2023-04-07 06:57:32
THE FABLED STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO OFFER MANY EXCITING SIGHTSEEING POSSIBILITIES. WHETHER YOU’RE WORKING ON AN ITINERARY FOR FOODIES, FAMILIES OR ART LOVERS, HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS FOR MEMORABLE EXCURSIONS IN THE CITY BY THE BAY. A DAY OF ARTS & CULTURE MORNING No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Visitors will enjoy modern and contemporary artworks, six art-filled terraces, a sculptural staircase and a see-through bridge beneath its famous oculus. AFTERNOON Walk a block and a half west to grab lunch at Delarosa. Their thin-crust pizzas and tasty meatballs are perfect for sharing as you discuss what inspired you. If time permits, the California Historical Society, Contemporary Jewish Museum and Museum of the African Diaspora are all in close proximity. EVENING Programming at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), located opposite SFMOMA, often includes evening performances. Alternately, take in a performance at one of the city’s many theaters. The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center features opera, symphony classics and ballet. BroadwaySF brings popular musicals to the Orpheum and Golden Gate theaters. The American Conservatory Theater is known for its innovative stage works, while the New Conservatory Theater Company welcomes premieres of dramas, comedies, and musicals. FOODIES FEAST FOR A DAY MORNING Jump-start a culinary adventure at the Ferry Building Marketplace. The restored historic structure is home to artisan producers, specialty shops, local favorites and restaurants. For breakfast, visitors can enjoy fresh baked pastries at Mariposa Baking Company, artisanal coffee at Blue Bottle or the renowned brunch at Boulette’s Larder. AFTERNOON Foodies can dig deeper into San Francisco’s local specialties with a guided food tour. Check out one of the tantalizing trips offered by Avital Food Tours, Local Tastes of the City Tours or SF On Tap to eat around various neighborhods. Edible Excursions visits several tempting locations in Japantown, including Benkyodo Confections, one of the neighborhood’s oldest businesses. To get a taste of Chinatown’s delicacies, try All About Chinatown Tours or Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours. Or, plan a stop at China Live, an all-in-one marketplace and food emporium dedicated to Chinese cuisine. EVENING For some nighttime revelry, head to 21st Amendment Brewery, Barrel Head Brewhouse or Anchor Public Taps for an ample variety of local craft brews. To sample the hard stuff, Hotaling & Co. on Potrero Hill is the place to go. A DAY OF FAMILY FUN MORNING Families can start their day in Golden Gate Park at the California Academy of Sciences. This massive, one-of-a-kind 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. Their Academy Café and The Terrace restaurant feature plenty of kid-friendly options, so lunch can be enjoyed without leaving the museum. AFTERNOON The Presidio features a 40,000-square-foot museum celebrating the life, art and imagination of famed animator Walt Disney. The Walt Disney Family Museum includes a 13-foot model of Disneyland and a “Fantasia”-themed theater that screens Disney classics six days a week. In the late afternoon, families can head to the Exploratorium. Located on Pier 15, this unique museum blends interactive activities and thought-provoking exhibits. EVENING At PIER 39, families will enjoy watching the popular colony of sea lions and stunning waterfront views at sunset. There are also dozens of shops, restaurants and attractions, including the Aquarium of the Bay. Older kids will love the nearby San Francisco Dungeon with its thrilling drop ride and interactive storytelling. A DAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS MORNING Start with a morning bird-watching expedition in the Presidio. Hundreds of migrating species use the Presidio for nesting, including Allen hummingbirds and belted kingfishers. El Polín Spring and Crissy Field are two other great places to spot feathered friends. Afterward, find a picnic spot with a view for lunch. Crissy Field's East Beach and West Bluff have picnic tables and grills, as does Baker Beach. AFTERNOON Golden Gate Park offers endless options for outdoor fun, with miles of green lawns, lakes, 7,000 kinds of plants and even a Japanese Tea Garden. A guided segway tour from Electric Tour Company makes it easy to see a lot of the park in a short amount of time. They offer tours ranging from one-and-a-half to three hours and include some of the park's hidden gems, such as the Shakespeare Garden, Strawberry Hill, the Lily Pond and much more. EVENING Ocean Beach is a classic California beach that stretches along the west side of the city. Its dreamy views make it the ideal place to watch the sun dip in into the Pacific. It’s chilly there most of the year, but a bonfire and s’mores make it much more cozy. Exciting Arts & Culture Events in 2023 KEHINDE WILEY “Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence” showcases both the largest and smallest works by the artist, using scale to give a heroic status to the depicted figures. This series, a U.S. premiere, marks a significant change in Wiley’s work. These artworks were created during the height of the pandemic with the residents, staff, and friends of his residency program in Senegal. de Young Museum Mar. 18 – Oct. 15, 2023 MINNESOTA STREET PROJECT Minnesota Street Project will feature exciting shows and events, including the return of the San Francisco Art Book Fair, exhibitions at over a dozen art galleries and non-profit organizations, and special pop-up shows like a mail art exhibition by Creativity Explored. www.minnesotastreetproject.com “EL ULTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA Y DIEGO” In 1957, three years after her passing, ailing Diego Rivera wishes to see his wife, Frida Kahlo, one last time on the Day of the Dead. His wish is granted, and he embarks on a journey through the underworld. Experience this bold tale of longing and liberation in a groundbreaking new opera composed by the Bay Area’s own Lena Frank and written by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz. San Francisco Opera June 2023 SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION CENTRAL SUBWAY The Arts Commission oversaw the selection and implementation of a dynamic public art program for the city’s newest subway stations, featuring ten permanent location-based artworks. Participating artists include Clare Rojas, Yumei Hou, Jim Campbell, Leslie Shows, and Roxy Paine. Central Subway, between Chinatown and SoMa LA TANIA SOLAZ This world premiere multimedia flamenco experience is co-produced by La Tania and the Presidio Theatre. Featuring dancers Melissa Cruz, Cristina Hall, La Tania, and Mizuho Sato under the direction of choreographer Adrián Arias, the piece is inspired by the ancient Temple of Debod, which was saved from floods in Nubia and rebuilt in Madrid. Composer José Luis de la Paz plays the guitar and is accompanied by singer José Cortés and oud player Gary Haggerty. July 21-23, 2023
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