8 ITInERARY BUILDER STOP Dungeness Crab California Academy of Sciences Union Square 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 food 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 the city’s array of food tours. Check out one of the tantalizing trips offered by Avital Food Tours, Local Tastes of the City Tours or SF Adventure Tours Beers & Bites to eat around various neighborhoods. Edible Excursions visits several tempting locations in Japantown, including Benkyodo Confections, one of the neighborhood’s first businesses. To get a taste of Chinatown’s delicacies, try All About Chinatown Walking Tours or Wok Wiz Chinatown Walking 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 craft brews. To sample the hard stuff, Hotaling & Co. on Potrero Hill and Hangar one Vodka headquarters in Alameda are the places 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 For some Disney-style fun, 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 interactive museum blends hands-on 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 ONE-DAY SHOPPING SPREE MORNING Union Square is a shopper’s paradise and a great place to commence a full day of shopping. It’s home to big name stores such as Macy’s, neiman Marcus, nordstrom, Uniqlo and Bloomingdale’s, as well as legendary local stores including Wilkes Bashford and Tourbillon Boutique. Visitors can also enjoy one of the outdoor cafés on Maiden Lane for brunch and people-watching. or, book a guided luxury shopping excursion with Shop-a-tude Tours, offering both public and customizable private tours. AFTERNOON Travelers looking for one-of-a-kind items will love the unique shops and chic boutiques in north Beach. Browse the aisles of City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, founded in 1953. It is a mecca for booklovers all over the world. Visit Schein & Schein a few blocks away on Grant Ave., which is stocked with map collectibles ranging from $5 to $5,000. For unique items made in San Francisco, visit one of San Francisco Travel’s official Visitor Information Centers, which offer a variety of unique gifts and souvenirs. EVENING With more than 200 stores and restaurants — including luxury retailers such as Kate Spade, Tiffany & Co. and Michael Kors — Westfield San Francisco Centre offers something for everyone. After a full day of shopping, travelers can rest their feet and catch a movie at the theater. 2020’s Top Museum Exhibitions PREDICTING THE PAST This exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Stephen Berkman consists of images by the 19th century Jewish immigrant photographer Shimmel Zohar. See large environmental installations and prints that address both Jewish life and the scientific state of understanding more than 100 years ago. The Contemporary Jewish Museum March 12 – Aug. 23, 2020 SOUL OF A NATION: ART IN THE AGE OF BLACK POWER, 1963 – 1983 In this internationally acclaimed exhibition, witness a powerful and provocative presentation that highlights the institutionalized racism and codified prejudice that has pervaded America for centuries. de Young Museum Through March 15, 2020 ALEXANDER SINGH: A GOTHIC TALE This new film and installation draws inspiration from the Gothic literary tradition of 19th century Europe, as well as San Francisco’s place in film noir history. The exhibition premieres Singh’s debut short film, “The Appointment,” a mystery thriller of doubling and mistaken identity. The Legion of Honor Through April 12, 2020 ELEMENTAL CALDER Alexander Calder revolutionized sculpture by inviting forces of the natural world to participate in his art. These works show how the elements, including the movement of the sea and the blowing of the wind, provided inspiration for many of his mobiles. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA) Through May 3, 2020 MOTO MMXX The custom motorcycle scene has exploded recently, transitioning from a fringe pursuit into a mainstream phenomenon. The exhibition displays 20 custom motorcycles that epitomize and represent the best contemporary examples of this resurgence. The Museum of Craft and Design May 23 – oct. 25, 2020 OFFICIAL TRAVEL PLANNER’S GUIDE 2020 Jack Hollingsworth; Anton Ivanov / Shutterstock.com; Benny Marty / Shutterstock.com
San Francisco Travel Planner's Guide 2020 TPG: Page 8
