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Around 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
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The Castro is one of the city’s most popular nightlife destinations. In the 1960s, this neighborhood became the center of gay liberation on the West Coast and today, estimates are that nearly 40 % of the area’s couples are gay and lesbian. Highlights in this neighborhood include Twin Peaks, the country’s first self-proclaimed gay bar, and the visually striking Castro Theatre, a classic 1930s movie palace that still shows a variety of independent films on a nightly basis. Its bright neon lights illuminate the entire street, a place where “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is the furthest from anyone’s mind.
Pier 39
Beach Street & The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-705-5500
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Pier 39 is one of the most popular attractions near Fisherman's Wharf. Every year, this multi-faceted complex pulls in millions of visitors, drawn by its mix of shopping, entertainment and nostalgia. Though the human traffic here is considerable, the most celebrated visitors to Pier 39 are the hundreds of Sea Lions that crowd the docks right off the pier. For the better part of two decades, these creatures have called Pier 39 home, and from the looks of things, they don’t seem like they’re going anywhere anytime soon. The Pier itself has been in operation since the late 1970s and has grown to feature over a hundred shops and restaurants. Among the more popular dining choices here are the surf-themed Wipe-Out Bar & Grill, the laid-back Sea Lion Cafe, and Neptune's Palace Seafood Restaurant, which claims to have "The Wharf's Best Seafood" and "The City's Best View." Tough to be a combination like that.
San Francisco Restaurant Guide
Website
This nicely designed site is easy to navigate and has some good tips from the editors of the San Francisco Weekly. Good local finds as well as reviews of some of the more popular eateries in town. Also at this site is a searchable and up-to-date nightclub and concert guide.
300 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-781-8222
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At night, the streets of North Beach are buzzing. The many neon signs are a reminder of the area’s sometimes shady past, which includes the country’s first ever strip joint, the Condor Club, which opened for business in 1962. Though the Condor is still in operation, these days it's known as Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood & Jazz. Chef Jaeger brings his New Orleans creole style to North Beach, creating a unique combination.
Wine Country
Sonoma Valley & Napa Valley, CA (north of the city)
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Probably the most popular out-of-town destination for visitors to the city is the fertile Wine Country to the north. Though their grapes are now world famous, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys entered the vineyard business relatively recently. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the area’s grape growing potential was recognized, and up until the 1970s there were no more than a couple dozen wineries here. Since then, however, there’s been an explosion in the number of vintners in the area. Today, in the counties of Napa and Sonoma alone, there are over 400 different wineries, ranging from industry powerhouses to small boutique labels. In addition to the lure of the grapes, there’s a lot to see in town as well, from downtown Napa and its various shops and restaurants, to downtown Sonoma, where the lovely Sebastiani Theater still stands as a monument to one of Wine Country’s most influential families. Also in Sonoma is the Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of California’s 21 mission churches. It was here in 1823 that a young priest established this small chapel, completing final link in a chain of missions that had been begun down in San Diego nearly sixty years earlier by Father Junipero Serra. But whether you come for the Merlot or the mission, the shopping or the Chardonnay, Northern California’s Wine Country is sure to go down smooth.