The Conservatory of Flowers, located in Golden Gate Park, transports you from the city to a tropical rain forest, minus the exotic animals. The five galleries within the conservatory include the Lowland Tropics, Plotted Plants, Aquatic Plants, Highland Tropics and an ever changing special exhibit. The Conservatory of Flowers displays plants and flowers in its unique environment, offers guided school tours and is available to rent for corporate events and weddings. This gallery of flowers is a must see for any nature or horticulture lover.
Sutro Baths was built in the late 19th Century. It was a large swimming pool owned privately by Adolp Sutro, who was a former mayor of San Francisco. It had seven different pools, one having fresh water and the others having salt water, but varying in temperatures. Below the Cliff House, a small beach inlet was filled almost hiding the vast iron, glass and concrete structure. The bath had a high operating cost, due to which it eventually closed and a fire in 1966 almost destroyed it leaving behind the ruins. The ruins of the Sutro Baths are open to the visitors as well as the cave where you can catch a glimpse of bats.
The Fox Theater in Oakland is a one-of-a-kind live entertainment venue that has been packing in cinema and music lovers since 1928. Originally a movie theater and theater, the venue switched to being primarily a cinema until 1966 when it finally closed its doors along with several other businesses in downtown Oakland. It was nearly demolished after it had been vacant for some time; however, the Fox Theater avoided demolition when it was declared an Oakland City Landmark. The venue reopened in February 2009 as a concert hall and music venue; it has a complete re-imagined decor with giant golden Buddhas and Middle Eastern architecture. The venue is general admission (standing room) on the ground level and stadium seating on the upper levels.
Set up in the year 2007, Berkeley Playhouse serves as one of the major performing arts venues in the city. Located on a busy street in the bustling downtown, it was laid down by veteran theater performer and director Elizabeth McKoy. The Playhouse offers an eclectic program of well-curated theatricals and musicals, catering to audiences of all age groups. It also runs The Music Theatre Conservatory, through which, it organizes several camps and music learning sessions at different times of the year.
Founded in 1877, St. Mark's Episcopal Church first started out in a small rented cottage near the University of California campus. Over the years, the parish grew strength to strength, and accepted several congregants into the community. Today the church stands tall and beautiful on Bancroft Way near the university campus, attracting both catholic and non-catholic visitors who visit to admire its towering beauty.
Located at the western end of Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's biggest beach. It extends from Fort Funston in the south, to the Cliff House in the north. Typically, the cold winds, fog and low San Francisco temperatures deter any regular beach activities (unless you're lucky enough to be there on a hot day) but visitors fly kites or just walk along and admire the views of Seal Rocks and Point Lobos. Adventure seekers love surfing here. There are also bonfire pits provided on the beach for the general public; to claim one, go early in the evening.