Entertainment in California
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Magicopolis
Not only aspiring Harry Potters will enjoy the comedy-laced sleight-of-hand, levitation and other illusions performed by Steve Spills and cohorts in this intimate space. Escapes from reality last about 90 minutes, and there's even a small shop for all your wizard supplies.
reviewed
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B
Albatross
A block north of University Ave, Albatross is one of the most inviting and friendly pubs in the entire Bay Area. Some serious darts are played here, and poker games and Trivial Pursuit will be going on around many of the worn out tables.
reviewed
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C
Noc Noc
Who's there? Nearsighted graffiti artists, anarchist hackers moonlighting as electronica DJs, and other characters straight out of an R Crumb comic, that's who. Happy hour is from 5pm to 7pm daily, but be warned: those sake cocktails will knock-knock you off your scavenged steampunk stool.
reviewed
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D
Hollywood Bowl
This historic natural amphitheater is the LA Phil's summer home and also a stellar place to catch big-name rock, jazz, blues and pop acts. Come early for a preshow picnic (alcohol is allowed).
reviewed
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E
San Francisco Giants
Watch and learn how the World Series is won – bushy beards, women's underwear and all.
reviewed
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Disneyland tickets & times
Both parks are open 365 days a year. During peak season (mid-June to early September) Disneyland's hours are usually 08:00 to midnight. The rest of the year it's open from 10:00 to 20:00 or until 22:00. DCA closes at 22:00 in summer, earlier in the off-season. Check the current schedule on the phone or the website.
Disney has a free Fastpass system, which pre-assigns specific boarding times for selected attractions, significantly cutting wait times. Look for ticket machines near the entrances to the rides. Simply show up at the time printed on the ticket and go straight to the Fastpass line instead of the regular line. There's still a wait, but it'll be much shorter. It's…
reviewed
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F
Fox Oakland Theatre
Downtown Oakland has plenty of buildings adorned with art nouveau or art deco details; unfortunately, many now stand empty and are in need of care, particularly those further out from City Center. One success story is the 1928 Fox Oakland Theatre, once the largest cinema west of Chicago. A two-year renovation ended in 2009, and now the theater hosts the likes of Sonic Youth and Kylie Minogue; it also houses the Oakland School of the Arts.
reviewed
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G
Zeitgeist
You've got two seconds flat to order from tough-gal barkeeps who are used to putting macho bikers in their place – but with 40 beers on draft available by the pint or pitcher, beer lovers are at a loss for words. When it's warm, regulars head straight to the bar's huge graveled beer garden to sit at long picnic tables and smoke out. Bring cash for the bar and SF's beloved Tamale Lady, who makes regular late-night appearances to serve homemade tamales steaming from a crock pot with sides of hot sauce and wisdom: 'Be nice to your mother, and your date too.'
reviewed
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H
Vesuvio
Guy walks into a bar, roars and leaves. Without missing a beat, the bartender says to the next customer, 'Welcome to Vesuvio, honey – what can I get you?' It takes a lot more than a barbaric yawp to get Vesuvio's regulars to glance up from their microbrewed beer and anesthetizing absinthe. Kerouac blew off Henry Miller to go on a bender here, and after knocking back his namesake drink (a small bucket of rum, tequila and OJ) with neighborhood characters, you'll get why.
reviewed
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Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
This venue, off Hwy 99 at the Rosedale Hwy exit, is a must-stop for country music fans. Looking like it belongs in Branson, Missouri, the flashy, Disney-esque joint is fun nonetheless. It regularly hosts touring country acts and Buck himself plays here every Friday and Saturday at 19:30 (around US$6, reserve in advance to assure seating). Memorabilia lines the hallways too. The overpriced food is OK but nothing special.
reviewed
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Ritual Coffee Roasters
Cults wish they inspired the same devotion as Ritual, where lines head out the door for house-roasted cappuccino with ferns in the foam and specialty drip coffees with some genuinely bizarre flavor profiles – believe the whiteboard descriptions claiming certain coffee beans taste like grapefruit or hazelnut. Electrical outlets are limited to encourage conversation instead of IMing, so you can eavesdrop on people plotting their next dates, art projects and political protests.
reviewed
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J
Specs'
If you've ever wondered what you do with a drunken sailor, here's your answer: march that sailor down this hidden pedestrian alley and stow him away in the back of the bar, where he can wax nostalgic over Seven Seas mementos. With all the Merchant Marine memorabilia on the walls, your order is obvious: one pint of Anchor Steam, coming right up.
reviewed
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Oakland A’s
When the Giants are away, the A’s are usually home, which expands the possibilities for those desperate for a summer baseball fix. BART stops just outside the ballpark. The A’s most recent championship came at the Giants’ expense in the quake-addled 1989 series, and they remain fierce contenders. If you want to catch them in an interleague-play game, get your tickets early.
reviewed
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K
Red's Espresso Bar and Gallery
With Ring of Fire on the stereo, a concrete floor underfoot and scruffy barflies at the counter, Red's is just your typical small-town bar. 'Cept this is Santa Barbara, so make that your typical small-town coffee bar with local art hanging on the very red walls. In the heart of the Funk Zone, east of the tracks, the vibe is cool and the java cheap. Live music on the weekends.
reviewed
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L
Gold Dust Lounge
Precarious Victorian brass chandeliers hover over a bar full of visitors and a twangy rockabilly band at this Union Square anachronism, where the gold paint has lost its glitter and pints are no longer cheap. But there's something of a time-machine effect in the swinging doors, coat stands and nude paintings – you almost expect someone to beckon you to a brothel upstairs.
reviewed
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M
Muddy Waters
A yard sale's mix of cosy furniture? Check. Pool table? Check. Internet access? Check. Live music on the weekends and a kick-ass backyard patio? You got it. Seems Muddy Waters has everything required for the quintessential indie coffeehouse. And the coffee's darn good too. Great place to escape the State St hordes.
reviewed
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N
Beretta
After shopping locally and seasonally on Valencia St, nothing hits the spot like Beretta's lip-smacking local, seasonal cocktails, made with fresh everything. Drink before and after peak dinner hours, when the small storefront restaurant-and-bar gets packed and deafeningly loud. You might be inclined to come back for cocktail classes.
reviewed
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Buena Vista Cafe
Warm your cockles with a prim little goblet of bitter-creamy Irish coffee, introduced to the US at this destination bar that once served sailors and cannery workers. The creaky Victorian floor manages to hold up carousers and families alike, served community-style at round tables overlooking the Wharf.
reviewed
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Brewhouse
Rowdy dive down by the railroad tracks crafts its own unique small-batch beers and has rockin' live music Wednesday to Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Q
EOS Lounge
Ladies love the lighting at this trendy nightclub currently hot with SB's martini-sipping scenesters. The sexy décor - rippling waterfall, glimmering fireplace, twinkling patio - is on par with the hippest of Hollywood lounges. Small dancefloor for those wanting to get their groove on.
reviewed
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Liars' Bench
Placerville's bars are akin to the neighborhood watering holes in the Midwest: they open at 06:00, get an annual cleaning at Christmas and are great for people who want to soak up local color. The Liars' Bench has a classic old martini sign beckoning like a neon siren.
reviewed
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R
Tiki Ti
This garage-sized tropical tavern packs in showbiz folks from neighboring KCET TV station, grizzled old-timers and local scenesters for sweet and wickedly strong drinks (try a Rae's Mistake, named for the bar's founder). The under-the-sea decor is surreal. Cash only.
reviewed
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S
Medjool Sky Terrace
SF's best open-air rooftop bar has knockout views of vintage Mission street marquees, Mediterranean small plates and basic but tasty cocktails (cash-only). Go early for sunsets and prime spots by heat lamps; instead of heading into the downstairs restaurant, take the hotel elevator to the top floor.
reviewed
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T
Badlands
The Castro's long-standing dance bar gets packed with gay college boys, their screaming straight girlfriends and chicken hawks. If you're over 30, you'll feel old. Weekends, expect a line.
reviewed
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U
Li Po
Beat a hasty retreat from Grant Ave souvenir shops to the retro red booths where Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac debated the meaning of life and literature under the patient gaze of the golden Buddha by the bar. Enter the faux-grotto doorway and try not to bump your head on the red lanterns as you place your order: beer or Chinese mai tai, made with baiju (rice liquor), better known as white lightning.
reviewed