San Francisco also plays host to many music festivals, as well as film festivals, which are covered in the "At the Movies" section.
You can use this information to remind you of all the options you have, as well as an easy reference for hours, free days/nights, location, contact info, etc. (Another good reason to bookmark Best-of-SanFrancisco.com!)
Starting with….
California Palace of the Legion of Honor A very elegant building in a serene and beautiful location, near the Pacific Ocean. Those are the Farallon Islands in the distance, as you gaze through the tall cypress trees. To the right, is the dramatic Golden Gate Bridge. Once inside, there are the temporary exhibits, and the permanent collections, including many rooms devoted to Medieval art. There is a nice cafeteria in the Museum. Lincoln Park, Tues. - Sun. 9:30 am - 5 pm FREE 2nd Wed. every month 34th Ave. and Clement Street, 415-750-3600 www.thinker.org
M.H. DeYoung Museum Set in the lovely and immerse Golden Gate Park, this Museum shares the building with the Asian Art Museum . The exquisite Japanese Tea Garden is to the left of it, and the Academy of Science is across the garden from it. Tues. - Sun. 9:30 am - 5 pm, and 1st Weds. every month FREE, 9:30 am - 8:45 pm, same for both museums. (Note: The de Young Museum is currently closed, while it is being rebuilt.
75 Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park 415-750-3600 www.thinker.org
San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art Located in the vibrant SOMA section of the City, near many restaurants and the Metreon Center. The more cutting edge modern art is on the upper levels, whereas the more familiar modern art is on the first two levels. hours: Fri- Tues 11am-6pm, Thur 11am-9pm, half-price Thur after 6pm. Closed Wed., 1st Tues. each month FREE. 151 Third St. 415-357-4000 www.sfmoma.org
UC Berkeley Art Museum Wed., Fri., and Sat.,11 am - 5 pm; Thur. 11 am - 9pm, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley 510-642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
Here's a handy Museums Directory for San Francisco and beyond for you!
For art museums, and related news, books and web resources check this out: www.utyx.com/art-museums/
San Francisco Ballet 301 Van Ness Ave., 415-865-2000
San Francisco Symphony Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director. Box Office hours: Mon- Fri 10am-6pm, Sat noon-6pm Order by phone 415-864-6000 or on-line www.sfsymphony.org
Various music festivals throughout the year include such diverse musical styles as jazz, blues, and others (covered in "Event Calendar"). Night clubs are to be found in "Nightlife" on the main menu.
San Francisco Opera 301 Van Ness Ave.; Box Office: 199 Grove Street. Order by Phone: 415-864-3330 or on-line www.sfopera.com
California Academy of Sciences: Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium. A very interesting place to explore, with dolphins and a wonderful roundabout aquarium as well. Many rooms filled with life-like scenes from African savannahs, etc. Hours: every day 10am-5pm Across the street from the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. 415-750-7145
Chabot Space and Science Center Explore the stars both in the Planetarium and outside with powerful telescopes as wells as shows in the megadome science center. Tues.- Sat. 10am - 5 pm; Sun. noon - 5 pm; Fri. and Sat. there are Planetarium and theater shows from 7 - 9 pm., with observation deck open until 9:45 pm. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland 510-530-3480.
The Exploratorium A great place to bring the kids. Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St. 415-561-0360
Monterey Bay Aquarium World-class aquarium! 886 Cannery Row, Monterey 831-648-4888 www.montereybayaquarium.org
Tech Museum of Innovation A popular place for families. An excellent introduction to the world of high tech. 201 S. Market St., San Jose 404-795-6100 www.thetech.org
Oakland Zoo A lovely Garden of Eden, complete with a gondola that glides over the "African Safari", where you can spot lions, giraffes, camels and other exotic creatures. Knowland Park, 9777 Gold links Road, Oakland 510-632-9523
San Francisco Zoo A great zoo with a plentitude of many exotic animals like the adorable koalas, gorillas, warthogs, snow leopards and aye-ayes. The big cats put on a great growling show at feeding time, around 1 pm. Sloat Blvd. at the Pacific Ocean.415-753-7080.
African American Museum Fort Mason Center, Building C, hours: Wed-Sun 12-5pm, 415-441-0640
Jewish Museum 121 Steuart St., (between Mission & Howard), closed Fri-Sat., 415-543-8880;
Mexican Museum Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, hours: Wed-Sun, 12-5pm, 415-441-0404
Museo Italoamericano Fort Mason Center, Bldg. C, hours: Wed-Sun, 12-5pm, 415-673-2200
Oakland Museum of California California's historical, social, artistic, and environment. Great museum!! Oak and 10th Streets in Oakland, hours: Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 12-5pm, FREE Fri 5-9pm, 415-673-2200
A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theatre) at the Geary Theatre, 415 Geary Street, 415-749-2228
Curran Theatre 445 Geary between Mason & Taylor, info line: 415-551-2000
Geary Theatre 415 Geary St. 415-749-2228
Golden Gate Theatre 1 Taylor St., 415-551-2000 609 Sutter St. 877-771-6900
Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market St. at Hyde, info line: 415-551-2000
Theatre on the Square 450 Post Street, 415-433-9500
Teatro Zinzanni is Tantalizing!
It's an uplifting experience just to enter the cheerfully striped circus tents that house Teatro Zinzanni on the edge of the Bay. As you enter, you find yourself inside a room reminiscent of a splendid, grande-dame Victorian hotel lobby, complete with crystal chandeliers, rich fabrics and furniture. Once you get your table assignment, you are free to enjoy a drink at the bar and mingle with the crowd including some of the performers, which are easy to spot in their outlandish cabaret-style costumes.
Once you are seated, you will be treated to a very unique evening of entertainment, delicious food and wine - the zany blend of "Love, Chaos, & Dinner" that is offered at Teatro Zinzanni.
The entertainment is interactive, as the performers sometimes involve patrons in some of their antics and the space is so intimate (even though there are 300 seats), that you may fear getting a dish or something or someone tossed onto your table in the crossfire of juggling and high jinks. You are so close to most of the action that you can't help but feel part of it. It's a wild blend of cabaret, magic, miming, superb singing, amazing acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists and clowning. The whole point of it is to have fun and alot of good laughs, and to be amazed. At Teatro Zinzanni, life is a cabaret, a comedy and a circus!
The sensuous trapeze artists and the contortionist, in particular, reminded me of the superb Cirque du Soleil, and no wonder since that is where several of the performers in the show have performed in the past. The "Maitre d'Hotel" character, played by Eugenly Voronin, a talented illusionist from the Ukraine, was fascinating to watch, his character oozing the kind of dreadful, macabre power of a Count Dracula, as he interacted with his "staff" and performed mind-boggling magical feats. Just his facial expressions alone were captivating. "Le Chef" Kevin Kent, an original cast member from Seattle, was hilarious, as his character morphed from Le Chef to "Cookie", a flirtatious, immense drag queen with a wicked sense of humor.
The fun is non-stop throughout the evening, making it a unique experience that will long be remembered. Incidentally the five-course dinner was excellent as well. Leave your blues behind at Teatro Zinzanni! Teatro Zinzanni enjoyed a very popular 14-month run in Seattle and is expected to remain in San Francisco at Pier 29 on the Embarcadero, across from the Fog City Diner, for many months to come.
For more information, call the box office at 415-438-2668 or go to www.teatrozinzanni.org . Doors open at 6 pm Wed. thru Sat., with the show starting at 7 pm. Sundays, the doors open at 5 pm with the show starting at 6 pm. Tickets are $99. Hope you get a chance to experience this unique dinner show!
Beach Blanket Babylon has been delighting audiences for close to three decades with wicked humor, singing, dancing and outrageous costumes, especially the signature humongous, lavish hats and hair-dos. It's a must for everyone to see at least once! It's constantly evolving with current events so it is perenially fresh and many see it several times to catch the latest incarnation. $25 - $62 at Club Fugazi, 678 Green Street, San Francisco, 415-421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com
A Must-See: THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES!
"It was hilarious! It was sad. Mostly it was great!", a young man enthused. "Every man should see it!!!", gushed a young woman. These were the sorts of comments I overheard on the way out of the theatre after the show. Of course, every woman should see Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues"--- every woman owes it to herself! It's certainly a feel good, feel sad, feel enlightened, even feel tingly and happy afterwards kind of a show. Quite unique and very liberating! Unfortunately, the show will probably have had its run here in San Francisco by the time you read this. However I wouldn't be surprised if it turns up again soon at The Theatre on the Square (www.theatreonthesquare.com) at 450 Post Street a couple blocks up from Union Square, or if you live elsewhere where it will be showing, check it out. For more information, here's the website: www.vaginamonologues.com.