1746 Post St, Japantown
415 345 1975
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Aside from Sundance and a few prized sushi joints, let's face it: Japantown hasn't really been much of a destination after Japantown Bowl closed. But something's just come up that's likely to change all of that. Introducing a curiously intriguing den of Japanese culture, New People—a microcosm of Tokyo pop culture wrapped in a modern layered megaplex dedicated to everything Japanese from high-tech gadgets to movies and art—opening Saturday in the three-story glass building across from Benihana (another pure example of Japanese culture…).
1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station
415 464 5100
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An hour north of San Fran and well worth the drive. Hikes take you to breath taking views, from the rough rocky shore to the peaceful sand beaches. This is an amazing place to go for discovery, inspiration or just a hiatus from the city life.
200 Larkin Street, Tenderloin
415 581 3500
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The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the largest of its kind in the Western World: there are over 15,000 pieces on display. If you're lucky, you'll be there for a tea ceremony and tasting - a total treat.
465 Missouri Street, Potrero Hill
415 702 5700
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For the artistically inclined: The Craft Gym, run out of a Potrero Hill elementary school, offers evening classes in knitting, tile making, linocutting, screen printing, ceramics, candle making and a myriad of other creative pursuits.
Wine Country, Nappa Valley
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The bad news: the winter gets gray and rainy in Napa. The good news: it's still beautiful, and it's way less crowded than during Spring, Summer and Fall. The basics: Avoid Highway 29. Stick to wineries on the Silverado Trail (and visit no more than three of them). Have someone else drive you. Don't miss: Mumm Cuvee Napa, Rober Sinskey Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars and Clos Pegase. Eat at: Brix, Tomatina or Wappo Bar & Bistro.
1 Zoo Road, Sunset District
415 753 7080
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This is no ordinary Zoo. It's latest exhibit, the African Savanna, allows visitors to get insanely close to the animals. This is the closest you'll get to giraffes, zebras, kudus, ostriches, and other African wildlife without traveling to the Kalahari.
50 Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
415 750 3600
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Friday night At the De Young is best time to go, but go early. There's live entertainment and drinks. While you're there, be sure to check out the tower and the gardens (which are open to the public free of charge).
85 Liberty Ship Way, at Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito
415 488 1000
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Glide past harbor seals and enjoy the sunset from a kayak on sea-trek's starlight paddle. It's an amazing experience, in a cheesy-romance-novel sort of way.
2020 Oregon Street, at Shatiuck Avenue, Berkeley
510 843 6929
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A produce lover's nirvana-twenty kinds of oranges, asian produce, and a great olive bar. Fresh seafood, prepared foods, and cheeses. Not cheap, but less expensive than whole foods.
One Ferry Building, North Beach
415 693 0996
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From 8:00 A.M.-1 :30 P.M. every Saturday: folks flock to the Farmer's Market for food, flowers, and fun. Overlooking the Bay, with more then 100 farmers and vendors, there's no better way to kick off a Saturday.
556 Suder Street, Unions Square
415 434 4264
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Very unlike the typical gallery excellent work by bay area artists is just the beginning: there are friendly consultants on hand, affordable prices, and the option to rent instead of buy: Making commitment-phobes everywhere very happy.
245 South Van Ness Avenue, Mission
415 861 1530
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This is the place to find cool vintage art at reasonable prices. The owners scour estate sales and flea markets for works with pretty aesthetics and design, clean and restore the pieces, find a frame appropriate for each one, and then sell it to you at prices ranging from $150 to $500.
Bordered by Steiner, Scon, Jackson, and Clay Streets, Pacific Heights
415 567 1265
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Gorgeous views, three tennis courts, a dog's heaven, get picnic supplies at Mollie Stone's (2345 California Street, between Steiner and Fillmore Streets, 415 567 4902).
151 3rd Street, Soma
415 357 4000
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A much-needed shot in the arm of the city's visual-arts scene, an outstanding photography collection.
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park
415 379 5132
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Whatever your interests, the new Academy is designed to engage and inspire like no other museum on the planet. Not only is the building, itself, a stunning architectural achievement but the new Academy contains multiple venues, hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals.
JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park
415 666 7001
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Reopened in september 2003, the conservatory of flowers in Golden Gate Park is a lush sanctuary of tropical plants from around the world. Pack a picnic and get back to nature.