Developed by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and opened in 1969, this innovative and interactive museum is dedicated to art, science and human perception. Relocated from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17, the modern space features plenty of new green technologies including the largest solar panel roof in San Francisco and offers over 600 hands-on exhibits. These hands-on displays unveil the mysteries of science and language, and present these theories simply and succinctly. Webinars, special events and seminars occur throughout the year. This San Francisco gem is a must visit.
Il San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ospita una collezione permanente composta da oltre 15.000 opere, tra le quali più di 4.700 dipinti, sculture, opere su carta e oltre 9.000 fotografie. Inaugurato nel 1995, il museo ha esposto le opere di Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn, Dorothea Lange, Paul Klee, Cindy Sherman, Matthew Barney e molti artisti contemporanei. Progettato dall'architetto svizzero Mario Botta, l’edificio stesso è una meraviglia architettonica da ammirare. Dopo un’estesa ristrutturazione, completata nel 2016, il SFMOMA vanta ora sette piani di opere d'arte oltre a elementi interessanti come un muro vivente, un giardino di sculture e una vista impressionante sui giardini Yerba Buena.
Situata nel Golden Gate Park, l’Accademia delle scienze della California (California Academy of Sciences) è uno degli edifici più ecologici della città e ha ottenuto la certificazione di platino dal Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Il museo ospita il rinnovato e ampliato Acquario Steinhart, completo di una vasca interattiva per le maree e della ben nota palude degli alligatori. Altre attrazioni interessanti sono il planetario Morrison, la cupola a quattro piani della foresta pluviale e la Tusher African Hall. Oltre a queste magnifiche installazioni dedicate alla conoscenza, il museo presenta altre esposizioni di storia naturale e mostre sul riscaldamento globale. Il bar Academy Café offre piatti di cucina internazionale, mentre l'elegante ristorante Moss Room rimane l’unica scelta disponibile nel parco per mangiare dopo l'orario di chiusura del museo.
Perennially ranked among the top universities in the world, this 1,232-acre (499-hectare) campus is embellished with iconic museums, historic libraries, architectural marvels and immaculate lawns. In addition to being educated and enlightened by Nobel laureates, the university also encourages its bright young minds to excel at sports NCAA sports, molding them into well-rounded individuals. Founded in 1868, UC Berkeley is the oldest educational institution in the University of California system. Campus life centers on Sproul Plaza and Sather Gate where you can find a reminder of Berkeley's place in American social history. The site also includes the plaque marking the spot where Mario Savio launched the Free Speech movement in 1964. Steve Wozniak, Chris Pine, Eric Schmidt and Gordon Moore are some of the university's most notable alumni.
This state park, which spans the shorelines of several cities, features a landscape characterized by wetlands, sandy shores, landfills, and marshes. The park offers plenty of recreational opportunities for nature and outdoor enthusiasts and serves as an ideal outdoor destination for all ages. Trails winding across the expanse enable visitors to admire the picturesque environs of the area, and vantage points scattered along the paths afford splendid views of the San Francisco Bay. Those inclined to wildlife viewing and hiking will relish a visit to this scenic state park.
Chinatown, one of the busiest areas in the city, is a hodgepodge of shops, restaurants and businesses of every kind. The vibrant and close-knit community that lives within this neighborhood has also made it one of San Francisco's top tourist destinations. Thankfully, there are many side streets, quiet shops and traditional restaurants that provide some relief from the bustle outside. Try your luck at one of the hundreds of dining options in the area, especially those serving Dim Sum, as they can be some of the best in the city. Also make sure to stop in some of the small herbal shops for some unusual trinkets and art.
Gospel Flat Farm is located about 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Offering a great insight into organic farming, the farm is a wonderful mix of numerous activities, educational elements, outdoor fun and of course organic produce shopping! The vast organic farm is covered with lush green vegetable fields, and if you're lucky you'll also be able to spot sunflowers in full bloom. On offer are farm-fresh veggies such as zucchini, pumpkins, carrots, pickled vegetables and lots more that are vibrant and incredible to taste. But meat-lovers needn't frown, since they also sell a fine quality of pork from their farm-raise pigs as well as dungeness crabs that they breed just a couple of miles from Gospel Flat Farm. They also have an in-house field baker who bakes a storm of awesome-smelling bread loaves on a wood-fired oven, that are a work of art in themselves. Apart from all the food fun, Gospel Flat Farm also hosts a fun range of activities, workshops and programs throughout the year. Group tours are available along with lunch options; check the website for more details.
The Marin Headlands offers breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The park also offers a variety of activities for history buffs and nature enthusiasts. Learn about Miwok Indian culture at the Visitor's Center, or military history at Forts Barry and Cronkite. Enjoy a hike to the still active, 150 year-old Point Bonita lighthouse, or view wildlife in nearby Tennessee Valley.
Standing at an elevation of 1217 feet (371 meters) above the sea level, Azalea Hill offers some picturesque vistas of Marin Headlands. Azalea Hill Trail is an easy hike, navigating across the uplands and plains of the mountain. Hikers can begin their jaunt at the well-marked Azalea trail head, even as they head towards Carson Falls and eventually pass by the scenic Kent lake. Covering an average distance of about 11 miles (17.70 kilometers), the trail takes one through some scenic landscapes and natural habitats of Marin.
Developed by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and opened in 1969, this innovative and interactive museum is dedicated to art, science and human perception. Relocated from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17, the modern space features plenty of new green technologies including the largest solar panel roof in San Francisco and offers over 600 hands-on exhibits. These hands-on displays unveil the mysteries of science and language, and present these theories simply and succinctly. Webinars, special events and seminars occur throughout the year. This San Francisco gem is a must visit.
Located off the highway in Lafayette, Sienna Ranch offers a serene respite away from the bustling city. Spread across its 21-acre (8.49 hectare) independently-owned land, this ranch organizes several outdoor activities such as horseback riding and archery as well as more educationally enhancing programs such as animal education and nature exploration. Kids are welcome to tag along with their parents, and will be entertained by the bevy of animals such as chickens, ducks, goats, bunnies, ponies and horses on the ranch.