- Destinations:
- California,
- North America,
- San Francisco,
- United States
Blaze an adventurous trail through the land of gold and glory. Soar to the top of Squaw Peak and behold Tahoe’s aquamarine jewel among the mountains. Float along the Truckee River and swim in a beautiful setting. Make the Yosemite Valley your family’s incredible backyard as you hike and ride through its unspoiled majesty. Then spring from the wilderness to explore San Francisco’s hilly charm by bike and private trolley – on your expedition from the gold-streaked Sierras to the famed Golden Gate.
ITEMS
Truckee River Float
Mono Lake County Park
Walking Tour With John Muir
Eating
A16, California
San Francisco, California 94123
Tel: 415 771 2216
Website: www.a16sf.com/
Trendy Marina District spot A16 has it all: great food; an extensive, well-chosen wine list; and a happening scene. The sleek, dark space, all concrete floors and cork walls, draws local singles, who pack the bar. And chef Liza Shaw's seasonal southern Italian dishes—such as pumpkin-ricotta gnocchi with pancetta and kale, and calamari with fiorelli pasta, fennel, and marjoram—score every time. But the real draw? Chewy-crusted pizza baked in a wood-burning oven. It can be hard to book a table, especially on weekends, so plan well ahead. —Updated by John Vlahides
Open Sundays through Thursdays 5 to 10 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 5 to 10:30 pm.Horseback Riding on Happy Isles Trail
Ahwahnee Hotel
Bacar
See + Do
SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), California
San Francisco, California 94103
Tel: 415 357 4000
Website: www.sfmoma.org
This architecturally arresting black, gray, and white museum, designed by Mario Botta and built in 1995, has five floors of 20th-century art, including works by Matisse, Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe, Diego Rivera, and Ansel Adams. Regular free gallery tours help you wrap your head around the vast collection. If you prefer to explore on your own, start with the third-floor photography gallery and work your way up to the rooftop sculpture garden; then descend via the stunning staircase to hit the remaining galleries. Check the Web site to learn about upcoming—and always excellent—temporary exhibits.—Updated by John Vlahides
Open Thursdays through Tuesdays 10 am to 5:45 pm.
Trolley Tour
Eating
Jai Yun, California
San Francisco, California 94111
Tel: 415 981 7438
This San Francisco Chinese mainstay may have improved its ambiance by moving from its old spot on Pacific Avenue, but Jai Yun's eccentric service remains the same. The chef, Nei Chia Ji, speaks almost no English, and you get whatever he decides to make that day, ordering by price. At lunch, you'll do well for $20, but at dinner, the minimum is $55 a person, cash only, and reservations are now required. But you'll forget all these aggravations when the food arrives—an endless stream of epicurean tidbits, including wisps of jellyfish, crispy orange-scented beef, and glistening stir-fried eggplant. Most banquets on this scale would leave you groaning, but Jai Yun's fresh, delicate cuisine will send you out into the night deliciously sated rather than stupefied.—Updated by John Vlahides
Open Mondays through Fridays 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 6:30 to 9:30 pm.
See + Do
Golden Gate Bridge, California
Website: www.goldengate.org
Opened in 1937, Golden Gate Bridge is named after the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Its color, "international orange," was selected to enhance its visibility to ships in the fog. Perhaps the world's most beautiful bridge, it is also its leading suicide location: More than 1,200 have jumped to date. Plastic-wrapped notes found in the jumpers' pockets include the lines "Survival of the fittest," "Adios—unfit," and "Absolutely no reason except I have a toothache." Instead of driving or cycling (or jumping), walk across the bridge to savor the majestic views—but be sure to dress appropriately. It can get chilly up there, and favorite hats have been known to sail away in the gusting wind.