraz Island

Nestled in the cold bay of San Francisco, this isolated patch of rock known as Alcatraz Island is probably most well-known as the infamous federal prison that held many of the United States' most notorious criminals. Before an inmate ever stepped foot on Alcatraz Island, it was discovered by the Spaniards in 1775 and called "La Isla de los Alcatraces," which translates into "Island of the Lilies." In 1848, the island was purchased by the US, and construction began on what would become a coastal battery, which is how it remained for the next 50 years. The island was first used as a military prison in 1907, and with the rise in crime in the '30s, a federal prison was established in 1934 to hold the nation's most notorious criminals, and individuals who had attempted escape from other facilities. Given Alcatraz's innovative design and isolated location surrounded by freezing waters, it was deemed nearly impossible to escape. Not one prisoner has ever been officially recorded as having escaped, although there has been several attempts including one in 1962, which many people speculate was successful. Today, the tour at Alcatraz takes you through the jail house, and recaptures the daily lives of its most famous former inhabitants, including Al Capone, Robert "The Birdman" Stroud, and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Visitors can see artifacts from the mess hall, items used in escape attempts, and see what it looks like from the other side of the bars. They'll even learn about the 18-month Native American occupation of the island. More »

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. More »

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 every musical selection you could desire (and then some), no matter how obscure or hard to find it is. From recordings of Allen Ginsberg's spoken word, to Pakistani sacred Quwwali music, chances are, they have the recording you're looking for. Legend has it that the cavernous store was once a bowling alley before being converted into San Francisco's mecca of music. Amoeba's staff displays a frighteningly expansive knowledge of music trivia, along with multiple facial piercings. Amoeba is also a great place to people watch. Here, punk rockers brush up against conservative opera buffs as together they peruse 24,000 square feet of music. Amoeba buys and sells CDs, Vinyl, 45s, 78s, and DVDs from all genres. More »

Anchor Brewing Company

At Anchor Brewing Company, visitors have the opportunity to see one of the most traditional and handsome breweries in the country. Anchor Steam, their most famous brew, is made using methods that are virtually unchanged since the beer's inception in 1896. The brewery offers a tour of its three stores featuring history of its handmade brewing process, and perhaps most importantly, a generous beer-tasting session afterwards. Make reservations early, as tour groups fill up quickly. Afterwards, you can stroll around Potrero Hill. Children are allowed on the tour, but can't sample the beer. The tour is free of charge, and takes approximately 40-45 minutes, with approximately an hour of tasting afterwards. More »

Angel Island State Park

What was once a gateway to the United States for Asian immigrants, is today 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 both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. However, the island is most well-known for its use as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. Despite its infamous past, 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. A small harbor area allows boats to easily dock for the day. From there, visitors can hike around, enjoying panoramic views of the bay, the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, and Mt. Tam. State Park volunteers run tours of the island (including the recently added Segway tours), 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. More »

Aquarium of the Bay

Featuring lots of local sea creatures, the Aquarium of the Bay is a great place to learn about the wildlife of San Francisco Bay. There are over 20,000 animals to see, touch, and admire here, ranging from bat rays to sevengill sharks to sea stars. The aquarium is split into three areas: Discover the Bay, Under the Bay, and Touch the Bay. Discover the Bay allows visitors to learn about the animals that reside in the bay and what different ecosystems thrive there. Under the Bay comprises two clear underwater tunnels that allow visitors to step onto a moving walkway and experience life underneath the water with animals swimming all around. Finally, Touch the Bay provides the chance to explore tide pools and touch the various creatures that live near the shore--always a favorite with the kiddos. More »

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 spot to fly kites, play bocce ball, or to explore the city's unique maritime history. More »

Asian Art Museum

The Asian Art Museum's collection of antique, rare, and historical objects is one of the most extensive collections in the world. Industrialist millionaire, Avery Brundage, donated over half of the museum's items to the city of San Francisco in 1966 on the condition that there would be a museum built specifically to share a piece of Asia with the public. Today, the museum has over 17,000 objects that date back 6000 years, to the year 338. Items that you can see include ancient Islamic manuscripts, Chinese jade carvings, and Korean paintings. More »

Baker Beach

Rugged, mile-long Baker Beach offers the ultimate view of the Golden Gate Bridge, in addition to its smooth sands, and lovely views across the bay. Small but scenic, Baker Beach is one of the most cherished beaches in San Francisco. Baker Beach's location both protects it from the winds found at Ocean Beach, and 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, though, 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 Balcutha, a steel-hulled, square rigger, was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1886, and has had a full life, from hauling grain around Cape Horn (it made the trip 17 times!) to starring in the 1935 film Mutiny on the Bounty to beloved tourist attraction. The ship is the last square-rigged vessel in San Francisco Bay, and one of only two left in the entire Pacific. Restored in the 1950s, it's a graceful addition to the Bay. The ship itself is 301 feet long, and the mainmast rises 145 feet into the air. When at sea, a crew of 26 men was needed to handle the complex rigging that managed her 25 sails. More »

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. More »

Beach Blanket Babylon

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.

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 »

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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

Cable Car Museum

Cable cars have been running up and down the streets of San Francisco since 1873, and are a beloved part of the urban landscape. What better place to learn about this historic public transportation system than the Cable Car Museum? The building showcases a variety of cable car mechanical parts, photographs, and (of course) cable cars themselves. In addition to being a great resource for information about the famous cars, the museum has a great exhibit about how the cable system works. From the museum deck, visitors can see the large engines and wheels that power the cars up and down the city's steep hills, while downstairs offers views of the cables and sheaves coming into the building from underneath the streets. This museum is a definite must-see for engineering buffs. More »

Cable Cars

One of the most admired San Francisco images is the revered cable car gliding up and down the city streets. Back in the late nineteenth century, before the cable system was in place, horse-drawn carts and carriages were the prominent means of transportation around the city. This was a dangerous means of transport, however, as navigating the slick cobblestones of San Francisco's famous hilly streets often resulted in terrible accidents when horses slipped on the wet stones. An Englishman, Andrew Smith Hallidie, developed a new pulley system that used wire rope to pull cars on tracks up and down the streets. The Cable Cars quickly became a popular means of transportation, and today they are still widely used. There are three routes in the city: Powell- Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street. More »

Caffe Trieste

Caffe Trieste was 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. More »

California Academy of Sciences

The newly-remodeled California Academy of Sciences is a world-renowned science institution that has something for all ages to experience and enjoy. Along with being the only museum in the world that has a planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum, the California Academy of Sciences is environmentally and sustainably sound. A garden on the roof, featuring 1.7 million native plants, helps turn carbon dioxide into oxygen while keeping the building insulated and acting as a water reclamation tool. During your visit, you'll learn about what lives along the California coast, as well as in the rainforest, swamplands, and much more. Just about every ecological habitat on earth is featured here, and you can also see wild animals, sea creatures, and native species. Be sure to plan enough time for exploration, as there is much to see and do. More »

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

One of the most famous art museums in San Francisco is the California Palace of the Legion of Honor (or just "The Legion of Honor" as most locals call it), in Lincoln Park. The majority of art in this museum comes from Europe, France in particular, and some of the art dates back 4,000 years. The extensive collections of paintings includes works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Robert Crumb, and other famous artists. One of the most famous art pieces to see you'll be greeted by as you come in--The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin, sits at the entry way, pondering for eternity the comings and goings of museum patrons. More »

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. More »

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 hosts 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 in the western US dedicated solely to the art of cartoons. 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. More »

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 screens both the newest indie films and forgotten Hollywood sleepers.

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

This striking cathedral represents the modern Catholic church and the great, urban city of San Francisco. The building is topped with a unique hyperbolic paraboloid, coming together to form the shape of a cross. Towering at 190 feet, and topped by a 55-foot gold cross, this architectural masterpiece is hard to miss. This is the third cathedral to be constructed in the Cathedral Hill area of San Francisco. The original one was built in 1854 and is still standing today; the second cathedral was built in 1891, but was burned to the ground in a 1962 fire, after which the third and final cathedral we see today was constructed. Even if you're not visiting to attend a mass, the cathedral is worth a look for its stunning architecture and sweeping views of San Francisco. More »

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, located between the Marina and Cow Hollow, offers 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 you can't live without--even if you didn't know you couldn't before you found it! More »

Children's Fairyland

Before Disneyland, Six Flags, or Knotts Berry Farm were dreamed up, Children's Fairyland was the go-to place for children. Since 1948, the oversized attractions, straight out of well-known children's books, have engaged, educated, entertained, and excited the little ones. Your kids will love climbing on the boots from the famous nursery rhyme, Old Lady and the Shoe, or creating their own adventure escapade on the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship. There are several other sites to see on the ten-acre park, so pack a lunch and get ready to be taken to a far away land in the middle of San Francisco. More »

Chinatown

Chinatown is one of those places that you simply 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 filling the air, and the sight of 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, though, this is a place where tourists buy porcelain statues, Oriental home furnishings, and other tchotchkes. Chinatown has not merely become a tourist theme park, though. 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 the 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 the profoundly unique area of San Francisco, where English is not necessarily the primary language. Formerly known as Dupont Street, this road was once notorious for its bordellos, opium dens, and gambling halls. The area has cleaned up from its unsavory past, but remains no less fascinating. This famous gateway acts as a portal between cultures--a dividing line 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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

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 St. Peter's Church in Rome, 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. More »

City Lights Bookstore

City Lights Bookstore is a literary landmark, not just for San Francisco but for the entire country. The independent bookstore, located in the heart of North Beach, was a center of the Beat poetry movement, with "beatniks" such as Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti (one of the bookstore's founders), 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. More »

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 the lobby, it's obvious that this hotel is cut from a different cloth than most luxury resorts. Drawing upon a Romantic-Era aesthetic, the entire hotel is bedecked with antique luxuries alongside contemporary 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 boasts 10 tennis courts, several badminton courts, two pools, and most famously, a spa, consistently rated as one of the country's finest. More »

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 up tasty dishes for locals who are 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. More »

Cliff House

The Cliff House, where San Francisco begins, has always been a quaint 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 decor and fittings. Instead, visitors are treated to brilliant vistas from the vast windows that now overlook the rocky precipice to the Pacific.

The most striking addition to the renovated Cliff House 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 something to be desired. Don't let that dissuade you, though. Come for the views--it's well worth a stop for that alone. More »

Coit Tower

Although many people believe that Coit Tower, built by Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard in 1933, looks like the end of a fire hose, that wasn't the original intention, but it is appropriate. The art deco building that stretches 210 feet into the air, was a gift to the city from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, an heiress and volunteer firefighter in the early 1900s. Coit was in love with the city and was also passionate about firefighting, so she donated over half of her estate to the city's beautification project that was taking place at the time of her death. It just happens to be a fitting coincidence that the tower ended up resembling something so dear to her heart. More »

Columbus Avenue

Columbus Avenue is many things rolled into one: historic avenue, a busy nightlife center, 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 Avenue was the heart of San Francisco's Beat Poetry movement. Close to Washington Square, you'll find the stairs to Coit Tower, which sits atop Telegraph Hill with 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 reserve plenty of time to explore the most unique street in the world; no trip to San Francisco is complete without it. More »

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 one of the finest aesthetic buildings in San Francisco. More »

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 at 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. More »

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. More »

Corona Heights Park

Located in the Haight-Ashbury and Corona Heights neighborhoods, Corona Heights is a rugged little park that appeals both to adventurous types, and those just seeking great views from the fist-like hill that juts out of the ground. Corona Heights Park is most distinguishable by its Franciscan chert bedrock that lends to the rugged texture and feel of the hill. There is a primitive-looking staircase that inches up the hill through the wild grasses and flowers, yet it remains one of the treasured uninhabited tracts of land above San Francisco. If you can brave the wind or just want to feel a little on the wild side, then head to this vista where the views and quiet serenity are well worth the climb. More »

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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium was the brain-child of Frank Oppenheimer, an American physicist who was passionate about educating and inspiring youth to get involved in science. This museum, however, is unique in the fact that all the hands-on exhibits were designed by artists, teachers, performers, and scientists--not just museum staff and Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer wanted a variety of input and design, so that no matter what age, background, or educational level the patrons were, there would be something that engaged and educated them all. Nearly half a million people visit the museum each year, making it one of the Bay areas most popular places to see, so expect to have a great time, hanging out and learning with your children. More »

Ferry Building Marketplace

The Ferry Building Marketplace was originally opened as a bustling ferry terminal in 1898. Designed primarily by A. Page Brown, a young architect who envisioned a massive steel-framed terminal unlike any seen in its day, several years and modifications were spent on the construction of the building. The most prominent feature of the terminal is its 240-foot-tall clock tower that rises up into the sky from the central entrance. The clock tower was influenced by the Seville Cathedral in Spain, and much emphasis was given in detail compared to other parts of the building. The building's interior was also very ornate, with mosaic tiles and arching gateways.

The Ferry Building remained one of the busiest hubs throughout the first half of the century, however when the Bay Bridge opened in 1936, and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, the rise of the automobile began to become more popular. By the time the 1950s arrived, the building was essentially deserted, and one half century later in 2003, the building was completely renovated to provide a space for restaurants, marketplaces, and shops. The Ferry Building Marketplace is a must see for people looking for a farmers' market, or a bowl of that acclaimed San Francisco clam chowder. More »

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. More »

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. More »

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. More »

Fort Funston

Fort Funston is a popular dog-walking spot, so it's common to see many a dripping wet dog, happily chewing a piece of driftwood or trotting in the sand. Also common are the occasional windsurfer, horseback riders, and just about anybody 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. More »

Fort Mason

Fort Mason was once used as a United States military base, established in the 1860s. It originally served as an outpost of coastal defense, then moved on to become the headquarters of the San Francisco Port. After it was handed over to the National Parks Service in the 1970s as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it became a cultural community center, hosting various art shows, performances, nonprofit groups, and galleries. Just a few of the tenants you can visit at the Fort Mason Center are the Young Performers Theatre, Museo ItaloAmericano, Book Bay, Blue Bear School of Music, the Magic Theater, BATS Improv, the Resource Renewal Institute, Environmental Traveling Companions, the Oceanic Society, and the renowned vegetarian restaurant, Greens. More »

Fort Miley Golden Gate National Recreation Area

This beautiful part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes acres of grassy picnic areas and a couple of landmark structures left from World War II's Fort Miley. There are three gun emplacements, a couple of batteries and one standing building that originally was an ordnance storehouse, but is now a National Parks maintenance building. The Fort Miley area was first acquired by the United States Military in 1890, when they cited a need for a defense post on the coast near the San Francisco Bay. Construction of barracks, batteries, and other buildings didn't begin on the site until 1899 and then unfailingly served the military up through World War II. Today, although many of the fortifications have been torn down, Fort Miley is still a popular visitor attraction, as well as an important part of military history as it represents some of the original concepts of coastal defense. More »

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, when it became the operations headquarters for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. During World War II, Fort Point changed duties again, and soldiers were stationed there 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 for 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. More »

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, and Berkeley students grab a bite to eat while putting off their homework. While strolling around Fourth Street, 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. More »

Galeria de la Raza

Galeria de la Raza is a nationally recognized gallery that offers a place for activism and a voice to the Chicano and Latino community. On any given day, you may find oversized murals, multimedia exhibits, and live performances that express the artists' thoughts on present day cultural issues--immigration, war, race, family, and spirituality. The gallery started in 1970, during the Chicano civil rights movement, and has had a strong presence in the community ever since. You won't be disappointed by the skill, dedication, and talent that is represented here, so try not to miss it, while visiting the Bay Area. More »

Ghirardelli Square

Located near Fisherman's Wharf, this popular retail square and tourist destination offers more than chocolate, although its history began with the beloved confection. The square dates back to 1893 when Domingo Ghirardelli purchased the whole city block for the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company headquarters. When the company was acquired in the early 1960s, the headquarters were moved, and famous San Franciscan, William Roth, and his mother bought the square. The historic brick structures were converted into an integrated restaurant and retail complex, which was the first major adaptive re-use project in the US. In 1982, the square was listed on the National Register for Historic Places. More »

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 Gleneagles course was then redesigned by Robert Muir Graves and Erik De Lambert in 1982, and has seen slight changes since. The 19th hole is revered for its Scottish ambiance. More »

Glide Memorial United Methodist Church

Glide Memorial Church was a rallying point against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and '70s, 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 Memorial 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 sexual preference. More »

Golden Gate Bridge

Often enshrouded in fog, this bright red suspension bridge is one of the most recognizable structures in the United States. Built in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the largest spanning suspension bridge in the world, and today it is still one of the longest suspension bridges in the U.S., despite a boom of bridges that went up following the completion of the Golden Gate. Stretching over 8,981 feet (2,737 meters) from end to end, and with the longest span reaching 4,200 feet (1,966 meters), the bridge is equally as awesome as it is beautiful. The Golden Gate is also where U.S. Route 101 and State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) converge, making it an important corridor of the western passageway. Accommodating both cars and pedestrian traffic, travelers can enjoy the bridge up close, or get spectacular views of the bridge in its entirety from the southern edge of the bay. Internationally acclaimed, the bridge has become an important symbol not only for the city of San Francisco, but also for the state of California in general. More »

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 other sights Chinatown has to offer. More »

Golden Gate Golf Course

With a location in Golden Gate Park close to downtown, this golf course is the perfect convenient place to hit nine while visiting the city. The course caters to both beginners and intermediate players, as it is a fairly short nine-hole layout without too many obstacles. It was built in 1951 by course architect Jack Fleming, and offers players 1,357 yards of playable space in a beautiful setting amongst cypress trees near the Pacific Ocean. Overall, Golden Gate Golf Course is a nice, affordable place to hone that swing or practice that putt if you get the golf itch while seeing the sites of the city. More »

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is one of the most remarkable sections of wonderful San Francisco. Its 1,000 acres provide an unparalleled 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 go all the way down to Ocean Beach. The park also hosts a golf course, 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. More »

Grace Cathedral

From the top of Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral looks over the city in its majestic size and architecture. After the 1906 earthquake and fire that devastated parts of the city, the Grace Cathedral sprung from the ashes of the ruined Crocker Mansion. The family offered the spot to the church, and in 1928, construction began on a large, French-Gothic-styled cathedral. The building is reminiscent of Notre Dame of Paris or Notre Dame de Chartres, featuring twin towers on the front facade and central vibrant blue, yellow, and red stain glass window over the door. With a touch of local flavor, there are also great frescoes on the inside that depict the history of San Francisco and its patron saint, St. Francis of Asissi.

Some of the other well-admired ornamental aspects of the church include the Ghiberti Doors, also known as the "The Gates of Paradise," and the two labyrinths, which decorate the exterior and interior spaces. The church evokes a classic medieval feeling, particularly from within the stone walls. More »

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, concert-goers enjoy the modern-day luxuries of a professional sound and lighting setup, two full bars, and a spacious dance floor. Visit the Great American Music Hall's 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 up this San Francisco landmark. The Greenwich Steps offer vertiginous views leading up to Coit Tower. and one serious climb. The steps, similar to the Filbert Street Steps, are laden with brick and surrounded with gardens, and are 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 with you, or you might end up with more work-out than you bargained for. More »

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 harmony in Gump's, however, 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. More »

Haas-Lilienthal House

Rarely do you find Victorian homes this well maintained, but the Hass-Lilienthal House has aged with grace. Built in 1886, the Queen Anne Victorian giant is also the home to San Francisco Architecture Heritage, a local non-profit committed to, as the name suggests, protecting the architecture of the old town by the bay. Inside Haas-Lilienthat, much of the original stylings remain -- wallpaper, furniture, cornices, and more. Docents provide informative guided tours that last about an hour, and you'll certainly learn a thing or two about the Victorian era in San Franciscan architecture, and see some of the signs of the famous 1906 earthquake and fire that took about half of the city with it. The house makes a nice, quick visit for the architecture-lover in your group, and is enjoyable for everyone else to boot. More »

Haight-Ashbury

Famed as the cultural nerve-center of the 1960s hippy movement, the modern-day Haight-Ashbury 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. More »

Half Moon Bay State Beach

You're in for a treat if you spend a few hours at Half Moon Bay, in San Mateo. The sand stretches out along four relaxing miles, so there is plenty of prime beach for you to enjoy in peace. Camping is allowed, if you make reservations in advance, and you can ride horses on a trail that runs parallel to the beach. Although the currents are often too strong for weak swimmers, and the water temperatures seldom reach 60 degrees, this beach is the perfect romantic spot for picnics, sunset bike rides, and general sunbathing. More »

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 for San Francisco's genteel symphony-goers and opera fans. The neighborhood's 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, or mingle with 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. More »

Henry Miller Library

Forget your library card at home --this is not your average library or bookstore. Instead, the Henry Memorial Library was established by friend Emil White as a tribute to his good friend and well-known writer, Henry Miller. Miller, best known for his controversial books, Tropic of Cancer and The Crucible, moved to the Big Sur area in the 1940s when he fell in love with the weather-beaten coast. Dedicated to a man who didn't believe in memorials, the library is more of a cultural center than a library. Come hang out, look at some of the art hanging on the walls, or check out a workshop or exhibit located on-site. The library is nestled in a little cove of redwood trees and grassy lawns, and makes a great place to lounge about. The library may not be for everyone, but it certainly is something that the avant-garde writer and reader will smile about. More »

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. More »

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. More »

Holy Virgin Cathedral

One of the most recognizable churches in the Bay area is the Holy Virgin Cathedral, which is a Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Known for its five towering 24-karat gold-dipped domes, its intricate and descriptive mosaics (also dipped in gold), and its beautiful murals. You can simply make time for a walk through, or you can wait for Mass, when one of the three choirs fills the Byzantine-style auditorium with rich harmonies and intense energy. More »

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. More »

Jack London Square

Located across the bay in the city of Oakland, Jack London Square remains one of Oakland's top tourist attractions. Teeming with restaurants, shops, and entertainment, the square is named after the famous 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 was a favorite place for Jack London, the author of The Call of the Wild and White Fang, to stroll about in the 1880s.

Today, Jack London 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. More »

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. More »

Japanese Tea Garden

Nestled in Golden Gate Park is the traditional Japanese Tea Garden, which features 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 tea 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 gardener's family lived in, and maintained, the gardens from 1895 through 1942 when they were 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 Japanese Tea Garden continues to be a popular place to take a stroll through, while enjoying the calming surroundings. The most popular time to visit is when the cherry trees are in bloom in April. More »

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. More »

John Berggruen Gallery

The well known 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. The works featured here are definitely pricey, but the curatorial staff is quite knowledgeable, especially of local San Franciscan artists, and the contemporary art world, . More »

Justin Herman Plaza/Vaillancourt Fountain

The Justin Herman Plaza is placed right in front of the Ferry Building, near the base of the Bay Bridge at the Waterfront. This is a perfect place to begin a leisurely stroll down the Embarcadero, with plenty of scenic piers with gorgeous views of the bay. The Vaillancourt Fountain is an impressive if jarring work of modern art, with its giant concrete fingers reaching straight to the sky. In 1989, in a fit of artistic inspiration, U2 musician Bono spray-painted the fountain, earning him a citation for vandalism. Claiming that his addition was merely his artistic expression, he nonetheless incurred the anger of San Francisco's mayor. Still the site of community events, jazz concerts, and other attractions, this court is the center square from which you can plot your Embarcadero shopping and dining. More »

Kabuki Springs & Spa

Kabuki Springs & Spa promises to rejuvenate your mind and body in a seductive Japanese setting--among Buddha statues, bamboo chairs, and Japanese paintings. Kabuki Springs & Spa offers amma or shiatsu massage, organic cucumber face masks, Javanese lulur body treatment, and anything else needed to purify your essence. Also try the communal baths, the saunas, and acupuncture to release your blocked Qi. Look no further for total harmony and the ultimate relaxation experience. More »

Lafayette Park

A great place to gush over the beautiful Pac Heights mansions, Lafayette Park's central location in the poshest of San Francisco neighborhoods makes it a hip place to meet up. With plenty of parking and nice views of the city, Lafayette Park is filled with Frisbee players, dog walkers, young urban professionals, and just about anybody else when the weather turns nice. Break out some brie and a bottle of wine for a fancy Pacific Heights picnic. More »

Land's End

Land's End offers some dramatic views of the Pacific, with rugged cliffsides and winding paths, exquisite for the intrepid hiker. Stay on the trail, as some of the cliffside paths have fallen into disrepair and might be dangerous. You can watch the passing freighters or simply stare into the meditative ocean and watch the breakers roll in. Bring a jacket, as the area is perpetually windy. More »

Lawrence Hall of Science

The Lawrence Hall of Science is a great place to enjoy the intellectual vitality of UC Berkeley in a family-friendly atmosphere. Designed to educate children from preschool to high school, the Lawrence Hall of Science is a place where kids' excitement at the sight of dinosaurs, algae, and other educational curiosities is palpable. Visit the Lawrence Hall of Science to learn how to pronounce "ichthyosaurus," to marvel at the mysteries of outer space, and to feed your brain with any and all manner of scientific curiosity you crave. More »

Letterman Digital Arts Center

The Letterman Digital Arts Center is the brainchild of Star Wars mogul George Lucas, one of the North Bay's richest individuals. Constructed in the middle of the Presidio, the Digital Arts Center has become the newest branch of Lucasfilm Ltd., a monumental project that brings together Industrial Light & Magic, and Lucas Arts in a 23-acre state-of-the-art facility. The Bay Area's new center for digital arts is bound to produce some of Hollywood's biggest explosions, space scenes, dinosaurs, and giant city-destroying monsters for years to come. More »

Levi's Plaza Park

Located smack dab in the middle of the Embarcadero and Battery Street, right near the pier and the eastern waterfront, Levi's Plaza Park is an ideal getaway from the happening business area that surrounds it. Often described as an oasis of sorts, you'll find many people taking a break from their day to enjoy an afternoon lunch peppered with sunshine and tranquility. The grass is meticulously maintained, and the shroud of trees and restaurants provide both shade and a barrier from the city noise. This is a lovely spot for a picnic, but there are also several places where you can grab a bite to eat nearby, such as Il Fornaio--To Go and RJ's Market. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch break from the corporate grind, or simply spending an afternoon strolling the waterfront, Levi's is a great place to go and escape from it all. More »

Lincoln Park Golf Course

Lincoln Park Golf Course has it all: it's beautiful, challenging, and boasts one of the world's top-rated holes.

This well-maintained par-68 course is fairly short, with 5,150 yards. The long fairways tend to be narrow and lined with trees. Lincoln's signature hole is #17 that runs along a steep ocean bluff and looks out onto the Golden Gate Bridge. This hole is selected yearly by national golf publications as one of the premier holes in the world.

Resident golfers call Lincoln Park the best-kept secret in San Francisco because it's aesthetically spectacular and a tremendous value. More »

Lombard Street

This serpentine-like residential street in the heart of San Francisco is popularly known as the country's most crooked street, with eight sharp turns. The famous twists and turns down this one-block street are a popular destination for visitors to the city. Lombard Street in its entirety stretches from the Presidio to the west and runs through the Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill neighborhoods before ending at the Embarcadero to the east. The famous crooked block of Lombard lies between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, and there is often a lineup of cars eagerly waiting to wind their way down the street like an amusement park ride. The road was built in 1923, and only allows traffic to travel one-way-- east, downhill--and the speed limit is five miles per hour, in order to accommodate the street's unbelievable 27 percent grade. For a view of the remarkable road looking down, take the Powell-Hyde cable car line, which stops at the top of the winding block. More »

Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall

The Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, home of the San Francisco Symphony and Orchestra, is one of the most elegant edifices in San Francisco; however, it is even more astonishing from the inside. The light plays through the glass as you ascend the staircase, giving a view of City Hall and the War Memorial Opera House. The visual aesthetic serves only to enhance the strains of music that the San Francisco Symphony performs; from Chopin to Tchaikovsky, from Bach to Boulez, every concert is bound to feature one of the world's most prominent virtuosos. The San Francisco Symphony also produces exhibitions and special events, so come to the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall to enjoy a feast for the eyes and the ears. More »

Lower Haight Neighborhood

Lower Haight is perhaps the younger sister of the venerable Haight-Ashbury neighborhood; young hipsters come here to get their music, clothes, and eats in a funky, counterculture neighborhood. The restaurants are cheap and flavorful, with plenty of ethnic flavors and variety. Stores range from boutique record shops to antique furnishings; restaurants range from chic martini bars to delicious ethnic holes-in-the-wall. Come here for a real taste of what the young hipster elite of San Francisco are up to these days. More »

Macondray Lane

Hidden away near the summit of Russian Hill, Macondray Lane is yet another of San Francisco's treats reserved for those willing to explore the nooks and crannies of this labyrinthine city. Macondray Lane leads to spectacular views of Alcatraz and Angel Island; along the way you will see Victorian houses and lush gardens. Take this picturesque two-block lane to enjoy the scenery and the view (if weather is permitting). More »

Market Street

Strictly in a cartographic sense, Market Street is most likely the most confusing street in San Francisco. It cuts diagonally through the city, transforming a neat grid of avenues into a confusing array of five-way intersections, triangle-shaped buildings, and one-way streets. Nonetheless, once on Market Street, you will transect some of the most distinct neighborhoods in the city. Starting at the Waterfront, Market makes its way towards the Financial District, where some of the biggest department stores can be found. From here it is a short way to Union Square--and even more shopping. From Powell, take a cable car up the city for some fresh air and some views of the city. Market is closest to this city's Main Ave, and without its crazy diagonal slant it just wouldn't be San Francisco. More »

Maverick's

Maverick's is not an ordinary surf spot. Ordinary surf spots do not have signs warning of the ocean's penchant for freak waves dragging innocent bystanders into the sea. Ordinary surf spots don't have waves so big they sound like bombs going off when they break. Ordinary surf spots do not have an elite crew of big-wave surfers on a 24-hour call so that they can descend from Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Malibu just to surf their waves.

No, Maverick's is more of a pilgrimage for those surfers brave enough to bear its punishing weather and dangerous waves. The name of its annual big-wave surf contest is telling: "The Men Who Ride Mountains." If you want to see the ocean's force in its purest form and those courageous enough to try and ride it, Maverick's will take your breath away. More »

Mendocino

Mendocino can be a delightful getaway from the city (fall, winter, spring). The best way to get there from San Francisco is to drive--up 101 to 128 and through Anderson Valley over to the coast. Once you turn off of 101, you'll get to see some of the best of California--lovely landscapes filled with oak trees, wineries and sheep, then moving into redwood forests and then the coast. On the way there stop in places like Booneville for lunch at the hotel or keep on driving to Philo and try Libby's for some great modern Mexican food. Mendocino Proper (as opposed to Mendocino County) is a little village filled with old Victorian cottages and houses right on the coast. There are many galleries and shops, and a lot of those Victorians, as well as some of the town's old chicken coops, have been turned into Bed and Breakfasts. More »

Metreon

This sleek and modern shopping and entertainment center is home to a variety of high-tech stores and entertainment venues. Located downtown on the corner of 4th and Mission Streets, The Metreon complex feature four stories of fun including an IMAX theater, a large Sony electronics and home entertainment sore, the International Spy Shop, and the Games Workshop. The food court steers clear of typical fast food fare and includes such San Francisco favorites as Buckhorn Grill, Luna Azul, and Sanraku. More »

Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts

The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts was established in 1977 by artists and community activists sharing the goal of promoting local Latino and Chicano art in the Mission. Its unmistakable facade is adorned with a huge mural, with Aztec lions greeting you (Bienvenidos!) at the door. As a community-led nonprofit organization, the MCCLA endeavors to enrich the Mission by providing collections, exhibits, and classes celebrating arts from and inspired by South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. More »

Mission District

When entering the Mission District, there is no mistaking the cultural imprint its denizens have left. As you stroll past the many taquerias, produce markets, pupuserias, and signs in Spanish, it becomes fairly obvious that you are in the heart of San Francisco's Latino community.

The Mission encompasses a wide variety of areas: 24th Street is filled with beauty salons, restaurants, and is adorned by the Mission's famous murals; Valencia is spotted with stores and restaurants, while Dolores is a quiet, leafy avenue lined with Victorian mansions; 16th and Mission houses hipsters cashing in on the Mission's low rent. Any way you go, you won't ever stray from the Mission's hustle and bustle, as there's always something to see or do. More »

Mission District Murals

One of the striking facets of the Mission District is its distinct tradition of painting murals; even the McDonalds by the BART station is a colorful array of images painted by the community. This tradition has been part and parcel of the Mission's cultural diversity, as it has been a predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood for decades.

Drawing from the early 20th-century tradition that was mastered by Mexican artists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Siquieros, Chicano artists in the Mission began to lend their hand to the beautification and cultural development by creating their own murals in 1971. Today, San Francisco has over 600 murals depicting political statements, religious icons, and historic events, with the majority centered in the Mission District. More »

Mission Dolores

While the nation's forefathers were awaiting response from England in late 1776, Father Junipero Serra founded the Mission Dolores on where present day San Francisco is found. In what was just a simple pueblo of 900 exploded to 20,000 in under a year around the time of the 1948 Gold Rush in California, which solidified San Francisco's place in history. Even with the massive influx of people who moved in San Francisco, the mission remained in its location and today serves the community as an active parish and church. The mission even survived one of San Francisco's worst earthquakes on record, the 1906 earthquake that decimated much of the city, and is the oldest standing structure in San Francisco. Visually Mission Dolores is a stunning example of Spanish Mission style, and the cemetery and surrounding gardens create a beautiful backdrop for the historical building. More »

Mom's Body Shop

Mom's Body Shop is place to get the ultimate Haight-Ashbury souvenir--one that will literally stay with you for your entire life. If you are looking for a full-body tattoo of a Buddha sitting on a lotus surrounded by flames, look no further. Traditional Japanese kabuki portrait more your style? Each of the five tattoo artists offers their own specialty, from your classic "mom" tattoo to a flaming skull. Piercings are also offered to almost any body part you wish to get perforated. It's hard to miss Mom's Body Shop; its neon sign on Haight-Ashbury will attract your eye, with its well-inked customers and employees serving as walking, talking examples of their work. More »

Monterey Bay Aquarium

With a mission of inspiring the ecological protection of the oceans, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is far more than a museum of the aquatic. It is a pageant of all things oceanic, from cuddly penguins to slithery eels. With over 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has appeared in several films and TV shows, including Star Trek and National Geographic. With 30-foot-tall glass aquariums, check out its unbelievable kelp forests, sea monsters, and playful otters as you visit other animal populations who call the Bay Area their home. More »

Moscone Center

Planning a meeting or convention in the San Francisco Bay area? Try the area's premier convention venue, the Moscone Center. It offers three main meeting halls--the Moscone Center South, Esplanade Ballroom, and Moscone Center North. Each meeting space has anywhere from 126,000 to 650,000 square feet of available space, perfect for planning everything from a small company meeting to a large banquet. The Moscone Center is known for hosting some of the most well-known conventions in the world, including the MacWorld Expo (Apple's annual convention) and the American Bar Association's annual meeting. The center was named after former San Francisco mayor George Moscone, who was tragically assassinated in 1978. More »

Mount Tamalpais

Easily the best view in the North Bay, Mount Tamalpais is the ultimate destination for San Franciscan hikers yearning for Mt. Tam's unparalleled vista. From its 2571-foot summit, one can see all of Marin County, San Francisco, Mt. Diablo--and on a sunny day the snow-capped Sierras are visible. Also offering camping, hiking, and biking in over 6,300 acres of oak and redwood groves, Mt. Tam is simply the best way to rise above the bustle and hum of the city. More »

Muir Woods National Monument

Named after the conservationist John Muir, Muir Woods became a National Monument in 1908 thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt and the Antiquities Act. Today, the woods are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the forest is home to a vast diversity of plant and animal life, namely the redwood trees. The forest is located only about 12 miles north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge into Mill Valley and Mount Tamaplais. The ancient coastal redwood trees, some of which are 1,000 or more years old and over 260 feet high, sprawls out over 560 acres of preserved land. Muir Woods is a popular place to hike and wonder through the protected wilderness. Take note that Muir Woods is protected by the National Park Service and although the area is open year-round, there are no bicycles, picnics, dogs, or camping allowed. More »

Musée Mécanique

Musée Mécanique will take you back to the days when a penny and a nickel was all it took to play games at the town carnival or beach boardwalk. Laffing Sal, a funhouse character from the early 1900s, waits to greet you by the door of this one-of-a-kind museum, but there are over 300 antique and unique objects to explore once inside. Edward Galland Zelinsky, owner of the museum until passing away in 2004, started collecting coin-operated machines, tiny pianos, and rarities when he was only eleven years old. Today, Musée Mécanique's collection of games is extensive and impressive and all you have to do is bring your spare change to enjoy it. More »

Museo ItaloAmericano

Established in 1978, this Museuo is acclaimed as the only one of its kind devoted completely to Italian and Italian-American art and culture in the United States. The non-profit institution takes pride in collecting and showcasing the work of Italian-American artists and offers a variety of educational classes for the public including Italian language courses, lectures on a variety of Italian topics, and cultural enrichment classes. The museum focuses on its outreach to the community through programs such as the Children's Italian Art Outreach (CIAO) program and regularly plays host to cultural events within the community. The gallery's permanent collection includes a number of pieces from well established Italian and Italian-American artists. More »

Museum of the African Diaspora

In collaboration with universities and other museums across the globe, the Museum of the African Diaspora offers a world-class collection of African art, culture, and information about the African-American experience. Its innovative presentation incorporates art, interactive theater, and immersive exhibitions into its collection. With a mission of engaging visitors into a living debate, the MoAD aspires to draw visitors both to learn and to contribute to its work. More »

National AIDS Memorial Grove

At the east end of Golden Gate Park lives the National AIDS Memorial Grove, which serves as a living tribute to everyone who has died from AIDS, those living with the disease, and everyone whose lives have been touched by AIDS. The serene setting was first conceptualized in 1988 by a group of San Francisco residents who were grief struck by the disease. The group teamed up with professionals in the areas of architecture, landscape, and design to create their vision of a nature area to honor those whose lives have been changed by AIDS. By 1996, former President Bill Clinton and Congress approved the "National AIDS Memorial Grove Act" making the Grove the first AIDS memorial in the country. More »

New Langton Arts

This gallery is known for its experimental and innovative contemporary art and is always on the cutting edge of experimental art forms such as performance, video, installation, electronic music, and poetry. The New Langton Arts Gallery hosts an array of exhibitions and shows from local to international artists and both emerging and established artists. Langton was founded in 1975 and has, since its creation, been on the forefront of innovative arts. Sneak a peek into this emerging art scene by visiting one of its imaginative presentations. Budding artists are able to showcase their work in what is known as the Musée d’Honneur Miniscule, which is a street-level window display that is viewable even when the gallery is closed. More »

Nob Hill

Swanky Nob Hill is one of San Francisco's more groomed, genteel districts. Historically, it was where the city's elite built their mansions to escape the more roguish Waterfront and Chinatown districts, then infamously known as the Barbary Coast.

Nob Hill is now a wealthy residential district with plenty of unique and elegant shopping spots to pass the time. At the center you'll find Huntington Square, with its replica of Rome's Fountain of the Tortoises, its marble cherubs and dolphins lit with halogen in the evening. Nob Hill is home to the Fairmont and InterContinental, San Francisco's most famous hotels. Check out the Cable Car Museum, the independent Lumiere theater, or many of Nob Hill's chic bars and boutiques. From Nob hill, it is easy to get to Union Square, Chinatown, and the Tenderloin. More »

Norras Temple

This venerable Buddhist temple was constructed more than five decades ago. One of its highlights is an altar made from imported Chinese wood--a beautiful piece of art that adorns the old building. There are symbols and signs of Tibetan Buddhism throughout the temple, from tiny Buddha statues inside five-foot tall mandalas to the shrine that depicts Buddha and his followers. The temple was named after its predecessor, the Norras Buddhist Temple in Tibet. More »

North Beach

North Beach is home to San Francisco's original "Little Italy." In the earlier part of the 20th Century, immigrants from Chile, and later Italy, settled in this quarter of San Francisco. They quickly created a vivacious nightlife, as well as an unparalleled reputation. To this day, North Beach is famous for its flavorful Italian restaurants, lively saloons, and enjoyable cafés. However, the Italian flavor of North Beach is not the only attraction to this exuberant neighborhood. In the 1950s, North Beach was also a magnet for many Beat writers and poets, most notably Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The world-famous Bohemian style created by "the Beats" remains to this day, and it is found in many forms. From historic churches to swanky (and equally historic) saloons and cafés, Bohemian culture can be found at nearly every corner of this famous San Francisco neighborhood. More »

Oakland Bay Bridge

It's pretty fair to see why the Golden State Bridge as easily solidified itself as the bridge of San Francisco, but that would go without acknowledging the structural marvel that is the Oakland Bay Bridge. Part suspension bridge with a double-decker roadways, part tunnel, and part cantilever bridge, the Oakland Bay Bridge stretches over an impressive 8.4 miles separated into an eastern and western span via Yerba Buena Island. Officially named the James 'Sunny Jim' Rolph Bridge, it was opened in 1936 and sees nearly a quarter million vehicles per day. Amazingly, the bridge has held up very well, including after the 1989 earthquake when repairs to the bridge were made within a month and safer than ever. While it may not be the golden poster child of San Francisco, a distinction held for the Golden Gate, the Oakland Bay Bridge is still equally as awesome, especially at night when the bridge is lit up by miles of lights. More »

Oakland Chinatown

Oakland Chinatown is not to be confused with San Francisco's Chinatown for several reasons: First, it is not a tourist attraction per se as much as it is a bustling commercial Asian-American enclave in Oakland. Secondly, it is not necessarily Chinese. Vietnamese and Korean restaurants are omnipresent, and one can find some of the most authentic pho and bulgogi in the bay. Since Oakland will never have as steady a flow of tourists upon which their businesses can rely, restaurants have to deliver consistently delicious and low-priced food for a demanding local clientele. Therefore, this is a great place to pick up an authentic Asian meal, or to pick up a trinket or two without participating in the tourist extravaganza that is San Francisco's Chinatown. More »

Oakland Museum of California

This museum celebrates and showcases all things California; history, culture, climate, and of course, art. If your visit to the state doesn't include a scenic drive down south, then be sure to take note of the Walk Across California exhibit. Here, you'll be able to see the different ecosystems that thrive in the beautiful and diverse state. Other permanent exhibits include California: A Place, A People, A Dream, where you can learn how the state, its people, its politics, and its culture came to be. The Oakland Museum of California was designed by architect, Kevin Roche, in 1969. Roche wanted to mesh gallery space with outdoor terraces and landscaping and parks with works of art. Today, Roche's design of the museum continues to catch the attention of design teams and architects all over the world. More »

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a great place to go jogging, dog walking, or strolling. The frigid water, killer rip tide, and occasional shark attack discourage most swimmers, but there's a healthy surfing scene here. This is one of the longest and most scenic beaches in San Francisco, where beautiful sunsets and delightful views are enjoyed by hundreds of people on sunny days. Head north to watch the waves crash against Elephant Rock, and as you go enjoy the sound of waves crashing against the distinctly Northern Californian coast. More »

Octagon House

This unusual-looking building was constructed in 1861 by William C. McElroy. The impetus behind the shape of the house came from a popular theory during the mid 1800s that suggested that people who lived in octagon-shaped spaces lead happier, healthier lives. The home sat vacant for a few years before the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in California bought it and relocated it to its current resting place. The Octagon House underwent extensive renovations after being moved, and now it houses an eclectic collection of Colonial and Federal antiques such as furniture, portraits, and silver. Even if you don't have time to check out the inside of the house, at least take a minute to walk by; it really is a unique architectural marvel. More »

Old U.S. Mint

One of the few buildings to survive the Great Earthquake of 1906, the Old Mint's doric columns and imposing granite facade have made it a citywide landmark. Known to locals as "the Granite Lady," this was the site of California's first mint and the home of its treasury reserves. It eventually became one of the United States' main financial institutions, housing over a third of its gold reserves in 1934. In 2001, SF mayor Willie Brown put together a task force for the renovation of the Old Mint which unanimously voted to convert it into the permanent home of the San Francisco Museum. This forthcoming museum will soon be a repository of information on San Francisco's unique history and culture. More »

Pacific Heights

Pacific Heights is the undisputed center of San Francisco's wealth. With achingly beautiful mansions, well-groomed parks, and distinct views of the Bay, Pac Heights is the most coveted real estate in Northern California. Come to see the Hass-Lilienthal House, the Spreckels Mansion, and a plethora of luxury cars flanking the luxury residences. Rest in Lafayette Park, one of the best in the city for its views and impeccable cleanliness. Feel free to bring your Prada and your poodle if you want to fit in with Pac Heights' well-coiffed residents. More »

Palace of Fine Arts

Located in the Marina District, Bernard Maybeck's ornamental domed structure was built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition, a world's fair intended to be San Francisco's big reintroduction after the devastating 1906 earthquake. Maybeck purposefully used non-permanent building materials that would decay over time, and as the rest of the structures built for the fair were being torn down, citizens organized a petition to save the Palace of Fine Arts, which garnered the support of 33,000 signatures and $350,000. And so, it was kept alive, but significant repairs were not made until the structure began to do just as Maybeck intended, decay to the point of being a hazard. Local residents again organized in the 1960s to save the Palace, and aided by the support of Walter S. Johnson's philanthropy, sustained the structure permanently. Today, the exterior of the building includes a park, named after Johnson, a 1,000 seat theater that has hosted many famous artists and lectures, and the great local science museum, the Exploratorium. It's a wonderful place popular with locals and tourists alike. More »

Pescadero

With its beautiful coral formations, crashing waves, and tide pools, Pescadero is an exciting day at the beach. Located between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, this beach town is a great place to take the family for a sunny day at the beach, and then head to one of its many relaxed restaurants and shops on the main strip. Check out the lighthouse and wildlife preserve if you want to set goals for yourself--if not, just relax and enjoy a day at the beach. More »

Point Reyes National Seashore

Located on Highway 1 north of Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore is a spectacular sprawl of marshland, grasslands, and beautiful coastline. Established by President Kennedy in 1962, this pristine wildlife preserve houses a great number of California's marine mammals, plants, and bird species. The seashore is huge, meaning that there is not one precise location to visit. But do enjoy the winding scenic coastal drive and the ocean views, and eventually you will stumble upon the Point Reyes Lighthouse. In order to get to Point Reyes from San Francisco, you will cross the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Sausalito, Mt. Tamalpais, and Muir Woods. So make a day of it, and make frequent stops along the way to enjoy the most pristine natural beauty in California. More »

Polk Gulch

Polk Gulch has until recent times been notorious as a place of prostitutes, drug pushers, and tranny bars. These days, it's cleaned up its act a bit, much to the indignation of many residents horrified at the thought of an invading yuppie-led gentrification army. It now houses several bars, shops, and clubs, from varying levels of shadiness. It's definitely worth visiting of you are looking for a trip off the beaten path. More »

Portsmouth Square

Located smack dab in the center of Chinatown, Portsmouth Square is a collection of several commemorative plaques, statues, and historical sites. Formerly the site of a Mexican Pueblo named Yerba Buena, Portsmouth Square was the site where the first American flag was hoisted. Today visitors can watch locals practice Tai Chi, play chess, and occasionally gather for weddings and other events. Most likely, however, visitors will appreciate Portsmouth Square for one of its more mundane qualities--it houses a four-story parking garage, from which you can begin your tour of Chinatown. More »

Powell Street Cable Car Turntable

At the intersection of Powell and Market, visitors line up to get a ride on a distinct San Francisco treat--the cable car. Don't dismiss this as a tourist trap, because there is really no more enjoyable way to enjoy San Francisco's hilly views and fresh air than from one of these historic trolleys. San Francisco was the first city to use cable cars, and due to their surprising usefulness and eternal charm, it is the last city to keep them in use.

Since 1873, these trolleys have been tugged at a slow but steady 9-mph cable in the ground by giant turbines. The slow pace allows passengers to take in the experience, pointing out sights along the way. Passing by Union Square up Powell, this cable car line leads directly to Fisherman's Wharf. Along the way, riders enjoy a soaring vista of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Mount Tamalpais, and the Golden Gate Bridge. More »

Precita Eyes

Precita Eyes is an organization dedicated to the beautification of San Francisco's Mission District through the improvement, restoration, and commission of its distinctive mural art. It offers mural tours, a store with art supplies, and plenty of information on the murals that paint the region. If you are interested in the heritage and creation of this distinct form of art, come to Precita Eyes' Visitors Center and catch a weekend mural walk, an informative tour of over 50 murals in a 10-block area. More »

Presidio Golf Course

This beautiful golf course offers golfers not only a great game of 18 holes, but also sweeping views of the city. Since it is situated only 10 minutes from downtown, it makes a convenient golf getaway for visitors to (or locals of) San Francisco. The course itself spans 6477 yards from the championship tees and comprises narrow, rolling fairways, multiple bunkers, and plenty of trees to keep any golfer challenged. Since the course is managed by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, it is kept very clean and manicured--visiting golfers can expect the best here. If you need to brush up on your swings before hitting the links, stop by the world-class practice center to sign up for some lessons or to hone your drive at the driving range. More »

Presidio Trust

A favorite of locals and visitors alike, the Presidio Trust park encompasses a large 1,491 acres in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Originally, the Presidio was used as a military base, serving local, national, and global military institutions from 1776 until 1994. Spain was the first country to use the area as a military outpost; it served as their northernmost base of "New Spain" for almost forty years. Following the Spanish reign of the region, Mexico ruled the roost here after they declared independence in 1821. Then, in 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the U.S. Army set up camp at Presidio and stayed there until 1994, when the land was given to the National Park Service. Since then, the Presidio Trust has worked hard to maintain the beautiful natural resources of the area, including maintaining the historic buildings and cultural institutions on site. More »

Project Artaud

Project Artaud is a performing arts complex in The Mission District dedicated to providing experimental theater, pioneering art exhibitions, and current performances of local artists' work. Founded in 1971 by a group of local artists and bohemians, its location (a former can factory) gives it an industrial space that is perfect for presenting novel works of San Franciscan art. Project Artaud is one of the many non-profit organizations dedicated to sustaining and enhancing San Francisco's lively art scene--check it out for the latest San Francisco's creative minds have to offer. More »

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

Break out the clogs and funny hats--the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Gardens are a taste of the Netherlands' distinct charm right in Golden Gate Park! The Dutch windmill and elegantly groomed tulip gardens are a picturesque way to begin a tour of the park. Built in 1902 and named after the late Dutch Queen, the windmills originally provided irrigation to the rest of the park, but now the windmills provide a purely cosmetic allure. More »

Rainbow Grocery

Rainbow Grocery is a collective organization dedicated to offering organic, vegetarian groceries that cause the least ecological and environmental damage. Located in The Mission, the ownership of this store is equally shared by each of its employees, in a typically San Franciscan spirit of community and shared spirituality.

If you have a craving for Twinkies and Skittles, you need not look here. If you feel a desire to get granola in the largest sense of the word, look no further. More »

Randall Museum

The Randall Museum is science and art museum that caters to youth. Named after Josephine D. Randall, a woman who helped create Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, this museum offers workshops, hands-on exhibits, and educational presentations that cater to the children of the city, but all ages will enjoy it here. Along with learning about science, you and your kids can also play with live animals, including a lizards, tarantulas, and tortoises. More »

Rincon Center

Deep in the Waterfront, the Rincon Center is located where the post office once was, at the very beginning of Mission Street. The Center features a 60-foot waterfall as the centerpiece of a plaza filled with restaurants and shops, a frequent haunt of San Francisco's businesspeople looking for a quick bite to eat. Check out the frescoed walls whose tiled mosaics depict various episodes of San Francisco's history. More »

Rockridge

Rockridge is the well-heeled area of Oakland that serves as an intellectual and commercial center for the East Bay. College Avenue is the main commercial thoroughfare of Rockridge, where stressed-out Berkeley students hole up in coffee shops and where well-to-do professionals enjoy the many ethnic restaurants and boutiques. Filled with fashion, design, and home furnishing stores, Rockridge is a favorite for East Bay residents to fill their homes with the occasional antique chaise or ultramodern ottoman. Rockridge is also a beautiful residential neighborhood, graced by the elegant Julia Morgan-designed Presbyterian church, several Victorian mansions, and plenty of modern homes. Located right by the BART station, Rockridge is only a short walk to the UC Berkeley Campus, the Claremont, and other nearby locations. More »

Russian Hill

Russian Hill, a lower-key cousin of its swank neighbor Nob Hill, is a pleasant residential neighborhood spotted with restaurants and shops perfect for a relaxed sojourn after visiting San Francisco's more crowded neighborhoods. Russian Hill was named in the 1850s as pioneers found several mysterious tombstones bearing Cyrillic inscriptions; no consensus was reached as to where they had come from, and the Russian influence never outlived these tablets. A French Quarter feel has taken over a corner of the neighborhood where baguettes can be purchased in a variety of authentic bistros and bakeries. Russian Hill is accessible from the Powell-Mason cable car line and from Fisherman's Wharf. More »

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church is an imposing building facing Washington Square in North Beach; underneath its twin spires, you can find families playing Frisbee, dogs frolicking, and hungry San Franciscans heading to Little Italy's finest eateries. After the first incarnation of this church was destroyed along with everything else in the Great Quake, the rebuilt church's imposing size and beauty made it a cathedral among the beauties of North Beach. For over a century, the parish has worked to fight poverty, homelessness, and to spread the gospel to the community. More »

Sam Wo's

A Chinatown institution for over 100 years, Sam Wo's is a ramshackle speakeasy of a restaurant where you are more likely to get yelled at and berated rather than unctuously served. As you walk directly into the kitchen, a waiter yells at you, already exasperated, to come up the rickety stairs to the meager dining area.

Saw Wo's was the home of the legendary Edsel Ford Fong until he passed away recently--this surly, rude "waiter" would treat you like a recruit at his own private Chinese restaurant boot camp. The tradition continues: you are most likely told what to eat, instead of choosing the food yourself--but its eternal redeeming quality is the fact that Sam Wo's is some cheap, cheap eats. More »

San Francisco Art Institute

The San Francisco Art Institute has been educating students of contemporary art since 1871. With an illustrious list of alumni who have found success in painting, sculpture, photography, filmmaking, and design, the SFAI has maintained its role as the most prestigious center of learning for the visual arts. It offers classes in virtually all genres, and it maintains its vision of providing a creative and innovative atmosphere for its students. With several exhibitions and a permanent gallery, the San Francisco Art Institute's campus is an inviting place for visitors to experience. More »

San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery

The San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the local art scene. By exhibiting the works of emerging artists, the gallery hopes to breathe fresh life into San Franciscan art by constantly displaying the Bay's most innovative and contemporary works. It has three sites in order to reach the widest possible audience; it is indicative of San Francisco's vibrancy that a governmental organization would devote so much into preserving and displaying local art. So visit the gallery--it's free, and you will find yourself awed by the quality of the constantly changing exhibits and displays. More »

San Francisco Columbarium

This ornate building was constructed in 1898 and looks more like a castle than a repository for ashes. When cemeteries within city limits were banned in San Francisco in 1930, the Columbarium survived, and was one of two surviving columbariums available for non-denominational burials. It is currently the resting place for the ashes of many prominent San Francisco personalities, including Harvey Milk, a well-known gay rights activist and politician. In the 1980s, the Neptune Society of Northern California took over the care of the Columbarium and have completed various renovations to return the building to its original condition. More »

San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design

In celebration of the art of craft and design, this museum opened in 2004 in the heart of San Francisco on Sutter Street, between Powell and Mason, just blocks away from Union Square. The museum's exhibitions showcase a variety of craft and design pieces while at the same time expressing the importance of craft and design on our everyday lives and physical environments. Special programs, lectures, special events, and children's activities are often offered by the museum in its mission to provide education and community outreach. Visitors are tempted to bring a piece of the museum home in the museum store, where a treasure trove of crafts and other unique items are on sale from jewelery to home decor. Artist exhibitions rotate regularly and feature a wide assortment of different mediums including wood, fiber, clay, metal, glass, and more. Visit the museum's website for a current and upcoming exhibitions. More »

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

This unique museum opened in 1935 as the San Francisco Museum of Art and originally only showcased art from the 20th century. In 1995, the museum moved to its current location and occupies a striking building designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Today, the museum houses a large collection of 20th century artists; highlights include Jackson Pollock, Ansel Adams, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, and many more. Although only a limited number of works are on display at a time, the museum frequently rotates their collection and also features various temporary exhibitions throughout the year. They also offer many public programs, including teacher workshops and in-depth spotlights on different exhibitions. More »

San Francisco Public Library at Civic Center

With San Francisco's constellation of independent bookstores scattered across the Bay, one would hardly think there'd be room for a library system. However, its 376,000 square feet and seven stories attest to the city's love affair with books. Also filled with works of local art ranging from Hispanic art to contributions from San Francisco's gay community, this library is an impressive edifice filled to the brim with books essential to the perpetuation of the city's literary and artistic vibrancy. More »

San Francisco Shopping Centre

Located at the intersection of Powell and Market, the San Francisco Shopping Centre is most likely the first destination for the city's most die hard, shop-til-you-drop visitors. With over nine floors filled with small boutiques, popular chains, and the world's largest Nordstrom (occupying five floors), there will be enough to satiate shoppers no matter how large their appetite. The San Francisco Shopping Center is also the home of the world's only curved escalator--allowing/forcing visitors to view all the shops on a floor before ascending the next. Don't spend all of your cash, however--Union Square is just a few blocks up, just take the Cable Car right outside. More »

San Francisco Zoo

Looking to see lions, monkeys, and elephants during your visit to the Bay Area? The San Francisco Zoo is the place to go. Its first exhibits opened in the 1930s and included Monkey Island, a sea lion pool, bear grottoes, an elephant house, and an aviary. The zoo has undergone various renovations in the past few years, and is now a world-class facility that spreads over 100 acres and is home to over 900 animals. Since the zoo is located next to the Pacific Ocean, it offers visitors cool breezes and a convenient distraction from spending the day on the beach. The young ones in the group will love the six-acre Children's Zoo, which features a touch-and-feel Nature Trail, a Family Farm, and a Meerkat and Prairie Dog exhibit which allows kids to crawl and burrow through tunnels just like the animals. More »

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a beautiful beachside town famous for possessing some of the best surf in California. Its famous Beach Boardwalk is a theme park complete with some surprisingly scary wooden rollercoasters, fun games, and plenty of cotton candy and other delicious junk food. Visit the lighthouse and surf museum, as world-class surfers and seals alike vie for the waves that smash into the cliff face.

Also an excellent location for dining and shopping, Santa Cruz and its nearby communities offer everything from swimwear to arts & crafts for the sunbaked visitors. A good distance south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is well worth the journey for the beach bum within all of us. More »

Scharffen Berger Chocolate

There's a reason that people refer to this chocolate on a name basis. Most people don't distinguish between their sweets, happy to rely on simple distinctions like "milk" or "dark." However, Scharffen Berger Chocolate merits its difficult-to-pronounce name, a distinct mark of the world's premier manufacturer of artisanal chocolates. Taking a tour of Berkeley's Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory is a joy for inveterate chocophiles and the uninitiated alike; afterwards, fill your gills with the many chocolate treats available at Cafe Cacao downstairs. More »

Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks is a beautiful (if misleadingly named) point at the northernmost tip of Ocean Beach, visible from the Cliff House. The wind-swept natural beauty of these three jagged rocks has withstood centuries of waves crashing against their craggy surface; however, the sea lions for which they were named no longer sunbathe on the rocks, barking and belching their merry way through the day. Fortunately, they can still be found--just head over to Fisherman's Wharf where you can watch them bask in the sun at the pier. Seal Rocks is still one of the best views of the Pacific side of the Bay. Come at sunset for a dazzling display of colors as the sun sinks into the ocean. More »

Sentinel Building - American Zoetrope

The Sentinel Building, one of San Francisco's few "flatiron" buildings, is at the foot of North Beach. A regal green sliver of a building, the Sentinel has housed many a notorious personage and larger-than-life myths in its nine stories. After its construction in the 1930s, political boss Abe Ruef worked from its top floor before being sent to San Quentin prison for graft; locals swear that the downstairs restaurant/speakeasy Caesar's Grill (shut down for violating certain Prohibition regulations) created the salad of the same name. Today, Francis Ford Coppola houses his production studio, American Zoetrope, in the building. Coppola, a famous epicure and owner of a Napa winery, also owns the downstairs cafe. To get the best view of this San Francisco landmark, look down Columbus Ave from North Beach, preferably from an outdoor cafe while sipping an espresso. More »

Shakespeare Garden

Designed in 1928 by the California Spring Blossom and Wildflower Association, this garden honors the plants and flowers mentioned in the Bard's poems and plays. Elizabethan literature buffs can roam around the garden naming the works that reference these exotic flora; enter the iron-wrought gate for a real Midsummer Night's Dream-esque pageant of lady-smocks, hemlock, violets, and other florid representations of Shakespeare's works. More »

SoMa

SoMa is one of San Francisco's youngest and edgiest areas, now filled with nightlife, artist lofts, and frayed-around-the edges urban chic shopping. Historically an industrial part of town, over the past decades SoMa (South of Market) has adapted to San Francisco's changing demographics. The economic boom changed the eastern side to an extension of the financial district, while the non-residential area is perfect for nightlife and the conversion of old factories into artists' lofts. Now dotted with museums, independent bookstores, and hip clubs, SoMa is the funky urban alternative to San Francisco's more commonly tourist-ridden spots. More »

South Park

South Park is a small, oval-shaped park in the middle of San Francisco's SoMa district, a hidden spot lined with cafes where people lounge out on sunny days. At the height of the internet boom, SoMa had become a favorite spot for start-up companies and South Park was the destination for a quick lunch and enough coffee to get through the day. Nowadays, this corner of town is a bit more relaxed, and it is still a great place to rest and soak up SoMa's funky charm. More »

Spreckels Mansion

The Spreckels Mansion is probably the most beautiful of San Francisco's Victorian mansions. Located in Pacific Heights, its tremendous white facade is visible from Lafayette Park, where San Francisco natives try to peer over the well-groomed hedges to get a better view of its signature opulence.

Spreckels Mansion was built by sugar magnate Claus Spreckels for his lovely new wife, Alma le Normand de Bretteville. Alma had already created a considerable name for herself; as a struggling artist and famous beauty, she had begun a career as a nude model. Her frame is actually commemorated in Union Square, where she served as the model for the triumphant, torch-hoisting libertine atop the Roman pedestal in the center of the square. Claus Spreckels and Alma Spreckels became San Francisco's de facto royal couple, hosting the elite in their new mansion overlooking the bay. More »

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Located near Chinatown and Nob Hill, this San Francisco landmark was the first Archdiocese in the city, a distinction it held until 1891, when a new cathedral was constructed. Since its construction in 1854, it has been witness to the boom times after Sutter's mill and the '49ers, the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the World Wars, and the development of San Francisco's economy and society to where it is today. Despite being relatively unscathed by the 1906 earthquake, the raging fires that burned through the city tore through the insides of Old St. Mary's. The church was rebuilt and today, it is a treasured piece of history, well worth admiring. An unforgettable phrase under the clock tower advises parishioners, "Sons Observe the Time and Fly From Evil." More »

Steinhart Aquarium

Steinhart Aquarium provides an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the area's sea creatures. You can also visit the display of pythons, anacondas, and many other deadly snakes in Snake Alley. There is an endless list of sea creatures, and if biology is your interest, you will not be disappointed. The California Academy of Sciences hosts this exhibition, so you can be assured that the visit will be educational as well as entertaining. More »

Stinson Beach

Stinson is the quintessential Northern Californian beach: rocky, scenic, and secluded. It's a famous getaway for San Francisco's weekend warriors, and the winding roads and breathtaking vistas on the way to Stinson Beach will lead you past Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Mt. Tamalpais. After a few lazily winding miles of road, the verdant redwood forest leads to Stinson's rocky coastline, where families gather to fly kites in the crisp air and shop in the local seaside boutique stores. Don't be fooled by the locals toting surfboards, however--it's no Malibu. Bring a sweater because the wind cools off the sun's effect, and you will find yourself shivering soon enough. More »

Stow Lake & Strawberry Hill

Stow Lake encircles Strawberry Hill in a beautiful, secluded area of Golden Gate Park. The most popular activities in Stow Lake are to rent paddle boats or kayaks, or to take a bike ride around its beautiful shore. Strawberry Hill, rising from the center of the lake, is accessible either by boat or by the beautiful Roman Bridge where you will walk by a traditional Chinese platform to get an excellent view of the massive waterfall running from the hill into the lake. Although there is plenty to see in Golden Gate Park, this is not something that you want to miss. With a plethora of herons, seagulls, exotic flowers, and other wildlife, Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill is one of the most visually arresting areas of San Francisco. More »

Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybring Arboretum. This 55-acre sanctuary nestled in Golden Gate Park features over 7,500 varieties of plants from all corners of the world. Wander through a variety of climates, or garden types, such as the Mediterranean, Temperate, Cloud Forest, Specialty Gardens, and Meadows. Discover the plant life of such far-away locales as the South East Asian Cloud Forest, Chile & South America, New Zealand, and South Africa. Specialty gardens include Succulents, Primitive Plants, Perennials, and even Fragrance. The Children’s Garden allows youngsters to learn about vegetable, fruit, and herb beds and is home to a butterfly garden. Visit the Arboretum’s website to print out a garden map and a self-guided tour of the Redwood Trail, where you can visit the ancient coastal redwoods right in the heart of the city. Daily tours depart from the garden bookstore. More »

Sutro Heights Park

This park that sits "hidden" across the road from, and above, the Cliff House is one of San Francisco's nicest small green areas. Adolph Sutro built a large Victorian here and landscaped the gardens with exotic plants. He also built a conservatory. The grounds have numerous pieces of sculpture--you can still see the lions that guard the gate. He opened the grounds to the public even while he lived there. Sutro's heirs gave the grounds to San Francisco in 1920. The grounds had fallen into disrepair, and eventually the house was demolished. The grounds are now landscaped in a more simple fashion. The park is often enshrouded in fog, giving it a distinctly mysterious air. On a clear day the views down Ocean Beach and out onto the ocean are beautiful. More »

Sutro Tower

Sutro Tower's distinctive red-and-white prongs rise over Mount Sutro in West San Francisco; the tower is the source of many of San Francisco's broadcasting stations, and its construction solved the problem of reaching the varied terrain of the Bay Area. Not open to the public, Sutro Tower is nonetheless an indelible part of San Francisco's skyline and recognizable from most parts of the Bay. More »

Sutter Street Galleries

Ranging from antique to contemporary, from abstract to realist, from welded sculpture to glass-blown jewelry, Sutter Street has San Francisco's finest collection of art galleries in the city. This dense thicket of tiny boutiques is a dream for the aesthete and a nightmare for the miserly; many of these delightful works of art cost enough to pay a year's rent in other areas of the city. But if you can't leave the city without an original Chagall, an etched Durer, or even the occasional Picasso, grab your checkbook and head down to Sutter for an afternoon of art appreciation. More »

Swedenborgian Church

This small church is the only place of worship in the Bay area to be included on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1895, by a team of architects that included Bernard Maybeck, a German immigrant who specialized in arts and craft architectural masterpieces. It was named after Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish Christian scientist who created a belief system that would re-connect people with Christ. You won't find fancy gold domes and ornately decorated auditoriums at this church. Instead,you will find a quaint building that mirrors the beauty of nature, as the architects were inspired by the rugged, raw, organic look of the wild. More »

Takara Sake

Takara Sake is a bottling factory and museum for sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. Located in Berkeley, Takara Sake is the nation's leading sake producer. Takara has been producing its special brand of shochu, mirin, and sake for more than one and a half centuries. The tasting facility is a spacious, Japanese-designed area where visitors can sip sake and plum wine free of charge. It also has a museum that provides information on Takara sake and the history of sake production. More »

Tech Museum of Innovation

San Jose's Tech Museum of Innovation is designed to inspire children's scientific curiosity, but adults who began as chaperones invariably find themselves becoming enthralled participants. Outside the mango-colored building is a tremendous, hypnotic Rube-Goldberg type of perpetual motion machine, famous for perplexing visitors for hours at a time with its spinning whirligigs and bouncing doohickeys. Inside is an array of hands-on exhibits employing scientific principles that yield exciting results for kids and grown-ups alike. Also, don't miss the IMAX theater, showing films on an enormous screen that literally fills your field of vision, an experience that you're not likely to forget soon. Come to the Tech Museum with an open mind, and give yourself a few extra hours just in case you don't want to leave. More »

Telegraph Avenue

Telegraph Avenue has a long history of attracting the Bay Area's most eccentric, eclectic, and electric minds. Here extremes battle each other: Berkeley engineers face street punks who face intellectuals who face raving derelicts, all in the densest collection of fiercely independent bookstores, music stores, and cafes in California. It's home to several "institutions" such as Moe's Books, Shakespeare & Co, Amoeba Records, and Rasputin Records (just to name a few), and visitors can find obscure LPs and hard-to-find books in a setting where the locals sport everything from Mohawks to turtlenecks. Also check out the dozen or so cheap and delicious restaurants and pizza joints that have kept students from starving to death for decades. Buy a trinket or a piece of handmade jewelry on one of Telegraph's art stalls, which take over the street on Sundays in a weekly arts fair. More »

The Cannery

Located right by Fisherman's Wharf, the Cannery is a shopping/dining complex located in what was once the world's largest peach canning factory. Today, its brick walls and olive trees lend an old-time atmosphere in contrast with the ultramodern sleekness of Union Square and the Financial District. Visit the Cannery's bridges, balconies, and views of the Bay as you enjoy their array of restaurants, shops, and lively clubs. Famous for their jazz scene and for their frequent events, you might stumble upon an outdoor crab bakery, wine-tasting event, or live band along this precious corner of the Wharf. More »

The Castro

This historic neighborhood is without a doubt the heart and soul of San Francisco's high-profile gay community. Formerly known as Eureka Valley, this hilly community is bordered by Diamond Heights, Noe Valley, The Mission, and Duboce Triangle. Although described by its location, The Castro has become more than a locale. The Castro has been commonly referred to as the "gay mecca" of the world, and even a brief tour of the flamboyant shops, welcoming restaurants, and extravagant street fairs provides all the evidence needed to support this contention. Since the 1970s, The Castro's open homosexual identity has made it a worldwide pilgrimage for gays and lesbians in search of a more accepting and open environment. However, this area is not only for locals. Home to such attractions as the historic Castro Theater and the Halloween extravaganza, The Castro offers everyone a unique taste of San Franciscan culture not found anywhere else. More »

The Crucible

Located in Oakland, The Crucible is the Bay Area's only nonprofit sculpture studio, a massive center dedicated to teaching and encouraging industrial arts. Its focus rests in sculpture, welding, glassblowing, and metalwork; in its massive center, sparks fly, forges roar, cement is shaped, and ideas are born. The Crucible offers one-of-a-kind classes in blacksmithing, jewelry making, stone carving, and woodworking, just to name a few. If you are tired of seeing timid art galleries and want to see some sparks fly, check out the Crucible for art in action. More »

The Embarcadero

The Embarcadero comprises the region of San Francisco's historic waterfront, running from the eastern margin of the peninsula around SBC Park to roughly Pier 39 on the north. Though its use as a dock facility has been superseded by its draw as a commercial attraction, it is still a place where boats of all kinds come into port--and has been ever since the Gold Rush of 1849 first lured out the people who would create San Francisco overnight. More recently the route of an elevated freeway (destroyed in the 1989 earthquake), it has since been spruced up and given new life as a commercial strand, running past such notable must-sees as the old Ferry Building, the Fisherman's Wharf, and the Embarcadero Center. No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a stroll or a drive along this most-traveled of streets. More »

Tilden Park

Tilden Park has been described by many as a jewel in the East Bay; its sprawling green fields span over 2,000 acres. A home to almost every plant native to California, Tilden is a boon to wildlife lovers. However, regular visitors will find no lack of ways to entertain themselves; the park holds an antique merry-go-round, a botanical garden, golf course, equestrian center, and plenty of hiking and biking. Tilden is the best way to frolic in nature without leaving the East Bay. More »

Tilden Park Golf Course

Tilden Park is known for its hillside views and natural setting. The front nine of this offers fairly forgiving situations, but things get hairier on the back nine. Greens and fairways are lush and well-tended. Redwood clusters punctuate the pine and eucalyptus that line the valleys of Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park. Deer and birds are part of the experience here.

This par 70 course with its 18 holes and driving range will challenge and reward golfers of all skill levels while they enjoy the beautiful, hilltop vistas. More »

Tin How Temple

Tucked away in an alley in the heart of San Francisco's China Town lies the oldest Chinese temple in the United States. Established in 1825, Tin How Temple was built by one of the first Chinese immigrants in San Francisco and is dedicated to the goddess of the sea. In order to visit the temple, you must climb three flights of narrow and steep stairs where the interior reveals a small room adorned with a sea of red and gold lanterns hanging from the detailed wood-carved ceiling, the thick smell of incense burning, and an altar that is piled with offerings and gifts in front of the statue of Tin How. More »

Tosca

Tosca is a popular and venerated bar in the city whose high-walled speakeasy environment attracts a low-key but occasionally star-studded clientele. Celebrities are known to rub elbows with local cognoscenti, leaning over the mahogany bar to order well-mixed martinis and powerful espressos. Enjoy the red leather booths, antiquarian jukebox, and photo collection of opera divas that adorn the walls. Located in the heart of Columbus Ave, Tosca is an absolute necessity for visitors seeking to enjoy North Beach's classic nightlife More »

Transamerica Pyramid

This giant pyramid-shaped building is arguably the most recognizable skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline. It is 853-feet tall and comprises 48 floors; starting from the bottom, each floor gets smaller in square footage--the largest floor (5th) is 21,025 square feet, while the smallest floor (48th) is 2,025 square feet. The building was originally owned by the Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group, who, when they began building the structure in 1969, decided to construct their headquarters using a unique shape because it allowed more natural light to reach the streets below than conventional, rectangular-shaped skyscrapers. More »

U.C. Berkeley Campus

The roots of U.C. Berkeley lie in San Francisco's 1849 Gold Rush when farsighted individuals in the government demanded a center for the "promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement" of California. Today, Berkeley is famous as a center of intellectual development, of scientific research, and of fierce anti-government protests.

Sproul Plaza is the home of the Free Speech Movement, whose counterculture furor ultimately fed into San Francisco's 1969 Summer of Love. Check out Telegraph Avenue--spotted with trendy stores and spectacularly cheap pizza joints, this is the main hangout for students and hippie burnouts alike. Visit the spacious campus for an impressive sprawl of elegant buildings and verdant scenery, centered around the towering Campanile. A fundamental source of the Bay Area's artistic, intellectual, and cultural vitality, Berkeley is a must-see destination in the East Bay. More »

Union Square

Set in the heart of San Francisco's high-class financial district, Union Square is a favorite local meeting place and renowned landmark; having recently undergone a major renovation project, it's also now open for public enjoyment. Named in honor of the pro-Union rallies held there during the American Civil War, Union Square is also noted for its 97-foot Corinthian column featuring a statue of Victory--dedicated in 1903 to honor Admiral Dewey's defeat of the Spanish navy at Manilla Bay--and she even survived the 1906 quake in one piece!

Today Union Square is the city's premier shopping district, surrounded by trendy cafes, large department stores (including a huge Nike outlet), and many smaller high-end boutiques. The Union Square area is also the city's theater district, and its surroundings are home to the city's most elegant hotels and art galleries as well. If you're looking for the ultimate San Francisco shop-fest, wanting to take a dip into local high-culture, or you're just in the market for a pleasant spot downtown to relax, this is the right place to be. More »

Union Street

Union Street stretches over nearly the entire width of San Francisco; along the way it intersects some of its most interesting neighborhoods. Along its western end used to be a bar where Jefferson Airplane was formed, whereas its middle now crosses serene Cow Hollow. However, where Union meets downtown is clearly the most developed area, where hundreds of restaurants and shops provide food and entertainment to San Franciscans. Obviously, Union Square is a good place to start, where luxury stores beckon, and department stores tower over the visitors. If you take the street west, you will find an endless array of gift shops, art stores, jewelry stores--stores that sell anything that can be bought, for as long as your legs can take you. More »

University of California Botanical Gardens

In 1890, the first chairman of UC Berkeley's Department of Botany established these verdant gardens to form a living exhibit of the ferns, plants, and trees of the State of California. Today's gardens, spanning over 34 acres in Strawberry Canyon, are a beautiful expanse of exotic flowers and native plants just above Berkeley's campus. Well-trained docents regularly give informative tours to students, children, and visitors. Visiting the gardens is a fantastic way to share in the continuing spirit of conservation and reverence of nature's beauty.
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Valencia Street

Valencia is a great place to see a different side of the city, where an eclectic mix of cafes, vintage stores, tapas bars, and funky shops (from its seedier history) collide. Although in previous years this was one of San Francisco's shadier districts, with crime and drug usage a problem, San Francisco's creeping gentrification has cleaned up the area to a large extent. Filled to the brim with bookstores, cavernous bars, clothing stores, and record boutiques, Valencia houses a distinct alternative to the more upscale Union Square. Head to nearby Dolores Street for a leafy, Victorian-lined avenue on your way to The Mission. More »

Vallejo Street Stairway

Located near Telegraph Hill, these stairs, running between Montgomery and Sansome, will take you past colorful houses and verdant gardens up to three separate terraces that give you an excellent view of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and the East Bay. There are three sets of stairs for this slope--more adventurous travelers can take the stairways on the sides for a much steeper and narrower climb. More »

Velvet da Vinci

Velvet da Vinci is a gallery of international arts and crafts, focusing on jewelry and metal work from artists around the globe. High-end and one-of-a-kind pieces from Europe, Latin America, and Japan are all on display in this exclusive designer boutique. The alliterative name (inspired by an old Perry Mason episode) oozes luxury exhibited for all potential collectors and jewelry fanatics. More »

Vesuvio

Located just across from the famous City Lights bookstore on Jack Kerouac Alley is the popular beat hangout, Vesuvio--famous for its beatnik history, cozy atmosphere, and interesting clientèle. Located in the North Beach neighborhood, Vesuvio opens at 6am to start the day as a cafe and doesn't close up shop until 2am for the bar crowd. Not only is Vesuvio famous for its beatnik past, but the bar has been voted with high acclaims as the world's third best bar by the London Guardian and as one of the top 10 best bars in America by Esquire Magazine. Apart from its acclaim, Vesuvio remains as a hotspot on a literary tour of the city and brings in an eclectic group of patrons including the beat crowd, writers, artists, poets, and locals and tourists alike. More »

Vulcan Street Steps

Nearly two blocks long, the Vulcan steps are surrounded by magnificent gardens and eclectic architecture, a reflection of the tastes of those who chose to live on such a steep slope. You may glimpse one of the locals who has happily traded convenience for an exceptional view; as the houses can only be reached by foot, all furniture, groceries, and other heavy objects must be hoisted up the stairs by hand. The Vulcan Steps connect Castro and the Haight; take this passageway for a quick interlude between the two. More »

War Memorial Opera House

There's nothing quite like a night at the Opera. Only at the opera is vengeance sworn, love proclaimed, and joy declared at the very top of the human register. The San Francisco Opera is one of the world's most prestigious opera companies, attracting superstar sopranos, altos, baritones, and basses from around the world. Opera buffs and newcomers alike will enjoy high drama and sonic thrills of San Francisco's premier performing arts venue; the Opera House's lavish gilded walls and red curtain stage the drama--which is conveniently translated in English supertitles.

Go downstairs for a sit-down dinner in a restaurant filled with pictures of costumed celebrity divas, or check out the mezzanine for the best view in the house. Dress nicely, as this is perhaps the one place in San Francisco where tuxedos and pearls are worn regularly. Standing room, student tickets, and rush tickets are available for more affordable prices for thrifty individuals. More »

Washington Square

Washington Square is a simple, yet charming, park in the heart of North Beach, nicely nestled between Telegraph Hill and Columbus Ave in a gorgeous location directly underneath the spires of Saint Peter and Paul Church. Here, itinerant visitors take a break from sightseeing and mingle with locals trying to walk off extra calories after lunch. From Washington Square one can scale Telegraph Hill with (relative) ease, wander to North Beach, or continue to Fisherman's Wharf. With its scenic views and central location, Washington Square is an oasis in one the city's most thriving neighborhoods. More »

Wave Organ

Discover the musical wonders of the ocean at this interesting sculpture found at the end of a jetty at the small Boat Harbor in the Marina district, near the Exploratorium. The Wave Organ is a sculpture consisting of 25 organ pipes made of PVC set into granite, marble, and concrete pieces excavated from an old cemetery. When the sea level rises and falls with the tide, the water moves in and out of the pipes, creating a musical effect such as an organ. Peter Richards, a senior artist at the Exploratorium, and George Gonzales, a sculptor and master stone mason, worked together in the creation of the Wave Organ. Its creators were inspired after hearing a recording of a similar phenomenon from a concrete dock in Sydney, Australia and pursued their creative concept until its completion in 1986. The environmental musical sculpture piece features steps and benches for everyone to enjoy the sounds of the sea in an almost giant version of listening to the ocean through a sea shell. The organ is best to visit at high tide. More »

Women's Building Mural

This beautiful memorial to women everywhere depicts courageous, inspirational, and well-known women from around the world. The mural was painted in 1994 by a collaboration of women artists from various generations and ethnicities. Ten San Francisco women and numerous volunteers worked together to create the beautiful piece of art; even some local schoolchildren were involved in the project. It covers two exterior walls on the the Women's Building, making it one of the largest murals in San Francisco. Some of the famous female icons depicted on the mural include Georgia O'Keefe, Rigoberta Manchu, and Audre Lorde. More »

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

This community-based arts center is a popular entertainment venue for artists and performers. Throughout the year, the Center puts on great plays, art shows, musicals, films, and other public programs. There are two main venues on site--the Galleries and Forum Building and the Novellus Theater. They were designed by renowned architects Fumihiko Maki and James Stewart Polshek, respectively, and feature flexible performance spaces, seating for 94 to up to 600 people, gallery space, forums, and film screening rooms. In addition to being a venue, the Center for the Arts also serves as a community learning space, providing programs such as Young Artists at Work and Artist inSight to community members, visitors, and school groups. More »

Yosemite National Park

In California, Yosemite (pronounced yo-SEHM-itty) is synonymous with natural beauty; it's a word that conjures the sweeping valleys and majestic mountains captured in the photography of Ansel Adams and writings of the great naturalist John Muir, among others. Simply unparalleled in its scale, grace, and awe-inspiring beauty, Yosemite has been a pilgrimage for Californian nature-lovers for over 150 years. The park allows every outdoor activity conceivable, including hiking, biking, photography, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, and...you get the point. Roughly 150 miles east of San Francisco, you can visit Yosemite by car and then spend any amount of time you wish there. Give yourself some time, however, as it is an area spanning over 1,200 square miles. You won't be disappointed. More »

Zeum

Your kids will love spending time at Zeum, a state-of-the-art multimedia and technology museum that opened in 1998. To stimulate ingenuity, curiosity, and a passion for the arts, Zeum has set up interactive exhibits for kids in four arts disciplines: sound and video production, animation, visual arts, and theater. At the animation station, they can mold, bend, and design clay characters before filming a short movie with their new animations. Other hands-on exhibits include singing karaoke and dancing in your own music video, and going behind the scenes as a production manager. More »