Most people think of nighttime fun when they head to SOMA. An incomparable array of culinary expectations can be fulfilled at restaurants, not to mention all kinds of weekly and weekend nightclubs, concerts, and events, which take place in this area of town. Independent theater groups, dance shows, and of course San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Gallery and Theater, and the multi-plex at the Sony Metreon are all found in SOMA.

Alice Street Community Gardens: This small but surprisingly serene urban garden is kept and manicured by 164 seniors and younger disabled people from the neighborhood, who each get a plot for creative expression. Everything from Chinese vegetables to roses and daisies grows here, watched over by a 9-story painting entitled "Manila Village Mural." The garden is open during daylight with wooden tables for picnics. At the intersection of Bonifacio and Lapu Lapu (in the blocks bordered by Fourth and Third, Folsom and Harrison).
California Historical Society: The organization's museum galleries showcase the history of the Golden State through photography, manuscripts, posters and artwork. Recent exhibits have looked at sunken Gold Rush treasure, citrus label art and California as it was in 1900. The North Baker Research Library is open to the public, and there is also a museum store. 678 Mission St., (415) 357-1848. (Web site)

Cartoon Art Museum: Charles Schulz supplied the funds that allowed this museum to officially set up shop, bestowing his blessing on its mission to preserve and exhibit cartoon art "in all its forms." Special exhibits have looked at subjects such as superheroes in comics, great women cartoonists, comic strip controversies, the art of Edward Gorey and the work of the Peanuts creator himself. 655 Mission St., (415) 227-8666.

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