News from National: Fun and funky finds in and around San Francisco
Diana Hotelling, Treasurer, National board of Directors
Details about the major tourist attractions such as Alcatraz, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf are easy to come by, but if you want to veer from the beaten path here are a few lesser known (some even unusual) options that might be worth consideration. Please note that the conference hospitality committee is preparing a more expansive list of things to do, as well as a list of fabric and yarn stores.
EDU-TAINMENT:
Bay Model Visitor Center
https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center/
2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
415-289-3007
The Bay Model Visitor Center in Sausalito is a fully accessible education center administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which hosts a working hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta System.
Hours of operation, as of 3/21/24:
Tuesday through Saturday - 9am to 3 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday and Holidays
** Free Admission **
Pacific Pinball Museum
https://www.pacificpinball.org/
1510 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-1349
The Pacific Pinball Museum is an interactive museum offering a chronological and historical display of rare bagatelles and early games, with over 100 pinball machines from the 1940’s to present day available to play! Adorning the museum are hand painted murals, vintage jukeboxes and rotating exhibits.
Admission gets you all day unlimited play on more than 100 games set to free play, in-depth exhibits and self-guided tours, free jukeboxes filled with favorites, S.T.E.A.M. exhibits, original artwork and more!
Hours of operation, as of 3/21/24:
Tuesday through Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm
Sunday: 11am - 9pm
Closed Mondays for game repairs
Admission: Adults $22 / Seniors, First Responders, Veterans, Educators & Students $15 (see website for specifics)
FRESH AIR AND NATURE:
Presidio National Park
Visitor Center
210 Lincoln Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94129
https://presidio.gov/
The Presidio is San Francisco’s national park site, with a variety of walking and hiking trails with themes that include history, habitat restoration, and Crissy Field East beach. Enjoy breathtaking trailside views of the bay, forest, city skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Food is available at several casual and full service restaurants, as well as from the Presidio Pop Up featuring food trucks, carts, and tents with delicious food that celebrates the Bay Area’s diverse cultures.
Start your Presidio adventure at the Visitor Center (https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/presidio-visitor-center), open daily from 10am - 5pm.
Tilden Regional Park
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden
Entrances off Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley, CA
888-327-2757, option 3, ext. 4562
One of the District's three oldest parks, Tilden has been called the jewel of the system. Park attractions include a botanic garden, nature area and the Little Farm, hiking and biking trails, and a functioning, scaled down steam train offering 12-minute rides along a wooded ridge.
Hours of operation, as of 3/21/24:
Open between 5am and 10pm unless otherwise posted
Entry to the park is free, but some attractions have paid admission (see website for details)
Free parking
FOOD AND DINING:
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers (plus lots of other delicious options)
https://www.barneyshamburgers.com/barneys-san-francisco
4138 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 282-7770
In the heart of San Francisco, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers has been winning hearts for over 40 years, since 1978 to be exact. Stop by their charming location in SF (or one of their four locations in Berkeley/Oakland if you find yourself on the other side of the bay) for a delicious burger or salad, or one of their vegetarian options. Don't skip the onion rings or fries - they're the best in the Bay Area!
Hours of operation, as of 3/21/24:
Sunday through Thursday 11am - 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11am - 9pm
No reservations
Greens Restaurant (vegetarian, but don't let that put you off)
https://www.greensrestaurant.com/
2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123
415-771-6222
When Greens Restaurant opened in 1979, it forever changed the image and appreciation of vegetarian cooking in America. Originally opened as a part of the San Francisco Zen Center and inspired by the food and service offered at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the restaurant provided an opportunity for Zen students to extend their Buddhist practice into a workplace setting. Greens also has a legacy of women chefs dating back to its opening.
Open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends. Please see website for the most up to date hours.
Reservations required
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/ or
https://foodwise.org/markets/ferry-plaza-farmers-market/
One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
415-291-3276
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is beloved and celebrated for the quality and diversity of its fresh farm products from California’s cutting-edge sustainable growers, food makers, and chefs. A visit to this market will show you the broad and delicious diversity of fresh local produce enjoyed by northern California residents. And, on any day - especially Saturdays - some of San Francisco’s best-known chefs, and most notable farmers, can be seen shopping and socializing.
Hours of operation, as of 3/21/24:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am - 2pm
Saturdays 8am - 2pm