Friday, February 06, 2004
i've decided to take full advantage of my remaining few months in the bay area. Let's Go travel guide lists the top 25 reasons to visit SF. in all my years here i've only managed to accomplish 9 of these! join me in completing this list... if tourists do it, so can we:
25. THE SEA LIONS AT PIER 39
They bark, roll over, nap in the sun, and dive into the deep less than five feet from the pier.
24. FORT POINT
The Spaniards chose this as a military outpost because it's the best spot to survey the entrance to the Bay. It's still got one of the best views of the Bridge and the water.
23. VAILLANCOURT FOUNTAIN AND JUSTIN HERMAN PLAZA
On those roasting (but rare) hot days, cool off in the mists of a 1970s architectural oddity. On weekends, take in a lunchtime protest.
22. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Slither past the great boas and orange toads near the entrance and head for the dolphin and seal tank. Underwater microphones let you listen in as you watch them dip and dive.
21. STERN GROVE AMPHITHEATER
Bathe your ears in the amazing acoustics of a eucalyptus soundboard. Check out the free Sunday concerts in summer.
20. THE HAIGHT
Though most of the flower children have packed up their guitars and moved on, you can still see the places where a lot of history (and love) was made, including the homes of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead.
19. PALACE OF FINE ARTS
Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition (and often serving as the backdrop for weddings), this beautiful domed rotunda makes for one of the prettiest picnic spots in the city.
18. COIT TOWER
Commissioned by firefighter fan Lillie Hitchcock Coit and designed to look like a fireman's um, nozzle, 180 ft. Coit Tower commands spectacular views of the city and the Bay. Vibrant WPA-sponsored murals adorn the interior.
17. CITY GUIDES WALKING TOURS
Volunteer tour guides do it for love of SF! See the neighborhoods and sights through their eyes.
16. BURRITOS IN THE MISSION
So delicious! And so cheap! Without a doubt, the best bite for your buck, and maybe just the best bite, period.
15. CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE
(cue bongos) City Lights (ba-bum). Nifty books (ba-bum). Winding staircase (ba-bum). Cozy nooks (ba-bum). Beat culture (ba-bum). The beat goes on.
14. TWIN PEAKS
Perfect 360° views. At night, glittering lights below meet glimmering stars above creating the most romantic spot around.
13. CABLE CARS
Get in line early and hang on! Not only are the cars themselves classic SF icons, but they'll also take you up to some of the city's best views.
12. POTRERO HILL
Tucked between freeways and seemingly far from downtown's bustle, this middle-class neighborhood gives off the artsy yet unpretentious vibe of a communal Main St., USA. It's also a sunny fog-free spot to snap your own picture (or two) of the city skyline.
11. THE CROOKEDEST STREET IN THE WORLD (LOMBARD STREET)
The famous curves of Lombard St. were installed in the 1920s so that horse-drawn carriages could negotiate the extremely steep hill. Bright, beautiful flowers adorn each level, and crazy in-line skaters sometimes whiz past.
10. CASTRO STREET ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
Before they duck into bars or head to SoMa for the clubs, San Francisco's pretty gay boys and girls stroll Castro St. Don't come expecting a freak show---this is high-class and happy.
9. DIM SUM IN CHINATOWN
Sample delectable and absolutely authentic Chinese brunch delights. Be brave and try chicken feet, or stick to savory shrimp dumplings. Just about any restaurant in Chinatown will suffice.
8. THE EXPLORATORIUM
Hands-on science at this museum will captivate kids as well as kids-at-heart. The huge space is crammed with cool contraptions to climb through and play with.
7. ALCATRAZ
Cheesy Bruckheimer flicks aside, "The Rock" is the coolest attraction in the bay. First a military detention hall and then the original high security civilian prison, this prison has enough ghost stories to keep you up for days. Squeeze into a cell...if you're into that kind of thing.
6. THE SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE
Among the many artist hot shots to have studied and taught at this gorgeous hilltop hideaway, Diego Rivera left his mark in 1931 with a fresco depicting the city.
5. MUIR WOODS
Experience the mysterious, magical stillness of these centuries-old redwoods that loom above you in silence. George Lucas was so impressed that he filmed Return of the Jedi here.
4. GOLDEN GATE PARK
Betcha' didn't know that GG Park is the largest urban park in the United States. Central what? Spend an entire day (or five) seeing the sights (and the bison) in this lush paradise.
3. MISSION MURALS
This urban street art brilliantly combines artistic excellence, technical perfection, and community politics. Standouts include Balmy Alley and a three-building tribute to guitar god Carlos Santana.
2. A GIANTS GAME AT PACIFIC BELL PARK
Not only do you get to cheer on the Giants (and maybe see a right-field homer make a splash), but the bleacher seats come with fabulous views of the game, the city, and the Bay.
1. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
You're kidding?!? The Golden Gate Bridge is in San Francisco? I had no idea! I'll have to go check that out! You can see the bridge from around the city (and on two out of every three postcards), but to truly know its immense beauty, you have to be there. Don't forget your windbreaker.
25. THE SEA LIONS AT PIER 39
They bark, roll over, nap in the sun, and dive into the deep less than five feet from the pier.
24. FORT POINT
The Spaniards chose this as a military outpost because it's the best spot to survey the entrance to the Bay. It's still got one of the best views of the Bridge and the water.
23. VAILLANCOURT FOUNTAIN AND JUSTIN HERMAN PLAZA
On those roasting (but rare) hot days, cool off in the mists of a 1970s architectural oddity. On weekends, take in a lunchtime protest.
22. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Slither past the great boas and orange toads near the entrance and head for the dolphin and seal tank. Underwater microphones let you listen in as you watch them dip and dive.
21. STERN GROVE AMPHITHEATER
Bathe your ears in the amazing acoustics of a eucalyptus soundboard. Check out the free Sunday concerts in summer.
20. THE HAIGHT
Though most of the flower children have packed up their guitars and moved on, you can still see the places where a lot of history (and love) was made, including the homes of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead.
19. PALACE OF FINE ARTS
Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition (and often serving as the backdrop for weddings), this beautiful domed rotunda makes for one of the prettiest picnic spots in the city.
18. COIT TOWER
Commissioned by firefighter fan Lillie Hitchcock Coit and designed to look like a fireman's um, nozzle, 180 ft. Coit Tower commands spectacular views of the city and the Bay. Vibrant WPA-sponsored murals adorn the interior.
17. CITY GUIDES WALKING TOURS
Volunteer tour guides do it for love of SF! See the neighborhoods and sights through their eyes.
16. BURRITOS IN THE MISSION
So delicious! And so cheap! Without a doubt, the best bite for your buck, and maybe just the best bite, period.
15. CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE
(cue bongos) City Lights (ba-bum). Nifty books (ba-bum). Winding staircase (ba-bum). Cozy nooks (ba-bum). Beat culture (ba-bum). The beat goes on.
14. TWIN PEAKS
Perfect 360° views. At night, glittering lights below meet glimmering stars above creating the most romantic spot around.
13. CABLE CARS
Get in line early and hang on! Not only are the cars themselves classic SF icons, but they'll also take you up to some of the city's best views.
12. POTRERO HILL
Tucked between freeways and seemingly far from downtown's bustle, this middle-class neighborhood gives off the artsy yet unpretentious vibe of a communal Main St., USA. It's also a sunny fog-free spot to snap your own picture (or two) of the city skyline.
11. THE CROOKEDEST STREET IN THE WORLD (LOMBARD STREET)
The famous curves of Lombard St. were installed in the 1920s so that horse-drawn carriages could negotiate the extremely steep hill. Bright, beautiful flowers adorn each level, and crazy in-line skaters sometimes whiz past.
10. CASTRO STREET ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
Before they duck into bars or head to SoMa for the clubs, San Francisco's pretty gay boys and girls stroll Castro St. Don't come expecting a freak show---this is high-class and happy.
9. DIM SUM IN CHINATOWN
Sample delectable and absolutely authentic Chinese brunch delights. Be brave and try chicken feet, or stick to savory shrimp dumplings. Just about any restaurant in Chinatown will suffice.
8. THE EXPLORATORIUM
Hands-on science at this museum will captivate kids as well as kids-at-heart. The huge space is crammed with cool contraptions to climb through and play with.
7. ALCATRAZ
Cheesy Bruckheimer flicks aside, "The Rock" is the coolest attraction in the bay. First a military detention hall and then the original high security civilian prison, this prison has enough ghost stories to keep you up for days. Squeeze into a cell...if you're into that kind of thing.
6. THE SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE
Among the many artist hot shots to have studied and taught at this gorgeous hilltop hideaway, Diego Rivera left his mark in 1931 with a fresco depicting the city.
5. MUIR WOODS
Experience the mysterious, magical stillness of these centuries-old redwoods that loom above you in silence. George Lucas was so impressed that he filmed Return of the Jedi here.
4. GOLDEN GATE PARK
Betcha' didn't know that GG Park is the largest urban park in the United States. Central what? Spend an entire day (or five) seeing the sights (and the bison) in this lush paradise.
3. MISSION MURALS
This urban street art brilliantly combines artistic excellence, technical perfection, and community politics. Standouts include Balmy Alley and a three-building tribute to guitar god Carlos Santana.
2. A GIANTS GAME AT PACIFIC BELL PARK
Not only do you get to cheer on the Giants (and maybe see a right-field homer make a splash), but the bleacher seats come with fabulous views of the game, the city, and the Bay.
1. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
You're kidding?!? The Golden Gate Bridge is in San Francisco? I had no idea! I'll have to go check that out! You can see the bridge from around the city (and on two out of every three postcards), but to truly know its immense beauty, you have to be there. Don't forget your windbreaker.
