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SAN FRANCISCO PACKS A LOT OF APPEAL INTO ITS 49 SQUARE MILES. Trips that start with business are often extended for a few days of pleasure before or after. Whether attendees are veteran visitors looking to experience the latest and greatest or they’re first-timers in search of classic San Francisco experiences, here are some helpful suggestions for activities sure to delight — whatever their interests may be. With these ideas, attendees can experience the city for a few extra days or a few free hours. de Young Museum ARTS & CULTURE MUST-SEE MUSEUMS, WORLD-CLASS PERFORMING ARTS AND MORE. FINE ART MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO — From 20th-century American art at Golden Gate Park’s de Young Museum to European classics and decorative arts at Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, San Francisco is home to one of the country’s largest art collections. The distinctive, elegant architecture of each museum only adds to the experience. ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO — Home to a collection of more than 18,000 art treasures and antiquities representing 6,000 years of Asian history and tradition, this unrivaled museum is a must-see for any traveler with an interest in Eastern cultures. SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART — Emerging from an extensive makeover and expansion, the esteemed institution reopened in May 2016 to unveil additional galleries of modern and contemporary art, sculpture gardens, outdoor terraces, a restaurant and more. SAN FRANCISCO WAR MEMORIAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Culture lovers will definitely want tickets to a performance here during their stay. On any given night, one will find opera, the symphony or ballet lighting up the stage. SHN THEATRES —The SHN Orpheum and SHN Golden Gate are home to some of the city’s biggest theater productions and touring Broadway shows. CURRAN — Almost a century after it welcomed its first Bay Area audiences, the Curran recently underwent a major restoration and renovation, reopening its 1,600-seat venue near Union Square in January. SAN FRANCISCO ICONS A FEW MUST-HAVE EXPERIENCES IN SAN FRANCISCO. ALCATRAZ — This island has numerous claims to fame beyond the Hollywood hype. It was the site of the first lighthouse on the West Coast, a Civil War fortress and, most famously, the federal penitentiary. Advance reservations through Alcatraz Cruises are recommended. CABLE CARS — There’s nothing like fresh Bay breezes and jingling of trolley bells as you ride San Francisco’s steepest hills aboard an iconic cable car. Enjoy this quintessential San Francisco experience on three different lines or learn more about them at the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill. COIT TOWER/TELEGRAPH HILL — One of the highest points in the city, Coit Tower offers stunning 360-degree views of the Bay Area. There’s an elevator ride to get to the top and beautiful, New Deal-era murals at the base. Parking can be tricky, so public transportation is always a good option (from Washington Square catch the #39 bus). GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE — Experience a feat of modern engineering up close by walking, biking or driving across. Spanning more than a mile, the landmark bridge affords breathtaking views of the surrounding water and cityscape, especially on clear days. PALACE OF THE FINE ARTS — A legacy of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Palace of the Fine Arts is a Marina District landmark. A stunning Greco-Romanesque rotunda with Corinthian colonnades rising from a lagoon, the building is a favorite backdrop for wedding photos. Union Square CULINARY ATTRACTIONS GET A TASTE OF WHY BON APPÉTIT RECENTLY DUBBED SAN FRANCISCO “THE BEST FOOD CITY IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.” FERRY BUILDING MARKETPLACE — Tasting one’s way through the marketplace might be a foodie’s dream come true. The impeccably restored structure is home to artisan producers, specialty shops, local goods and fun restaurants waiting to be explored. FOOD TOURS — There are plenty of ways for attendees to dig deeper into local specialties. To get a taste of Chinatown’s delicacies, suggest All About Chinatown Walking Tours or Wok Wiz Chinatown Walking Tours. Check out one of the tantalizing trips by Avital Food Tours, Local Tastes of the City Tours or SF Adventure Tours’ Beers & Bites circuit to eat around more neighborhoods. Take a tour of the nearby wine country with Napa Valley Wine Country Tours, San Francisco Wine Group’s Gourmet Food & Wine Tours, Savor Napa Valley Wine Tours, Verve Napa Valley’s Curated Wine Country Tours or Wine Country Walking Tours. Extranomical Tours offers a popular “sip and shop” option which includes a visit to Premium Outlet Shopping® Premium Outlets. For more suggestions, see page PD54. Feve Artisan Chocolate ARTISAN CHOCOLATE — San Francisco has a serious sweet tooth, evidenced by its abundance of local chocolatiers. Ghirardelli is the city’s original chocolate-making pioneer, dating back to 1852. Today, their ice cream and chocolate shop near Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular destination for delicious treats and hot-fudge sundaes. Bayview-based Feve Artisan Chocolatier offers chocolate lovers an assortment of innovative confections. Dandelion Chocolate in the Mission District features classes and tours that give visitors an inside peek at its bean-to-bar process. FAMILIES THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS TO ARRIVE EARLY AND STAY LATE, IF ATTENDEES ARE BRINGING FAMILIES ALONG FOR SOME FUN. PIER 39 — Home to a popular colony of sea lions, street performers, caricature artists and attractions like the hand-painted San Francisco Carousel and Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, this waterfront complex provides plenty to love for visiting families. A number of tour opportunities depart from here as well. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES — This massive, environmentally friendly institution houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story tropical rainforest all under one living roof that’s covered by 1.7 million native plants. EXPLORATORIUM — A fixture on Pier 15, the Exploratorium goes beyond the typical museum experience with explore-for-yourself exhibits and activities that kids will love getting their hands on. A focus on science, art and human perception lets visitors of all ages feed their curiosity about the world. THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM — Relive childhood memories and make some new ones. This 40,000-square-foot museum located on the Presidio celebrates the life, art and imagination of famed animator Walt Disney. Favorite exhibits include Disney’s early drawings, a 13-foot model of Disneyland and a Fantasia-themed theater that screens Disney classics six days a week. LGBTQ ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY LATE AND EXPERIENCE SAN FRANCISCO AS A WORLD CAPITAL FOR LGBTQ CULTURE. THE CASTRO DISTRICT — This neighborhood is known as the “Gayest Place on Earth” for a good reason. Home to vibrant nightlife and myriad businesses catering to the LGBTQ community, local landmarks include the historic Castro Theatre, Pink Triangle Park and Harvey Milk Plaza. THE GLBT HISTORY MUSEUM — Affectionately known as the “Queer Smithsonian,” this archive is the first of its kind in the United States. Run by the GLBT Historical Society, the museum houses dynamic exhibits and hosts programs exploring various topics. WALKING TOURS For a more informed view of the community, opt for one of the many walking tours including FOOT! Fun Walking Tours’ “Come Out to the Castro” or Wild SF Walking Tours’ “LGBT + Historic Bar Crawl.” SHOPPING SPREE SOMETIMES THE BEST MEDICINE IS RETAIL THERAPY. UNION SQUARE — This centrally located plaza can be considered the crown jewel of San Francisco shopping districts. Big-name brands like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co. Anchor the perimeter, and Bay Area favorites such as Gump’s round out the mix of options. LOCAL MAKERS — Find an abundance of apparel and gifts made in San Francisco starting with SFMade; their website is an exhaustive guide to more than 500 San Francisco-based manufacturers ranging from Rickshaw Bags in the Mission to 3 Fish Studios in Outer Sunset. NORTH BEACH/COLUMBUS AVENUE — City Lights Booksellers and Publishers was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin. One of the truly great independent bookstores in the U.S., it is a mecca for booklovers all over the world to come and soak in the ambiance of alternative culture’s only “Literary Landmark.” A few blocks away on upper Grant Avenue visit Schein & Schein which is stocked with map collectibles from $5 to $5,000; located just three blocks from Coit Tower, they also offer items in the gift shop there. WESTFIELD SAN FRANCISCO CENTRE — With more than 200 stores and restaurants — including luxury retailers such as Kate Spade and Michael Kors and Martin Yan’s M.Y. China — this premier shopping destination truly offers something for everyone. After an afternoon of shopping and a break for some hand-pulled noodles, attendees can catch a movie at the theater, which screens current blockbusters. To help attendees navigate the city, there are downloadable Cultural Explorer maps on our website. Maps are available for the Civic Center/Central Market, Golden Gate Park, Mission, Yerba Buena/SOMA, Union Square and Fillmore/ Japantown neighborhoods that include attractions and transportation. Visit sftravel.com/explore/arts-culture.
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