Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [127]
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
San Francisco Zoo (& Children’s Zoo) Located between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Merced in the southwest corner of the city, the San Francisco Zoo, which once had a reputation for being a bit shoddy and out-of-date, has come a long way in recent years (that is, until the notorious tiger-attack incident in 2007, when a Siberian tiger escaped and attacked three visitors, killing one). Though grown-ups who are into wildlife will enjoy the visit, it’s really aimed at kids, who get a kick out of attractions like the hands-on Children’s Zoo, the flock of shockingly pink flamingos, Grizzly Gulch, the giant anaconda, and the ageless Little Puffer train.
Founded at its present site near the ocean in 1929, the zoo is spread over 100 acres and houses more than 930 animals, including some 245 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Exhibit highlights include the Lipman Family Lemur Forest, a forest setting for five endangered species of lemurs from Madagascar; Jones Family Gorilla World, a tranquil setting for a family group of western lowland gorillas; Koala Crossing, which connects to the Australian Walkabout exhibit with its kangaroos, wallaroos, and emu; Penguin Island, home to a large breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins (join them for lunch at 2:30pm daily); and the Primate Discovery Center, home to rare and endangered monkeys. Puente al Sur (Bridge to the South) has a pair of giant anteaters and some capybaras. The Lion House is home to rare Sumatran and Siberian tigers and African lions. You can watch the big cats get fed every day at 2pm (except Mon). African Savanna is a 3-acre mixed-species habitat with giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and birds.
The 6-acre Children’s Zoo offers kids and their families opportunities for close-up encounters with rare domestic breeds of goats, sheep, ponies, and horses in the Family Farm. Touch and feel small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians along the Nature Trail and gaze at eagles and hawks stationed on Hawk Hill. Don’t miss a visit to the fascinating Insect Zoo or the Meerkat and Prairie Dog exhibit, where kids can crawl through tunnels and play in sand, just like these amazing burrowing species.
There’s a coffee cart by the entrance as well as two decent cafes inside, definitely good enough for a bite with the kids (though the lines can be long and slightly confusing if you’re handling food and kid duty at the same time).
Great Highway btw. Sloat Blvd. and Skyline Blvd. 415/753-7080. www.sfzoo.org. Admission $15 adults, $12 for seniors 65 and over and youth 12–17, $9 for children 3–11, free for children 2 and under. San Francisco residents receive a discount. Free to all 1st Wed of each month, except $2 fee for Children’s Zoo. Carousel $2. Daily 10am–5pm. Bus: 23 or 18. Streetcar: L from downtown Market St. to the end of the line.
Penguins at the zoo are fed at 2:30pm daily.
The Walt Disney Family Museum ★ Dedicated to the life, career, and art of Walt Disney, this new museum offers a fascinating look at the man behind the mouse. Opened in 2009 by the Walt Disney Family Foundation (headed up by Walt’s oldest daughter, Diane, who lives in Northern California), the museum occupies an inconspicuous spot on the main post of the Presidio. The architecture alone is reason to visit the wonderful world of Disney. Repurposed out of an old army barracks and gymnasium, the deceptively large space blends seamlessly into its historic surroundings. In fact, it’s easy to pass right by the tidy brick facade, until you notice the uniformed usher with the über-friendly smile beckoning you toward the door. Once inside, you’ll find a museum that is as appealing to adults as to children (okay, maybe a tad more to adults, but don’t tell that to my 8-year-old). The galleries are set up chronologically, beginning with Walt’s early cartoons for his high school yearbook and ending with his death in 1966. Highlights include an interactive gallery documenting Disney’s innovations in