What are must-see exhibits and cultural institutions in the Bay Area?

Hey y'all

Next week, I'm visiting the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time ever! I grew up on the East Coast, but I've always wanted to explore the wonders of the West Coast, and specifically California. I'll be flying into Oakland. But I'm also looking to explore San Francisco and other Bay Area cities as well. I'm especially interested in great museums, galleries, art exhibits, and other cultural institutions, as well as awesome spots to dine!

What recommendations do y'all have?

SF is a great city. Lot of activity around Union Square, great seafood at Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown is always intriguing.

Have a great trip!

Check out Jack London Square in Oakland and there's some pretty good, interesting, unique places to eat right next door in Berkley. In San Francisco Alcatraz is really a great tour... and must be booked in advance. October/Fall is the best time to visit SF in terms of weather. I also recommend the California Academy of Science which has a pretty cool indoor rain forest you can walk through and some great exhibits. Check out the ferry building on the Embarcadero, and just down the road is the Exploratorium, a great science/engineering based musuem with lots of hands on exhibits. There's a cool fortress right under the golden gate bridge. You can walk there along the water, passing by a nice beach. We usually rent bikes at Fort Mason Center and ride down that way then back. I'd avoid eating in Fisherman's Wharf, it's overpriced and touristy. But it's a good visit, especially to see all the sea lions.

This is my favorite show! It's very intimate theater, great history behind it & it is SO funny.

https://beachblanketbabylon.com/

Thanks for the suggestions.

loads of great places to eat in the Mission district, Russian hill, cow hollow, fillmore and the marina area. golden gate park is pretty cool place to visit.
if its a nice day you can rent a scooter and get around SF quickly and efficiently without having to worrying about finding a place to park.

Gotta see the Academy of Sciences, deYoung Museum, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Sausalito, the ballet, the opera, ride a cable car, take a cruise on the bay, ride down Lombard Street, visit Coit Tower, definitely eat at Mexicali Rose in Oakland if you get the chance! There's tons more, and I could go on forever about it. My city is amazing, and I hope you have a wonderful, memorable time!

There is probably overlap with my suggestions and the ones in the links below.


http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/artic...-san-francisco

http://www.citypass.com/san-francisc...-san-francisco

I'm from there... here's what I love..

Bay Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
Fishermans Wharf
Palace of fine Arts
Napa Valley Vinyards
Beach Blanket Babylon
Teatro Zinzanni
Beaches in Pacifica
Aptos Beaches
Santa Cruz

There's SO MUCH in the Bay Area to see, numerous art exhibits, too many to list...

ooops I forgot my links to exhibits.

http://www.moadsf.org/

http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/

The Lawrence Livermore Lab.

Thanks everyone. It's also great to hear some suggestions from some San Francisco natives!

Gotta see the Academy of Sciences, deYoung Museum, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Sausalito, the ballet, the opera, ride a cable car, take a cruise on the bay, ride down Lombard Street, visit Coit Tower, definitely eat at Mexicali Rose in Oakland if you get the chance! There's tons more, and I could go on forever about it. My city is amazing, and I hope you have a wonderful, memorable time!

There is probably overlap with my suggestions and the ones in the links below.


http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/artic...-san-francisco

http://www.citypass.com/san-francisc...-san-francisco Originally Posted by VIPRaniLane

I'm from there... here's what I love..

Bay Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
Fishermans Wharf
Palace of fine Arts
Napa Valley Vinyards
Beach Blanket Babylon
Teatro Zinzanni
Beaches in Pacifica
Aptos Beaches
Santa Cruz

There's SO MUCH in the Bay Area to see, numerous art exhibits, too many to list... Originally Posted by nastymand