Duckin' Out
Feb 4, 2008 3:52 PM
Mix Editors' Duckin' Out Picks
Tour the Bridge Like a Local
When San Franciscans take our out-of-town visitors to see the Golden Gate Bridge, we like to impress them with our “secret” vista spot, taking in sweeping panoramic views of the bridge, the city and the Pacific ocean from high up on the windswept ridges across the bay. Here’s how to get there: As you’re driving across the bridge and approaching the north side, cruise right past all the tourists queuing up for the Vista Point and instead head to the next exit, Sausalito/Alexander Avenue. As you come off the bridge, take an immediate left (toward Marin Headlands) and head back under the highway and right up the hill on the other side. As you ascend above the bridge towers, pull over and grab your camera. A short but windy walk out on the cliff will reward you an unforgettable view of our famous landmark and some spectacular scenery.—Sarah Jones
Exploring The Exploratorium
The site of the absolutely coolest AES party ever from some years ago, The Exploratorium is a fun, hands-on museum of science, art and human perception founded in 1969 by noted physicist Dr. Frank Oppenheimer. One highlight is the Tactile Dome attraction (reservations required)—we won't spoil the fun by telling you exactly what it is, but it's certainly memorable. As a bonus, it's located at the Palace of Fine Arts (a huge, faux Roman temple designed by architect Bernard Maybeck for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition), so check out the grounds while you're there. 3601 Lyon St. —George Petersen
Santa Cruz Day Trip
Seventy-five miles south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz has just about everything to love about California: spectacular beaches, mountain redwoods, less-touristed wineries, charming shops, relaxed high-end dining, family fun, and almost as many book and record stores per capita as you’d find in Berkeley—all at college-town prices. If you’re traveling with the kids, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk makes for a perfect day; it is, as the name suggests, a trip to the beach and a theme park all in one. Just north of the Boardwalk is the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, where the contemporary Riva Fish House is a standout among the old-fashioned seafood eateries and giftshops. But for beautiful, unspoiled scenery, visit Westcliff Beach and/or Natural Bridges State Park. The Pacific Garden Mall is the main shopping drag; University students bus downtown to cruise the trendy shops and cafes. Foodwise, consider waiting in line for a big breakfast at Zachary’s cafe; there’s a reason for the crowd. In general, the thing to remember is Santa Cruz is full of delusional hippies, punks, students, street musicians and artists enjoying the good life: Make yourself at home —Barbara Schultz
CLOSE TO MOSCONEVarnish Fine Art
If you want to plan your pre-party shmooze attack, avoid a pesky salesperson or recap a night of good networking in an hip, reasonably quiet environment, walk a few blocks to Varnish Gallery and Wine bar, located at 77 Natoma—the same alley as SF Soundworks—between 1st and 2nd Streets and Mission and Howard. The ample bar offers a nice selection of fine wine, beer and sake amongst a 1,500-square-foot contemporary art gallery. Talk shop at the bar or find plush seating up in the 600-square-foot mezzanine area, but don't forget to check out the metal sculpture, mixed media and oil paintings. Your associates will be impressed by your cultural mindfulness. Open Tues.-Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.varnishfineart.com. —Heather Johnson
Sightsee Like You Mean It
Feeling like indulging your inner tourist? Let’s just say that a city that hosts 15 million visitors a year can hook you up. You can tour San Francisco by motorcoach, but why go the ordinary route? Try tandem bike, “scootcar”, amphibious “duck” tour, helicopter or even a Segway tour. Rent a convertible, Mini or a bug by the hour. Charter a yacht. Tour film locations in a “movie bus,” complete with screen. But if you want to look—and feel—like a local, the best way to see the city is on foot. Need some direction? Download a cool MP3 city guide from www.sanfrancisco.com/audiosteps or
www.cdbaby.com/cd/waypoint4. And don’t wear a fannypack… —Sarah Jones
Under the Bridge
For an unusual vantage point of the Golden Gate Bridge, check out Fort Point, a beautiful old brick fortress that’s also famous as the site where Kim Novak jumped into the icy bay waters in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” If it’s foggy, grab a coffee and a hot snack at the nearby Warming Hut and brave the wind—it’s one of the few spots in the city where you just may have the view to yourself. —Sarah Benzuly
