During WWII, Fort Mason Center (fortmason.org) shipped out 23 million tons of supplies – now it supplies creative inspiration to 1.4 million visitors annually.
Dockside nonprofit SF Camerawork (sfcamerawork.org; free) has showcased next-wave photographers since 1974, while Haines Gallery (hainesgallery.com; free) represents leading global contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei, and Arion Press (arionpress.com; free) showcases letterpress art-book collaborations. Dockside Herbst Pavilion's arsenal of events includes FOG Design+Art (fogfair.com; admission $35-40) in winter, San Francisco Art Fair in spring, and Renegade Craft Fair and West Coast Craft (westcoastcraft.com; free) in both summer and fall. Capture inspiration with art and craft supplies from well-stocked Flax Art & Design..
Army mess halls are replaced by leisurely Interval Bar & Cafe and Zen-community-run Greens vegetarian restaurant.
