The Museum of Modern Art, SOMA

SF’s own MOMA is itself a work of modern art, designed in 1995 by Swiss architect Mario Botta. The museum’s collection, comprised solely of twentieth century artwork, includes pieces by Pollock, Klee, and Duchamp, among many others. To perfect the space, the museum’s backers are currently constructing a rooftop garden and outdoor gallery space, slated to open in 2009.

de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park

The de Young is one of Golden Gate Park’s strangest edifices, constructed with a façade of copper plates that will change color with exposure to the elements. The fine art museum gets its name from newspaper tycoon M.H. de Young and has existed in one form or another since 1895. Though its previous incarnations were damaged by earthquakes, the latest design incorporates ball-bearing sliding plates that allow the building to move with the fault lines to protect it from catastrophe.

Ferry Building, the Embarcadero

The Ferry Building’s iconic clock tower is visible from Market Street and the bay, and the building serves as a terminal for various commuter vessels. Modeled after Medieval Spanish architecture, it’s been around since 1898 and has survived several earthquakes with little damage. The surrounding Embarcadero is a popular waterfront shopping destination.

Parc Fifty Five Hotel, Union Square

Parc Fifty Five’s unique design includes a bay window in every guest room and panoramic city views of the hotel’s surroundings; it’s located in the middle of downtown, adjacent to both Union Square and Chinatown. Its terrace-like design means that many luxury rooms are walled almost entirely with windows, and its guests are treated to incredible views of the nighttime skyline and sunsets on the bay. With thoughtfully furnished rooms, enormous staircases, and several onsite restaurants, it’s one of San Francisco’s best-designed luxury hotels.

Transamerica Pyramid, Financial District

San Francisco’s most famous skyscraper occupies the former location of the Montgomery Block, a monolith that was hailed as fire- and earthquake-proof. Its 48 floors house office and retail space, as well as a remarkable 18 elevators. Its unique shape is due to SF zoning challenges; Transamerica’s architects wanted to maximize office space on a relatively small lot. It’s certainly the hallmark of the city’s skyline and is frequently utilized in films about the Bay Area.

To stay in some of San Francisco’s landmark hotels, check out the deals at Hotels Cheap.

Use the following list of historic landmarks in San Francisco to discover a few of the more popular landmarks for your next trip to the Bay Area.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island was originally home to the first lighthouse and U.S. fort on the west coast but its best known as being home to some of the most famous and infamous criminals in U.S. history. Alcatraz Island, affectionately known as The Rock, first transferred to a prison during its service as a military base, Civil War prisoners were held on the island and then Spanish-American war prisoners also served time on Alcatraz. During the 1906 earthquake civilian prisoners were transferred for their protection and soon the prison expanded. Some of the more noted inmates were Al Capone, the noted Birdman of Alcatraz, James “Whitey” Bulger and Alvin Karpis. In addition to the prison tours, starting from Fisherman’s Wharf, you can learn about Indians of All Tribes who twice “liberated” the island in an effort to establish tribal rights in the United States. But beyond all of the struggle and terror on the island there is an incredible beauty to this island with the natural rock gardens, tide pools and the bird colonies.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is known as one of the most beautiful suspension bridges in the world. Spanning the opening of the San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean the 1.7 miles draws an estimated 9 million people annually and visitors can either drive, bike, or walk across the famed span. Construction on the bridge began in 1933 under the supervision of Joseph Strauss. Strauss had been working on the bridge, at least conceptually, since 1916. The bridge was finished in 1937 with an opening ceremony that lasted for an entire week. On an entirely different note, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States and one of the most popular in the world. No accurate number of suicides is reported as many of these events aren’t witnessed but it 2005 it was estimated that there was one suicide or attempt every two weeks.

Fort Point

Fort Point has what is perhaps the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge as it was originally positioned to protect the harbor from Confederate and foreign attack during and after the U.S. Civil War. But Fort Point’s history reaches back to the first Spanish settlement in San Francisco in 1776 when a mission and presidio was built and the area where Fort Point now stands was fortified for protection. As the San Francisco harbor has been safe for some time the importance of Fort Point has diminished. It is now most famous for its view which can be seen on numerous films and it’s also made an appearance in the wildly popular computer game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Cable Car Barn

Think of San Francisco and images of cable cars winding up and down steep grades comes to mind. Learn more about San Francisco’s cable cars with a visit to the Cable Car Barn. The first cable car started in 1873 and rose in popularity until 1892 when the first electric streetcars started running. The earthquake of 1906 contributed to the downfall of the cable car and by 1944 only two lines existed. A few groups worked to restore and maintain the remaining lines and by 1984 several lines were running and restored. Now the cable cars serve mainly as a tourist experiences but some locals still use them in their regular commute. The Cable Car Barn lets you view an actual cable winding and watch the path as it enters the building and leaves underneath the street. The museum houses many great artifacts, including the first cable car from 1873.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower was built atop Telegraph Hill in 1933 as part of a bequeath from Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the city. The 210 foot reinforced concrete tower was built in an art deco style by Arthur Brown, Jr. and Henry Howard. Coit Tower houses murals by 26 different artists working under the Public Works of Art Project, the first New Deal federal employment program for artists. Most of the murals are open to the public without charge, but there is debate about whether there should be a fee. The spiral stairway and its murals are typically closed but if you come on a Saturday morning at 11:00 am you can join a free San Francisco City Guides tour and view these works or art along with an insightful tour.

Castro Camera

Not a national historic monument but a local one, Castro Camera has gained more fame and notoriety since the release of the Sean Penn film, Milk. This building served as both home and business for famed gay politician, Harvey Milk. The camera store was opened in 1972 as a business venture for Milk but the store became so much more as Milk began his bid for public office. Being an openly gay candidate during a time of sexual intolerance in the United States was controversial to say the least, but it also was unifying and brought the gay community together at Castro Camera where campaign headquarters strummed with the heartbeat of political change.

As previously mentioned, there are literally thousands of historic landmarks in San Francisco and it would be almost impossible to see all of them, but take advantage of as many of these important locations as possible and use the guide above to help you select a few of the more popular historic landmarks.

Start your tour of landmarks with a visit to Hotels Cheap to find the best deals on Bay Area hotels.

( photo credit: JEspi)

Vertigo (1958)

The Movie: Jimmy Stewart plays a beleaguered San Francisco detective whose career is offset by severe acrophobia, the result of running around on rooftops:

Stewart’s Scottie takes a job to follow Madeline, a friend’s mysteriously possessed wife, on her excursions throughout the Bay Area. He winds up embroiled in a convoluted criminal plot, chasing his mark up the steps of the mission San Juan Bautista. She plummets, which really doesn’t help his vertigo. Madeline’s death and spectral presence become Scottie’s sole fixation, and the film only gets creepier after her demise.

The Sights: Fort Point at Golden Gate Park, where Scottie saves Madeline from drowning, is a popular vista of the Bridge and the Bay. Muir Woods provides San Francisco’s visitors with easy access to the Pacific’s impressive Redwoods, and the Mission San Juan Bautista is a popular stop for Hitchcock devotees and history buffs alike.

The Birds (1963)

The Movie: Tippi Hedren plays Melanie, an heiress who bonds with a guy named Mitch in a pet store over a pair of lovebirds. She makes a gift of the avian friends and delivers them to Mitch’s Bodega Bay home, only to be attacked by an errant gull on her way. As Mitch and Melanie become more involved, the bird attacks become more frequent and vicious. Eventually, they reach swarming and apocalyptic levels, as illustrated in the clip below:

The film’s inexplicable violence makes it a horror classic, and while its Pacific Coast setting makes for beautiful viewing, its viewer might wind up a bit wary of Bay Area birds.

The Sights: Bodega Bay, the small town where Mitch resides, is a celebrated local beach and an easy day trip from the city. San Francisco’s central hub, Union Square, also features prominently in the film.

The Graduate (1967)

The Movie: Ennui-laden Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman, returns home to Pasadena after completing his Bachelor’s in the Northeast. He embarks on an affair with Anne Bancroft’s seductively talismanic Mrs. Robinson, only to fall for her daughter Elaine. When he confesses his dalliance with her mother, Elaine refuses any further contact with him. Until, that is, he road-trips to Berkeley to reconcile:

We all know how this one ends: Ben overcomes parental adversity to successfully stop Elaine’s quickie wedding and they ride away, a little confused, on a public bus.

The Sights: Benjamin meets Elaine at the Monkey House at the SF Zoo, one of the country’s most scenic zoological parks. Many of the Bay Area scenes take place at UC Berkeley‘s campus, and one memorable moment features Benjamin’s drive over the oft-ignored Oakland Bay Bridge.

Dirty Harry (1971)

The Movie: “Dirty” Harry Callahan is a police inspector with a knack for delivering some of cinema’s most memorable lines:

When San Francisco is terrorized by a serial killer, it’s up to Clint Eastwood’s trigger-happy Callahan to enact justice on the baddie. What ensues is basically a battle of madness, Harry v. the maniacal Scorpio killer, through SF’s major parks, monuments, and recreation areas. It’s a strange premise, but Eastwood’s delivery sells it as a classic.

The Sights: The movie utilizes many popular Bay Area tourist spots as showdown sites, including San Francisco’s City Hall, the Potrero Hill neighborhood, Mount Davidson, and Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park.

Harold and Maude (1971)

The Movie: Melancholic teenager Harold, a wealthy Northern California kid who spends his time going to funerals and modding his sports car to look like a hearse, meets Maude, a lively septuagenarian who also enjoys going to funerals. Together they excavate Harold’s troubles, exploring his psyche whilst having adventures. Harold hopes to marry Maude, but she has alternate plans. For a better look, the following video claims to successfully condense the movie into a few meager seconds:

The movie has sparked mimicry, several theatrical productions, and a school of philosophy. It’s definitely a cult cinema classic.

The Sights: As the clip illustrates, the action reaches its zenith in the Sutro Baths and the surrounding Sutro Heights Park, the dilapidated grounds of a former swimming pool that is now one of San Francisco’s most photogenic sites. Harold and Maude also visit the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.

American Graffiti (1973)

The Movie: George Lucas used the town of Petaluma to create the Bay Area of his early Sixties youth, but the center of the movie’s action is San Francisco’s Mel’s Drive-In, a vintage diner that still exists. The coming-of-age vignettes that comprise the movie are full of mid-century signifiers like Sock Hops and drag races, like the one in the following clip:

The movie’s main characters grapple with the choice of leaving for college or staying in their small-town environs, and many audiences consider it a classic portrayal of adolescence.

The Sights: Mel’s Drive-In still serves burgers to nostalgic audiences, and the pristinely preserved Petaluma is a popular location choice for films set in the mid-twentieth century. Audiences will instantly recognize both the diner and the town as American Graffiti’s evocative locations.

One movie you won’t want to see is you getting ripped off by your hotel.  Check out Hotels Cheap to book a discounted hotel in San Francisco, or anywhere around the world.

San Francisco is a veritable museum for music lovers. Many of its famous hippie haunts are still intact, and the city is dedicated to the preservation of its bohemian environs. Visitors can troll the former neighborhood of Janis and the Dead, see a show at the infamous Fillmore, and shop at the country’s best record store in the course of a music-themed visit. Dig it.

The Fillmore, Geary Blvd. and Fillmore St.

Then: With SF’s most impressive roster of performers and the backing of mega-promoter Bill Graham, the Fillmore defined the live music scene of the mid- to late- sixties. Regular acts included the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, and the original Fillmore crowd also saw performances by the Doors, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, and the Who. In the minds of many music fans, the venue is the epicenter of psychedelia.

Now: The original venue became a nationwide franchise, thanks to promoters Live Nation. With outposts in Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York, the Fillmore name is still synonymous with groundbreaking acts. The original SF location, following a dramatic post-earthquake makeover, now hosts the likes of Spoon, Wire, Girl Talk, and Shudder to Think.

The Avalon Ballroom, Polk Gulch

Then: The Avalon’s lineup was second only to the Fillmore’s and included seminal acts like Captain Beefheart, Janis Joplin and Big Brother, 13th Floor Elevators, and the Doors. Interestingly, its promoter was Graham’s former partner and the two enjoyed a bitter rivalry. The venue’s psychedelic advertising posters, all produced by noted Bay Area artists, are one of the most sought-after relics of the generation.

Now: The original club lost its lease in 1968 and the venue became a movie theatre. Fortunately for music fans, a hippie promoter named Morning Spring Rain (yeah) purchased and repurposed the Avalon in 2003. Now the Regency Center Grand Ballroom, it’s hosting performances by Squeeze, the Fratellis, James, Of Montreal, and Health.

Haight-Ashbury, “the Haight”

Then: Initially a Beat stronghold and later Hippie Valhalla, the Haight housed Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead in its cheap, run-down 19th century structures. As San Francisco’s music scene rose to national recognition, the neighborhood became a refuge for young people, vagrants, and runaways who wanted to experience the hippie lifestyle.

Now: Though the Haight has experienced some gentrification and economic upswing, it’s still primarily bohemian and relatively inexpensive. In keeping with its musical traditions, it’s now home to Amoeba Music, widely considered the country’s best record store. Tourists flock to the Haight’s famous intersection for photo ops with the street signs.

The Bottom of the Hill, Potero Hill

Then: The youngest venue on the list, the Bottom of the Hill opened in 1991 to host a resurgence of psychedelic acts, many of whom counted the area’s original scene as their primary source of inspiration. It’s an adopted home for West Coast bands like the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, who defined the scene in the 90s and continue to play at BotH today.

Now: The venue racks up awards as the Bay Area’s best for rock music and typically hosts shows every night of the week. The roster is comprised of upcoming and underground acts, including Xiu Xiu, A Place to Bury Strangers, Bang Camaro, Born Ruffians, and Frightened Rabbit. Interested visitors will be happy to know that ticket prices are minimal, usually only $10-$12.

Candlestick Park, San Francisco Bay

Then: Candlestick Park was initially the home of the San Francisco Giants, but music nerds know it as the site of the Beatles’ last commercial performance. The Fab Four, still sharp-dressed kids in 1966, performed eleven songs to the eager SF crowd before retiring to make more awesome albums. Through the ensuing decades, the stadium also hosted major acts like the Rolling Stones.

Now: Now called Monster Park, it’s the current home of the San Francisco 49ers, though its fate as a football stadium is questionable. Like many stadiums, it tends to host immense rock audiences in its off-season, though no acts are scheduled at the moment. Still, it holds a place in concert lore and is a must-see for any Beatles fan.

Search for the best flights into either SFO, Oakland or San Jose airports, and search Hotels Cheap for the best hotel rates in the Bay Area.

The ever-changing Mission District has long been overlooked by San Francisco’s tourist crowds, but its current incarnation is a thriving arts sector and an ethnically rich enclave. In addition to its many galleries and creative strongholds, it houses some of the city’s best historical attractions and vintage architecture. Design a cultural walking tour around the sites, and then retire to the neighborhood’s authentic Mexican restaurants and moderately priced pubs.

Mission Dolores

The Mission District’s namesake structure is San Francisco’s oldest edifice, though today it’s dwarfed by a more photogenic basilica. Founded in 1776, the Mission housed generations of Franciscan monks and still offers daily worship services. The building’s presence itself is enough to draw in a more secular crowd; though it’s been refurbished, its interior is beautifully preserved.

Dolores Park

A popular site for sports, recreation, and the occasional ceremonial parade or political protest, Dolores Park is the Mission District’s bucolic center. A former refugee camp for earthquake victims, Dolores now boasts tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds. Visitors are especially lucky to catch performance art or one of the yearly pride marches, and the park is SF’s place to be on Cinco de Mayo.

Precita Eyes Murals

Precita Eyes is an alliance of local artists dedicated to continuing the tradition of mural art in their predominantly Hispanic community. Their most famous work lines a tiny street called Balmy Alley, where residents encourage the painting of garages and walls for public enjoyment. In addition to its mural commitments, the Precita Eyes group offers classes in community art for locals of all ages.

Taqueria el Farolito

El Farolito is one of the Mission District’s best-reviewed Mexican eateries, offering an array of overstuffed burritos, homemade salsas, and tremendous platters. It has garnered a loyal local following, and while it’s not a typical tourist destination it offers the city’s finest in ethnic authenticity. Should you crave an inexpensive, potentially overwhelming burrito while touring the Mission, this is the place to get it.

Inner Mission Beer Parlor

Inner Mission’s international beer list focuses heavily on Belgian wheats, but also offers PBR for the discerning drinker. What’s more, the storied Wisconsin brew is only $2 a pint on Tuesdays. Stop in at happy hour while walking the Mission and you’ll likely encounter an impossibly good special on one of the bar’s many draughts. For the beer-reluctant, Inner Mission also offers a modest wine selection, assorted sake, and Korean soju cocktails.

Roxie Theater

Built in 1909, the Roxie is SF’s oldest working movie theater. Its many incarnations mimic the flux of the Mission District; in the 1960s, when the neighborhood declined, the Roxie became an adult cinema. Fortunately for today’s Mission, it utilized banned films and independent cinema to stage a resurgence and now hosts plenty of prestigious indies and documentaries. It’s also hosted several independent film festivals, much to the delight of the art-loving SF public.

Before you tour San Francisco’s Mission District, tour the great hotel prices and selection online at Hotels Cheap.

( photo credit: fogonthedowns)

If you go to San Francisco, you will want to travel across the biggest icon of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge.  Other locations and things to see and do when planning a trip itinerary are cable cars, Alcatraz Island, China Town and all of the Victorian gingerbread architecture.  Of course, you’ll have a meal at one of the award winning restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf.  Any of us older folks who grew up in the 60′s will want to stop by the Haight-Ashbury district to reminisce. These will all be at the top of the list.  However, there is so much more for your family to do and see in this city on the bay.

Aquarium of the Bay will be the talk of your trip mostly because of the 300 feet of clear tunnel, “Aquarium Adventure,” where your children will marvel at the amazing sea life that comes directly from the San Francisco Bay.  Keep a look out for the Monkey-faced Eel, Bat Rays and Rockfish  When they find out they will be able to actually touch small sharks and stingrays, it will be all you can do to contain them.  They offer a family entrance price which gives this destination a gold star for the budget.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a destination all on it’s own with a marketplace of over 100 shops, 14 restaurants and many hotels with direct views of the bay. Wharf icons, the sea lions, are always present and fun to watch.  After enjoying the many activities, stop by one of the fresh seafood restaurant and order the famous Dungeness Crab.

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker offers free tours of their factory with a request for you to be a chocolate tester.  This will both be an educational trip as well as just plain fun and delicious.  They do request that children be 10-years-old or more and all must wear closed toe shoes, so no flip-flops.

Cow Palace is the famous host to many concerts, tradeshows, exhibits, sporting events and conventions.  When you are considering family entertainment, the Cow Palace is an excellent place to start.  They offer entertainment such as the Monster Truck Show, Rod and Custom Motorcycle Show and the Golden Gate Kennel Dog Show.  If you are visiting in late November to mid December you may enjoy the Great Dickens Christmas Fair held on four consecutive weekends.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum has been a Fisherman’s Wharf landmark for 40 years.  It hosts eleven complete galleries displaying the odd, the unusual and the down right weird in life. See Robert Ripley’s pranks of nature such as the two headed calf or the display of a complete cable care made of nothing but matchsticks. They all fit into the different galleries entitled:  Strange People and Odd Animals, Weird and Wacky Art, Tribal Artifacts, The Orient, Witches, Vampires, Ghosts and Graveyards and Modern Wonders.

San Francisco Zoo features over 1,000 different animals including exotic and endangered species. Their Grizzly Gulch houses two Grizzly Bears.  Visit the African Savanna habitat the Gorilla Preserve, Koala Crossing, Penguin Island, Lemur Forest as well as the Australian Walk About with red kangaroos and emus.   If you have small children, the Children’s Zoo has a separate entrance so you can start in an age appropriate area.

Submarine USS Pampanito has been restored to near perfection.  The World War II submarine offers tours that will allow visitors to imagine themselves living in the closed quarters without any natural light.  The sea vessel housed 80 met for weeks, sometimes longer, during the war.  It is now considered a National Historic Landmark.  The submarine is open daily for visitors at a minimal fee.  A great history lesson for kids.

San Francisco Botanical Garden Society in Golden Gate Park lets you walk through rainforests as though you were in Central America, New Zealand and the Mediterranean.  It’s just the beautiful calm you need after several days of wild fun.  The botanical garden is always changing, offering new things while keeping the ever present appearance.  Open every day, admission is free although they do accept donations.

Riptide Arcade at Pier 39 is an overload of video games, prize games and virtual reality experiences.  The 10,000 square feet of computerized fun includes games such as NBA Blitz, Crazy Taxi, Daytona Twin, Harley Davidson Deluxe, Lost World Deluxe and many, many more.  Or try your hand at some old fashioned Wheel of Fortune or Hoops.  The whole family will find a day full of fun here.

Carnival San Francisco is a celebration of ethnic differences through a festival held Memorial Day weekend.  Don’t miss the parade on Sunday.  If you don’t already know how to dance the Salsa, Samba, Tango, Merengue, Hip-Hop, Calipso, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, or the Cumbia, learn all the steps during the festival.  Enjoy the traditional ethnic food, crafts, art and entertainment.  See the special events and services in the health, drum and soccer pavilions.

Presidio of San Francisco, a former military base, is a world of fun in the form of a national park and recreational destination.  For the purist at heart it offers miles of hiking and walking trails among historic and architectural treasures. Of course, every family member will delight in the natural surroundings by the bay.  If you are visiting San Francisco during the Christmas season, don’t miss the tree lighting ceremony.  Open daily, year round, there is no entrance fee and most activities are also free of charge.

Family Fun in San Francisco

Perhaps the real gem of San Francisco is it’s multicultural life.  It is as if all the counties of the world truly are gathered together in the melting pot of this city.  Certainly you can find any ethnic food as well as good old fashioned American food here.  Entertainment of many lands can also be found here.  The town truly caters to the visitor’s every want and need.  When anyone in California says they are going to “the city” it is instantly known they are speaking of San Francisco.  Depending on flight itineraries and prices, San Francisco is easily accessible from either SFO, Oakland or San Jose airports.

Save money on hotel accommodations and your family can spend more San Francisco attractions.  Check out the savings on hotels in San Francisco at Hotels Cheap.

(cc: photo credit Stephen Oachs)

Rocket Room is an all rock bar and the place to go to see the latest new rock bands perform.  Head up stairs where their excellent sound system blasts out the nightly rocker’s music.  Downstairs it feels like the corner pub with pool tables, flat screen TV, foosball and jukebox.  There is a cover charge on the upstairs level, but downstairs is always free entrance.  It’s located in the Richmond District on Clements Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Ruby Skye, located in Union Square on Mason Street, is famous for its top DJ lineup.  The building was once the historic Stagecoach Theater.  This high style club hosts bands, fashion shows, dance nights, hangouts and private events.  There are two levels with four rooms and some private rooms that bring in celebrities to enjoy the evening without a lot of notoriety.  Yet, Ruby Skye has become one of the most notable nightclubs in San Francisco.

Red Devil Lounge is another of San Francisco’s hot lounges housed in an original historic theater.  Bands from around the world have performed in this convenient location on downtown’s Polk Street, near great restaurants and hotels which cover any level of luxury desired.  Live music, genre varying from night to night.  Pick your floor and enjoy the night.

Hemlock Tavern is a golden find for hipsters looking for the unknown yet next up and coming band. If you’ve never heard of the Shipper Kids or the high class garage band, Flakes, then you haven’t been to Hemlock’s lately.  They also have some great “free” DJ nights including a Sunday night country show.  There’s never a dull moment with every night exciting and full of fun.

111 Minna Street Gallery is your place if you’re into spending the evening at a fine disco emporium with some of the best electronic music around.  Choose between a shaken Martini or Cosmo while you enjoy the unique and beautiful works by artists such as Captain and Commander, Keli Reule and Henry Lewis.

Marsh’s Mock Cafe will fill your night with laughs.  The hottest comics in the city come here to listen to the audience’s laughter.  Robin Williams and Will Franken have even dropped by.  On off hours Marsh’s offers youth theater classes for ages 4 to 15 including dance, music, stagecraft and theater – later providing theater for the public.

The Albion is rundown and dark at first look, but then you notice the fun the night crowd brings to the place.  Is it because it’s been around forever, a total comfort bar or is it the many pool tables that spar good clean games that bring them night after night.

Doctor Bombay, yes it’s named after Dr. Bombay of TV’s original Bewitched.  It’s located right across the street from Roxie (old-time movie theater) on 16th Street.  They play great music all night long in this mellow hang out.  Their backroom’s  filled with the usual pinball and pool tables.

The Kilowatt offers live music but with a low cover charge.  It’s located on 16th and Valencia in an old firehouse.  Instead of dogs being excluded from this nightclub, they are encouraged – what fun for pet lovers.  If you’re so inclined sign up for their Hump Day Pool Tournament for the last Wednesday of the month.  It’s just a $3.00 entrance fee and it includes a complimentary drink.  First game starts at 7:30 PM sharp.

Jack’s Elixir has an Irish pub atmosphere and offers sixty different beers.  It’s one of the oldest existing saloons in San Francisco, restored to it’s original look.  Visit the original mahogany bar and fancy the roughriders that used to grace it’s presence in the wild west days.  Order a pint and ask the historically knowledgeable bartender anything that comes to mind.

Vesuvio Café-Bar has an old-time atmosphere with a twinge of the ’60s thrown in.  It’s a romantic little place right next to a great bookstore, City Lights Books,  where you can have a coffee or a drink.  It’s quite a change from the loud nightclubs you might find elsewhere in the city.  They tout themselves as an historical monument to “jazz poetry, art and the good life of the Beat Generation.”

Savoy Tivoli is a great night spot with a European atmosphere.  You’ll find a busy bar full of locals and newbies alike.  It’s located in the North Beach area on Grant Avenue.  It boasts a history back to 1906 and still has that old time feel to it.  It has a huge covered patio, four pool tables and an occasional visit from an Elvis impersonator.

San Francisco Nightlife

The nightlife in San Francisco is quite diversified making it the ideal place for fun day or evening.  Whether you choose to spend your evening in the Mission District with trendy bars, the old style North Beach area, the tourist-friendly Fisherman’s Wharf,  lower Soma with dancing in their refurbished warehouses, upper Soma with the locals or historic Nab Hill/Union Street you’re sure to find just the type of nightlife where you fit in best.

Whatever you do or wherever you stay, be sure to book your San Francisco hotel here to find the best hotel deals.

If bargains are your thing, head to San Francisco’s Chinatown, and put your negotiating skills to a test.

Chinatown encompasses Grant, Stockton, and Powell Street, but Grant is the main drag for shopping for souvenirs and home décor items. Steer clear of the gimmicky “Psycho-Ward-Alcatraz-Reject” t-shirt stands and focus on the stores. If you’re looking to spruce up a room, consider picking up a few silk slipcovers for $4.99 each at the Canton Bazaar. Similar slipcovers would retail at stores like Pottery Barn or Macy’s for 5 times the price!

If you’ve recently moved to a new home, or if you know someone that has, a pair of foo dogs is the perfect housewarming gift as they bring good luck and fortune to a new dwelling. The Tai Yick shop on Powell Street offers the best selection in the city and their prices are negotiable.

Remember, cash is king when you are buying, although plastic is widely accepted. And this is one of the last places in the US where bargaining is accepted and encouraged!

Book your discount hotel in San Francisco at Hotels Cheap.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Luckily, San Francisco has a safe, efficient and inexpensive public transportation system. Here’s an overview that will help you get around:

Buses: They cost only $1.50 per ride and they’ll take you almost anywhere you want to go. Have your $1.50 ready (no change available) and stand at any bus stop you see; they’re everywhere and clearly marked with signs, benches, or yellow-painted street poles. Most stops have a map showing the routes and what buses you’ll need to get somewhere. Or the driver will tell you if you ask.

MUNI: The underground version of the bus system, you can pick this up underground on Market Street and in the Mission neighborhood. Also $1.50, it’s distinguished by routes with lettered lines. Each MUNI station has a map showing stops. Watch carefully to see where your bus is going.BART: This underground system travels all over the Bay Area. To catch it, go to Market Street and follow the signs underground. Most BART and MUNI stations are the same stations; just look for the signs to head to the right part of the station. You’ll need to buy tickets here based on the distance you’re traveling. Fares are posted on the machines and assistance is available at information booths.

Take advantage of these transportation options and you’ll enjoy your stay at a much lower cost.  Take advantage of the hotel discounts available at Hotels Cheap and you’ll save even more money on your next visit to San Francisco.

(Photo via flickr cc)

San Francisco is one of the world’s most visited cities and it’s easy to understand why: sunshine, friendly people, great seafood and countless activities to fill your day. Here are 50 things to get you started:

1. Eat seafood, catch a ferry or simply stroll on Fisherman’s Wharf.
2. Get cultural at the African American Art and Culture Complex.
3. Reconnect with your childhood at the Cartoon Art Museum.
4. Meet gorillas, koalas and penguins at San Francisco Zoo.
5. Gorge on jellybeans at the Jelly Belly Candy Company.
6. Explore nature at the California Academy of Sciences.
7. Ride the rollercoasters of Paramount’s Great America amusement park.
8. Cruise out to Alcatraz.
9. Shop or see performances at the Embarcadero Center.
10. Check if the people are real or fake at the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf.
11. Listen to the sweet sounds of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.
12. Check out the out-there architecture of the Transamerica Pyramid in the Financial District.
13. Believe it or not at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
14. Catch a Gilbert & Sullivan show at the Lamplighters Music Theatre.
15. Eat chocolate at Ghirardelli Square.
16. Eat authentic sushi in Japantown.
17. Snap some touristy pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge.
18. Walk down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world.
19. Hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
20. Head to Pier 39 for shopping, eating and entertainment.
21. Climb the Coit Tower.
22. Enjoy a big plate of pasta in Little Italy.
23. Visit the largest gothic church in the West, the gorgeous Grace Cathedral.
24. Observe marine life at the Aquarium of the Bay.
25. Visit the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
26. Explore Angel Island State Park.
27. Meet modern masters at SFMOMA.
28. Stroll amongst the gardens of the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
29. See 6,000 years of history at the Asian Art Museum.
30. Be amazed by the coral reef at the Steinhart Aquarium
31. Shop until you drop at Union Square.
32. Hold on tight on a San Francisco Cable Car.
33. Fly into San Francisco International Airport and check out the Aviation Library and Museum.
34. Learn about the state from the California Historical Society.
35. Visit AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.
36. Get artistic, creative and scientific at the Randall Museum.
37. Pleasure the ears at the San Francisco Symphony.
38. Take a walking tour of Chinatown.
39. Smell the roses at the Conservatory of Flowers.
40. Visit the Museum of Craft and Folk Art.
41. Get hands-on at the Chabot Space and Science Center.
42. Learn about books by visiting the San Francisco Center for the Book.
43. Ride the 92-year-old Golden Gate Park Carousel.
44. Step aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Hornet.
45. Taste local wine at Bacchus & Venus in Sausalito.
46. Drop by the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
47. Look around at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
48. Take a trip out to Hearst Castle at nearby San Luis Obispo.
49. Explore science at the Exploratorium.
50. Listen to the sound sculpture space of the Audium.

And before any of this, the first thing on your list should be to visit Hotels Cheap to find the best deals and availability on San Francisco hotels.

(Photo via flickr cc)