Welcome To The Bay Area

Welcome to the
Bay Area
The Bay Area STC Chapters extend a warm welcome to the STC Board of Directors and wish
all of you a rewarding and enjoyable stay. We have prepared this brief guide to acquaint you
with our area and help you plan your activities when you are not in meetings. If any of the
topics are of interest, check out the details via the website addresses provided.
The Basics
Taxis are few and far between (typically at hotels and
BART stations), and expensive, so are best for short trips
shared with others going with you.
Our Climate
In Berkeley, the average summer high is 70°, and the
average low is 56°. Dress in layers; a hat and sunglasses
are recommended. By the water, it is usually cooler and
breezy. If you travel out of Berkeley or Oakland, expect
highs and lows to be up to ten degrees hotter and cooler.
For current weather conditions where you will be, visit
www.weather.com and enter the city and state.
Ferry A great way to get from Oakland to San Francisco, or vice versa. www.eastbayferry.com
For other lovely ferry rides, see Ferry Rides later in this
brochure.
Newspapers
“The coldest winter I ever saw was a summer
I spent in San Francisco.” — attributed to
Mark Twain
The Bay Area is replete with newspapers and news magazines, many free in street stands. Out-of-town newspapers from most U.S. and international cities are available 24 /7 at De Lauer’s Super Newsstand in downtown
Oakland (Broadway between 13th and 14th streets). The
three major local papers:
Getting Around
If you’re not driving, you can go lots of places on public
transportation. Area-wide transit information is available 24/7 by dialing 511 or visiting www.transit.511.org.
San Francisco Chronicle www.sfgate.com
San Francisco Examiner www.examiner.com
Oakland Tribune www.oaklandtribune.com
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, our local subway) runs
throughout the East Bay and San Francisco to transport
you quickly and inexpensively, but you may need to make
additional connections to reach your final destination.
www.bart.gov
Free, with a local social, political, and cultural focus.
SF Guardian www.sfbg.com
East Bay Express www.eastbayexpress.com
Common Ground www.commongroundmag.com
Berkeley Daily Planet www.berkeleydailyplanet.com
Daily Californian (UC Berkeley student paper)
www.dailycal.org
Muni Muni provides public transportation via buses,
electric trolleys, streetcars and cable cars within San
Francisco. www.sfmuni.com
Bus
The AC Transit bus company serves the Bay
Area. The #9 bus stops about two blocks from the
hotel and can take you to the Berkeley BART station.
www.actransit.org
You can get complete listing of all Bay Area papers
at www.baywideweb.com. They also list other local
resources.
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Radio & TV Stations
Before You Get Here...
Find out what is available at your hotel. Find complete listings of all Bay Area radio stations (many
with streaming audio) at www.ontheradio.net and
www.radiostationworld.com (they also list TV). A few
favorites:
If you have not read them, California-based classics by
these authors will give you a taste of the local atmosphere
at their time: Jack London, Dashiell Hammett, and Jack
Kerouac.
Lots of help is available on the official city websites:
KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley’s original free-speech station;
NPR offerings and local hosts with an alternative bent.
www.kpfa.org
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us
www.oaklandnet.com
www.ci.sf.ca.us (Both city and county of San Francisco)
KCSM 91.1 FM 24 hours of commercial-free jazz,
all periods and styles. Produced by the College of San
Mateo. www.kcsm.org
P.S. Don’t call it Frisco.
“It is an odd thing, but every one who disappears
is said to be seen at San Francisco. It must be a
delightful city, and possess all the attractions of
the next world. “ — Oscar Wilde
KDFC 102.1FM Non-stuffy all classical, but plenty of
commercials. www.kdfc.com
KALW 91.7 FM Public radio (produced by the SF
Unified School District) with unique local shows.
Tangents (Saturday, 8-12pm) is highly recommended
for a great mix of genre-bending, cross-cultural music.
www.kalw.org
“Our lives are not in the lap of the gods, but
in the lap of our cooks.” — Lin Yutang in
“The Importance of Living
KCBS 740 AM News, sports, traffic, weather updates,
all the time. www.kcbs.com
Food & Drink
Lots of creative Mexican small
Fonda Solana
plates (tapas) in a casual, comfortable setting.
www.fondasolana.com
So many great restaurants, so little time......but here are
a few choice recommendations (reservations needed at
most). And there are lots of other restaurant options if
you’re adventurous—Peruvian, Indian, Turkish, Israeli,
Vietnamese, Nepali, Ethiopian, Korean, Afghan, Indonesian, Cuban, Burmese, Tibetan, Greek, Burmese, Russian, Basque.....ask around.
Eccolo Tantalizing Italian with a California-fresh accent on trendy Fourth Street. www.eccolo.com
Fatapple’s Good for breakfast or lunch. Comfort-foodAmerican menu, including many kinds of house-baked
pie. In Berkeley (1346 MLK Way at Rose St.) and in El
Cerrito (7525 Fairmount Ave.), no website.
Berkeley and thereabouts
Chez Panisse Café Where Alice Waters gave birth to
“California cuisine,” and still a bright star in the “gourmet ghetto” of north Berkeley. Innovative use of fresh
local ingredients. www.chezpanisse.com
Bette’s Oceanview Diner Terrific breakfasts (expect a
wait), and the take out store has delectable goodies to
enjoy while strolling. www.worldpantry.com/bettes/
Tacubaya This small, casual upscale Fresh Mex taqueria
is another favorite. Authentic yet creative menu. Fourth
Street (off Hearst), no website.
China Village Very authentic Chinese food, both usual
and unusual, highly recommended by local chowhounds.
1335 Solano Ave., no website.
Café Gratitude Creative menu featuring organic, mostly local, raw dishes, from soup to dessert, with names
like “i am celebrating” and “i am thriving.” What are you
grateful for? Branches in San Francisco and San Rafael.
www.withthecurrent.com
Lalime’s Delicious and eclectic organic, local, seasonal
California cuisine, in a homey, inviting setting.
www.lalimes.com
Sea Salt Specializing in innovative, healthy, sustainable seafood. Dine in the beautiful backyard garden.
www.seasaltrestaurant.com
Skates on the Bay On the water in the Berkeley Marina
with a bay view, go for the appetizers and happy hour,
4-6pm. www.skatesonthebay.com
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San Francisco
Oakland
Tadich Grill San Francisco’s oldest restaurant, this
landmark has been in continuous operation by the same
family since 1849, and has the original wood-paneled
décor. Traditionally prepared fresh seafood and other
standard American fare, served with lots of sourdough
bread. Easy walk from BART. 240 California St., no website.
Garibaldi’s Chic décor and delicious MediterraneanCalifornian dishes make this spot popular. Great service.
www.garibaldis-eastbay.com
Bay Wolf One of the best in the Bay Are for a long time,
with good reason: they do it all right. MediterraneanCalifornian. www.baywolf.com
Cesar (on Piedmont Avenue) Big variety of tasty, fresh,
creative California-influenced Spanish small plates
(tapas) with a few larger dishes. Also in north Berkeley
on Shattuck Ave. below Vine St. www.barcesar.com
Plouf This trendy California-Parisian bistro specializes
in seafood. Outdoor dining, in charming Belden Place
(aka Belden Alley) near Union Square. Easy walk from
BART. www.ploufsf.com
Soi4 High-style Thai food emphasizing traditional yet
subtle flavor combinations, not too spicy-hot, in a clean
modern space. www.soifour.com
L’Osteria Del Forno Authentic home-style Northern
Italian in North Beach with traditional dishes as well as
focaccia sandwiches and pizza. www.losteriadelforno
Luka’s Tap Room & Lounge Popular local lair with a
casual but sophisticated menu. Great party atmosphere:
music, dancing, pool, pinball. www.lukasoakland.com
Greens (at Fort Mason) The restaurant that put vegetarian food front and center in the mainstream. Creative
and tasty dishes in a great setting. www.greens.com
Jojo Delectable Country French plates with exquisite
attention to detail, but still exuding simplicity. Custom
prix-fixe dinners for parties of 8 or more with advance
notice. www.jojorestaurant.com
The Ramp Tasty American fare outdoors on a waterfront patio with a smoking barbecue. Sunday afternoon
dancing to world music. www.ramprestaurant.com
The Cliff House The classic (built in 1896) San Francisco seafood restaurant overlooking the Pacific with
a view of frolicking seals. Fresh food, good service.
www.cliffhouse.com
Barney’s: Perennial award winner for great burgers (and
curly fries). They have a number of locations, but this is
the original. www.barneysgourmethamburgers.com
East Ocean Seafood Terrific dim sum, great Bay view,
and good service. Fresh seafood, all done in Hong Kong/
Cantonese style. At 1713 Webster St. in Alameda, no
website.
John’s Grill A setting in Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon,” this downtown eatery near Union Square
was established in 1908. Its original paneled interior
still beautifully maintained, the menu features delicious
California-Continental dishes. Easy walk from BART.
www.johnsgrill.com
“I have the falcon.”
“But we have you Mr. Spade”
— Dashiell Hammett, in “The Maltese Falcon”
“There is no there there.” — Gertrude Stein, on
the subject of how her neighborhood in Oakland
was not the same as when she growing up..
“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would
rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in
magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent
planet.” — Jack London
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Oakland
Other edible and potable treats
Café Bittersweet They feature locally roasted Blue
Bottle coffee (the best) and a huge selection of chocolates. On College Avenue in the Rockridge area.
www.bittersweetchocolatecafe.com
The Bay Area is home to innumerable cafes, tea houses,
and shops for other treats. A small (but mighty) selection:
Berkeley
L’Amyx Tea Bar
A popular local teahouse (voted
Best of Oakland twice) serving premium teas, desserts, and light fare. On Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.
www.lamyx.com
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Now a national chain, visit the
first store in north Berkeley, a revered local caffeine den.
www.peets.com
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
Light and cheerful, this
bakery is serious about quality desserts. A good variety
of cakes and such, plus daily savories and sandwiches.
A bit out of the way, but charming, and great service.
www.sweetadelinebakeshop.com
Far Leaves A little oasis for tea lovers, they offer single
estate, hand processed leaves to buy or sip there, and
tea tasting events. On College Avenue in The Elmwood.
www.farleaves.com
Ici Scrumptious organic ice cream made fresh daily,
unique flavors. Be prepared for a line, but it’s worth
the wait. Also on College Avenue in The Elmwood.
www.ici-icecream.com
Gelateria Naia Extensive choice of creative flavors in
ice cream (milk or soy based) and sorbetto. In downtown
Berkeley. www.gelaterianaia.com
Masse’s Rich and exquisitely artistic pastries in the
gourmet ghetto at 1469 Shattuck Ave. (between Rose St.
& Vine St.). No website.
Crixa Cakes
More homestyle than fancy, the
only word needed is “Yum.” In south Berkeley.
www.crixacakes.com
Unique Cultural Attractions
incorporating current trends. Bring your spare change.
For hats of every kind, visit the Berkeley Hat Company
www.berkeleyhat.com
Berkeley
Best Panoramic View (Must drive.) From Grizzly Peak.
www.mapquest.com
Music lovers, be sure to check out Amoeba Music (www.
amoeba.com) and, nearby on Bancroft, The Musical Offering (www.musicaloffering.com), which an extensive
Classical-only selection and a great cafe. Book lovers
check out Moe’s (www.moesbooks.com), a local icon
since 1959. P.S. The rest of the avenue, which extends to
downtown Oakland, has other great shops and restaurants too.
University of California at Berkeley A huge campus
with many areas of interest (www.berkeley.edu). A couple of note:
Lawrence Hall of Science One-of-a-kind exhibit every day 10-5 through 9/2: “Circus: Science Under the Big
Top.” www.lawrencehallofscience.org
Hearst Museum of Anthropology “From the Land of
the Rajas,” paintings and crafts from Rajasthan, through
12/21; Saturday 10am-4:30pm, Sunday 12-4pm, free admission. www.hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu
Oakland
Best View, Not Panoramic From the bar at Jordan’s restaurant in the Claremont Resort, escpecially at sunset.
www.claremontresort.com
Telegraph Avenue (between Bancroft and Dwight
Way) Home to People’s Park, the 60s icon to social
activism, this ever-evolving string of blocks adjacent
to UC Berkeley still recalls those turbulent times while
Chabot Space & Science Center
State-of-the-art
planetarium with diverse exhibits and larger-than-life
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Haight-Ashbury Where the Summer of Love began forty
years ago, and still vital. Bring your guitar and love beads.
www.haightashbury.org
megadome movies, including Academy Award nominee ‘Cosmic Voyage.’ If you’re still in town on August 27th, view the Total Lunar Eclipse from here.
www.chabotspace.org
Chinatown Largest in the U.S. Visit one of the tea or
herb shops, have a mooncake or bubble (tapioca) drink,
buy a cheongsam (long dress) or some great jewelry.
www.sanfranciscochinatown.com
Downtown Oakland Undergoing tremendous renewal and restoration, Oakland is looking better than ever.
Some highlights:
Jack London Square Have a drink at Heinold’s First
and Last Chance Saloon, where Jack London hung out.
Follow the wolf tracks for an historical tour, check out
FDR’s yacht, see a movie, eat on the waterfront, shop.
Check out Cost Plus for global gifts to bring back home.
www.jacklondonsquare.com
Beautiful architecture, great sushi.
Japantown
Unique mineral/herbal/floral body wraps and other soothing spa treatments at Kabuki Hot Springs.
www.sfjapantown.org
(Little Italy) In addtion to the
North Beach
food and pastries, check out City Lights Bookstore, founded in 1953 by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and still an independent publisher.
www.sfnorthbeach.org
Old Oakland Historic District Classic movies shown
outdoors on summer evenings amid the 1870s buildings.
August 18, “Little Miss Sunshine” preceded by a short by
a local filmmaker. Eat in Chinatown, bring a chair. www.
oldoakland.org
The Castro More than the home of Gay Pride, this
diverse neighborhood boasts an array of businesses and
cultural attractions, including the historic, renovated
Castro Theatre and hip Cafe du Nord nightclub, once a
speakeasy during Prohibition. www.castrosf.org
Chinatown
Lots of great Chinese (and other
Asian) restaurants and shops, fascinating history.
www.oaklandchinatownhistory.org
Paramount Theatre of the Arts This lovingly restored
Art Deco gem hosts the Oakland Symphony, special
shows, and classic movies. www.paramountheatre.com
The Mission Latino and other cultures. Visit Mission
Dolores, the oldest intact building in the city of San
Francisco (pre-1906 fire) and the only intact mission (of
the original 21) established by Father Junipero Serra.
www.sfmission.com
San Francisco
Yerba Buena Gardens This arts center amid lovely
gardens and waterfalls presents many free events that
reflect local history and culture. Carnaval Awards
Ceremony, Saturday 8/18 from 1-4pm. Join the parade
or conga line, enjoy the music, marvel at the elaborate
beaded and plumed costumes. On the edge of the innovative SoMA (South of Market Area) district. Easy
access from BART. www.yerbabuenagardens.com and
www.ybgf.org
Best Panoramic View Two contenders: The Carnelian
Room atop the Bank of America building. Have a drink
in their View lounge, or enjoy a sumptuous, if pricey,
Sunday brunch while scanning the city. www.carnelianroom.com. The Equinox atop the Hyatt Regency. Relax
in the bar of this revolving restaurant high above the city
and savor the 360-degree view (come before it gets dark).
www.hyatt.com. Both are close to BART.
You can also see live online views of the city
from a variety of webcams atop local venues.
www.sfgate.com/liveviews
“I like a view but I like to sit with my back turned
to it.” — Gertrude Stein
Ferry Building Beautifully renovated as a market for
local farmers and food artisans. Great shops and restaurants, especially The Slanted Door, with delicious
Vietnamese dishes (Sundays 5:30-10pm). Market open
Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
“This night I hold an old accustomed feast,
Whereto I have invited many a guest, Such
as I love; and you among the store, One
more, most welcome, makes my number more.”
— William Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet”
Coit Tower With another great view (from Telegraph
Hill), this legendary tower, adorned with colorful murals
by WPA artists, was erected in tribute to early San Francisco firefighters. Open daily 10am-6pm, free (elevator
$3.75).
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Shopping
These local shopping areas have many unique stores and
great cafes. Allow enough time to browse.
Oakland
College Avenue
Highlights: Market Hall, bastion
of gourmet fare tendered by several vendors under
one roof. At the Rockridge BART station. The Breema
Clinic (a short walk from BART), where you can receive
nurturing bodywork (while fully clothed) that will relax
and energize you for the rest of your visit. Call and ask
for an Introductory session. www.rockridgedistrict.com
Berkeley
4th Street/Oceanview Highlights: Cody’s (a local independent bookstore) and Miki’s Paper, showcasing gorgeous Japanese paper. www.shopinberkeley.com
Downtown Berkeley
Highlight: The Jazz School,
with live performances by exciting up-and-coming artists on Friday 8/17 and Saturday 8/18.
www.downtownberkeley.org
The Temescal Highlight: Sagrada, unique and beautiful
store with books and artistic gifts from every spiritual
tradition. Just listening to the indoor fountain is restorative. www.temescalmerchants.com
The Elmwood Highlight: Tail of the Yak. The store itself
is a work of art. Gifts of all kinds and vintage jewealry.
www.shopelmwood.com
Piedmont Avenue Highlight: Piedmont Springs Day
Spa, where you can let go of stress from wearisome travel (or shopping) with a relaxing hot tub, sauna, facial, or
massage at. Reservations required. www.panil.org/merchants/
North Berkeley Highlight: Walnut Square and vicinity,
housing many unique stores, including Black Oak Books
and Terrestra. www.gourmetghetto.org
Solano Avenue
Highlight: Sue Johnson Custom
Lamps and Shades—handmade Arts & Crafts styles
using parchment, mica, and other rare materials.
www.solanoavenueassn.org
San Francisco
Westfield Center This large indoor downtown shopping palace has mostly chain stores, small and large,
many upscale like Nordstrom. Great for retail therapy.
www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco. Right next door, there
is a Bloomingdale’s.
El Cerrito
Down Home Music
If you love folk/blues/world
music, check out in this down-home store just north of
Berkeley. Hard to find stuff, some of which they produce.
www.downhomemusic.com
Union Square Right nearby is Union Square, with a
large Macy’s and more. Check out the cafes on Belden
Place off the square. www.unionsquareshop.com
Theater
Local theater has some exciting offerings this summer. A
few selections:
San Francisco
Beach Blanket Babylon
Uniquely San Francisco,
and just about the most fun you can have sitting in a
chair (in public). Wacky and hilarious, always fresh
and topical but always lovable in the same zany way.
Reservations needed. Sunday 8/19 at 2pm and 5 pm.
www.beachblanketbabylon.com
Berkeley
Berkeley Repertory Theatre Enjoy local writer and
performer Josh Kornbluth in “Citizen Josh,” “the quixotic adventures of an unlikely Berkeley activist,” 8/16–9/2.
www.berkeleyrep.org
Teatro ZinZanni “Love, Chaos, & Dinner.” Within
a lavish circus tent on the waterfront (at Pier 29), this
cabaret show and five-course gourmet dinner offers
mad and spectacular non-stop fun. Reservations a must.
www.love.zinzanni.org
Orinda
California Shakespeare Theater (Best to drive) Just
over the hills at the outdoor Bruns Amphitheater, Cal
Shakes presents the comedy “The Triumph of Love,“
playing 8/8–9/2. Sunday at 4pm. www.calshakes.org
6
“I did see all of those things, and even more. I
discovered how American I was. I also discovered how Chinese I was by the kind of family habits and routines that were so familiar.”
— Amy Tan
Live Music
All four cities—Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and
San Jose—have their own symphony orchestra (and ballet company), but they are off for the summer. Here are
some current live performances to tune in to.
Oakland
Yoshi’s World-class jazz club and Japanese restaurant.
Lee Ritenour & Friends, Sunday 8/19 at 7pm and 9pm.
Easy walk from BART. www.yoshis.com
Berkeley
The first two unique local venues feature many kinds of
traditional and world music and have great atmosphere.
San Francisco
Stern Grove (Best to drive.) Live opera Sunday 8/19 at
2pm. Get there super early, bring a blanket to sit on the
grass. www.sfopera.com and www.sterngrove.org
Ashkenaz Middle Eastern/North African singer/violinist Rachid Halihal, Sunday 8/19 at 8pm. You can dance
there, too. www.ashkenaz.com
Freight & Salvage
Ancient Future performs superb East/West fusion, Sunday 8/19 at 8pm
www.freightandsalvage.org
Walnut Creek
Festival Opera (at Regional Center for the Arts—best
to drive) West Coast premiere of “Our Town,” the first
operatic version of Thornton Wilder’s classic American play. Sunday 8/19 at 2pm. Take BART to Walnut
Creek. Free bus from BART, or walk about 4 blocks.
www.dlrca.org
Anna’s Jazz Island Jazz and blues every night, right
downtown. Full menu every night except Sunday
(appetizers/desserts only). Easy walk from BART.
www.annasjazzisland.com
Jazz is about being in the moment. — Herbie Hancock
The tree rustled. It had made music before they were born, and would continue after their deaths, but
its song was of the moment. — E.M. Forster in “Howard’s End”
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Gardens and Parks
Explore the local flora and fauna up close as you wander
and linger within these urban oases.
San Francisco
Golden Gate Park Over three miles long amd nine
blocks wide, this enormous park was designed in
1870. It contains the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Strybing Arboretum & Botanical
Gardens, Stow Lake, Children’s Carrousel, and more.
www.sfgov.org and www.inetours.com
Berkeley
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Extensive collection
of native and world-wide plants. Nothing else like it, and
simply beautiful. www.botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
Fort Mason Center Family Winemakers 2007 Tasting
on 8/19 from 12-4pm at the Festival Pavilion. Sample the
best of local and world wines at this showcase for 400
small, family owned vintners. Also stop by the Museo
ItaloAmericano or the Book Bay Bookstore, or get advance tickets for the Joan Rivers Theatre Project that
weekend. www.fortmason.org
Oakland
Lake Merritt An urban treasure, this fresh and salt water lake adjoining the Oakland estuary contains a Nature
Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Japanese Tea Garden,
Boating Center and more—how about a gondola ride?
Easy walk from BART. www.oaklandnet.com/parks
“Have you ever observed a humming-bird
moving about in an aerial dance among the
flowers—a living prismatic gem that changes
its colour with every change of position.”
— W.H. Hudson in “Green Mansions”
“I remember when an editor at the National
Geographic promised to run about a dozen of
my landscape pictures from a story on the John
Muir trail as an essay, but when the group of editors got together, someone said that my pictures
looked like postcards.” — Galen Rowell
“Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a
glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” — Ansel Adams
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Sports and Recreation
There are plenty of places to play golf or tennis, hike,
fish, windsurf, and more, throughout the Bay Area. Visit
www.ebparks.org, for information on parks in the East
Bay, as well as the city websites listed earlier in this brochure for details.
San Francisco
SF Giants The Giants are out of town from 8/13 through
8/20. Check their schedule if you’ll be around before or
after those dates. www.sfgiants.com
Oakland Raiders and SF 49ers Preseason game on
8/18 starting at 7pm on the 49ers’ home turf, Monster
Park (formerly Candlestick Park). (Best to drive, but
public transit is available.). www.monsterpark.com
Berkeley
The DoubleTree Hotel has a swimming pool and fitness
center for guests. Some facilities at UC Berkeley are also
open to the public. www.berkeley.edu
“Back then, my idol was Bugs Bunny, because I saw a cartoon of him playing ball
— you know, the one where he plays every position himself with nobody else on the field but
him? Now that I think of it, Bugs is still my
idol. You have to love a ballplayer like that.”
— Nomar Garciaparra
Here’s the scoop on local teams.
Oakland
Oakland Athletics The A’s are in town, playing the
Chicago White Sox, then Kansas City. At the McAfee
Coliseum, accessible by BART. www.oaklandas.com
Museums
San Francisco
Berkeley
SFMOMA
Currently: “Matisse: Painter as Sculptor” and 150 works by Paul Klee. Awesome building.
Friday-Sunday 10am-5:45pm. Easy walk from BART.
www.sfmoma.org
Pacific Film Archive (at UC Berkeley) From the Tsars
to the Stars: A Journey Through Russian Fantastik Cinema showing “Ruslan and Ludmila,” Sunday 8/19, 6pm.
From their website: “Aleksandr Ptushko’s epic fantasy
transforms a Pushkin poem into a mad, enchanted combination of The Wizard of Oz, Die Nibelungen, and The
5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.” www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
deYoung Museum (In Golden Gate Park, best to drive.)
New, landmark building houses a variety of current exhibitions. Don’t forget to check out the view from the
tower. Friday night 5-8:45pm; Sunday 9:30am-5:15pm
www.thinker.org/deyoung
The Judah L. Magnes Museum Once a private residence, now home to the Western Jewish History Center
and an extensive collection of Jewish art, manuscripts,
films, and more. www.magnes.org
The Metreon Current show: “An Exhibition of Genius”
spotlights the works of the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci in
a stunning interactive and experiential show. Easy walk
from BART. www.westfield.com/metreon/
Oakland
The Oakland Museum of California Wonderful showcase for California art and history. Great building and café.
Current exhibit: “Yosemite: Art of an American Icon.”
Open Sunday 12-5pm (café till 4). Easy walk from BART.
www.museumca.org
The Asian Art Museum Current shows on classical
Japanese woodblock prints, manga (Japanese cartoon
art), storytelling scrolls, and more. Easy walk from BART.
www.asianart.org
“If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play
it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.”
— Bob Hope
The African-American Museum and Library at
Oakland
Art, photographs, and the written word
illustrate
the
history
and
accomplishments of African-Americans in northern California since 1850. Easy walk from BART.
www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO
“Whenever I feel like exercise I lie down until the
feeling passes.” — Robert M. Hutchins
9
Things to do further afield...
If you’re in the area for an extended stay, here are some
wonderful day trips to take. Except for taking the ferries,
it is best to drive.
Ferry Rides
Ferries leave San Francisco for these quaint western
towns and for Angel Island (an historic State Park, lovely place for a picnic), providing spectacular views of the
San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount
Tamalpais.
Larkspur or Sausalito www.goldengateferry.com
Tiburon or Angel Island www.angelislandferry.com
Also see www.blueandgoldfleet.com for tours to these
sites and more.
“Take another glass of wine, and excuse my mentioning that society as a body does not expect one to
be so strictly conscientious in emptying one’s glass, as to turn it bottom upwards with the rim on one’s
nose.” — Charles Dickens in “Great Expectations”
San Jose and Palo Alto
Two of the many cities in Silicon Valley, San Jose and
Palo Alto are rich with great places of interest as well
as being high tech centers. Just a few suggestions, if you
have the time to go.
The Tech Museum of Innovation In downtown San
Jose, it has over 250 hands-on exhibits and programs.
A current award-winning show, “View from Space,”
provides visually stunning observations of the Earth and
its natural processes as seen from the atmosphere above.
www.thetech.org
Paolo’s Since 1958, this family-owned San Jose restaurant has taken presenting regional Italian cuisine to new
heights. Its current setting, overlooking Guadalupe Park
(and right across from Adobe Systems), is sophisticated
but warmly inviting. www.paolos.com
Stanford University Off downtown Palo Alto is one of
the world’s leading research and teaching universities,
including a renowned Medical Center. Lunch on campus
at Cool Café (at Cantor Center in the Rodin Sculpture
Garden), run by a famous local chef. www.stanford.edu
“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths
of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and
healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is
never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides.”
— Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Stanford Shopping Center Close by the University,
this collection of open-air stores is beautifully landscaped with seasonal floral displays. Great stores, big
(Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s)
and small, and plenty of places to eat.
Few people realise the immensity of vacancy in
which the dust of the material universe swims.
— H.G. Wells
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The Wine Country
Marin Antique Show, Sunday 8/19 (Marin Center Exhibit Hall) www.marincenter.org
There are wineries throughout the greater Bay Area, with
most concentrated in Sonoma and Napa counties. Some
Sonoma favorites along Highway 12:
Muir Woods National Monument A scenic drive
north brings you to these ancient, majestic towering
redwoods. A quiet, fragrant forest haven that is refreshing, inspiring, and humbling. www.nps.gov/muwo/
Benziger (in Glen Ellen) Biodynamic/organic growing
practices. Tour and tasting $10. www.benziger.com
Chateau St. Jean
Tasting $10; with tour, $15.
www.chateaustjean.com
Point Reyes National Seashore Established to protect
coastal ecosystems, the beach offers great hiking and
nearby towns are charming in a rustic yet refined way.
www.nps.gov/pore/
St. Francis Winery (just north of Chateau St. Jean)
Tastings $10 or $25. www.stfranciswine.com
Great places to eat while in the area:
Santa Cruz
A scenic drive south, this laidback town is where Southern and Northern
California meet. Stroll the boardwalk, ride the
wooden roller coaster. Stop by the Surfing Museum, set in
a former lighthouse, and home to an amazing collection
of colorful boards—no wetsuit required. Great shops,
cafes, and restaurants downtown. Far out.
www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
Picnic at Chateau St. Jean They have an upscale deli
counter in the winder.
Kenwood Restaurant (In Kenwood, near Glen Ellen)
Excellent California cuisine, with fresh produce, some
from their garden. www.kenwoodrestaurant.com
Other Points North and South
Monterey Bay Aquarium Just south of Santa Cruz,
and the first aquarium of its kind in the U.S. Huge indoor tanks display local fish, some endangered, and the
outdoor otters and seals are delightful. Fascinating, and
Marin Civic Center Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,
this site includes beautifully arcaded buildings housing
city offices and a world-class performance center.
We hope you enjoy your stay!
Your STC Chapter hosts:
• Berkeley Chapter
• East Bay Chapter
• San Francisco Chapter
• Silicon Valley Chapter
“Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best
ending for one.” — Oscar Wilde
“You got to look on the bright side, even if there ain’t one.”
— Dashiell Hammett
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