Annie P.

Harding Park Golf Course

It's hard to say no to a 16 million dollar golf course. I like it here. My friends trip here on the weekends to relax on the greens, but be sure to bring a sweater. The terrain of the course itself is manageable and not too tricky, which is a relief if you're a little clumsy or less skilled than Tiger Woods. I think golfing at the Harding is surely a better way to spend time than watching The O.C.

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is one of the city's most beautiful attractions. For out-of-town visitors or longterm residents, the park is large enough to accomodate everyone and constantly yields surprises, trees to nap under, fields, and concerts. The Rose Garden, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the recently restored Arboretum are just a few of the highlights of this local treasure.

PROS: natural beauty
CONS:

Pier 39

Pier 39 is a tourist trap, but it has jaws for a reason. #1 sea lions, #2 bay views, and #3 the ferry to Alcatraz Island. Other than that, if you had any desire to buy a poster of Marilyn Monroe or a pearl from an oyster, or ride a merry-go-round, it's all ehre. The most exciting part of Pier 39 is the trip to Alcatraz, which if you have time to kill, is worth ponying up for. Whinny, neigh.

Get Lost Travel Books Maps & Gear

Get Lost has carved its niche as the place to go for travel books. It makes sense that people of this metropolitan area yearn for more exotic or more rustic locales, and Get Lost feeds into the natives' fondness for leaving the big little city. The advantage is that they carry a lot of books that you could probably only find on the internet. And when it comes to the Internet, you can't really see INSIDE the book. Get Lost's an independent bookstore, so it's cool to support.

Edinburgh Castle

At Edinburgh Castle, the clientele is all twenty-something with the occasional old-timer hanging out at the barstool. Owners here are very friendly, and the fish and chips, served in wrapped newspaper and crisped to perfection, is a reason to go to the Tenderloin. Also, bands play here frequently. Put that again, frequently good bands play here frequently.

Russian Hill Books

Russian Hill Books has been around for a long while, and changed ownership over the years, but it's still got good books to buy. In the past few years, it has expanded to offer a very wonderful assortment of stationary products--certainly among the best in San Francisco--often made with beautiful illustrations or cards that are handmade and entirely unique.

Brainwash Laundromat

The owners suffer from a misguided sense of the color wheel. Otherwise, decent coffee and you don't have to worry about getting your laundry stolen. Out of all the mix and match spaces in the city, it seems like this one is trying a little too hard, and thinks it's idea is a little too "cool" for its own good. I mean, it's only dirty clothes. I like to come here sometimes when I don't want to worry about my clothes being stolen.

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is an interactive educational museum for children. Sometimes the explanations for the displays can be a little confusing, but the main goal is really about showing the kiddies that science is kind of cool. Over the years, they've had fake tornados, optical illusion rooms, and musical instruments to smack around. Kids like it here.

Frjtz

The discrepancy between the modest potato and the cost to fry it into stick-like shapes leads some to question the overarching moral structure of said establishment. But I am not one to doubt the well-meaning intentions of those who bring Belgian culturefries, crepes, and beerto the streets of San Francisco. By the way, Leffe, on tap at Frjtz, is a fantastic Belgian beer.

PROS: feels indulgent spending $4.50 on just fries
CONS: $

Metreon and Sony Entertainment Center

I think the Metreon is hell on earth, although I don't doubt others would disagree. It's a vast assemblage of flashing lights, Sony peddling its technological projects, and junk to buy. If I was into electronics products, perhaps the Metreon would be the place to go. For now, I think it's a shame that San Francisco has devoted such a large tract of space for this weird, ugly contraption.