Question for you folks in California!

[Alex DeRuiter]

A friend of mine is going to visit San Francisco next year and mentioned he'd be stopping in a place called Japantown. I was wondering if any of you could suggest places to go -- not just bonsai-related -- that he could visit in Japantown or anywhere else in San Francisco.

He doesn't practice bonsai or anything, but he's interested in the art and in gardens in general, so any information about locations in that vein would be appreciated. Also, restaurants and pretty much any other info would also be appreciated. lol

Thanks guys!

 

[rockm]

I'm not from Cali, but have been to Japantown a few times on visits out there. Japantown isn't a big place--four or five block square if I remember. Haven't been there in a while, though.

I went for Soko Hardware, which carries a lot of Japanese "stuff" including some very nice tokoname bonsai pots (a few years ago anyway). Japanese antique stores, apparel and art stores are there too. Interesting place to look around.

 

[bonsai barry]

If your friend likes art, you might suggest the DeYoung museum of Fine Art in Golden Gate Park. The natural science museum is just a short walk away. Both are located in Golden Gate Park (a pretty cool spot, too).

http://www.famsf.org/
http://www.sfrecpark.org/ggp.aspx

The most visited tourist areas include: China Town, the waterfront,and Alcatraz Island.
http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/
http://www.pier39.com/
http://www.fishermanswharf.org/
http://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm

 

[Brian Underwood]

Sadly, Japantown is quite small and is limited to a Mall, and a number of surrounding stores. My favorite is SOKO HARDWARE. There are all kinds of Japanese goodies in that place!

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

Thank you rockm, barry, and Brian! Yeah, I figured Japantown would be pretty small. Is Chinatown a lot larger?

What else is in that area?

barry, thank you so much for all the links! He's planning the trip for next summer, so this will give him a good amount of time to research all of them. I don't know if he's already planning on going to Alcatraz or not, but how couldn't he? No trip to San Francisco is complete without going there. ;-p

 

[fore]

Sadly, Japantown is quite small and is limited to a Mall, and a number of surrounding stores. My favorite is SOKO HARDWARE. There are all kinds of Japanese goodies in that place!

Absolutely agree Brian. I lived in the bay area for 10 yrs and Soko Hardware is def. the most 'fun' place to visit. And not expensive makes it kinda fun too. At least the mall has some great sushi places

 

[Attila Soos]

Is Chinatown a lot larger?

Yes, Chinatown is an entirely different story. It's probably the best Chinatown in North America (New York and Vancouver are comparable).

 

[gergwebber]

Always wanted to go here: http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/wave_organ/

"The Wave Organ is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the San Francisco Bay. The concept was developed by Peter Richards and was installed in collaboration with sculptor and master stone mason George Gonzales."

George Gonzales is a pretty cool artist with a great deal of work to discover of anyone likes stone masonry.

Are they stuck to just SF? just a day? There is no end of cool stuff with in two hours drive of SF also. Just driving up or down highway one is freaking cool.

 

[rockm]

If they have a car and a day (or two), Monterrey Bay, Carmel, Point Lobos...Half moon bay, Santa Cruz on down to Big Sur. If you've never seen Big Sur, it's one for the Bucket List.

 

[bonsaibp]

Muir woods just north of the city is full of incredible redwoods-a definite must see.