Architecture
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park) • calacademy.org • Adults: $24.95; seniors: $19.95
Renzo Piano’s celebrated green cornucopia.
De Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. (Golden Gate Park) • famsf.org • Adults: $10; seniors: $7
Herzog & de Meuron’s copper-clad machine for art, in a landscape designed by gifted local Walter Hood.
San Francisco Federal Building
90 Seventh St. (South of Market) • gsa.gov • Lobby and other spaces open to the public; ID required
Thom Mayne’s revolutionary, hyper-sustainable office building features—gasp!—windows that open. It also demonstrates the supreme value of the GSA’s Design Excellence Program.
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission St. (South of Market) • thecjm.org • Adults: $10; seniors: $8
Designed by Daniel Libeskind. Architecture tours at 2 p.m. daily.
Fairmont Hotel
950 Mason St. (Nob Hill) • fairmont.com • Walk around: free; rooms: $239–$399/night
Restored by Julia Morgan after the 1906 quake. “The highlight for me is the Tonga Room. Come for the happy-hour drinks, stay for the band.” —Christopher May, architect, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
Mission Dolores
3321 16th St. (Mission) • missiondolores.org • Free, but donations appreciated
Dedicated in 1791, it’s the oldest building in the city and the oldest intact mission in all of California. Tours 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.
Phelan Building
760 Market St. (Union Square) • Walk around: free
In a city of flatiron buildings, William Curlett’s 11-story masterpiece from 1908 is arguably the most compelling.
Dining
Luce
888 Howard St. (South of Market) • 415.616.6566 • lucewinerestaurant.com • $29–$38/person
Pronounced “LOO-chay.” Sophisticated Californian/Northern Italian fare and an extensive wine list.
Coi
373 Broadway (Telegraph Hill) • 415.393.9000 • coirestaurant.com • 11-course fixed-price menu: $120; a la carte (lounge only): $4–$19/dish
Pronounced “kwa.” Inventive Northern Californian cuisine by chef Daniel Patterson, harvested from area producers.
House of Nanking
919 Kearny St. (Financial District) • 415.421.1429 • $6–$12/dish
“Tell the chefowner, Peter Fang, what meats, vegetables, and styles you like. He’ll take care of the rest. Food will arrive, and you’ll leave happy.” —Joseph Marshall, project manager, Stantec
Ti Couz
3108 16th St. (Mission) • 415.252.7373 • $7–$12
Offers a wide selection of sweet and savory crepes, including a wicked Nutella option.
Activities
Adventure Cat Sailing Charters
Pier 39, Dock J (North Waterfront) • adventurecat.com • Adults: $30–$45; children 6–12: $15
Pack your Top-Siders for these afternoon and sunset cruises.
Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St. (The Presidio) • exploratorium.edu • Adults: $14; seniors/students/youth: $11; children 4–12: $9
“Like to tinker? Are you a gadgeteer? Get ready for hands-on sensory overload.” —Robert Shurell, project manager, Stantec
Musee Mecanique
Pier 45, Shed A (North Waterfront) • museemechanique.org • Free admission; most machines take quarters
Dedicated to the preservation and celebration of coin-operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines.