Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [6]
4. If you log onto www.calacademy.org/webcams/penguins you can see what the California Academy of Sciences’ penguins are up to via their PenguinCams, which offer three real-time views of the new penguin exhibit. It’s mesmerizing.
5. If you want to watch a Giants game for free, you can join the “knothole gang” at the Portwalk (located behind right field) to catch a free glimpse of the game through cut-out portholes into the ballpark. In the spirit of sharing, Portwalk peekers are encouraged to take in only an inning or two before giving way to fellow fans.
6. Free steak sandwiches! Well, kinda free. Every Monday through Friday, Morton’s Steakhouse (400 Post St. at Powell St.; 415/986-5830; pictured right) hosts a happy hour at their BAR 12•21, where you can stuff yourself on four Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches at the bar for only $7.
7. Every second Thursday of the month, you can watch free movies in Dolores Park, located at 20th and Dolores streets. Bring a blanket and even your dog if you’d like, as well as a little cash to buy the world’s best tamales from the Tamale Lady.
8. The Good Vibrations sex-toy shop on Valencia Street is worth visiting just to see their Antique Vibrator Museum. Who knew that vibrators have been around since 1869 and were prescribed by physicians to treat “hysteria”? Fascinating.
9. If you’re looking for a buddy to ride bikes with, the 511 Bike Buddy Ridematch Service will pair you up with someone at your skill level at no cost. Log onto www.ridematch.511.org, click on “Bicycling,” then click on “Bike Buddy Matching.”
10. If city life is stressing you out, take some free tai chi lessons. Log onto www.sfnpc.org/tai-chi-in-the-parks for a list of places and times that the free lessons are offered. There’s no need to register; just show up and dress comfortably.
THE BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
• A Day in Golden Gate Park: Exploring Golden Gate Park is an essential part of the San Francisco experience. Its arboreal paths stretch from the Haight all the way to Ocean Beach, offering dozens of fun things to do along the way. Top sights are the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, the fabulous de Young Museum and its eco-fabulous cross-concourse neighbor, the California Academy of Sciences. The best time to go is Sunday, when main roads in the park are closed to traffic (rent a bike for the full effect). Toward the end of the day, head west to the beach and watch the sunset.
• A Walk Along the Coastal Trail: Stroll the forested Coastal Trail from Cliff House to the Golden Gate Bridge, and you’ll see why San Franciscans put up with living on a fault line. Start at the parking lot just above Cliff House and head north. On a clear day, you’ll have incredible views of the Marin Headlands, but even on foggy days, it’s worth the trek to scamper over old bunkers and relish the cool, salty air (dress warmly). See “The Presidio & Golden Gate National Recreation Area,” for more on this area.
• A Wine Country Excursion: It’ll take you about an hour to get there, but once you arrive you’ll want to hopscotch from one winery to the next, perhaps picnic in the vineyards, or have an alfresco lunch somewhere atmospheric like Tra Vigne. And consider this: When the city is fogged in and cold, Napa and Sonoma are almost always sunny and warm. See chapter 11 for more information.
The Best Activities for Families
For a list of San Francisco attractions that appeal to kids of all ages, see the “Especially for Kids” box of chapter 6.
• A Climb up or down the Filbert Street Steps: San Francisco is a city of stairways, and the crème de la crème of scenic steps is Filbert Street between Sansome Street and the east side of Telegraph Hill, where steep Filbert Street becomes Filbert Steps, a 377-stair descent that wends its way through flower