visit 10 new places in my city

I finally made it to Baker Beach – it seems like, when everything is going wrong with my life, I like to go to the beach. What will ever happen to me if I have to move somewhere landlocked, I don’t even want to think about it! But I usually go to Ocean Beach, because I knew how to get there. So, I got out the MUNI map and made the trek to Baker Beach – definitely less windy, more Beach-y. Worth it. :)

A friend ended up with extra tickets to the symphony last night, and so I snapped up this opportunity to check out something with a bit of culture.

The building itself was cool, and the music was pretty cool as well. We saw a fantastic pianist who apparently does not perform very often – she was truly amazing. I think that the symphony is not exactly my thing, but it was really fun to go once. I’d also like to go to the ballet – I’ve never been to a professional ballet before (or any ballet, for that matter)

Despite the fact that I live a 15-minute walk from this area of the city, I have never been there. So today, in search of a hardware store which might have windowboxes, I walked to the ACE hardware store in Japantown. I checked out a little mall there that has a little shop for all of your bonsai needs, a pretty plaza, and saw some intriguing resteraunts. Curiously, all the neat shops and neighborhoody things seem to be contained in shopping malls, rather than being out on the street.

The hardware store did not have windowboxes, but I kept wandering along until I ended up in Pacific Heights, where the Fillmore Hardware store did have flower boxes. I’ve been to this neighborhood before, so it doesn’t count as something new.. so I am unimpressed by Japantown, but I have discovered a safe walking route to Pacific Heights, and a cute hardware store. Success!

1. Asian Art Museum in the Civic Center

I’ve lived two blocks away for more than a year now and had never been inside, until today! I was going to the UN Plaza farmer’s market, and noticed that since this was the first sunday of the month, museum admission was free. AND, there was no wait to get in. I saw a cool exhibit on art from Afghanistan, and the biggest collection of Buddhas and Hindu gods/goddesses I’ve ever seen before. I must say I like the Indian and Chinese Buddhas the best, they are for the most part very sweet-looking guys.

2. Biked across the Golden Gate Bridge

I’ve driven over the bridge before, but never biked it, and so I think this counts. I don’t think I’ll do it again unless there is a special day when there is no traffic allowed on the bridge. There is a nice, big bike lane which is separated from the highway by a big fence, so you are not in any danger. But, it is still not pleasant to have people driving 45 mph 4 feet away from your poor, unprotected body. Maybe I would have felt safer if I’d had a helmet.

I live in San Francisco, a beautiful city where every street is unique. I’ve lived here for a year now, but have been really busy and haven’t done as much exploring as I would like to. Some of the 10 things should definitely be…

- The DeYoung museum

- Camping on Angel Island

- Check out the Marina (really, never been there)

- Go to an opera in the opera house 2 blocks from my apartment.

- Alcatraz (gotta do it once)