katz@beesvax.UUCP (08/08/83)
for the naive and pure, and even some with more experience, here are some of my nominations for MUST SEES in san francisco - . the exploratorium (in the palace of fine arts, near the presidio) this place was set up as a hands on learning experience for children, but adults enjoy it, too. the tactile gallery is one exhibit in the exploratorium and it is an ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE. without giving away secrets, it is a totally blacked out environment where the only way to get around is by your sense of touch. you should try to make a reservation (tickets are $3.50) but you might be able to get in if you just call in advance. . alcatraz i know it sounds like just another tourista trap, but really is something to see. tickets are around $3.00. . cable cars sorry, folks! the cable cars are not running now. they are in the midst of a two-year renovation. . the holos gallery (west end of haight street) this is a gallery of holograms from artists all over the country. they do sell holograms too. they range from $2.00 to $150.00. . dim sum restaraunts (several in china town) a dim sum restaurant can really throw you for a loop if you didnt know what to expect, so let me give you some clues. when you are seated, no one comes around with a memo. instead, the various food items are brought around on hot carts and when you see something you want, you point to it (i'm assuming you dont know how to speak chineese) and its yours. be careful though; i ounce thought ducks feet were spare ribs. be brave and experience as many of the foods as you can. when youre done with your meal, someone will come around an total up your bill; which is done by counting the number of plates on your table. most of the items go for 2-3 for $1.50. the canton tea house is my favorite. . if you are a movie buff, there are several stores where you can purchase original posters. prices range from $2.00 to $100.00+. check the yellow pages. . if you like fragrents, go to 'the perfect scent' on market street. anything you buy is made fresh when you order it. . go to marin county (sausilito, mt tamalpias, etc.) . the renaissance faire runs on august weekends and labor day weekend. a place in the woods is transformed into an elizabethan village, including queen elizabeth herself . go to the cliff house (hotel, bar, restaurants) and watch the elephant seals sunning themselves on the rocks. . take the 90-mile drive, designated by blue and white signs along the roads . there are several stores who import all their ingredients from philadelphia to make TRULY AUTHENTIC philly cheese steak sandwiches. theyre a little bit expensive, but definately worth it. . the audium (bush st) the audium is to the ear what the tactile gallery is to the touch. when i lived in sf none of my friends had heard of the audium, yet its been around for appx 10 years. you sit in a totally blacked out dome-shaped auditorium and listen to electronic music/noises which are orchestrated live at each performance. i dont want to tell you how long the show is, i think that would spoil part of the fun of it. cost is appx $3.00 . when you get to sf, buy the latest copies of SAN FRANCISCO magazine and CALIFORNIA magazine; both are an excellant means of finding out what is going on in the area. i lived in the bay area for 5 years, and i make a yearly pilgramige to the bay area. the following is a partial list of restaurants i highly recommend - el monsour - morrocan food; sit on pillows; no utensils; excellant food and atmosphere; appx. $13 person for a 4 course meal; very good value marrakesh, moumania - both also morrocan food little bit of indonesia - has a risstafle (rice table) a 12-16 course meal very good value philly cheese steak stores - (there are several) import ALL ingredients from philly (bread,meat,cheese,peppers,etc), slightly expensive, but excellent food. they also import tandy cakes (for those east coasters who remember them) gold mirror - EXCELLANT italian restaurant; great value ararat - middle eastern food; very good value canton tea house - dim sum food (chinese) FABULOUS FOOD; FABULOUS VALUE; DONT MISS IT! hahn's hibachi - korean food, good value, moderate price super sub - THE most outrageous french fries; excellant sandwiches there are so many more! let me know your preference in terms of price, type, willingness to experiment. i have several restaurant guides for sf restaurants. both CALIFORNIA and SAN FRANCISCO are excellent magazines to read in general, but they have more reviews on restaurants and things to do in the bay area than one can accomplish in only a few visits. P.S.- FOR ANYONE GOING TO THE BAY AREA, OR WHO LIVES THERE BUT HASNT GONE TO THE EXPLORATORIUM, PAY HEED - dont miss the TACTILE GALLERY in the EXPLORITORIUM. i dont want to give away too much regarding the exhibit, but it is a DONT MISS adventure.