Shoshi Parks

A city unlike any other and immediately recognizable in photographs, San Francisco reigns supreme as a fun metropolis with offbeat choices of how to spend your time. If you’re an outdoor person, you have scads of hiking trails and water activities to pick from—and just walking our famously steep streets is an adventure in itself. If you trend towards quieter times indoors, you’ll love a contemplative afternoon exploring the many museums we offer. If a tipsy ramble through the city appeals, we have tons of great bars, including ones perched on rooftops for those exquisite city views. When you get hungry, there are a ridiculous amount of incredible restaurants (we picked out our 11 favorites last month, and there are 28 Michelin starred ones as well). There’s a fantastic zoo, some wild architecture, a park far larger than New York’s Central Park packed with tons of great things to do, iconic hotels and neighborhoods like Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Haight that each convey their own personality. Wherever your explorations take you, you're bound to have a memorable time with these things to do in San Francisco. May 2025: This month, we’ve added the Chainsmokers Block Party, a revival of the opera honoring our own Harvey Milk, a rundown of everything happening at Yerba Buena Gardens in May, Ferry Flicks at the Ferry Building and a magical new exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum. RECOMMENDED: 🎨 The best museums in San Francisco🛏️ The best Airbnbs in San Francisco🏨 The be

Don’t be fooled by San Francisco’s relatively compact size—just seven miles wide by seven miles long—as this Northern California coastal city packs in a ton of attractions that go far beyond the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. San Francisco is home to an impressive collection of museums, natural wonders, parks and historic buildings, all interspersed among its scenic hilly neighborhoods (plus, despite the hills, it’s actually quite a walkable city.) From a city park that’s 20 percent larger than New York’s Central Park to an iconic modern art museum to beloved local sports teams, here are the must-see attractions you won’t want to miss while you’re in the City by the Bay. How long to spend in San Francisco? You can get a lot done within a day thanks to the city's dense layout. We'd say a 3-day itinerary will leave you with plenty of memories and pretty pleased with everything you were able to see. But if making your way through the city's 28 Michelin-star restaurants is a priority for you, that may take a little longer.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San FranciscoThe best hotels in San FranciscoThe best cheap hotels in San Francisco This guide was updated by San Francisco-based writer Daisy Barringer. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenit

There are few destinations you can go where you are guaranteed fun in the sun. But we have found the perfect weatherproof paradises: indoor water parks. Whether you like swooshing down slides feet first or head first, it's always sunny and a balmy 84 degrees Fahrenheit at these indoor water parks.  There are 1,153 water parks in the USA and Canada as of March 2021, according to hospitality consulting firm Hotel & Leisure Advisors. While we haven't visited every water park, we have splished and splashed our way through the best indoor water parks. We've spent countless days sliding and gliding round and round and round twisty, turny slides that slosh us with water at every turn and floating on colorful inner tubes down meandering lazy rivers.  Don't let the indoor aspect turn you off from tropical-themed fun. We know a wet and wild time when we see it. If you insist on stepping outside, most indoor water parks have an outdoor water park that is open seasonally and other attractions like arcade games. Nearly all are connected to a resort to extend the fun. Think the beach is the only place to get a tan year-round? Beach, please. Most of these parks have glass or retractable roofs that allow you to lay by a pool and get your tan on 365. Some have swim up bars, as well as comfortable cabanas. So, go on, run, jump, slip and slide into America's best indoor water parks.

Many of this country's most prized artworks can be found in the hallowed galleries of America's best art museums. But if you dare to break free from the white cubes and hushed halls of traditional art spaces, you’ll be treated to a feast for the senses. From coast to coast, the coolest art installations in the USA include rebellious recycled artworks, bizarre landmarks alongside desolate stretches of highway and sprawling sculpture gardens inside Southern swamps. And, believe us, you'll want to see them all.  From gorgeous outdoor galleries in Montana and graffiti corridors in Detroit to immersive indoor exhibitions in Santa Fe and Houston, these 18 astonishing installations are as creative as they are thought-provoking. (They also happen to photograph really well for a curated feed.) While most are on display year-round, a handful—like the Balloon Museum in Los Angeles—will last just a few short months. So start planning your epic American art road trip now! 

San Francisco’s got a lot to offer families. Besides the usual fun things you’d expect in a city of a certain size (a wonderful municipal zoo, great science museums), San Francisco has some things you can only do here: ride the bright red cable cars, visit a pirate supply store, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and watch 1800s animated dioramas spring to life. There are plenty of vantage points to show your kids the incredible beauty of the bay, including the Presidio Tunnel Tops with 14 acres of playspace with the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge for every cartwheel and Frisbee toss. And while at the end of the day mom or dad might want to slide into a chair for a Michelin-starred restaurant experience, here is our list of best cheap eats to make this family vacation more affordable. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco  

When thinking of romance, our minds often drift elsewhere. April in Paris? Oui. A Roman holiday? Already reserved the Vespa! Skin to suntanned skin? There’s a Caribbean resort for you. But as we all know, romance needeth no passport. With 50 states offering everything from mountainous beauty to picturesque wine valleys, big dazzling cities to small port towns, America's got love locked down—or at least a destination to make your rom-com dreams a reality. Ready for the romantic getaway of your dreams? Here are the most love-soaked destinations in the USA.

While there are plenty of amazing hotels in San Francisco for all kinds of budgets and needs—from hotels for romance to pet-friendly stays—true aesthetes will want a chic boutique hotel in San Francisco, as beautiful as it is comfortable. The boutique hotels that sit throughout every corner of the city capture the true spirit and essence of San Francisco, giving you the true San Fran experience from day to night. Make your trip that touch more interesting and stay somewhere cool and unique. Whether you’re trying to tap into the rocker vibe of old or the gorgeous vineyards of nearby Napa Valley, we’ve got you covered with our pick of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco.  Think Renaissance architecture, five-star luxury, games rooms, and on-site taprooms with outdoor lounges...  RECOMMENDED: The best luxury hotels in San FranciscoThe best Airbnbs in San Francisco This guide was written by U.S.-based writer Clara Hogan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, Sonoma County is one heck of a beauty. We’re not bragging when we say this Wine Country region has it all, it really does — laden with a rustic, laid-back charm thanks to its majestic redwoods, spectacular vineyards and wineries, delectable farm-to-table culinary scene and divine coast. Best of all, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place: with clusters of cities spread far apart—Healdsburg, downtown Sonoma, Guerneville, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Petaluma—where you stay can influence the wineries, shops, restaurants and bars that you visit. Fortunately, there's something for everyone here, from quaint B&Bs to spa resorts. Make your reservations at one of these Sonoma hotels, drop off your bags, then start exploring all the fantastic things Sanoma has to offer.  Updated August 2024: We've added two new favorites to our list. One is a luxury resort in the heart of Sonoma, while the other is a tropical escape, just a 10-minute drive from popular wineries. We'll cheers to that.  RECOMMENDED:🍷Discover the best wineries in Sonoma🌴Stay at the best Airbnbs in California 🏄Plan your visit to California Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our edito

For us, free is the best price. And while there are many wonderful things to spend your money on in San Francisco—from great shopping to Michelin starred restaurants—you’ll also find a ton of experiences that don’t cost a cent. Some places like museums offer monthly free days, while others are free every day. And don’t forget the gorgeous hikes that cover the city, yours for the taking. Here’s our list of the eight best things to do in San Francisco that, like J Lo’s love, don’t cost a thing. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco

The start of a new year is a huge landmark in our lives. Whether we’re closing down a hard year or looking back with elation, our earnest hope is that the next year will be even better: filled with plenty of get-togethers with friends and family, good meals, clubbing or sitting down for an intimate drink, and maybe adding in reconnecting with nature by taking a hike each week (it's New Year’s resolution material!). We have to celebrate that chance to start a new year fresh, and these parties provide great palate cleansers. With fireworks reflected in the bay, San Francisco is one of the prettiest cities to ring in the new year.  

Christmas only comes once a year and before we know it, it has vanished—so it’s important to get out there and experience the magic of San Francisco in December. Whether it’s Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas you’re celebrating, you’ll find plenty to give you starry eyes and a warm feeling. From a light show playing on the face of the Ferry Building to ice skating at Union Square, from choirs singing their hearts out to pub crawls and extraordinary gingerbread displays: it's all happening now.

The Mission is the heart of the mural movement in San Francisco. Murals express culture, help a community share its history and values, and add vibrant colors to otherwise drab walls and alleyways. Sometimes they’re so breathtaking you must stop and contemplate for a while—like the five-story one adorning the Women’s Building on 18th Street, full of magic and power, with an equally gorgeous array on the Lapidge Street façade—while others provide smaller surprises, like those found on a car repair shop’s walls or tucked into alleyways.  We’ve picked out some of our favorites below, but if you’re looking for event more, we’d suggest SF Mural Arts, which maintains pages devoted to each neighborhood in the city; the Mission’s lists a whopping 504 murals (by contrast, the next most muralized neighborhood is SoMa, with only 139 murals). It also identifies whether a mural is still available, since oftentimes they are painted over or lost to time and weather—and archives those that are not longer viewable. Another wonderful source is Precita Eyes Muralists, which organizes walking tours and classes. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco

The team behind the Michelin-starred Mr. Jiu’s opened this upstairs lounge dripping with mid-century elegance, so you can snuggle into a red-velvet booth under lotus-shaped brass lamps. The extensive cocktail list includes seasonal offerings and signature drinks based on the Chinese lunar calendar and spiked with black garlic, plum, oolong and other Eastern ingredients.

In October 2018, Clos du Val upped their tasting game with a brand new tasting room, the Hirondelle House. The modern interior, with a dark paneled wood ceiling and floor to ceiling windows, warm orange accents and sculptural elements is bested only by the outdoor patio, a wide open space overlooking the vineyards. It's a fitting addition to this almost 50 year old award-winning winery producing ruby pinots, toasty oak chardonnays and voluptuous cabs. Tastings range from sips of current vintages to a picnic in the winery's olive grove.

Once owned by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the benefactress of San Francisco's Coit Tower, Frank Family Vineyards has the distinction of being the oldest, continually operated sparkling wine producer in Napa Valley. Now under the the direction of Rich Frank, the former president of Disney Studios, the winery produces 75,000 cases a year of hand-riddled blanc de blanc, rouge and brut rose, along with cab, pinot noir, zinfandel, chardonnay and sangiovese. Tastings (by appointment only) take place in the historic butter yellow farm house whose rooms have been stylishly renovated, each with a different theme. A comfortable patio overlooking the vineyards is open in nice weather.

The newest addition to the LGBTQ+ bar scene, Jolene's is a stylish, modern venue in the 16th Street no-man's-land between the Mission and Potrero. The expansive space has plenty of room for all with a pool table up front and a red-lit dance floor wallpapered in tasteful portraits of black-and-white breasts. On Thursday and Friday evenings, the kitchen serves tasty bites and sandwiches including avocado egg rolls, Impossible burger sliders and popcorn chicken. At weekend brunch, mimosas come bottomless for $28.

It seems Chef Dominique Crenn can do no wrong. Not only does her flagship Atelier Crenn boast three Michelin stars, her second eatery Petit Crenn regularly appears on lists of the city's best of the best. And now, at just over a year old, Crenn's third project has earned itself a Michelin star, too. Really, it's not like it's a surprise. This wine bar reminiscent of the library of a storied French estate than is luxurious and warmly lit. The wine list features largely French winemakers using biodynamic, environmentally responsible and traditional methods while the dinner menu is rich and sensual. Classic French dishes like pate en croute (pork shoulder, pistachio and cornichon) and Coquille St. Jaques (pink scallops with Muscadet butter) get the Crenn treatment: Organic, seasonal and, frankly, spectacular.

The appropriately named a Mano ("by hand" in Italian) has a thoughtful, ground-up perspective on food. Influenced by seasonal, California flavors, the restaurant's Italian food remains nonetheless approachable—both in flavor and cost. In the light, bright dining room accented by a playful geometric bar, you'll find a range of handmade pastas like ravioli with nettles, chard, walnuts and ricotta, pizzas like the spicy salsiccia, tomato, provolone piccante, olive and red onion, and a meaty nightly special (ranging from Sunday's ossobuco to Tuesday's short ribs). The drink menu is rooted in Italian classics including Amari and wines from the Old Country.

From the outside, Wayu doesn't obviously stand out from the succession of Clement Street Asian restaurants which makes the food at this Michelin starred sushi restaurant all the more fantastic. In the wood paneled minimalist dining room, there's nothing to compete with the magic being created by the sushi chefs behind the square bar—dishes like squid with shiso and meyer lemon, Japanese-imported uni wrapped in seaweed, and poached monkfish liver. Two omakase menus are on offer each night (#1 for $95/person and #2 for $135/person) along with a list of carefully selected Japanese beer and sake.

This postage stamp-sized sushi bar in Noe Valley serves fresh, stellar-quality sushi and sashimi with an intimate, neighborhood vibe. The dining room, all blonde wood, golden hues and black accents is dominated by an L-shaped bar behind which the sushi chefs make their magic. Despite showcasing seasonal fish from Japan and around the globe, the menu offers a reasonably priced selection of sushi bar comforts from seared hamachi with truffle oil to fresh saba, walu and shiro maguro.

This small-batch, independent winery in the Alexander Valley produces impressive cabs and merlots from family-owned vineyards at Wernecke Ranch. Sutro Wine's Alice Sutro hosts vineyard hikes on Chalk Hill the estate and tastings at the rustic-chic Jimtown Store's artistic tasting room down the road.

This neighborhood brewery combines an industrial-chic aesthetic with a friendly, slightly-nerdy atmosphere thanks to its library theme where books, like the beer, are on tap (er...shelf). Novel Brewing has styles to suit every taste, including a wide variety of IPAs, from the hazy Dust Jacket to the juicy Book Thief. Regular events including book swaps and game nights round out this community fixture worth traveling for.

Hotel G's lofty new restaurant, Ayala, is racking up rave reviews for executive chef Melissa Perfit's take on coastal California seafood. The space has something of a timeless, unadorned quality with an open floor plan separated with a glass-block wall from the bar area. On the menu is a mix of raw and cooked dishes like kampachi crudo with chickpea crisp, mint, red grape and sorghum and nori spaghettini with dungeness crab, white miso, Buddha's hand and furikake. The cocktail menu is heavy on revamped classics including three types of martinis (we're partial to the casteveltrano version).

Oakland's Mad Oak is a laid-back bar spread across two floors of indoor-outdoor space. The upstairs-downstairs rooftop has plenty of seating, heat lamps and a bar on each level - not to mention T.V.'s for game viewing al fresco. Inside video games and a photo booth amp up the fun; outdoors cornhole is the name of the game. For eats, Mad Oak hosts chefs in six month pop-up stints.

Not so long ago, home entertaining was the gold standard for an evening out—a drinking and dining experience where guests were made to feel simultaneously special and comfortable. It’s this old-school vibe that co-owners Seth and Jenni Bregman have tried to replicate at Bardo Lounge and Supper Club, where 60s-inspired furniture, cocktails and dishes reign once again.   Photograph: Courtesy Bardo     To achieve a home-dining feel, the husband-and-wife team scoured vintage furniture stores from the Bay Area to Washington for Bardo's mid-century modern decor, transforming the former Michel Bistro on Oakland’s Lakeshore Ave into an impassioned ode to the 1960s dinner party. Downstairs, the cocktail lounge is carved into intimate living room-style nooks fashioned with minimalist leather couches, pendant lamps, and sculptural wood credenzas, tables and shelving. Upstairs, the dining room has room for thirty at a central communal table nestled up close to the balcony overlooking the bar below.     Sea urchin fondue Photograph: Courtesy Bardo     For the menu, Michelin Bib Gourmand alums Anthony Salguero and Brian Starkey (formerly of Michel Bistro) have mined the country's best-loved 1960s-era cookbooks to create a menu of dinner party classics with a modern twist. In the downstairs lounge, small bites include porcupine meatballs made with pork and fried rice and deviled duck eggs with red wine jus and fried duck skins. Upstairs, there's a three-course menu for $59, featuring

Most visitors to the de Young are there to see the museum’s greatest hits—the O’Keefes, the Kahlos, the Rothkos, the Monets—gliding by the New Guinean yam masks and the mythological parables painted by 19th century American masters sight unseen. That is, until Museumhack stepped in. Museumhack fucking loves museums (according to their slogan), and their passion isn’t reserved just for the masterpieces. Their art renegade tours, like the Un-highlights Tour and the Bad Ass Bitches Tour, give small groups a different perspective on beloved institutions in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. And then there’s the Harry Potter Tour. It’s a little off-beat since the de Young doesn’t exactly feature Hogwarts-themed artworks. Instead, tour guides take small groups of wizard wannabes through the museum, highlighting artifacts reminiscent of magical worlds such as wands and owls as pets. Next is an explanation of the houses of Hogwarts, using the stories behind each family tree to showcase paintings and sculptures that could represent the house. Once visitors are sorted into houses, the tour moves on to a set of Harry Potter-themed challenges in O.W.L. subjects like Charms and Herbology before ending in a fast-paced Quidditch match. “We love Harry Potter and knew that there are other adults who would also be excited to spend some time celebrating the wizarding world that J.K. Rowling created,” says tour guide Casey Selden, who wrote the 90-minute tour with

Trying to wow that special someone? We’ve got you covered, with swoonworthy itineraries for every kind of couple. Take me back to San Francisco where the weather is warm and the sushi is vegan 🌱🍱 #vegan #veganfood #veganfoodshare #veganeats #veganfoodie #vegansushi #shizen #vegansanfrancisco #vegancalifornia #whatveganseat #plantbased #foodstagram #sushi #crueltyfree #govegan A post shared by Erica 🌱👑 (@vegan_kween) on Jan 26, 2018 at 9:01am PST THE PROOF-YOU'RE-IN-THE-KNOW DATE Dinner: Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya Drop some Michelin Guide knowledge on your beau with a meal at this gourmet eatery. Belly up to the polished-wood sushi bar for izakaya-style skewers, vegan ramen and Shizen shiitake (mushrooms stuffed with shredded tofu and tapioca) while you explain what a soy-milk egg is to your significant other. Show: The Roxie Wanna flex your cultural prowess? Head to the oldest and coziest theater in San Francisco for a screening of not just any regular Hollywood blockbuster but an obscure foreign film like the Japanese comedy-horror Hausu. Bonus points if you don’t need to read the subtitles. Drinks: The Hideout at Dalva Venture past the noisy crowds at Dalva to the back of the bar, where you’ll find the Hideout, a small, dimly lit lounge serving memorable cocktails like the gin and celery tonic. Feel free to make out in a dark corner. If things go well: Bissap Baobab Burn off a little energy at this little-known Senegalese institution with a bright

If you enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer with your meal, you don’t need us to tell you that alcohol can be the most expensive part of going out to eat. But if you squint hard enough at the SF restaurant scene, you’ll find a few spots with no corkage fees or fees under $10. These eight restaurants prove that the phrase “delicious affordable meal” is not an oxymoron. Piccolo Forno At this small, modern joint the focus is on hearty, authentic Italian food. Russian Hill neighbors know it as the go-to spot for delectable crab ravioli in salsa rosa and Neopolitan-style pizza. Dishes here are affordable and though they have no liquor license, guests are welcome to bring their own beer and wine with no corkage fee.  Shalimar Restaurant What Shalimar lacks in ambiance—the dining room is about as simple as you can get—it makes up for in bold Indian flavors. A good place to fortify yourself with chicken tikka masala and garlic naan before heading to the bars on Polk. They offer free chai along with your meal but if you want something a little more alcoholic, Shalimar won’t charge a fee to BYOB. Shanghai Dumpling King This no-frills, hole-in-the-wall Shanghai dumpling house has a wide selection of dumplings and pan-fried goodies alongside more mainstream Chinese favorites. The xiao long bao—both the traditional pork style and the off-the-menu crab option—are solid and so are the pan fried pork buns and scallion pancakes. With no corkage fee, you won’t find anywhere else in the neigh

As temperatures continue to drop, there’s no better evening destination than a bar with a fireplace. Warm your tootsies by the fire as the cocktails and craft beer help you thaw from the inside out.  Summer Place Cocktail Lounge Don’t be fooled by the name: the Summer Place is meant for fog-swept evenings and cold nights. Cozy up to the stone fireplace in a leather chair at this old-school Union Square dive, one of the few places left in the city where smoking is permitted indoors.  The Riptide This beachy mainstay with a roaring fireplace is one of the best refuges from the cold ocean air. If you're looking for entertainment with your cocktail, they host open mic nights on Mondays, karaoke on Tuesdays, and on the weekends a hodgepodge of DJs, bands, bingo and occasional visits from restaurants like Memphis Minnie’s BBQ roll through.  Fireside Bar At this aptly named neighborhood bar you’ll find an oversized brick fireplace bordered by comfy couches with enough room for multiple chilly patrons at once. The Fireside is friendly and laid back and canines are always welcome.  Chambers Chambers has found a way to turn the hip, rockstar vibe of adjacent Phoenix Hotel into a stylish bar. Chambers literally glows with mood lighting and a warm, eye-catching fireplace keeps patrons cozy as they sip cocktails at the bar.  Comstock Saloon This Victorian-inspired saloon evokes the San Francisco of days gone by with its damask wallpaper, tiled floors and vintage lighting. The second floo

San Francisco is the city that knows how, so it's no surprise that there's a DIY class for every kind of at-home production. Want to grow an edible garden? Garden for the Environment will help you decipher the best formula of soil, water, seeds and sun for your backyard plot. Eager to produce your own sourdough bread? Sour Flour will teach you to care for a wild yeast "mother" and produce bakery-worthy loaves. Stay busy all year with offerings from these local workshops.   Workshop At this DIY mecca, students learn everything from mixology to embroidery. The brainchild of co-founders Kelly Malone and David Knight, the adults-only space wrangles local designers and creators to teach a wide variety of classes. Perennial favorites include a sewing bootcamp for beginners (where students create their own tote bag), DIY mounted staghorn ferns (create a living piece of wall art) and macrame projects (you know you need a macrame plant hanger). Plus, their Emeryville location offers some options, like a letterpress class, that the smaller SF studio can’t. 1798 McAllister St (415-874-9186, workshopsf.org).  You've been asking, we've been planning, and we're proud to say it's finally here! Reserve your spot in our new death's head moth pinning class, its the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit. Sign up online on the "events" page, or in store with any associate. 📍💀👻🎃 . . . #halloween #deathsheadmoth #silenceofthelambs #buffalobill #spooky #moth #entomology #horror #horr

With seven million people and counting, it’s hard to believe there’s space left for wildlife in the Bay Area. But thanks to the conservationists and urban planners of the 1970s, our little corner of Northern California is one of the most wildlife-friendly urban areas in the country. Skip the zoos and aquariums and see spectacular creatures in their native habitat (in the air, on land and in the sea) at these seven Bay Area locations. Happy Sunday! Tag a friend as sassy as this sea lion! Photo by: @0vanvan0 ⠀ . ⠀ . ⠀ . ⠀ . ⠀ . #pier39 #sanfrancisco #sealions #sass #sassy #bff #sundaymorning #sunday A post shared by PIER 39 (@pier39) on Aug 20, 2017 at 10:57am PDT Pier 39 It wasn’t until after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that playful, barking California sea lions began “hauling out” on K dock at Pier 39. Why they chose this location is a mystery, but the protected bay, teeming with the fish and squid pinnipeds prefer, has kept them coming back for 30 delightful years. Watch the group, which is mostly made up of younger males, frolic all year long from the wooden walkway behind Pier 39. A naturalist provides commentary and answers questions daily between 11am and 4pm, weather permitting.   The Marine Mammal Center San Francisco is a way point on the migration trail for marine mammals, including seals and whales, heading for warmer waters in the winter and cooler oceans in the summer. Unfortunately, the Pacific migration route is also an important shipping route and

Noe, we hope you're hungry. From the same owner-chef that brought you Gialina and Ragazza comes Mediterranean newcomer, Ardiana. The new restaurant, located at 1781 Church Street, will feature classic Mediterranean dishes and flavors alongside the seasonal, thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pizzas that made chef Sharon Ardiana famous.  "The menu will be very shareable," says the chef. A menu section called 'For the table' will feature dips and schmears served with homemade crackers and breads while ordering 'The whole shebang' will give you access to an antipasti buffet. Large Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired plates meant to feed two people and an expansive list of salads will round out the menu. "It’s a choose-your-own-adventure menu. You can just do so many things with it!” added Ardiana.  Photograph: Courtesy of Ardiana   The owners of La Nebbia, which previously occupied the space on Church Street, chose Chef Ardiana to take over the spot. In honor of the former restaurant, changes to the space will be relatively minor: mid-century modern furniture will be added, as well as enlarged family photos on the walls. The enormous pizza oven Ardiana inherited from La Nebbia will, no doubt, be put to good use. “I want this to be a fun place that people want to come to once a week or once every couple of weeks when you don’t feel like cooking,” says Ardiana.  

Explore San Francisco's top parks and beaches on a treasure hunt for these quirky gems hidden in plain sight.      Presidio pet Cemetery Photograph: Flickr/Karen           Pet Cemetery at Crissy Field, Presidio Surrounded by a quaint white picket fence, the Presidio’s Pet Cemetery is as touching as it is unsettling. Nestled under the new Presidio Parkway overpass next to Crissy Field, dozens of mostly homemade grave markers stand sentinel over the remains of beloved military family pets who frolicked San Francisco as far back as the 1950s. Keep an eye out for Willie, the beloved pet hamster, Heidi the Collie and Mr. Iguana, some of the cemetery’s first residents.     Spire by Andy Goldsworthy Photograph: Flickr/Noel           Andy Goldsworthy sculptures in the Presidio Artist Andy Goldsworthy is known for his ephemeral, ecological sculptures constructed to continually change with the passage of time and the elements. The Presidio has the largest collection of Goldsworthy works in North America but you’ll only see all three if you are willing to explore on foot. Both “Spire” (near the Presidio Golf Club) and “Wood Line” (parallel to Lover’s Lane) are located along a 3 mile loop on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. His third piece, “Earth Wall,” can be found in the Hardie Courtyard at the historic Presidio Officer’s Club.     Mount Davidson cross Photograph: Flickr/GPS           Cross at Mount Davidson The 103-foot cross at the top of Mount Davidson has a storied history. First e

Airbnb isn't just for out-of-town vacations. While hotels here can run you several hundred dollars a night for little more than a standard bed and bath, these local Airbnb rentals offer gardens, roof decks, and gallery-worthy decorative details at a much more affordable rate. Go on, try on someone else’s life for a weekend.  Photograph: Courtesy Airbnb Mission: The artist’s residence Immerse yourself in creativity in this loft overlooking a working sculpture studio. Ogle the installations in progress and get to know the artists over tea, try making something of your own, or simply relax in front of the fireplace in your private sitting room. See full listing here.   Photograph: Courtesy Airbnb   Cole Valley: The Victorian minimalist This beautifully restored Victorian is like a B&B with more privacy. With rich wood and neutral colors inside and a cozy garden family room outside, this place is the very definition of minimalist luxury. See full listing here.    Photograph: Courtesy Airbnb    Mission Bay: The sail boat A 30-foot sailboat in the Mission Bay marina is the perfect spot for two types of people: lovers of the sea and diehard Giants fans looking to get as close as possible to AT&T Park. The boat comes equipped with a partial kitchen, full bath and enough room to comfortably sleep two guests. See full listing here.   Photograph: Courtesy Airbnb    North Beach: The curator’s dream Spending a night in this one bedroom apartment just steps from Fisherman’s Wharf i

Whether you’re a native San Franciscan or new to the city, it can be overwhelming to navigate the cornucopia of restaurants, bars and experiences this city has to offer. So, we did the work for you. These seven perfect nights on the town—complete with dinner, drinks and a show—will show you the best of what San Francisco has to offer after dark.    This is the really good kind of surreal 😍Today at 1:30pm @framelinefest @promking2010 A post shared by Christopher Schaap (@christopherschaap) on Jun 19, 2017 at 8:19am PDT CASTRO  Dinner: Starbelly  Starbelly serves seasonal California comfort food with a fine selection of gourmet pizzas—we like the housemade chorizo with sunny eggs and cilantro. Enjoy your meal in their bright, airy dining room or outside on the sunny back patio. Show: Castro Theater The Castro Theater needs no introduction. The most iconic venue in the city offers an ever-changing selection of old Hollywood films, off-beat gems and fun events like Disney movie sing-alongs. Get there early to enjoy the live organ music that famously kicks off every show. Drinks: Blackbird Dark and stylish but with none of the pretentious attitude (what other cocktail lounge has a pool table and photo booth in the back?), Blackbird is the perfect place for a lively drink or two after a show at the Castro. Though Blackbird can get rather crowded on weekend nights, their rotating list of artisan cocktails are worth a wait at the bar.   Creative #vegan dishes including tomat