Wild Education at Gulf of Farallones Visitors’ Center

San Francisco visitors often aren’t aware of the opportunity to visit the Gulf of Farallones Visitors’ Center, which is located in the Presidio neighborhood of the city. To be honest, many of the residents of San Francisco aren’t even familiar with this wonderful educational niche next to the bay. This is unfortunate because it’s a terrific little museum where you can spend a few splendid hours learning a lot about the region’s marine life and natural offerings as well as enjoying the beautiful surrounding area.

What is the Gulf of Farallones Visitors’ Center?

The Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center is a small, free museum filled with interpretive displays that provide information about the nature of the area. Specifically, this visitors’ center is intended to provide information about the National Marine Sanctuaries that are located just outside of the Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors and residents alike can learn a lot of new information about the wildlife and plant life of the surrounding area from spending time at this museum. It’s a great way to gain information about the other species that live near us in San Francisco.

Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA)

This visitors’ center is one of several visitor centers associated with the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA). This is a group that is dedicated to protecting the wildlife and habitats of the area surrounding the Farallon Islands located close to Golden Gate Bridge. This association was founded back in the late nineteenth century as a way to conserve the natural beauty and wildlife of this area. There are approximately 3 dozen species of marine mammals that have been observed in this area including many endangered species that are being saved in part by the work that this association does. This is one of the most extensive ocean-based animal networks in the world and its preservation relies on education. That education can be obtained in a fun way through the educational information shared at the visitors’ center museum.

What can you do at the Gulf of Farallones Visitors Center?

Some of the activities that people of all ages can enjoy at this little museum include:

• Learn more about the Farallon Islands, the FMSA and the marine mammals living in this great area. This is what the work of the organization is all about and you can come here to get a great sense about what they are doing.
• Indulge in the intense sensory experiences available at the interactive touch tank in the museum. This museum is designed to interest people of all ages so it’s highly interactive and entertaining.
• Enjoy and photograph the amazing fifteen-foot-tall murals of the ocean and ocean life that adorn the walls of this museum. This art definitely adds to the immense beauty of the museum itself.
• Gain information about why it is important to protect the natural life of the Bay Area and what you can do to help as a volunteer if you are so inclined.
• Check with the visitors’ center to find out if any upcoming events are planned. Marine Life fairs, organic food festivals and fun family days are sometimes planned at this museum.

Remember that visiting this small museum is always free so it’s definitely worth it to stop in! Allow 30 minutes to one hour for enjoying the museum and plan for some additional time to enjoy the nearby beach.

Location of Gulf of Farallones Visitors’ Center

This nature museum is located in San Francisco’s Presidio neighborhood at Crissy Field. Just outside of the museum is the beach of the San Francisco Bay. On a sunny day, families crowd around on the sane to enjoy the beach or gather for picnics on the grassy hillside to play there while looking out at a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the water surrounding it. Crissy Field is a local park that’s been restored over time to create a wonderful little rest-and-play area for the Bay Area.

Located Nearby

There are many wonderful things located nearby that you can enjoy during your trip to this visitors’ center. Those things include:

• Dog-friendly and bike-friendly walking trails along the water. Get out and enjoy nature right in San Francisco’s back yard.
• Path to Golden Gate Bridge. There’s no better way to enjoy the bridge than to walk there from Crissy Field.
• Fort Point. Plan your trip to the museum so that you can also visit Fort Point, a historic military fort located within walking distance.
• Various historic landmarks near Crissy Field. Once part of the military life of the city, this area includes historic landmarks and information about the area’s past.
• Bayside beach for swimming, picnicking and other sunny day activities. This is a popular family beach in the city.
• Watch the many people who come out to this area to fly kites. This is a favorite activity on windy days.

Final Facts and Information about the Gulf of Farallones Visitors’ Center

The basic things that you might want to know about this place if you plan to visit include:

Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 10-4. Official Site

Location: Near the intersection of Mason Street and Fort Point at West Crissy Field in the Presidio. It can be reached via car or by using the MUNI bus system.

Phone number for additional information: 415-561-6625.

It’s Not Too Early To Start Planning for Outside Lands 2010

San Francisco’s Outside Lands music and arts festival is a relatively young festival. The 2010 event is only going to be its third year in a row. Despite this, it is one of the most popular outdoor music festivals in Northern California. Set in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, this festival is in close proximity to a number of wonderful attractions. Planning your trip to the event now can help to guarantee that you have enough time to see the city as well as enough time to enjoy the three days of live music that you’re there to see. Plus, planning now will help you to get the best hotel room located close to the festival!

What is San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music Festival?

The Outside Lands music festival is an outdoor music festival that is held at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. It’s a summer event that will be held in August 2010. This festival is more than just a music festival, though. It’s a three-day event celebrating many different types of art and live performance. Although music is the big draw (with past headliners including Pearl Jam, Incubus, the Black Eyed Peas and Dave Matthews Band) there are also many different arts activities to participate in during the long weekend. Moreover, this is a green festival with a number of opportunities to enjoy eco-friendly activities and education.

Best Hotels for Outside Lands Visitors

One of the things that you will want to make sure to do in advance is to plan which San Francisco hotel you want to stay at. Some people want to stay as close to the park as possible. This allows them to be in close walking distance to the event. It’s nice to be positioned this way so that you can go to and from the event over the course of the three days, heading back to the hotel to rest as needed. However, staying at a hotel near the park isn’t your only option. If you stay at a hotel in the Financial District or Union Square area, you’ll be very close to the underground MUNI buses that can take you straight to the event. Some visitors prefer this option because they want to stay in the city’s best hotels in these popular neighborhoods.

The best San Francisco hotels for Outside Lands visitors who want to be close to the park are:

• OceanView Motel. Located on Judah Street, this motel offers a good opportunity to have an ocean view during your stay in the city. It is located on the west end of Golden Gate Park so it’s a short walk to the Outside Lands festival. The motel itself is nothing to speak of (and first-time visitors should know that it gets really chilly out by the ocean, even in August) but if you’re hoping to stay near the water then this is a good choice.
• Stanyan Park Hotel. This hotel is located at the Eastern end of Golden Gate Park, which also means that it’s within nice walking distance to the festival. It’s a small hotel housed in a historic building. It tends to be quiet which is a relief for some Outside Lands festival attendees although others would prefer a more party atmosphere.
• Red Victorian. This hotel is located right on Haight Street, a short walk from the East end of Golden Gate Park. If you want to do some thrift store shopping and browsing for vinyl during your stay then you might as well stay here because it’s all within walking distance from your hotel’s front door.

The best San Francisco hotels for Outside Lands visitors who want to be downtown or near Union Square are:

• Parc 55. There isn’t much to say about this hotel because everything about it is perfect. It’s got the right location, amazing rooms, terrific amenities, stunning views … If you want a terrific San Francisco hotel then you simply can’t go wrong with this one.
• Hotel Palomar. Are you going to be bringing your pooch with you to San Francisco to spend the weekend outside? If so then you will want to stay in one of the city’s best pet-friendly hotels. This Union Square hotel goes above and beyond for your pets. It’s an artsy hotel, which is just the right mood that you want for your stay during Outside Lands.
• Orchard Hotel. Many people attending Outside Lands really want to stay in a boutique hotel. These are people who like artistic, creative, unique things. The Orchard Hotel does not disappoint.
• W Hotel. Of course, not everyone wants to stay in a boutique hotel. Some people are seeking a five-star experience from a name that they know well. Enjoy the swanky luxury of the W in the evenings after spending all day in the park listening to music.

What Else to See in Golden Gate Park

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is located in Golden Gate Park. The event itself is going to give you plenty to do but if you’ve got some extra time to check out the rest of the park then you should. Golden Gate Park is truly an amazing public space with lots to see. Some of the highlights that you won’t want to miss out on while you are there include the Japanese Tea Gardens, the Conservatory of Flowers, the Rose Garden, the Botanical Gardens, the bison enclosure, the California Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung Museum.

Other Attractions in the Neighboring Area

Golden Gate Park holds many treasures for you to enjoy but you might want to get out and about away from the park for a little while. That’s not a problem since there are so many wonderful San Francisco attractions located really close to the festival. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining of Haight Street, of course. Hike out to the ocean and visit the ruins of the Sutro Baths. Catch a movie at the Red Vic Movie House, a co-op owned second-run theatre with booth seats and popcorn served in wooden bowls. Take a bus over to Hayes Valley, a cute little neighborhood filled with boutique stores and great restaurants. Do some shopping down at Union Square. Enjoy the city!

Tips for Truly Enjoying Outside Lands 2010

Some final tips for making sure that your Outside Lands 2010 festival is amazing:

• Wear layers. San Francisco weather is unpredictable. It can go from cold to hot in the span of minutes. Wear layers to make yourself as comfy as possible.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes. There’s no point in trying to park or drive in the area with so many people around for the festival. Plan to use public transportation instead.
• Book your hotel in advance. They fill up quickly in the summer especially during festival time.
• Get festival tickets for all three days. It’s better to just pay for all three days in advance and see all of the bands that you are interested in than to try to figure out which single day to pay for.
• Go for a whole week. The festival will take up all of your time. Make the trip more relaxing and see more of the sights by going for an entire week. San Francisco is amazing; it’s worth it.

Have a great time!

The Walt Disney Family Museum blesses San Francisco with its magic…

Do you love all things Disney? Do you enjoy visiting museums to learn more about the things that you love? Are you curious about the details of the creative life? Would you like to check out a new family-friendly activity in San Francisco? You don’t have to answer yes to all of these questions to enjoy the Walt Disney Family Museum; you just need to be intrigued by at least one of them. That’s because this new San Francisco museum is a great treat for a number of different types of travelers who might want to check it out.

The Basics about the Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum opened in the Presidio neighborhood in late 2009. It is designed to share with you the detailed, interesting life history of Walt Disney, a man we all know was a creative entrepreneur but about whose life most of us actually know very little. The museum is housed in the different historic buildings which are themselves of interesting to many people in San Francisco. Great for folks of all ages, this museum not only has permanent galleries but also hosts many special events to keep you interested no matter how many times you might visit here.

The Museum’s Ten Permanent Galleries

The Walt Disney Family Museum is set up with ten permanent galleries that will take you through the life and creative work of Walt Disney himself. Those ten galleries, presented in chronological order are:

1. His First Days. If you’ve ever wondered how this man got his start then you should go all the way back to the early days of his childhood. The first museum gallery will tell you about that.
2. Moving to Hollywood. It took some hard work for Walt Disney to get his start. He moved to Hollywood and tried to make it. This gallery shows you those first days in Hollywood and takes you through the time when Mickey Mouse was “born”.
3. The Mickey Mouse Days. Mickey Mouse was developed and explored throughout the 1930’s. It’s interesting to see how that happened in this gallery.
4. Feature Length Films. Walt Disney eventually started making feature-length films starting with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is the gallery that true Disney fans are really going to love.
5. The Million Dollar Turning Point. Snow White was so successful that Walt Disney was finally making millions of dollars. That meant that he could unleash his creativity without limitation. See what he did first with that in this gallery.
6. Rough Times. You might think that Walt Disney was living on easy street after that but you’d be wrong. World War II combined with a long artists’ strike made for rough times at Walt Disney Studios in the 1940;s. Learning about how this was overcome is definitely inspiring.
7. Getting Back on Track. This gallery describes the nitty-gritty details of how the studios got back on track after those rough times.
8. Nature Documentaries. Did you know that Walt Disney did a series of really fascinating nature documentaries? This gallery is great for anyone who is green-minded.
9. On TV. Television came into people’s homes in the 1950’s and 1960’s and Walt Disney found ways to come along with it.
10. The End. The final gallery is about the end of Walt Disney’s life. He may be gone but his legacy clearly lives on and every room of this museum celebrates that fact.

10 Things to do at the Walt Disney Family Museum

Of course when you visit this all ages museum your main purpose in doing so will be to check out those gallery displays. However there are a lot of other things that you can do while you’re here as well. Ten other activities to enjoy at the Walt Disney Family Museum are:

1. See a movie. A Walt Disney museum wouldn’t be complete if you couldn’t view movies there, right? The museum has a state-of-the-art digital theatre where movies are screened regularly.
2. Hear a lecture. In addition to film screenings, the museum offers lectures that can provide you with additional insight into Walt Disney and his work.
3. Listen to music. An interesting dimension of this museum is that they host live music events here as well. What a treat!
4. Buy something from the museum store. The store here is a great place where you can get Walt Disney items that you don’t normally see in regular stores. It’s a treat just to browse here as well.
5. Get a great meal. The cafe at the Walt Disney Family Museum isn’t just any regular cafe. It’s a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. Yum.
6. Relax in the courtyard. This museum has a beautiful courtyard area where it’s enjoyable to relax between viewing the galleries.
7. Go on a Disney Discovery Day. The museum offers some great interactive and art opportunities throughout the month.
8. Learn about Walt + Technology. The technology behind Walt Disney’s creations, and the way that technology has changed over time, is a really interesting topic that you can learn more about.
9. Take a class. Pretty soon the new museum is going to start offering classes for both kids and adults. They’ll also be offering a kids’ summer camp. Be one of the first to sign up!
10. Check the calendar. There’s an online calendar that you can use to find out what else is going on at the museum.

The Museum Buildings and Location

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in the Presidio, a beautiful part of San Francisco that a lot of people fail to fully explore. The museum is housed in three historic buildings – the offices, the storage area and the public gallery itself – in the midst of this beautiful area. One portion of the public gallery is in historic barracks that date back to the nineteenth century. However, there’s a beautiful addition to this area as well in the form of a U-shaped steel and glass building. Once you’re done at the museum, you should definitely time to explore the Presidio or even take the short walk over to the Golden Gate Bridge.

What you Need to Know

Other things you might need to know if you want to visit this great museum are:

• Cost. Admission tickets are timed-entry tickets. They cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $12.50 for kids 6-17 and free for kids under 6. You can become a member and get free entry with your membership. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online up to 60 days in advance of your visit.
• Address. The museum is located at The Presidio of San Francisco, 104 Montgomery Street. Note that if you just try to find 104 Montgomery Street on a map you’re going to end up in a different part of town. Make sure that you’re in the Presidio. Google Map here.
• Getting There and Parking. You can drive directly to the museum and park in the museum’s parking lot. Alternatively public transportation will get you there. Use 511 transit to plan your route.
• Hours. The museum is open from 10-6 daily except for Tuesdays when it’s closed. The museum is also closed on select major holidays.

Have fun! Official website link – Walt Disney Family Museum

Fox Theatre Is Worth the BART Ride to Oakland

There are many wonderful and amazing things to do within the city of San Francisco. You can spend every day of the year within the city limits and never regret that you didn’t leave this small 50 square mile place. However you shouldn’t become so enraptured by the wonder of the city that you fail to check out some of the interesting things that are to be found in the surrounding Bay Area. One of the things that is definitely worth checking out is the Fox Theatre in Oakland. It’s just a quick BART ride over to Oakland and it gives you the chance to enjoy modern performance art as well as to experience a bit of the Bay Area’s wonderful history.

What is Oakland’s Fox Theatre?

The Fox Theatre in Oakland is a historic theatre that opened in the 1920’s. It was a famous place where people came to see the first movies that were being shown in big, beautiful theaters. It was a place of romance, whimsy and entertainment. Today this theatre has been renovated and re-opened for you to enjoy. These days it isn’t a movie theatre. It is a place where you can go to hear live music. It is home to a local arts school. And it is a landmark that shows off some of the best architectural and arts history in the Bay Area.

The History of Oakland’s Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre opened during the Roaring 20’s (in 1928 to be specific). This was a thoroughly exciting time in the history of the Bay Area. The flappers were in full force. Entertainment was everywhere. People wanted to go out and have a good time. One of the best places to do that was a great theatre. The Fox Theatre opened its doors and immediately became a place where people wanted to go to enjoy themselves. There were live stage performances here as well as musical performances on the Mighty Wurlitzer. However the main thing that people came to see was movies. This was the era of the first talking movies. It was a time when the glamour of Hollywood was starting to spill forth from the silver screen. It was an amazing time and this was a terrific venue to take it all in.

The Fox Theatre, located in the shopping district of downtown Oakland, managed to survive for over thirty years. However the 1960’s were a tough time for movie theaters. This was the time when people started getting televisions in their own homes. They weren’t as inclined to go to the movies anymore. A lot of great movie theaters had to close their doors during this period of history. The Fox Theatre was no exception. It shut down in 1966 making a lot of people quite sad to see it go. The sadness continued over the next one dozen years as the building became increasingly damaged by fires, rain and general decay. There was a lot of talk about shutting it down.

In 1978 the building was saved from ruin. It was declared a historical landmark because even then people were starting to realize how integral this building was to the history of the Bay Area. Nevertheless, there wasn’t any investment in rebuilding the Fox Theatre for a long time to come. It went through a number of different owners and rebuilding and restoration did not begin until recently. Luckily, the Fox Theatre has now once again opened its doors to the public!

The Architecture of the Fox Theatre

The rich history of the Fox Theatre is a great reason to visit this building. However there’s an even better reason; you just might want to see it. The architecture of this building is amazing. The detailed domed roof and amazing indoor paintings were among some of the most important reasons that people were initially drawn to this theatre back in the 1920’s. These things have been restored to their former glory so that visitors to the theatre can enjoy them today. There are certainly a lot of wonderful historic buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area but that doesn’t mean that each one isn’t impressive in its own right. This is definitely a building to be noticed (and photographed!)

What Can You Do at the Fox Theatre Today?

The main attraction of the reopened venue is the live music that you can see performed here. This is a wonderful venue for hearing live music. It is not only beautiful but it is perfectly sized – small enough to be intimate but large enough to get some big names coming through. The Fox Theatre is also home to a local arts school and can be rented out for private events so you might come here for any of these things. You might even just come here to wander around the historic building and learn more about its history.

While you are here you should be sure to check out The Den at Fox Theatre which is the new restaurant that has opened within the building. It’s an upscale lounge-style restaurant where you can eat an array of tasty appetizers or enjoy a drink at the bar. You can soak in the ambience of this great building while waiting for a show to start or you can even just stop in here and enjoy the bar on a lazy afternoon.

Getting to the Fox Theatre

It is easy to get to the Fox Theatre in Oakland. Most people who are coming from San Francisco will want to take BART. Simply get off at the 19th Street Oakland station. You will be located one block away from the theatre. It’s location is 1807 Telegraph Hill which is just west of the BART station. There are many hotels and restaurants in this area if you prefer to spend some time here instead of in San Francisco.

Complete Guide to Finding Free or Cheap SF Activities

San Francisco is well-known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. It’s true that it costs a small fortune to be a resident of San Francisco because rents are high and parking fees can be astronomical. Nevertheless, many people do find a way to make it in this city and most of them aren’t earning an impressive salary. One of the ways that residents compensate for all of the money that they spend on rent is to find activities and entertainment that are free or cheap. There are a lot of different things to do in this city that fall into that category. In fact; you can find something free to do almost every day of the week if you know where to look. Here’s your guide to finding all of that inexpensive stuff that locals are busy enjoying.

Best Websites for Finding Free / Cheap Things to Do

The easiest way to find things to do for free or cheap in San Francisco is to head to the Internet. There are several great websites that are specifically focused on offering exactly this type of information. There are also a few sites that offer general activity information which can guide you to good free stuff to do.

• Squid List. This is a great site to check out if the events that interest you are those events which are related to art, culture and technology (which covers just about everything, right?) It lists events by date and time (so you can check out everything that is going on today or tomorrow) and then provides links which you can follow to get all of the details. It’s a really great site for finding out the basics about what is going on for cheap in the city today.

• FunCheapSF. This website is set up in a style similar to the Squid List but the events that it advertises tend to be more family-friendly and less off-the-wall than those on the other site. It’s a must-check-out site for anyone who wants to know what is happening in any given week that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg.

• Bay Area on the Cheap. This site is more of a blog site that provides information about the latest discounts on different things that are going on in the city. This one sometimes has really great deals and sometimes tends to be pricier than the other sites but it’s a good starting point to find out what is going on and about how much it would cost you to participate in it. People who are looking for affordable tickets to mainstream events will find that this is a good resource.

• Goldstar. Another good site for tickets is Goldstar. You join it (for free) and then you can get access to half off tickets for a variety of different types of events in the city. Sometimes there are even free tickets (plus a small handling charge) available through this site.

• Craigslist. Checking out the “activities” and “events” sections of San Francisco’s Craig’s List is always a good way to see what’s going on. It’s a hit-and-miss kind of calendar because people post all types of things on here and some of them do cost money but it shouldn’t be ignored as a site to review if you’re trying to find something to do.

• Meetup,com. This site is more of a social networking site but if you’re going to be in the area for an extended period of time then it’s worth checking out. You join groups based on your interests and then meet up with those groups to do various things. If you’re interests are in doing things that are free/cheap then you just need to locate the groups who are doing those things and participate in what they’re inviting you to attend.

• SF Station. This is probably the most comprehensive site available for finding out what is going on in San Francisco on any given day. You can narrow down your listings to a single day, neighborhood or type of event. Unfortunately, they don’t offer a “free/cheap” category to peruse so you have to wade through the pricey stuff to find the free stuff.

Look at the Calendars for Things That Interest You

In addition to the calendars that offer general information about a variety of different types of events in San Francisco, there are a lot of calendars available for people who are interested in very specific free things. If you have a niche that you’re looking at then you can find calendars related to that niche and look for the free events on those calendars. Examples include

• Business. If you are interested in business then you’ll want to check out the calendars for the local SBA, SCORE and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. All of these places offer free classes and lectures related to business and networking.

• Theatre. What if you’re into drama? Check out the calendars for specific theatres or check out blogs for those types of events to find the cheap ones. (Theatre Bay Area is a good place to start.) If you’re interested in burlesque then you can learn about events from San Francisco Burlesque Review. If you’re interested in comedy then check out SF Standup.

• Literary. There are tons of literary events to check out in San Francisco. If that’s what appeals to you then your best bet is to look at the individual calendars for the different bookstores in the city which regularly host free readings and events.

• Outdoor activities. If you like the outdoors then check out calendars from stores that sell outdoor items. For example, REI offers a number of classes and outings that are free or cheap.

Some Specific Regular Activities that are Free or Cheap

There are some places in San Francisco which offer free activities on a regular basis. The most popular of these include.

• Free days at museums. Almost all of the local museums offer free days and half-price days at least once a month. Many also offer special events which not only have affordable admission but also bring interesting new things to the museum.

• Guided walking tours. There are many guided walking tours in the city and a lot of them are free. Check out SF City Guides to get you started.

• Library. The local library is another host of ongoing free events. Stop by the information desk at any local branch to find out what’s going on.

Consider What Is Free Elsewhere and Find It Here

Don’t forget that there are some activities that are free all year round. You know about these because you have enjoyed them in other cities and you juts need to know how to find them in San Francisco. Examples include:

• Parks. San Francisco has a great parks system which you can enjoy for free. Golden Gate Park is the best park of course but there are smaller parks all throughout the city. Dolores Park is popular since it offers a really great city view.

• Fairs and festivals. Wandering around street fairs doesn’t cost much and it’s something that you can do almost all year long in San Francisco!

• Outdoor movies. Many cities offer free outdoor movie events throughout the summer and San Francisco is no exception. Films are shown outdoors at several parks as well as at Union Square.

• Tourist attractions. There are some tourist attractions in any city that are free to check out. Don’t neglect them in San Francisco. These include the Sutro Bath Ruins, Coit Tower, the sea lions at Pier 39, the street performers at Fisherman’s Wharf and a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Another cheap attraction is an old arcade called Musee Mechanique which is located at Fisherman’s Wharf.

• People watching and window shopping. You can always just enjoy sitting down somewhere and watching people go by. This is a great city for that since there are so many unique people here! Or you can go to the shopping districts and do some window shopping.

Papers to Pick up to Find Free or Cheap Activities

If you’re still looking for more things to do then you just need to turn to the local newspaper bins and calendars to find out what is going on in the city. A lot of these events will be free or cheap.

• SF Weekly. This is a number one choice for finding out what’s going on in the city. Find it in streetside bins and local coffee shops.

• Guardian. There are sometimes things listed in here that are of interest.

• Neighborhood newspapers. Some neighborhoods put out there own little papers. Check coffee shops for these.

• Fliers. There are fliers for things everywhere you look in San Francisco. Pay attention to them and you’ll find it easy to find affordable things to do.

 Food

A quick note on the fact that it is indeed possible to find cheap eats in San Francisco even though there are a lot of expensive restaurants. For tips on the best affordable spots check out Bargain Bites, Citysearch, Urbanspoon and GrubGirl.

Where You Do and Don’t Want to be on Halloween in SF

Halloween in San Francisco is an interesting holiday. On the one hand, this is a city where nearly every resident has a closet filled with costumes that are used at various events all throughout the year. These people often outdo themselves at Halloween which makes San Francisco a terrific city for people who really want to get dressed up to party amidst a bunch of frivolous adults. However, there’s a mark of ugliness that hangs over this holiday in San Francisco as well. The Castro has long been considered a top neighborhood for Halloween parties and yet it’s also been the site of several Halloween fights, riots and shootings. So, do you want to do Halloween in San Francisco? Absolutely but where you do and don’t want to be on this holiday depends on what you’re looking for.

The Castro on Halloween

For many years, the place to be on Halloween was in the Castro. This gay nightlife section of the city really knew how to do Halloween right. People would dress up in elaborate costumes and hop from bar to bar to show off what they were wearing. Sometimes the streets were shut down for a city-sponsored Halloween block party. But then things started to get too crazy here. The crowds got too big and the city started to lose control over the event. In 2006, there was a shooting at the event. After that, the city stopped sponsoring Halloween in the area. Many bars and stores had to close down early on Halloween to prevent such a problem from occurring again. The Castro just isn’t the place that it used to be for Halloween. In 2009, bars will be allowed to be open but there will no block party and it’s expected to be a relatively quiet night on the streets of this neighborhood in comparison with years past. Is it safe to spend Halloween here? Probably but it’s not the top choice for a lot of people for Halloween 2009. If you’re sad about the fact that the Castro’s Halloween just isn’t the same as it used to be then you might want to spend your Halloween evening checking out the 8 pm showing of an opera called Halloween in the Castro which humorously describes all of the things that went wrong for this holiday here.

Top Halloween Parties and Events for Adults

So where do you want to be for Halloween 2009 if you’re an adult who is looking to get into costume and to party with other adults? Here are the top choices:

• Wonderland at Ruby Skye.  The event of the year is reported to be this three-night long Alice in Wonderland themed music/dance/costume event. The party starts on Thursday and goes on through Halloween night with the cost for a weekend pass being priced at $55. The club spent $20,000 on props so you should get your money’s worth.
• Exotic Erotic. This famous party isn’t actually held on Halloween but it’s considered a top Halloween costume event by many San Franciscans. This fetish event is an expo and ball filled with live porn stars, burlesque performances, costumes galore and more than most eyes can handle. 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the event which takes place the weekend before Halloween. 
• Silly Cil’s 10th Annual Freakshow. This SoMa Halloween event is filled with fun that’s been inspired by the 1930’s circus scene. Expect to see aerial artists, jugglers and a lot of sexy silly costumes at this $30 event. Is it worth the money? It’s one of the most fun events in the city if you’re looking for a Halloween event that you’ve got to pay to attend. It runs from 9-2 at Terra Gallery.
• Drop Dead Sexy Block Party.  This event looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. You pay a little bit of cash to get in ($40 for a wristband) but that gives you access to six clubs that combined together have twelve bars and eleven dance floors. A lot of sexy costumed characters will be out and about here so it’s not likely that you’ll get bored. Just remember that you’re on the street with all of San Francisco’s strip clubs so if you’re not into the seedy thing then you may want to look for a tamer event.
• Nightmare on Van Ness. This event is being held on Halloween Night at the Regency Center. Adults can come in costume and dance to the sounds of a number of different DJs in multiple dance rooms at this hot club night. The party runs from 9pm – 4am so if you’re looking for a late night party then this could be a good choice.

Top Halloween Events for Families

What if you’ve got little ones that you want to take to events on Halloween in San Francisco? Top 2009 choices for families include:

• Creature Features at the Exploratorium. This San Francisco science center is a fun attraction all year long. They’re holding a special event with spooky interactive exhibits from 3-8 on Halloween.
• Children’s Garden Costume Walk. Earlier in the day (from 12 – 2) you can take your kids to the ninth annual costume walk at the Yerba Buena Gardens. There are lots of interactive events here for kids age 10 and under. This one is always a lot of fun.
• Halloween at Randall Museum. This downtown museum is doing a day of Halloween events and activities from 10 – 2. It features live entertainment, crafts and games in addition to the usual museum exhibits.
• Boo at the Zoo. The week before Halloween is when you can take the little ones trick-or-treating at the San Francisco Zoo at their popular annual event. Come anytime between 10 and 4 on either the 24th or the 25th and your costumed kids can trick-or-treat while seeing the animals and participating in Halloween-themed activities.

Some Places to Skip on Halloween

In addition to avoiding the Castro, you might want to skip these Halloween events and we’ll tell you why:

• Supperclub’s Dark Dining Event. This hot spot is doing an interesting dining-in-the-dark event for Halloween this year. Why wouldn’t you want to check it out? Because Supperclub is a cool space that you should actually go to when you can see what it’s all about. And besides, there’s another dining-in-the-dark venue in San Francisco (Opaque) where you can enjoy this experience on any other night of the year. Supperclub does, however, have several DJ’d Halloween events happening on the 30th and 31st which could be worth checking out. See their calendar for details.
• City Hall Haunted Ball. This is another one of the many multi-room dance events that you can choose from for Halloween. It’s a popular event that happens every year so why would you want to skip it? It costs $35 to get in and it’s really meant mostly for those people who want to rub shoulders with the see-and-be-seen types of the city. We’re not saying it’s not fun; but for the money you might as well check out one of the other dance events mentioned above.
• Teatro ZinZombie. Teatro Zinzanni is a dinner-and-a-show that turns into a special ghoulish cabaret event for Halloween night. Although the food is decent and the show is entertaining, the price for the event is high. Tickets cost about as much as you would pay to see a show of much higher caliber (such as Cirque du Soleil) plus there are additional charges for drinks and even for being seated when you arrive.
• HallowScreen at The Walt Disney Family Museum. This new San Francisco museum is showing clips from Halloween films all day long. While that may be fun, it’d be better to check out this place when you actually have time to enjoy the whole museum with your kids. A holiday probably isn’t the best choice for a first trip here and since the museum just opened it’s almost certainly going to be your first trip. Put this spot on the calendar for later in the year instead.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a San Francisco resident then your best bet is probably to find a local house party to attend. All of the good events in the city cost a bit of money plus you have to pay for your drinks (although some of them are well worth the cost if you have the money to spend). If you’re a visitor and a house party is out of the question then any of the events listed here should make you happy with your San Francisco Halloween.

Ten Best Buildings Built from San Francisco’s 1906 Earthquake

From Flickr cc 2.0 / shywriter55
The 1906 earthquake that wreaked havoc on San Francisco was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of California. It was also one of the best things to happen to the city of San Francisco. Although the damage that the 1906 earthquake did was extensive and horrifying, what happened in its wake was a burst of creative energy that renewed the city and helped to make it the amazing place that it is to this day. In the wake of the 1906 earthquake, the city worked hard to rebuild. The buildings that were constructed at this time were designed to impress people and to draw them back to the city in spite of all of the fear caused by the quake. Some of the city’s most architecturally interesting buildings were built at this time and many of them are still standing as historic landmarks today.

If you get the chance to explore the architecture of San Francisco today, make it a point to check out the following ten building. These are the ten most interesting buildings constructed in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and still standing today. Some of them may surprise you.

Fairmont Hotel. This amazing Nob Hill hotel was all set to open its doors when the 1906 earthquake struck. The building was ruined by the fires that followed the quake but it didn’t take long for rebuilding to begin. A new interior for the building was designed by Julia Morgan, a leading Bay Area architect known not only for her exquisite work but also for her role as one of the first women in her field. Some of her best work began in the wake of the 1906 earthquake which we can see when we visit the Fairmont Hotel today.

Merchants Exchange. Another building that was repaired by the artistic hand of Julia Morgan in the wake of the quake was the Merchant’s Exchange. This had been an important building before the earthquake and it was critical for the image of the city that it be quickly rebuilt after the quake. The building was one of the city’s first skyscrapers and one of the only buildings left standing after the earthquake struck. There was severe damage done to the building though and city officials believed that rapid repair would help to generate a feeling of hope that would make San Franciscans feels safe once again. It remains an architecturally impressive building to this day and one to stop in and check out.

428 Capp Street Arts and Crafts Home. Another building that was damaged in the fire but quickly rebuilt was this residence. In fact, this mansion is reported to be the very first home to be rebuilt after the quake in 1906. The home was mostly destroyed but the original basement was preserved and renovated into the existing first floor of the home. As of fall 2009, this home is on the market with an asking price of one-and-a-quarter million dollars. Check out this historical landmark before new owners buy it up and make some changes!

Wells Fargo Bank. Julia Morgan is well-known for launching the best years of her career in the wake of the 1906 earthquake. But there is another architect whose work during this time reflected a much later stage in his career. Willis Polk was an established architect who was in his third decade of work when the quake hit. His career took a new turn as he became a leading voice in the rebuilding of the city. One of the most interesting buildings that he created was the Crocker Bank which is now the Wells Fargo Bank located at One Montgomery. This terrific building has a number of beautiful architectural features from the past. It also has some neat modern touches including a rooftop garden from which you can photograph many other historic buildings in the area.

Fuller Co. Glass Warehouse. Another building constructed by Willis Polk during this time was this warehouse. In comparison to some of the other buildings on this list, it may not stand out as particularly stunning in appearance. However, its brick and glass exterior was an interesting departure from typical warehouses. This building remains an interesting part of the waterfront architecture to this day.

Mechanics’ Institute. No list of buildings from this time would be complete without a building designed by Albert Pissis. This architect played an important role in San Francisco’s architecture, single-handedly bringing the Beaux-Arts style of architecture to the city. One of his most interesting post-quake projects was the Mechanics’ Institute. He had a great eye for detail, importing very specific materials (sandstone from Utah, black marble from Belgium) to make sure that every piece of this building was perfect. The building remains nearly perfect to this day and is certainly worth a visit.

City Lights Bookstore. This building often gets overlooked by people who are reviewing the reconstruction of the city after the 1906 earthquake. That’s because its history as a famous building didn’t really begin until the 1950’s when Lawrence Ferlinghetti opened his bookstore there and the Beat poets came around to make it famous. However, the building itself was actually constructed in 1907. It was called the Artigues Building. City Lights was originally just one store in the multi-store building but kept growing in size as it took over other stores that became vacant. Today it’s a three-story bookstore where you can spend hours immersing yourself in books and San Francisco history.

Victoria Theatre. One of the most fascinating aspects of San Francisco’s history is its performing arts history. The Victoria Theatre has played a major role in that history. It opened first as a vaudeville house then served as a movie theatre and then made another revival when burlesque performances became popular. Today it stands as the oldest operating theatre in San Francisco. Built in 1908, it is one of the most interesting post-quake buildings to be constructed outside of the financial district (in the Mission neighborhood).

>Sing Chong Bazaar. Another area of town that often gets overlooked in historical accounts of this area is Chinatown. That’s because the history here isn’t pleasant. The city of San Francisco had realized even before the quake that Chinatown existed on prime real estate and they were making arguably racist efforts to relocate the people who lived here. After the quake there was a strong push for that relocation. However, the Chinese people held on to their history and it was soon agreed that Chinatown would rebuild. The catch was that the new buildings that were constructed here were much more Disneyfied versions of Chinese buildings designed with colorful buildings, dragon motifs and other “Chinese” features that Americans might want to see as tourists. Some of the buildings that tourists frequently photograph here today were built in the wake of the 1906 earthquake. One example is the former Sing Chong Bazaar located at California and Grant Streets which now houses other residences and stores.

San Francisco’s City Hall. This building wasn’t completed until 1915 which is a bit late in the era of post-quake building. However, the timing was perfect. One of the major goals of rebuilding the city so quickly was to have the city perfectly rebuilt in time for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Expo that was to take place there. The completion of this outstanding government building that year marked the success of all of the building efforts that came in the preceding years. At the time it was the tallest building in the city and it remains one of the most interesting buildings in San Francisco today.

San Francisco Built of Legos.

SoCal folks – why drive to San Francisco when you can see the city built from legos – right near San Diego? Check out photos of San Francisco in legos. Legoland was awesome for our kids and they are still building – a year later.

Alcatraz Top History and Facts

We’ve listed the Top 25 historical facts on Alcatraz Island and included some great photos too. Learn the history of the Island from the glacial period – to a maximum security prison – to life as a park again.

San Francisco Public Restrooms

In downtown San Francisco near Union Square, bathrooms – much less clean ones are very hard to find. But Macy’s in downtown San Francisco has been voted one of the best restrooms in the USA. When it’s time to go – it’s time for Macy’s San Francisco!!!