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The Academy of Science

The Academy building houses the Morrison Planetarium, the Steinhart Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural History. It sounds like a lot to do, but in actuality, it is quite feasible to see all the exhibits in a single day (with a little rest in the Fountain Courtyard or on the grass in front of the Museum). Re-admittance is allowed with a hand stamp.

The African Safari is an insane mesh of gigantic taxidermy projects, including many animals I had never seen before. Gaggles of little not-so-well-behaved children were all grasping for the telephone accompanying each display. This is a child's heaven, with lots of hands-on goodies, including a "discovery room". There is also a children's gift shop, which is far more impressive than the one for adults. I bought two glow-in-the-dark lizards. My favorite bit of ingenuity in the Academy is Gary Larson Hall. Gary Larson is the creator of the "Far Side" comic strip which makes a mockery of human ways often through the use of various wildlife. The cartoons are hysterical, and the relationship between them and the museums other features are perfect. Stop and read; enjoy Larson's comedic gift.

I walked through the "African Annex" and "Life through Time" exhibits. Was I striving to purse my lips over the mighty yawn? Were my legs carrying my frame at lightning speeds? Were my eyes aglow, flicking past each encasement of tedious data? No! I was ambling along, an erudite scholar in search of knowledge of unknown and past worlds. The dinosaurs exhibit, "Life through Time", is comprehensive and drew me into reading every accompanying plaque of information. Fossils abound in this section; they are there to be touched. Surprisingly, I reveled in the cabaret of the living dead and the recreation of the "Land of the Lost". I think, with a little initial patience, these exhibits will appeal to almost every visitor. While I mildly enjoyed the outset of my visit, I was a kid in a candy store when it came to the water world of eel, shark, and anemone. Mouth agape, I admire these creatures of the deep. Garden eels bury most of their bodies in the sand, their strange stick heads waving in the ebb and flow of the filtered current. Reptiles and amphibians are cool, but the thick fatty slabs of a snake give me the creeps. Here we arrive at my favorite-the tree frogs. One green, one brown, these wet clay bodies force me to mutter: "You're not real." Then I see one blink, confirming: "Damn straight we are." I blabbed about these little guys to the deaf ears of friends for a couple of days until I realized one must simply see to relish, 'True Tree Frog Awe'.

I discovered that the touching pool was closed! Evidently, the tide pool is only open when a volunteer is available to supervise. Well then, I've given warning to those who have their heart set on holding a hermit crab, or caressing a starfish. My sorrow dissipated as I moved into the serenity of the fish roundabout. One may walk up a spiral ramp to view various fish, each of ample size, swarming and gliding in schools within arm's reach. I would have loitered longer, but a tacky affectionate couple made me yearn for their privacy, so on my merry way I went. The remainder of the aquarium is equally thrilling: penguins, fish, and exotic varieties of everything that swims or breathes underwater. Big fun!

Another main attraction is the Morrison Planetarium. There are various sky shows available throughout the day and evening. I saw "Other Worlds," a lesson illuminating other solar systems, their stars, moons and planets. It is very calming, and, in the face of truth, I must confess, I dozed off. What I saw was interesting, however the reclined chair, the starlit sky, the murmur of solar narration- it's your basic lullaby. In the evening, the planetarium becomes a laserium. Laser shows flash and flitter in bright lights to the accompaniment of different music selections, depending on the show. The shows at the Planetarium change frequently. I suggest a quick call to find out whether what is showing appeals to you. The sky show I saw was 45 minutes long. The duration of the different shows may vary.

The lowest level of the Academy is devoted to the Academy Cafe, which is surprisingly inexpensive with high-quality food: salads, burgers, sodas, and basic cafeteria fare. Restrooms and phones are also on this level.

The Academy of Sciences Information:
 

Hours:
 

*From Memorial Day to Labor Day the museum is open from 9a.m. to 6p.m.

Admission to the Museum of Natural History and the Steinhart Aquarium:
 

*First Wednesday of every month is Free!

Morrison Planetarium: To attend a show at the planetarium costs an additional fee.
 

Laser Shows:
 

Alcatraz

It is my feeling that many Bay Area residents possess only a vague notion of Alcatraz Island. So take a step beyond the locals who forget to be tourists in their own world, and take hold of what I found to be a completely unique experience.

As we near the island, Alcatraz is both morbid and glorious. The 10-minute ferry ride to the rock is too quick for one's eyes to suck in and commit to memory all of the wonder. The trip offers the rarest of views. It felt both surreal and special to be embarking on what is considered such a commonplace tourist excursion.

We are greeted by bullhorn calls. We hustle to buy a map, and head up the hill toward the prison. The hill is steep. If you cannot make it up, you have the option of the computer-based interactive tour of the island.

My friends, "Little D" (Deborah), "B" (Blair), and I head up the walkway to pick up our audio tour, which you request when buying your ticket. Deborah did the tour in French, and we deduced that it is fairly similar to the English version. The audio tour was way cool! The idea seems impersonal, but it is appropriately eerie and informative. If you feel at all rushed, like we did toward the end of the tour, just stop the tape. We got so wrapped up in the experience that we forgot that we had control. So effective are the sound affects, that I found myself searching the faces around me to monitor their responses. Did they also hear that music, gust of wind, hollering and clanking? I am serious, this is one cool experience. I talked about it for days afterward.

The history of Alcatraz is staggering: escapes, riots, the Indian occupation in the seventies, the movies, the prisoners (Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, The Birdman of Alcatraz), the park, the early military fort, etc. If you have the time, I would caboose onto a guided tour for a little while, if not the whole one. Our guide was a clever source of Hollywood half-truths and folkloric tidbits. We joined the tour for about 15 minutes.

After our audio tour, we walked into the recreation yard and afterward, around the island. The view is incredible from the arched doorway of the recreation yard, you can hear music from the city, see the foliage on the island, and just enjoy being in such a fascinating place.

The juxtaposition of the beauty of the island and eeriness of the worn bars on each cellblock is a notable irony to this historic place. Alcatraz is a quandary of awe, sorrow, and creepiness-an experience not soon forgotten.

Some additional Bits and Pieces:

Order your tickets in advance. It's a $2.00 additional fee, and well worth the convenience.

The announcement: "Next available tour will be tomorrow," is bitter and frequent news to many (I'd suggest tickets 2-days in advance during the summer).

While visiting "the Rock," we were hungry, but there is no food or drink to be had on the island; it would be wise to plan around your appetite.

The audio tour lasts 45 minutes and is a must do, worth the added cost. There are also guided tours that offer a more anecdotal inside story of the history of the island.

There is a humble bookstore on the island that sells postcards, some souvenirs, and, of course, a few books.

There is a film presentation that looked informative, but if you don't get a seat up front, the crowds in and out of the building can be too distracting to enjoy the film.

To get the full experience, plan to spend from 2 1/2 hours to a full day.

See Bay Cruises for more information on Alcatraz.

Angel Island

Holly and I set out on a snappy blue day. We stood in a wind blown line with other ferry-goers, fearing a bone-chilling day on the island. Neither of us had ever been to Angel Island. What an eyeful-leaves you craving, your eyes wanting, your lungs wishing for that air.

The ferry ride took quite a bit longer than we had thought; almost an hour, with stops in Sausalito and Tiburon. We stepped onto the island with noodles for legs and a little bit queasy, and headed for the island map and restrooms. Do that, the restroom part, because there aren't many along the way.

In the off season the ferry only goes to Angel Island on weekends. At that, there is only one trip there and one back. Six hours is plenty of time, time to stroll unhurriedly and lounge for awhile after you have made it around the island. Four hours would be sufficient. A great place for kids; it is essentially a gigantic park. Bring a Frisbee, a picnic, and your friends to enjoy your own private party overlooking the bay. Camping is also permitted on the island.

There are two main trails one can take: the perimeter trail, which is about 5 miles long, and a trail that heads deeper into the center and woods of the island. We opted for the perimeter trail, thinking: "Flat, flat is good." With each step your eyes swallow yet another degree of this circular bay view. Local TV 5 uses a sweeping evening view of this panorama from a helicopter--showing an electrically charged city surrounded by water, in their televised quip for their evening news: "The best place for news, in the best place on earth," or something like that. Angel Island lends an argument to that slogan.

Be warned of some deforestation and reforestation in progress. Eucalyptus trees have taken over much of the island and are in the process of being cut down to make room for more indigenous trees.

We walked up the trail until the cliffs slowly dropped below us, the height offering yet another spectacular view. There were so many paths to the sun that day. It was hot, then shaded and chilly, then hot and dry, and then cold again as the afternoon wore on. We peeled off and put on our coats, sweaters and scarves a number of times. Layer up for this adventure. We also went in the off season, February. But truly, there are very few warm weather days on the San Francisco Bay, so dress warmly.

Angel Island is a West coast Ellis Island as well as an old Army base, hence the multitude of small, old buildings in disrepair; crumbling, breathtaking, and curious.

I highly recommend packing a lunch. Holly and I stopped at picnic tables along the way and snacked on apples, carrots, and cookies. Toward the end of the perimeter trail, we stopped and ate our sandwiches and opted to turn around and go the long way back.

The Asian Arts Museum

Here, I saw the Imperial China Exhibit. I started with an informational movie about the exhibit, which was interesting yet lengthy. I found myself eager to go beyond the filmstrip and see the collection.

Overcrowded with tour groups and van-loads of people, it was a difficult to stop and appreciate each piece. I went through quickly, discouraged by the crowds. (Weekday afternoon crowds are less of a factor). The exacting details of the miniatures draw one in for a closer look. I appreciated the craftsmanship, a blend of image and calligraphy in deft brushstrokes.

Candlestick Park (3Com Park)

The stadium is located just off of highway 101. All signs leading to Candlestick now read:"3Com Park". In 1996, in spite of loud public outcry, a computer company was allowed to buy the right to re-name the stadium for three years, but almost everyone still calls it Candlestick. The name-change was headline news and a local controversy in '96. The 49ers, San Francisco's football team and the Giants, our baseball team play there. This is either big news to you or painfully obvious. There's no harm in making things perfectly clear.

It can get really windy and cold out there next to the bay. So it's a good idea to dress in layers. This, in fact, is always a good plan when in San Francisco. On the other hand, once I was out there for a mid-September football game between the Niners and Rams and it was a scorcher. I thought to bring sunscreen; and was glad I did in light of the red and purple flesh tones around us by game's end. We were fortunate enough to have front row seats that day. I'm into football, but not that into football, which made the sideline show a welcome and intriguing diversion: the photographers, TV networks, the guys with the big circular Plexiglas things, cheerleaders, boys in khaki pants and pink jerseys running about perkily, doling out Gatorade and towels to the players. It's a show to remember, sports fan or not. I absolutely adore going to Niners' games. It is, however, not cheap. Parking is about twenty dollars a car. The ticket prices start at twenty or thirty dollars, even a "souvenir" soda will cost you 4 bucks! One could easily drop $50 without working too hard at it. There is enough of a variety of food options to satisfy almost all tastes. Gordon Biersch brewery, Salmagundi deli, pastry/coffee shops, burrito spots, burger places with good spicy fries, and much more. Of course you can get a "dog" and a Bud if your tailgate-party heart so desires (which is, after all, the most authentic way to go). In short, it's expensive, but the quality is generally much better than most stadium fare.
 

The De Young Museum

Located in Golden Gate Park, the De Young is one of the largest and most impressive museums in San Francisco. The building also houses the Asian Arts Museum. It is a bit of an overload to see both exhibits in the same visit. However, if you choose to see both, you will also want a break in between. The cafe has an elegant outdoor seating area with tables around an aqua fish pool; a crisp, clean, satisfying setting.

The permanent collection displays a wide range of art from around the world, spanning a broad timeline. There are tours available. There was so much to see at the museum that I was overwhelmed and think I will go back for a guided tour. I was not familiar with many of the artists and felt as though a little more information would have made the experience more complete. I have seen some really good temporary exhibits. Definitely look over the map of the museum before heading out to make sure you don't miss anything you would like to see.

Fort Point

Prior to this recent visit, I had never been to Fort Point--unforgivable really. It is so beautiful out there, especially when under a clear blue sky. Its Northeastern tip starts underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, on the San Francisco side. Fort Point, is a remarkably beautiful military fort. Photo-op heaven, with its brick archways, peephole windows, winding stairwells and vanishing point hallways. A museum really. Photographs and history are displayed in the barracks, and some rooms are displayed in period furnishings.

Inclined, as my friend Blair and I are, to strike a pose, we had a heyday with the photo thing. Truly the best place to stand side by side with the Golden Gate Bridge. Ah, I was inspired by the majesty of modern engineering. I remember wanting to know why it wasn't gold when I first saw the bridge. I was ten and from N.H. and it seemed a logical question. Golden. Gold. Where did they come up with red?

Fort Point is a nice destination for bikers, hikers and roller bladers. Surfers, who favor this spot, have an audience and lots of picturesque rocky shoreline to face. Inherently rewarding for the nature lover in all of us. The ride through Crissy Field to reach Fort Point is also beautiful, waterfront scenery. The decommissioned Army base next door is almost level to the waterline with a dirt trail providing a picturesque approach to Fort Point. It's free, but donations are requested to help keep up the good work. I put some money in the box.

In addition to the trees, rugged beauty, and the smell and feel of sea salt mist, a line-up of rental cars, a tour bus or two, and a couple of photographers with cameras, light meters, lenses and tripods held or slung about them, are usual fixtures to the scenery. A trip to Fort Point is an informative and scenic outing amidst fresh air.

I just saw the results of my photos from Fort Point. I was impressed by one thing in particular: the view of the bridge from a vantage point unlike any other. It is just as beautiful close up (a massive construct of steel, concrete and cable looming above) as it is from afar.

Grayline, San Francisco Deluxe City Tour

I used to be very "anti" bus tours, mostly because they all but tattoo "tourist" across your forehead. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But I usually try to "fly below the radar", so to speak, in a new city, and bus tours are more of a "buzz the tower" approach to site seeing. But traveling alone as I do, and especially if my visit is short, I’ve found the quickest way to get my mind around a new town is, you guessed it, ye olde tour de la bus. So despite the rather large profile they cut, I am here to admit that I’m a closet bus tour-er. My recommendation is you take the tour, and just deny it later.

One of San Francisco’s chief offerings is an arms length view of itself. And the best thing about this particular bus tour is that it makes several stops for the sole purpose of viewing the city at a distance. Even having both lived in San Francisco, and been a visitor here dozens of times, I never tire of the San Francisco sky line. Actually, it’s more than a skyline as it’s not simply a silhouette of skyscrapers. Because the city is laid out over steep hills, the rippling jumble of barnacle-like buildings takes on a fairy tale quality, like a clustered castle-city eight miles wide with turret-like high rises soaring over the glistening bay. Morning, noon, dusk, night: each casts the city in its own hue, but unless the city is obscured by weather, it doesn’t really matter when you view it.

The biggest weakness of the bus tour, as is usually the case with such things, is the tour guide. Part soap box preacher, part stand up comic, (very small) part historian, and part of why I got a migraine twenty minutes into it, our tour guide, although interesting in spurts, lost most of his brownie points embellishing the historical facts with his personal (and not always PC) opinions.

Besides the views, my favorite stop of the tour was the Japanese tea gardens located in Golden Gate Park, which, for quite some time now, have been one of my favorite places to visit. The tea gardens are one of the most unique corners of a city renowned for its uniqueness. Something about the natural yet orderly grounds is very soothing to my overactive mind. I get the sense that every twig on every bush, every rock in every garden, every shrine and bridge, statue and seat, has a purpose (even if that purpose is simply to be beautiful). Something gets set right in my brain when I spend time there. That and they have the tastiest little sweet crackers they served with tea at the snack bar.

Other noteworthy stops are the Cliff House at Ocean Beach, for a view of the (usually foggy) coast, and a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge to Vista Point (the best view yet!).

If you're completely new to San Francisco, the tour will definitely give you a working knowlege of its vastly different neighborhoods, so you can better decide where to spend your time. In that respect, I recommend doing the tour early in your trip, just to get the lay of the land. The 3 ½ hour tour ends in Fisherman’s Wharf. Tickets are $27.

The Palace of Fine Arts & Exploratorium

 

Bernard Maybeck constructed the Palace of Fine Arts for the Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915. It is most picturesque. The frequent sightings of marriage parties posing, tourists posing, everybody posing attests to this fact. You will find columns, arches, statues, ponds, domes, and other elements of grace. Blair and I actually saw one tourist lie down on his side, head cupped in his hand, his other hand on his hip, centerfold-like, really. He was wearing a suit and lying on the dirty pavement. How bizarre is that?

A hands-on science center can be found in the Exploratorium. It is great fun for children and adults alike. There are so many interactive exhibits it is overwhelming. I turned into a child and my attention span shrank to about 30 seconds. I wanted to see each installment do something. I found myself lacking the patience to read all of the little placards, or dive into exhibits that seemed too involved. I had a case of the entertain me, don't educate me syndrome.

I met a nice little boy at an aquarium that appeared to be empty. "Where's the tree frog?" He lisped. "MMMhhhh... Let me look, oh there he is...." I stick my finger to the glass identifying the master of camouflage. "I see it... I'm going to find my mom." He scampered off into the maze of lights and water, wind and mirrors.

 
 

My favorites: the big bubble-makers, the big beach ball that tosses and turns on a spring of air, the shadow box, and the cool mirror exhibit upstairs on the 2nd floor, that allows two people to see each other with their features meshed together.

We had made reservations at the Tactile Dome. I had a vague notion of what this meant-- Some kind of dark maze that you walk through and touch stuff. Tactile, right? Well, no! First we take off our shoes. We crawl in, Katya, Blair, and I. Its dark, warm, and it smells like old socks. I panic about a minute into it. "I can't do this", I say to myself. I'm shameless about grabbing onto Blair's feet. Sometimes I can feel his feet, but cannot hear him. "Wait, wait for me." We haul through the thing as if the plague itself were nipping at our toes. Katya pushes forward, hollering out what is to come, what to do. We survived it. Tactile? I didn't stop to touch anything. We finally come to the end and look at each other, warm, nervous smiles all around. Do we want to go again? I don't think so. There was nothing even remotely fun about the experience, though it made a great story afterwards. You have to make reservations in advance and there is an additional fee. Other people are allowed in at the same time, thank god no one was in there with us.

The Palace Legion of Honor

I went to the Palace on a gray, drizzly day. For the first time in my life, I took a docent tour of the museum. I enjoyed the refresher art history tour covering Baroque, Renaissance, Victorian, and Modern periods. The tour was an hour long and we looked at four or five paintings. I've always been wary of these tours. Are they informing me? Or are they telling me what to think? It's a fine line. There was a bench in front of each painting. Most of the people on the tour were elderly. En route to each new painting, there was an event that reminded me, however vaguely, of a race.

During this visit, there was a showing of a private collection of sculptures indoors and outside of the museum. It was genuinely wonderful. The Palace boasts Rodin in their permanent collection! Also, work by Rembrandt and and Monet with an original casting of "The Thinker" in the front courtyard. The museum itself is a replica of the Palais de la Legion d'Honneur in Paris. It is a beautiful structure amidst a scenic setting, just a few minutes away from the bayside cliffs that offer an unusual profile view of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are benches perfectly placed for "ooo's and awe's" and a monument placed at an inspiring view through the trees. The monument, I suspected, was a religious marker, or one placed in someone's memory. It was neither. I wrote it down between gusts of wind. You'll have to read it on your own. I wouldn't want to spoil such a fine surprise.

The museum also has, for lack of more precise terminology-a dish section (bowls, plates, pitchers, etc.). I have to confess that my amble turns into a full-fledged sprint when I see fine china in glass casing. However, now and then I feign intrigue and press my nose to the glass. I digress...amazing craftsmanship...absolutely divine...that would look so nice on my coffee table... Yeah, well, you can't have it. It's shopping without a wallet and it's not fun.

The downstairs houses the cafe and museum store. The museum store is just okay. The cafe is wonderful. I had a chicken salad with garlic crostini's and a fruity ice tea for $9.00. Not cheap, but very worth the quality of food and the serenity of the setting. Following my nourishment, I was able to see more of the museum with brighter eyes.

The Legion of Honor is in Lincoln Park; the entrance is at 34th and Clement.

The Presidio

The Presidio is a large forested area at the northwestern tip of S.F. Every city needs one of these: A lush, densely wooded forest complete with hiking and biking trails, a golf course and a beach, all contained within the boundaries of a major urban area. This is not simply a park; it is a wilderness. It’s what makes San Francisco the idyllic place it is: A city with all the trappings of a big town life, but with ready escapes close at hand. If you can get a bike (preferably a mountain bike), hit the Presidio and just get lost! I mean that as a figure of speech.

For decades it has been a military base. Recently, however, the military turned its operation over to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area management for public use. The Presidio Army Museum is located in the park and focuses on memorabilia and photographs related to the military history of the Presidio. There is a Historical Trail Guide that shows the way-by foot or car, to the various historical points of interest-and there quite a few, beginning with the Indians and Spanish settlers, and extending beyond World War II. The Presidio offers great views of the ocean, bay, and bridges. You'll also find scores of Eucalyptus trees, a very pretty hillside cemetery, rows of neatly painted white and brick structures, and thousands of acres on which to hike, bike, or take a leisurely drive. Baker Beach links the Presidio to the ocean.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, better known as S.F. MOMA, is located South of Market (SOMA), on 3rd Street. This is a new location for the museum. The building is amazing. Black and gray marble, granite, concrete, steel and glass make up much of the inside and outside of this superbly geometric and symmetrical structure. On the fifth floor, a metal grate walkway serves as a sky-bridge, stretching high across the span of the atrium walls- "Don't push, there's enough vertigo for everyone". There are guided tours available for the permanent collection displayed on the second floor. Works by artists such as Matisse, Diebenkorn, Miro, Klee, Kahlo, Rivera, Kandinski, Dali, O'Keefe, and Warhol are on permanent exhibit. Also on this level there is a small nook housing three computers that display S.F. MOMA's web site. The site's audio-visual information is helpful and easy to access. Different artists, curators, scholars, and critics can be seen and heard discussing specific paintings while the painting is shown on the monitor. Don't be shy.

On the ground level is a nice cafe and tantalizing gift shop. So many beautiful, clever things in the gift shop provide a visual feast. Another feature to S.F. MOMA is their audio tour, which for a nominal fee can enrich the experience for you.

S.F. MOMA Information:
 

Hours:
 

*From Memorial Day to Labor Day the museum opens at 10a.m. instead of 11a.m.

Admission:
 

* First Tuesday of every month is Free!

The San Francisco Public Library

The Library has, for many years, spoken to me of unadulterated, academic torture, with a heaping serving of tedium. I always seem to balk when I must go, and balk again when it comes time to return the books. The book return always nags, but somehow never makes itself a priority, even at ten cents a day.

In contrast, during my recent visit to the library I found myself in a veritable amusement park of knowledge and technology. The new library is located on Larkin and Fulton Streets in San Francisco's Civic Center. There are six floors circling a light filled atrium. There are ten multimedia stations throughout the Library. Numerous computer terminals have begun to replace the card catalogue system. There are numerous smaller libraries within the main library, one of which focuses exclusively on San Francisco history, as recorded in old newspaper clippings, magazine articles, photographs and other illustrations and, naturally, books. Also, there is the Special Collections Room which houses limited edition, fine press, hand-made, and rare, early printed volumes; mostly encased in glass. There is a browsing section on the first floor, which is basically like a bookstore, except everything is free! I got a bunch of things I'd been curious about, but couldn't justify buying. Well, I just rediscovered the Library and I'm looking forward to more visits and more reading. The new library also offers docent tours.

I must say, the library now has established itself as a bit of a museum. Granted, it's probably not on the top of every visitor's list, but it certainly could be, especially if you're visiting with children: Dr. Seuss, Disney Classics, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and more... video tapes, music, history, and lit science, poetry, and all the rest of it!

Underwater World

Crowds are like Kryptonite to me. They sap my energy, steal my strength and render me useless. That is, unless I’m escorted through them by a child. Somehow, with my nephew, Ryan, tugging me along, I can see the world through his eyes, and crowds are more like fun mazes.

Like much of Fisherman’s Wharf, Underwater World is, in a word, touristy. Depending on the time of year, you may find yourself amid a throng of tourists, being scuttled through exhibits on conveyor belts, in a manner akin to car assemblage. Though it was crowded when I went, I was fine, armed as I was with a trusty seven-year-old. It was useful to have a tike with me for other reasons, too. Had this adventure been a solo mission, I might have rated it in the middle of the pack: Better than being flogged with a wet noodle, yet maybe not worth my one afternoon in San Francisco. But as it was, Ryan’s wide-eyed amazement at being in the "fish’s world" (pronounced fishees woy-ald) made the time well spent. He "oohed" at the jellyfish and "aahed" at the eels. That’s not to say that adults sans kids should stay away. For those who don’t get underwater much, as I admittedly don’t, the fish tanks offer an interesting, close up glimpse at our buddies from below. Put this place in blander surroundings and you might have high thrills entertainment. But such as it is, located in the Motherland of Interesting (aka San Francisco), it might seem sort of, well, vanilla. For the record, I like vanilla, which is why I liked Underwater World. But if you’re more of a double chocolate almond fudge-type, you might find your taste buds under-whelmed, especially at $12.95 a scoop.

The Wax Museum

Well, well, welcome to the time warp sideshow extravaganza, the strange idea, the strangest I've encountered in quite some time: Wax people. Replicas (kind of) of the famous and infamous: celebrities, world leaders, biblical figures, paintings, etc. King Tut's Tomb and the House of Horrors are included in the exhibit.

Some of these waxed depictions are just plain bad: head's too big, body all disproportionate; Steve Young, the 49ers quarterback, looked ready for the grave. Marc commented, "That one's good, it looks just like Clint Eastwood... ... ... oh, wait, ... its Paul Newman." Marc also noted a rattan coffee table, circa 1970's, in the Tut section, spray painted gold of course. It is actually a little creepy: wax bodies with vacant stares, parted lips, and in glassed, closet-sized worlds. Motion sensor lighting left us in the dark on numerous occasions. I certainly wouldn't want to be in there alone.

The museum is absolutely huge. There are four floors, 200 famous, celebrated, (mostly) recognizable figures. Wax for days. Both strange, and weirdly interesting.

Wax Museum Information:
 

Hours:
 

Admission:
 

The Zoo
 

If the tables were turned, and the animals were in charge, I don’t think they’d have zoos. Frankly, I don’t think they find us cute enough to want to look at, feed or pet on a regular basis. My point is I think we like them more than they like us. Which makes me glad we’re the one’s in charge. I visited the zoo with my friend Tina, who is ten. I felt after my visit how I always feel after a visit to the zoo: like I don’t go often enough. Tina was all about the children's zoo, which was my favorite too. There is a barnyard where bossy goats nudge for food, and baby chicks nestle together in their incubator. You can pet and mingle with all of the animals in the barnyard. We could only stay at the zoo for a couple of hours that day, which was not enough time to see it all. I would plan on three to four hours. Tina and I regretted not getting a storybook key, a key that unlocks a brief informational audio on the particular species that you are standing in front of. I would definitely recommend using the map provided at the entrance to pinpoint what you really want to see. There is a carousel, train tour, and playground that add to the big fun. Children do love the zoo, it is an educational experience as well as a nice break from trying to entertain a child in a big city.

Zoo Information:
 

Hours:
 

Admission: Discounts are available to residents of San Francisco with local address on picture ID.
 

*First Wednesday of each month is Free!