San Francisco Things to Do Tips by tinyvulture

The name is misleading, this is not an art museum or a palace, just a really big dome. You do not think it is that big as you approach, but then once you are standing underneath the dome, you realize it is huge. Notice the angel sculptures as you walk up to it. Why are they all facing with their backs to you? This was a mystery to me. The lake around it is pretty and it would be a nice place to hang out, feed the ducks, have a picnic.

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Address: 3601 Lyon Street

You can take a guided audiotour, but we chose to wander around on our own. Check out the creepy shower room, the cells that are set up to look like they did back in the day, and the yard - which is really sad and/or funny because it gave the prisoners such a great view of the outside world, that they will never get to be part of! The best part was taking each others pictures in "the hole", the dark, empty cell where prisoners went when they acted up.

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Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
Address: In the middle of San Fracisco Bay
Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz

Here you can take a break, sit on a bench and watch people with their dogs. There is a special water fountain that is for dogs as well as humans. Lots of pretty palm trees, too.

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Address: Area surrounding Valencia and 16th Street

Walk up and down Grant and Stockton streets. During the day they are full of locals and tourists alike. It seems especially busy in the morning, when grocers set all of their fruits and vegetables out near the sidewalk and there are throngs of people doing their daily food shopping. There are dozens of souvenir shops selling incense, jade carvings, Chinese slippers, and other little items to take home with you. Stop in the Eastern Bakery (720 Grant at Commercial) for some awesome macaroons. Also check out the parks, like Portsmouth Square (on Kearny between Washington & Clay), which has a cool bridge you can stand on and take pictures from, and where you will see lots of the locals hanging out playing board games and chatting. There's also St. Mary's Square (at California & Quincy) with its huge statue of Sun Yat-Sen. At night the streets are still busy, some of the shops stay open late (until 9 or 10 anyway), and you can stop in a bar like Li Po (916 Grant between Washington & Jackson) for a drink.

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Address: Bordered by Broadway, Bush, Kearny, Stockton sts.
Directions: Ornamental gate at Grant and Bush intersection.
Website: http://www.sfchinatown.com/

This park has an interesting multi-level layout, plenty of trees for shade, and from the bridge there is a nice view of the surrounding area. It's in the center of Chinatown and it seems to be the place where the locals come to play board games, exercise, and talk. Also, it is built on top of a parking garage if you need a place to park while exploring the area.

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Address: Kearny St.
Website: http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/attractions/portsmouthsquare.html

The name does not give much of a clue that this is an art museum. Be sure to walk around the grounds - there are some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. In the courtyard is Rodin's famous "Thinker" sculpture. Inside, the art ranges from Medieval to Impressionist.

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Phone: 415.863.3330
Address: 100 34th Avenue
Directions: Take the 38 bus to 33rd & Geary, then walk a to 34th and follow it up into Lincoln Park.
Website: http://www.thinker.org/legion/