Visit a museum for free!

A couple of weeks ago I thought I would go visit the Cartoon Art Museum (on Mission St. close to the MOMA museum): I liked it very much, especially the part where they show some of the cartoons published by The Economist magazine in the recent years. I paid $6 for one entrance, which is a fair price for what I saw... but a couple of days later I found out that I could have gone on the 1st Tuesday of the month for free!

It didn't take me much more to "google" about any these free entrance in the different museums The City has to offer!

What a good surprise to find out that...

Some are always free, like these for example:
- Cable Car Museum (1201 Mason St.)
- SF Fire Department Museum (655 Presidio St. - at Pine St.)
- Wells Fargo History Museum (420 Montgomery - between California & Sacramento)

Some offer free admittance every 1st Tuesday of the month! Here a couple of options:
- Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) (151  3rd St. - between Mission and Howard St.)
- De Young (Golden Gate Park)
- Cartoon Art Museum (655 Mission St. - between 2nd & 3rd St.)
- Yerba Buena Center Galleries (701 Mission St.)

And some offer you to enter for free on every 1st Wednesday of the month, like:
- Exploratorium (at the Palace of Fine Arts)

To see all your options, rush in consulting this webpage for much more ideas so that you can get yourself a few hours of discovery, learning and fun!

http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/museums/ss/freemuseumdays.htm

And now... indulge San Francisco! ;-)

I suggest you complete your visit at the Exploratorium by a short walk
at the Palace of Fine Arts, that has just reopened to public in January,
after having been closed for over 7 years in order to solidify
its structure in case of an earthquake.
Don`t forget your camera! 

Cocktail Lounge at the Dalva Bar (Mission)

Doesn't the Mission neighborhood seem like the right place to go for a fun evening with friends, whether it's for food or drinks - or both!

Let me share with you this surprising and very nice spot I got the chance to discover lately... and I call it a chance because if it wasn't of a friend who has been living in The City for a couple of years - and thus probably experimented many venues - there's no way I would have got to know this place!

Before I tell you the name of the bar and where it's located, here are some questions I have for you:

• Are you in the mood for having a delicious and unique cocktail?
• What do you think o having this cocktail prepared by one of the best "cocktail bar tender" in San Francisco?
• Would you, by any chance, be looking for a place that is cozy, slightly enlightened and quiet enough to chill out and chat with a friend or two?

If you have answered "yes" to all these three questions, you are ready to go experience the charming lounge of the DALVA bar located on 16th Street between Mission and Valencia (a few doors up from the Roxie Theater).

When you enter Dalva, you'll feel like you are in a cool bar where it's nice to hang out and have a beer. That's certainly a good choice... but please, don't stop walking and yes, take that tiny corridor that you see at what-you-think-is-the-back-of-the-venue: there you are, entering this lovely lounge that can probably gather 30 people seated plus some 15 people standing!

If you are an expert of strong alcohols, you'll enjoy looking at the drink menu and commenting about all sorts they offer. It might remind you of previous partys or even a vacation at the beach!

What if you're not an expert? No worries, it will probably even make it more exciting! Why don't you ask the bar tender for a recommendation based on a type of alcohol your prefer (vodka, rhum, whiskey, scotch)? Because that's actually what I did, asking for a rhum based drink! Then I was offered between a "more liquored" or a "more citrous" flavor and I went for the second option. I can't tell you the name of this delicious rhum cocktail I got, but I can't insist enough on how tasty and yummy it was!!

By the way, this very successful bar tender told me he only works at this place on Mondays. I'm sure the drinks are very good any time of the week, but since it always gets more crowded on Fridays and Saturdays and this is a tiny lounge, I highly recommend you go on a Monday.

Dalva Bar
3121, 16th Street

Opened Monday through Sunday from 4pm to 2am

Cash only

Between $8 and 12 per cocktail

And now... indulge San Francisco!  ;-)

* Here's a new expression I learned by reading about this place afterwards "the lounge is located in the hideout section in the back"

Around the Cliff House

The Pacific Ocean and its strong waves hitting the cliff of the west coast. The ships coming from far away and that make their way into the bay. The surfers who look for the best wave. The tourists who compete for the best shot of the west façade of the Golden Gate Bride. The kids running after each other (or after their dog) on the beach. The older kids playing Frisbee bare naked in the sand. The runners keeping shape by making their way from the trees area to the Dutch Windmill landmark in south-west Golden Gate Park. Readers reading alongside the walls full of old graffiti that face the ocean. Lovers taking photos with the sunny ocean for background. Some friends meeting in front of the Cliff House before entering and having a glass of wine and some appetizers at the “look like a bistro” restaurant inside the main white building. Students who enjoy a free afternoon by walking along the paths.

This, and much more, you can find it when visiting the area located around the Cliff House.

Where is it located? The Cliff House is located at 1090 Point Lobos Avenue.

What to see?

-          Walking and running paths

-          The Cliff House

-          Sutro Baths

-          Great view on the Pacific Ocean

-          Great view on the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marine County

How to get there? By public transit: Take the #18 or #38 bus to Geary and 48th. The #1 California bus will get you to Geary and 33rd where you can transfer to the #18 or #38 . . . or walk the extra distance. If you get on the 38, you might want to ask the bus driver about the final stop: some buses drive on Point Lobos Avenue, some others at 32nd (from there you can reach your destination by walking about 15 minutes only) and some turn on 48th. Parking lots are also available.

How to come back downtown? A suggestion if you want to take a new road: go to The Playa St. (parallel to the beach and very close to it) and get on a bus #5 that drives on Fulton St. This way you can get off whenever you feel like enjoying a few minutes in beautiful Golden Gate Park!

When to go? Out of a doubt, you want to go on a sunny and bright day. Not a foggy one. This way you can enjoy a wonderful view on the horizon, see the sun shining on the Pacific Ocean, check for shipping boats approaching the bay and most of all, take good pictures of this magical scenery.

What type of person would like it the most? I’m very tented to say “everyone”… and I really mean it… but here are some ways you can enjoy it depending of your lifestyle and preferences!

-          If you’re into photography, this is a “must-see” place! You can take very interesting photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, of the ocean and much more. So don’t forget to bring a new set of batteries into your pockets!

-          If you like going for an easy hike while being in a magnificent natural environment, this is for you: put on your walking shoes and plan about 2 hours to enjoy the area. You can walk on the Merry Way.

-          If you’re more the type of person who likes to stay inside, chill out with a drink and take one or two photos through the windows, you’ll be served my friend: bring your credit card or maybe around $20 to $40 per person, your patience (no reservation can be made at the Cliff House and it’s a touristic (and touristy!) place so line ups are something very possible) and your camera to make it an unforgettable experience!

-          If you plan on making time to think or to meditate, it can be a very inspiring site! Bring a towel you can put on the ground, wear warm clothes (including a hat and gloves because the wind from the ocean can make it chilly even on a sunny day), bring a light snack and discover the area for about an hour before choosing the most significant spot for you to sit down, relax and enjoy the moment while facing the sunny ocean.

-          If you go with a group of friends: bring a Frisbee or a football ball and enjoy a game on the beach!

How much does it cost? The site is free! You only need to pay for transportation, and maybe food and drinks. If you go by bus, it’s only $2 for the ride and it doesn’t take too long, especially if you make the journey to get there as something fun in looking at all the life going along Geary St. If you feel like having a drink or appetizers at the Cliff House, this is a very good idea... but plan a little bit more on your budget - it's a touristic and touristy place, thus more expensive!

What did I like the most of this place? To be impressed by the strength of the waves constantly hitting the rude cliff, to feel happiness because of this warm sun waving at me in this beautiful Sunday afternoon, to be surprised by the delicious smell of the trees on the walking path, to write my name on the sand of the beach… and to take tons of photos!

The Cliff House:

http://www.cliffhouse.com/

Merry Way:

http://www.outsidelands.org/merrie-way.php  

Sutro Heights Park:

http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/sanfranciscophoto1/ig/outerrichmond/Sutro-Heights-Park.htm

The Lands End Trail:

http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/environmentnature/qt/landendtrail.htm  

http://www.traillink.com/trail/lands-end-trail.aspx

To plan your bus ride:

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php

And now… indulge San Francisco! ;-)

Indulge San Francisco... What is this all about?

When it comes to traveling to a new country, a new region or even a new city, I like to read books, get myself a Lonely Planet and visit websites that talk about our destination. I think we all do because it gives us an overlook of what can be seen and done, it helps us plan our itinerary and give us some ideas of places where to eat, drink and spend the night.

But let’s say that instead of a book, you have someone available to share with you his or her own experience of that place you plan on visiting? Isn’t it the best situation ever? This way you can ask questions like ‘how did you like it?’, ‘was it very crowded during the weekend?’, ‘how can I get there by using local transportation?’, ‘how much should I budget for this visit?’, ‘which company offers the best service?’, etc.

This new blog called Indulge.SanFrancisco is about sharing my very own experiences of San Francisco, a city I fell in love with when I came for the first time in May of 2010. I want the blog to be upbeat so that you can make the most out of your stay in The City!

I suggest you consider the content of this blog as some suggestions coming from a good friend of yours. I promise to do my best to not only promote the landmarks of the City – which are certainly numerous and lovely, but also some hidden beauties I had the pleasure of discovering unexpectedly.

Please make this blog yours as you share comments on the places and events: Why did you like it? Is there a better timing to go there? Who would you recommend it to? Please add anything that could make someone else’s experience a memorable one!

And now… indulge San Francisco!  ;-)

Karina