San Francisco Local Custom Tips by sunshine9689

This bakery has been in Japantown neighborhood for decades. Their cakes (Coffee Crunch, Strawberry Cake.. to name a few) are simply delicious.
At $2.95 a piece they disappear very fast, better come in the morning. :-) You can also buy a whole cake ($25) which will satisfy about 15 people.

These cakes are made fresh and do not last long. Probably up to only 10 hours in the fridge.

NOTE: Pay with check or cash, no cards are accepted. The place closes as soon as the last cake is sold. It is located in the Super Mira market. Turn right as soon as you enter and you`ll see it.

If going from downtown, take:
- bus #1 and get off at Sacramento/Buchannan. Go few blocks down South until you reach Sutter/Buchannan intersection. Turn left.
- or bus #3 and get off at Sutter/Buchannan. It will be on your right hand side.

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Phone: (415)931-8165
Other Contact: 1790 Sutter Street at Buchannan

Affordable and nice spa retreat on the verge of Pacific Heights and Japantown area.
I spent 2.5 hours there (doing dry/wet sauna, cold and then hot pool 3 times in a row) and had a wonderful skin afterwards.
The atmosphere is very relaxing, calming. You are not supposed to talk, so bare that in mind, if you come with a group of friends.
FOR LADIES: If you are wondering about the clothing part - during my stay most women wore nothing, some wore bottoms and only a few wore full swimming suits.
We showed on a Friday at 11am and were the last ones to walk in without reservation, the rest of walk-ins had to be put on the waiting list. Better reserve a spot in advance.

LOCATION: 1750 Geary Blvd at Fillmore Str.
HOURS: 10am-10pm (baths close at 9.45pm).
PRICE: for communal baths $20 (on weekdays), $25 (on weekends). Your every 10th visit is FREE (ask for card).
RESERVATIONS: call 415.922.6000, then press #2 (10am-6pm).
MEN`s days: M, Th, Sat.
WOMEN`s days: Wed, Fr, Sun.
MIXED days: Tuesdays (clothing required).
VALIDATED PARKING: Is available from the Japan Center with any spa treatment (excluding the communal baths.)

NOTE: Photo ID is required. Not for kids below 10y.o.

If you do not know anything about sauna, let me tell you a few things:
- you never go to a sauna hungry or with a full stomach. Eat light and do not drink a lot of liquids.
- you never wet your hair while doing dry/wet sauna.
- you always cover your head (with a small towel) before entering a sauna.
- upon entering a sauna try to close a door behind you as fast as you can, to not cool it down for others.
- do not spend more than 15 minutes in a sauna at once, you`ll overdo it. Always listen to your body - if you do not feel well, it is time to get out.
- have 15-20 minutes breaks between saunas. Do a facial mask (cucumber), lay down, relax.
- 2-4 sessions are enough for one visit.
- attend it once a week.

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Phone: 415.922.6000
Website: http://www.kabukisprings.com/

This is a 140 years old tradition in Chinatown. It all began in 1860s with educational purposes - to introduce Westerners to Asian customs. More than a century later, it has been named Largest Asian Celebration Outside Of Asia.

Chinese New Year 2008 (Lunar year 4706) is in fact today, when I am typing this tip - 7th of February. But the actual celebration will be held on the February, 23rd at 5.30pm.
There will be over 100 units participating in the Parade. Long time crowd favorite is the Golden Dragon. It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group to carry it throughout the streets.

LOCATION: Parade starts at Market & 2nd Str and ends on Kearny Str.

PRICES: Free, but if you want a bleacher seat on Kearny Street (at between Sacramento & California) for $30 per ticket +$8 shipping/handling per order, order it online here.

WEBSITE

Come early for better viewing spots.

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Curious what it is all about? Read a bit of history on Wiki.

LOCATION: 1st Market Str. Justin Herman Plaza
TIME: Thursday, 14th of February from 6pm until 9pm.
RULES:
1) Wait for the Ferry Building clock to strike 6:00pm.
2) Don’t hit anyone without a pillow (unless they want it).
3) Don’t hit anyone with a camera.
4) Bring only pillows filled with natural materials (like cotton, hemp, and down) and not synethetics which will wash into the Bay and harm marine life.
5) Bring a few trash bags to help clean up.

ALSO, the Food Bank and Coalition on Homelessness will be collecting donations this year. Your help with pillows, blankets, clothing and non-perishable food items is very much appreciated.

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Website: http://www.pillowfight.info/

Every March, the Center for Asian America Media hosts a film festival, featuring about 120 movies in San Francisco (March, 13-23), Berkley (March, 14-22) and San Jose (March, 21-23).

TICKETS: $11 ($9 for students/seniors).
WHERE (places and their maps):
- Castro Theatre (SF),
- Sundance Kabuki Cinemas (SF),
- Clay Theatre (SF),
- Asian Art Museum (SF),
- Bambuddha Lounge (SF),
- Rickshaw Stop (SF),
- 111 Minna Gallery (SF),
- Pacific Film Archive Theater (Berkeley), Camera 12 Cinemas (SJ), San Jose Museum of Art (SJ).

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Phone: 415-863-0814
Website: http://asianamericanmedia.org/

If every 2nd Thursday of a month you have nothing to do and are in the mood for a movie, then this tip is for you, cause that`s when Dolores Park hosts it (around 8, 9pm). Check the website below for details.

It`s a free event, but a small donation is appreciated and much needed - to pay for the equipment, permits, Valet bike parking..

ADDRESS: 20th at Dolores Street.
DIRECTIONS: bus #33 or subway (J-Church MUNI Line).

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Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/t/-/a/b870f/

Once a month one of 3 parks hosts an outdoor movie:
All shows begin on Saturday at 8 P.M. or at Dusk

Saturday, 6/28, ALL ABOUT EVE, Union Sq.
Saturday, 7/26, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, Dolores Park
Saturday, 8/9, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Union Square
Saturday, 9/6, IL POSTINO, Washington Square
Saturday, 9/20, O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, Dolores Park
Saturday, 10/4, VERTIGO, Union Square

NOTE: You can bring a picnic, but no chairs allowed. There is a free Valet parking for bikes. Bring warm clothes, cause it gets really cold once the sun sets!!!

PARKS` ADDRESSES:
Dolores Park is bounded by Dolores, Church, 18th and 20th Streets and the film will be screened in the park at Dolores and 19th Streets. Dolores Park is served by the MUNI Metro J-Line and by MUNI's 33-Ashbury. The 16th Street BART/MUNI station on Mission Street is a 15-minute walk from Dolores Park.

Washington Square Park is located at the intersection of Columbus and Union Streets in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. The Park is served by MUNI bus lines 15, 30, 45 and 39. The Powell/Mason Cable Car line stops one block from the Park (at Union).

Union Square is bounded by Powell, Post, Stockton and Geary Streets in San Francisco. It is served by all MUNI Metro lines (Powell Street Station), by BART (Powell Street Station), and by multiple MUNI bus and cable car lines.

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Website: http://www.sfntf.org/

With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and 19 stages and venues, the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest gathering of its kind in the nation.

THEME for 2008: United by Pride, Bound for Equality.

WHEN:
- Saturday, June 28th, 2008 at 12pm to 6:00pm
- Sunday, June 29th, 2008 from 12pm to 7:00pm.

WHERE: Celebrations are at Civic Center (it`s bound by Van Ness/McAllister/Hayes Streets).

PRICE: Free.

NOTE: The actual PARADE is on Sunday, 29th at 10.30am along the Market Street. Come early to get a good spot.

To watch my VIDEO of the parade, click here.

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Website: http://www.sfpride.org/

July 4, 2008 entertainment:

There will be Cannery`s Family Festival at the courtyard (Del Monte Square) from 11am to 8pm. It`ll include face painting (11am-3pm) to entertain the children, live musical performances featuring local artists playing classic American hits plus food offerings.
ADDRESS: 2801 Leavenworth Street at the foot of Columbus Street.
PHONE: 415-771-3112.

Also, Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration will be held at Pier 39 from 1pm to 9.30pm. Two popular cover bands will be performing: Big Bang Beat (1pm- 4pm) and Tainted Love (6pm-9.30pm). Then visitors will be treated to Fireworks display at approximately 9.30pm shot from a barge off PIER 39 and from the Municipal Pier. Fireworks can be seen from Aquatic Park (near Pier 47) and mid-bay near Alcatraz, between Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.

NOTE:
- Dress warm, if you plan on attending the fireworks - its very cold near the water in the evening.
- Don`t drive there, traffic on the way back won`t be fun for sure.

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It all began in 1985 and thrives till today. Stretched for 12 blocks (8 stages total) this Jazz Festival attracts thousands of music lovers on the Independence Day weekend. Each band will be given about 1,5 hours to entertain the public.

DAYS: 5-6th of July, 2008.
WHEN: 10am to 6pm.
ADDRESS: Fillmore between Jackson and Eddy.
PARKING-cars: at Fillmore Center Garage(Fillmore & Eddy) and Japan Town Garage/Kabuki Garage (1600 Geary).
PARKING-bikes: O`Farrell at Fillmore.
TO GET THERE from DOWNTOWN: bus #1 (runs on Sacramento Street), bus #3 (runs on Sutter Street).

Here is my 1 minute long VIDEO of the Festival, if you are interested.

ADVICE: Beer is very expensive ($8=24oz). Liquor stores (like D&M on Fillmore/Sacramento) jack up their prices, so I highly recommend to bring your own or buy it in a grocery store (like Molly Stones on California/Steiner Street).

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Phone: 800-310-6563 Voice
Website: http://www.fillmorejazzfestival.com/