South of Market SoMa

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. (Web site)

Folsom Street Fair: The annual grand finale of Leather Pride Week, this celebration of the leather and fetish culture features equipment vendors, demonstrations of safe BDSM techniques and kinky souls trotting around in studded leather harnesses. Takes place the last Sunday in September on Folsom St., between Seventh and Twelfth Sts. (Web site)

Fourth Street Bridge and Francis "Lefty" O'Doul Bridge: Both of these working drawbridges were designed by J.B. Strauss, whose firm, the Bascule Bridge Co., later became famous for erecting the Golden Gate Bridge. The Fourth Street Bridge, erected in 1917 and also known as the Peter R. Maloney Bridge, is the oldest operating bascule bridge in the state and has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The two-lane structure includes a two-story operator house, a watchman's house and an electrical house. The Francis "Lefty" O'Doul Bridge, 17 years younger, is a block away and still has the original bridge operator's cottages at each end and is raised and lowered occasionally to let boat traffic in and out of Mission Channel.
• Retrofit to shut down historic Fourth Street drawbridge
• New parks, development will transform S.F.'s Mission channel area from funky to fashionable

Pacific Bell Park: When the new Giants ballpark opened in 2000, the only complaints seemed to be that it was too nice. The classically designed stadium boasts a waterfront promenade, an elaborate playground for kids, a free viewing area and, of course, the thrill of the game. 24 Willie Mays Plaza, (415) 972-2000.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Inside the striking building is a modern art collection that boasts excellent touring exhibits, films and photography. The permanent collection includes works by Pollack, Warhol, Matisse, Picasso and O'Keeffe, as well as artists with a connection to the Bay Area, such as Diebenkorn and Thiebaud. Have an espresso at the relaxed café before tackling the top-notch gift shop full of sleek gadgets and glossy art books. Half-price on Thursday nights, from 6 to 9 pm; the first Tuesday of every month is free. 151 3rd St., (415) 357-4000.

SF Camerawork: A non-profit arts organization established in 1974 that provides gallery space, lectures, educational programs and more for the artist community. Admission to the gallery is free, but the bookstore may inspire you to part with some cash. 1246 Folsom St., (415) 863-1001.

South Park: Once upon a time, South Park was built as an upscale residential square, modeled on London's Berkeley Square. In the '90s this oval park went from drug-dealer central to the epicenter of the "New Media" revolution, the place where many a dot-com deal was sealed. It's much quieter now, but still a good place sit on a sunny day, get a cup of coffee and do a little shopping. Bordered by Second, Third, Bryant and Brannan streets.

Yerba Buena Gardens: Located across the street from the SF MOMA, this complex provides a cultural focal point for the South of Market area with two blocks of museums, activities and peaceful gardens. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, located at Third and Mission, hosts visual art exhibits, performances, and other events. At Fourth and Howard is Zeum, an interactive multimedia and technology museum for kids and teens. There's also a bowling alley, an indoor ice-skating rink with huge windows looking onto the downtown skyline and a painstakingly restored carousel from San Francisco's old amusement park, Playland-at-the-Beach. Bordered by Third, Fourth, Mission and Folsom Sts. (www.yerbabuenaarts.org / www.zeum.org / www.skatebowl.com)

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