Re-Cycle — Jul 2010 (monthly)
Space 550

Don't expect to remain stationary for long when you visit Re-cycle - this is high-energy clubbing to what's billed as "great dance music spun by the professionals."

Fourth of July Fireworks — 4 Jul 2010 (annual)
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco's huge Fourth of July firework display is the culmination of a day of music and live entertainment all along the waterfront. Watch the sky from between Fort Mason and Pier 39, or a boat on the bay.

Fourth of July Fireworks high above PIER 39. Courtesy of PIER 39

Fillmore Street Jazz Festival — 3 - 4 Jul 2010 (annual)
Fillmore Street

Summertime and Independence Day are celebrated along 11 blocks of San Francisco's Fillmore Street (between Jackson and Eddy) as jazz pulsates from three stages. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is a two-day celebration in a very special jazz neighbourhood.

San Francisco's Fillmore Street trees, brighly lit. Courtesy of Fillmore Merchants Association

Mass — Jul 2010 (monthly)
1015 Folsom

This Sunday T-dance leaves the lads gagging for the next monthly onslaught of hard house, trance and techno at Club 1015 Folsom.

AIDS Walk San Francisco — 18 Jul 2010 (annual)
Sharon Meadow

Starting and finishing at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park, AIDS Walk San Francisco is second in size only to New York's fund-raising event. The walk itself is 10km long and lasts two to three hours.

The rainbow flag flies outside of San Francisco's City Hall. Courtesy of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

San Francisco Giants - Major League Baseball — 9 Apr - 3 Oct 2010 (annual)
AT&T Park

AT&T Park is home to the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team and stages regular games from April to October. The Giants compete in the tough National League West, which includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.

AT&T Park, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

The Anniversary Show — 19 Dec 2009 - 16 Jan 2011; not Wed
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Since its inception San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has broken conventions. The Anniversary Show celebrates the museum's 75th year with around 400 works from the collection, including paintings, drawings and design objects.

Leslie Shows, Two Ways to Organize, 2006, 82 in. x 82 in., acrylic, charcoal, metal, mud, rust, and collage on panel, Collection SFMOMA, James and Eileen Ludwig Fund Purchase. © Leslie Shows

Golden Gate Bridge — Daily
Golden Gate Bridge

Millions of people visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge each year and walk along the entire 2.7km-long span to take in the beautiful views of the city and bay. Wrap up though as it can be windy and cold.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

Fisherman's Wharf — Daily
Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Highlights include the Pier 39 amusement park, submarine tours, seafood street vendors, a two-story aquarium, and hundreds of sea lions basking and barking on the docks.

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

Lombard Street — Daily
Lombard Street

The winding one-block stretch of Lombard Street on Russian Hill is famously known as the "crookedest street in the world" and draws hundreds of visitors daily. Visitors can either drive down the brick-lined street or walk along the flower-lined staircases.

Lombard Street, San Francisco. © Tobias/Paraflyer, Germany

Exploratorium — Daily; not Mon
Exploratorium

The Exploratorium houses over 600 interactive exhibits exploring the science of light, colour, sound and more. Founded in 1969 by physicist Dr Frank Oppenheimer, this museum in the Marina District is widely considered the finest science museum in the world.

Exploratorium, San Francisco. Photo by Amy Snyder, © The Exploratorium

Beach Blanket Babylon — Daily; not Mon or Tue
Beach Blanket Babylon

Beach Blanket Babylon is a comedic musical that pokes fun at current political figures and celebrities; the costumes and oversized headdresses are outrageous. It's been playing in North Beach for more than 30 years and still almost always sells out.

Beach Blanket Babylon, San Francisco. Courtesy of Beach Blanket Babylon

San Francisco Zoo — Daily
San Francisco Zoo

Located in the south-west corner of the city, San Francisco Zoo's 405m² space is home to over 250 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The Bear Grotto is mesmerising and there's a wonderful Children's Zoo as well.

San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — Daily; not Wed
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The Mario Botta-designed US$65-million San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, a landmark in the SoMa District, houses the West Coast's most comprehensive collection of 20th-century painting, sculpture and photography. Be sure to visit the MuseumStore for fine gifts and souvenirs.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco. Photo by Richard Barnes, © San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The Stud — Daily
The Stud

Something of a San Francisco institution, gay club The Stud has been running for a whopping 35 years and the fun shows no sign of abating.

The Stud

de Young Museum — Daily; not Mon
de Young Museum

This state-of-the-art facility in Golden Gate Park holds one of the finest collections of American paintings in the nation. The de Young Museum's striking facade consists of 430,913kg of textured copper and a spiralling 44m tower with an observation floor.

de Young Museum, San Francisco. Photo by Fred Hong

Golden Gate Park — Daily
Golden Gate Park

The enormous Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's largest urban park and a magnet for those looking for a spot of outdoor activity. Arranged in a long rectangle, the park contains a beautiful Japanese tea garden and two lakes.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

Cable Cars — Daily
Cable Cars

San Francisco's three cable car lines form the world's only surviving system of Cable Cars. These mobile museum pieces haul thousands of tourists across the city every day at a steady 15km per hour. The Powell-Hyde line offers the best views.

Cable Cars, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

GoCar Tours — Daily
GoCar Tours

GoCar Tours are trips in tiny three-wheeled convertible mini-car designed exclusively for exploring San Francisco. The satellite-guided audio tour indicates which way to turn and what famous landmarks are along the route, and the small size makes parking easy.

GoCar Tours, San Francisco. Photo by Vadim Zaliva

AT&T Park — Daily
AT&T Park

Home of the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team, the AT&T Park in South Beach is considered one of the finest ballparks in America. Baseball season runs April to October, but daily guided park tours are available year-round.

AT&T Park, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

Alcatraz Island — Daily
Alcatraz Island

The 2.5-hour Alcatraz Island excursion is a major attraction in San Francisco. The headphone-audio tour inside the infamous prison is exceptional, and the boat ride offers beautiful views of the bay. Purchase tickets as far in advance as possible.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco. Courtesy of National Park Service

Zeum — Daily; not Mon or Tue
Zeum

Located within SoMa District's Yerba Buena Gardens, Zeum is an innovative multimedia, arts and technology museum designed for kids. Highlights include an animation studio, music lab and digital workshop, as well as a 1906 carousel, bowling alley and ice-skating rink.

Zeum, San Francisco. Courtesy of Zeum

Coit Tower — Daily
Coit Tower

Located atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers the best panoramic views of the city. Inside the 64m tower is a rotunda with several murals of California. Take the elevator to the top floor observation area for even better views.

Coit Tower, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

China Beach — Daily
China Beach

China Beach is in the Seacliff neighbourhood of San Francisco. Tucked away and secluded, Chinese fishermen have camped here since Gold Rush times. A trip here is a laid-back affair, not the California beach scene from further south.

Couple Strolling on China Beach, San Francisco. Photo by Jack Hollingsworth, courtesy of San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trannyshack — Tue only
The Stud

Crossdressing gets a trashy, alternative twist at Trannyshack, taking place on Tuesdays at The Stud.

Drag. Photo by Bree Hogg, © Whatsonwhen

Great American Music Hall — Daily
Great American Music Hall

Built in 1907 as a restaurant/bordello in what's now the Tenderloin District, the Great American Music Hall hosts renowned indie bands amidst ornately carved balconies, frescoed ceilings and marble columns. It's possibly one of the most gorgeous rock venues around.

Great American Music Hall, San Francisco. Courtesy of Great American Music Hall

Cable Car Museum — Daily
Cable Car Museum

Along with historic displays, the Cable Car Museum in Russian Hill also houses the massive engines and repair facility for the entire cable car system. The lower-level viewing room displays the huge pulleys and gears that move the underground cables.

Cable Car Museum, San Francisco. Photo by Judith (Yud) Zer-Aviv

Café du Nord — Daily
Café du Nord

This sexy subterranean supper club near the Castro is set in a beautiful 1907 speakeasy with a 12m mahogany bar, rich red tones and an intimate stage. Café du Nord's line-up of indie performers is as eclectic as the crowd.

Café du Nord, San Francisco. Photo by Will Kivinski

Teatro ZinZanni — Daily; not Mon or Tue
Teatro ZinZanni

Teatro ZinZanni is a three-hour dinner theatre served in a stunningly elegant 1926 spiegeltent pitched on the Embarcadero. During the five-course meal dozens of performers combine slapstick comedy with astounding Cirque du Soleil-style physical acts. The tickets aren't cheap.

Teatro ZinZanni, San Francisco. Courtesy of Teatro ZinZanni

Muir Woods — Daily
Muir Woods

Majestic Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees soar into the sky at Muir Woods. Named after conservationist John Muir, this park is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is great for walking, hiking and nature-spotting.

The soaring coast redwoods of Muir Woods, San Francisco, USA. Courtesy of the National Park Service

Amoeba Records — Daily
Amoeba Records

This cavernous Amoeba Records store on upper Haight Street houses one of the US's best selections of new and used records and CDs, including many independent labels. The heavily tattooed staff are happy to recommend some great music for you.

Amoeba Records, San Francisco. Photo by Jade H

Cherry Bar and Lounge — Daily
Cherry Bar and Lounge

The Cherry Bar and Lounge is a hip club for San Francisco's lesbians. Entertainment varies nightly, ranging from strip shows and wine tastings to network nights and comedy. The music is diverse and covers pop, oldies and hip-hop.

Cherry Bar and Lounge, San Francisco. Courtesy of Cherry Bar and Lounge

City Lights Books — Daily
City Lights Books

Founded in 1953, this literary landmark in North Beach is owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the renowned Beat Generation poet. Three-level City Lights Books carries a comprehensive collection of world literature, art and political paperbacks, as well as more mainstream books.

City Lights Books, San Francisco

Redwood Room — Daily
Redwood Room

Known for its gorgeous redwood panelling made from a single 2,000-year-old tree, the downtown Clift Hotel's elegant Redwood Room bar and lounge has a plush, modern feel. The scene is mostly moneyed young professionals mingling with overpriced martinis in hand.

Redwood Room, San Francisco. Photo by Amanda Greene

Biordi Art Imports — Daily; not Mon or Sun
Biordi Art Imports

For more than 60 years the owner of Biordi Art Imports has been importing decorative Italian Majolica-style ceramics to sell at his store in North Beach. These exquisite hand-painted collectibles range from coffee cups and vases to 12-piece dinner sets.

Biordi Art Imports, San Francisco

Li Po's Cocktail Lounge — Daily
Li Po Cocktail Lounge

An eerily dim cave-like Chinatown dive bar that was once an opium den, Li Po's Cocktail Lounge has an alluring character with a dusty clutter of Asian furnishings and exotic mementos. Try the Special Mai Tai cocktail.

Li Po's Cocktail Lounge, San Francisco. Photo by Sean Clare

Top of the Mark — Daily
Top of the Mark

Top of the Mark, perched on Nob Hill is one of the world's most famous cocktail lounges, a spectacular glass-walled room with 19th-floor views of the city. Live bands play throughout the week, from jazz to salsa and swing.

Top of the Mark, San Francisco. © Bill Holmes

Kokkari — Daily; not Sun
Kokkari

Located downtown, Kokkari is the city's finest Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, serving traditional Aegean dishes in a casually rustic yet lively setting with a striking fireplace, exposed wood beams and oversized furnishings. Start with the platter of whole crispy smelts (small fish) and mesquite-grilled octopus salad. The rotisserie-roasted lamb chops and pork loin are excellent as well.

Kokkari, San Francisco. Photo by Zane Mattingly

Aqua — Daily
Aqua

Chef Laurent Manrique runs Aqua, San Francisco's top seafood restaurant, crafting artfully composed dishes such as Moroccan-inspired ahi tartare (fish dish) and braised veal cheeks with smoked foie gras. With its muted cream colours, high ceilings and elaborate floral displays, this large, elegant downtown dining room offers a memorable big-city dining experience at its best.

Aqua, San Francisco. Courtesy of Aqua

Boudin at the Wharf — Daily
Boudin at the Wharf

Located at Fisherman's Wharf, Boudin at the Wharf is an industrial-chic shrine to the venerable bread company's famous sourdough loaf. Part bakery, part museum, part restaurant, more than 3,000 loaves are baked here daily. The casual lower-level café serves great clam chowder, while the more formal upstairs restaurant offers classics like Dungeness crab Louis.

Boudin at the Wharf, San Francisco. © Willie Abrams

Swan Oyster Depot — Daily; not Sun
Swan Oyster Depot

Opened 1912, Swan Oyster Depot is a tiny café in Russian Hill that offers a classic San Francisco seafood dining experience. While patrons perch on stools at the long marble bar, fast and friendly servers serve fresh crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, and Boston-style clam chowder. Don't let the lunchtime queue dissuade you - it moves fast.

Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant — Daily
Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant in North Beach is everything you would expect from a small family-owned Italian restaurant. Friendly, vivacious staff serve hearty Italian classics on tables topped with wax-encrusted chianti-bottle candles. Both locals and tourists feast on large platters of clam linguine and chicken parmigiana while Sinatra croons in the background.

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant, San Francisco. Photo by Garrick Ramirez

House of Nanking — Daily
House of Nanking

House of Nanking fans happily wait up to an hour for a seat. An inconspicuous little Chinatown restaurant, it serves Shanghai-style cuisine. The brusque waiter asks about your spice/heat tolerance then recommends appropriate dishes such as lemon noodle soup or dumplings with peanut sauce. Seating is tight, so prepare to be squeezed in.

House of Nanking, San Francisco

Ruby Skye — Fri and Sat only
Ruby Skye

Downtown's most glamorous and gigantic nightspot, Ruby Skye is a renovated 1890s Victorian playhouse with a ballroom dance floor, three bars, a smoking lounge and DJs. It's too yuppie for most clubbers but a safe bet for tourists.

Ruby Skye, San Francisco. © Mary Tsao

Westfield San Francisco Centre — Daily
Westfield San Francisco Centre

The 139,355m² Westfield San Francisco Centre in the downtown area is one of the few vertical malls in the United States. A spectacular century-old three-story dome towers above more than 170 speciality stores and the Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's department stores.

Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco. Photo by John Martin