Sights in San Francisco
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A
Asian Art Museum
Imaginations race from ancient Persian miniatures to cutting-edge Japanese fashion through three floors spanning 6000 years of Asian arts. Besides the largest collection outside Asia – 17,000 works – the Asian offers excellent programs for all ages, from shadow-puppet shows and yoga for kids to monthly over-21 Matcha mixers with cross-cultural cocktails and DJ mashups.
reviewed
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B
Jack Hanley
SF skate-graffiti art became an international hit through such galleries as Jack Hanley.
reviewed
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C
Catharine Clark Gallery
Art revolutions are instigated at Catharine Clark, a showcase for such gorgeous provocations as Al Farrow's miniature religious monuments made from ammunition, and Masami Teraoka's paintings of geishas and goddesses banding together like superheroines to fend off wayward priests. Don't miss the video/new media room, featuring works such as Anthony Discenza's mesmerizing digital remix of suburban dream homes.
reviewed
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D
Galería de la Raza
Art never forgets its roots at this nonprofit showcase for Latino art since 1970. Recent standouts include Sayuri Guzman's group portrait of Latinas connected by their long, braided hair, a group show exploring SF's Latin gay culture, and Enrique Chagoya's post– September 11 dinosaurs escaping the TV and rampaging through suburban living rooms. On the gallery wall outside is the Digital Mural Project, a billboard featuring slogans like 'Venceremos/We shall overcome' instead of the usual cigarette advertisements.
reviewed
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Hyde Street Pier Historic Ships
Tour 19th-century ships moored here as part of the Maritime National Historical Park, including triple-masted 1886 Balclutha and 1890 steamboat Eureka; summer sailing trips are available aboard elegant 1891 schooner Alma.
reviewed
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E
GLBT History Museum
America's first gay-history museum cobbles ephemera from the community – Harvey Milk's campaign literature, matchbooks from long-gone bathhouses, the dress Laura Linney wore as Mary Anne Singleton in the TV remake of Tales of the City – together with harder-hitting installations, such as audiovisual interviews with Gore Vidal and pages of the 1950s penal code banning homosexuality. Though it's fascinating to see pieces of the gay collective past, the curatorial vision sometimes feels a bit timid. Still, it's well worth a look, and you can pick up great gay-SF souvenir T-shirts, including one of Milk, emblazoned with his famous inspirational quotation, 'You gotta give…
reviewed
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F
Fort Mason
Army sergeants would be scandalized by the frolicking at this former military outpost, including comedy improv workshops, kiddie art classes, and Off the Grid, where gourmet trucks circle like pioneer wagons.
reviewed
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G
Children's Creativity Museum
No velvet ropes or hands off here: kids have the run of the place, with high-tech displays that double dare them to make their own music videos, claymation movies and soundtracks. Jump right into a live-action video game, and sign up for workshops with the Bay Area's superstar animators, techno-whizzes, robot-builders and belly dancers. The vintage 1906 Loof Carousel out front operates until 6pm daily, and one $3 ticket covers two rides.
reviewed
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California Palace of the Legion of Honor
Never doubt the unwavering resolve of a nude model: sculptor's model and heiress 'Big Alma' de Bretteville Spreckels donated her fortune to build this monumental tribute to Californians killed in France in WWI. Featured artworks range from Monet water lilies to John Cage soundscapes, Iraqi ivories to R Crumb comics – part of the Legion's Achenbach collection of 90,000 graphic artworks.
reviewed
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H
Baker Beach
Unswimmable waters (except when the tide's coming in) but unbeatable views of the Golden Gate make this former Army beachhead SF's tanning location of choice, especially the clothing-optional north end – at least until the afternoon fog rolls in.
reviewed
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Art Institute
reviewed
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I
Maritime Museum
A monumental hint to sailors in need of a scrub, this recently restored, ship-shape 1939 streamline moderne landmark is decked out with Works Progress Administration (WPA) art treasures: playful seal and frog sculptures by Beniamino Bufano, Hilaire Hiler's surreal underwater dreamscape murals and recently uncovered wood reliefs by Richard Ayer. Acclaimed African American artist Sargent Johnson created the stunning carved green slate marquee doorway and the verandah's mesmerizing aquatic mosaics, which he deliberately left unfinished on the east side to protest plans to include a private restaurant in this public facility. Johnson won: the east wing is now a maritime…
reviewed