In The City By the Bay

Art Business News, Oct, 2000 by Maja Wolff

Fog rolling off the Marin Headlands across the aptly named Golden Gate Bridge. The "Crookedest Street in the World." Jumping on a cable car. Every year, 13 million people visit San Francisco to enjoy experiences like these, which can only be had in the city by the bay. To follow are a few of the sights--and eateries --that visitors to SF usually make it a point to see. (And by the way, locals never call the city "`Frisco." "The City," "SF" or even "San Fran" may cut it, but you'll attract less attention to yourself as a tourist if you just call the place by its rightful name.)

FISHERMAN'S WHARF

Nearly everyone who visits San Francisco makes his or her way to the Wharf, which beats out even the Golden Gate Bridge as the city's No. 1 tourist destination. The Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and Pier 39's Venetian Carousel round out the top of the touristy spots. There's also plenty of Dungeness crab to be had at an abundance of seaside eateries.

ALCATRAZ

(415) 705-5555 (ferry) (415) 705-1045 (visitor's center) Take a Blue and Gold Fleet ferry from Pier 41 across the Bay to the notorious prison that once housed Al "Scarface" Capone and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud. The tour focuses on The Rock's cell blocks and even takes you to The Hole - where inmates experienced solitary confinement.

OTHER INTERESTING SAN FRAN SIGHTS

UNION SQUARE

The bull's-eye for shopping is also close to the Cable Car Turnaround, where one can grab a moving landmark to Nob Hill, Fisherman's Wharf and the Cannery.

LOMBARD STREET

"The Crookedest Street in the World" is filled with 10 flower-lined, serpentine turns between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. Walk it, drive it and marvel that people actually live on this block.

COIT TOWER

The 210-foot tower, supposedly a memorial to firemen, offers panoramic views.

NORTH BEACH

The city's Italian center houses cafes, bakeries, restaurants and the infamous Beach Blanket Babylon stage show. Those who enjoy vino--or Francis Ford Coppola films -- should stop by the Niebaum-Coppola tasting room.

CHINATOWN

The Chinese historical area, with shops, restaurants and food stores as well as several landmarks.

HAIGHT-ASHBURY

Recall the "Summer of Love" if you can. Once home to Janis Joplin and members of the Grateful Dead, this bohemian area is home to clothing boutiques, vegetarian restaurants and lively street entertainment.

GOLDEN GATE PARK

Larger than New York City's Central Park and forested by more than one million trees, Golden Gate Park is an oasis in the midst of urbanity where one can spend whole days and still not see everything. Some of the more enjoyable ways to spend time there include:

M.H. DE YOUNG MUSEUM (415) 863-3330 Ongoing exhibitions through the end of the year include "From Three Continents: Textile Acquisitions, 1996-2000;" "Wedding Dresses from the Permanent Collection;" and "Important Acquisitions for the New de Young." Indeed, visit the building, erected in 1919, while you still can: It will soon be razed and is not scheduled to reopen until 2005.

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (415) 750-7145 The oldest scientific institution on the West Coast houses a natural history museum, an aquarium and a planetarium, among other cultural institutions.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN (415) 752-4227 Explore five acres of sculptures, bridges, paths and ponds. Culminate your visit by sipping tea at a traditional Japanese teahouse.

Restaurants

BOTH TOP-RANKED AND TOURIST-FRIENDLY

FARALLON 450 Post Street (415) 956-6969

Seafood is the specialty at this $4 million restaurant located in the Union Square area labeled "the expense account destination."

MEL'S DRIVE-IN 2165 Lombard Street, (415) 921-2867

3355 Geary Boulevard, (415) 387-2255

1050 Van Ness Avenue, (415) 292-6357

If you're looking for a fun atmosphere, this chain brings patrons back the bygone days of soda jerks and jukeboxes. Enjoy a black-and-white shake, fries and a burger at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.

POSTRIO 545 Post Street (415) 776-7825

Also near Union Square, coowner Wolfgang Puck serves up Cal-Asian cuisine with Mediterranean accents here.

TOMMY'S JOYNT 1101 Geary Boulevard, (415) 775-4216

This edgy hofbrau house is practically a San Francisco landmark, where oxtail, brisket and buffalo stew get washed down with lots of beer.

ACQUARELLO 1722 Sacramento Street (415) 567-5432

Enjoy Italian cuisine, impeccable wines and a tasting menu tempered with appetizers such as Bergamont-scented smoked trout.

CAFFE SPORT 574 Greene Street (415) 981-1251

This hot spot is famous for its cranky waitstaff, tacky decor and large portions of Italian food served family style.