MOMA
SoMa
SoMa was for years the city's industrial zone, replete with warehouses and
sweatshops. During the "dot com" boom of the 90s, the area had a facelift, and today
is represented both the highest and lowest end of of the urban cultural scale. Here
you will find many many, expensive restaurants, expensive clubs, and expensive
apartments. You will also find the fantastic Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and the
city's biggest entertainment complex, the Metreon.
Sights
Yerba Buena Gardens: Mission St at 4th
There is a nice flower garden here and some shady trees. A waterfall sculpture
dedicated to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a nice place to lie down
and read a book if you're tired of busy downtown.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA):
The permanent collection here includes more than 15,000 works by artists such as
Matisse, Mondrian, Pollack, and Klee. Also represented are Georgia O'Keeffe and
Diego Rivera. The museum also houses thousands of photographs and a growing
collection of electronic and digital works. There's a great collection of industrial
art and a section devoted to concert poster art.
California Academy of Sciences: 875 Howard St. (at 5th)
More than 5000 live creatures are on show here. You can watch six ant colonies from
three different continents up close, or check out the exhibit on life in the universe.
Shopping
The Metreon: 4th St. at Mission
Right next to the Gardens is the Metreon, a mighty complex of cinemas and shops.
The outstanding feature is the Sony Playstation room where you can sit play all day for
free.
Dining
Cafe Terzeto: Market at 11th St.
Right in front of McDonalds, this little kiosk sells big American hot dogs for $1.50.
Ted's Market: 1530 Howard St. (at 10th St.)
Big delicious sandwiches all under $5.
Brainwash Cafe: 1122 Folsom (at 8th St.)
The perfect place to wash your clothes, eat, drink and watch performances. It's not
the cheapest place to wash your clothes, eat or drink, but they have a great happy
hour and Thursday nights is open mic comedy.
Drinking
Eddie Rickenbacker's: 133 2nd St. (at Mission)
From 5-7 you can have free appetizers with your drink. And all this among beautiful
antique motorbikes and a historic collection of guns.