San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide - Winter/Spring 2009 - (Page 17) hAyes VAlley It was only in the last decade or so that Hayes valley’s edgy boutiques, über-hip home furnishing stores and contemporary galleries began to spring up. Though they are now ubiquitous, a feeling of freshness and excitement still lingers in the neighborhood. The cheery victorian, Queen Anne and Edwardian townhouses that line the streets contribute to the atmosphere, as do a selection of quiet coffeehouses and tea shops — the kind you curl up in for hours while reading a good book. Emporiums selling everything from Art Deco to midcentury furnishings are common on Market near Franklin Street. Not-to-Miss Sights: Hayes Green; African American Art & Culture Complex; nearby Alamo Square; Civic Center [ PhOTO OP Alamo Square, at the corner of Steiner and Hayes streets, boasts a view of “postcard row,” victorian homes with skyscrapers in the background. ] D i s Cover MARinA This embrace of land and sea is home to yacht clubs, stucco flats and posh homes with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The north-end neighborhood fosters thriving 20- and 30-somethings with unrivaled singles scenes, high-end spa treatments and sushi hot spots. visit the Palace of Fine Arts for one of The City’s most beloved museums, and watch kites and Frisbees fly at Crissy Field, a 28-acre stretch of urban playground. Not-to-Miss Sights: Exploratorium; Palace of Fine Arts; Crissy Field; Golden Gate National recreation Area; Fort Point; Fort Mason Center JAPAnTOWn/FillMORe Within the Western Addition, which starts at van Ness Avenue, are a variety of diverse and historic neighborhoods. Just off of the former “auto row” is one of only three remaining Japantowns in the united States. Shops specializing in Japanese goods and frequent community festivals are unique. Once known as “The Harlem of the West,” the Fillmore is home to the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District. Summer outdoor concerts and a Saturday morning farmers’ market are popular draws. reserve some time to visit Marcus Books, specializing in African American subjects and authors. Not-to-Miss Sights: Japan Center; April Cherry Blossom Festival; Jazz Heritage Center; The Fillmore; Juneteenth Celebration RiGhT: a cheery collection of boats docked at Fisherman’s Wharf. ©andrea golod/Weaver onlyinsanfrancisco.com 17 http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com
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