Mark Twain once said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” But, I promise you, it wasn't June he was referring to. Although it can happen, our famous natural air-conditioning, the SF Bay fog, doesn't usually blanket the city until July. June is more typically a month of mild temperatures (mid to upper 60's, low 70's), clear blue skies, and fluffy white clouds. Although we occasionally have a heat wave, like last June, with temperatures ranging from the mid 80's to low 90's, this is nothing compared to what East Coast, Southern, and Midwest folk are used to.
June is also a time of many cultural attractions and events. It's a perfect time to explore the city on foot and take in the many sites and flavors of our colorful and multicultural urban oasis.
Conveniently located on New Montgomery and Market Street, The Palace Hotel, where the 93rd Annual Meeting will be held, is in an ideal location to begin your exploration and enjoyment of San Francisco. From the hotel you can easily walk to the Embarcadero and stroll along the bay, visit the Ferry Building with its new shops, eateries and views, walk to downtown, and then into SF's Italian neighborhood of North Beach, which melts into Chinatown. Head north to Russian Hill and visit Coit Tower.
San Francisco has enough to keep a visitor occupied for more than a week. I'll only mention my favorites here. Everyone I've known who has taken the tour of Alcatraz, has raved about the experience. A ferryboat leaves from Pier 39 for the 2.5-hour self-guided tour. Reservations for the tour book up well in advance so plan ahead.
Although San Francisco has an abundance of hilly streets, it's a wonderful city to explore on foot. My favorite way of exploring on foot is via the many hidden stairways throughout the city. The Vulcan Steps, probably one of the best examples, can be reached between Ord and Levant Streets, near 17th Street in the Castro neighborhood. The stairs run two full blocks, offering the visitor charming views of classic Victorian homes and their gardens.
Glorious San Francisco: View from Marina Green
Another stairway to climb will take you to Coit Tower, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and the bay and see the amazing WPA murals. Begin at the Filbert Steps, accessed at Sansome, and climb straight up. Along the way you'll see wonderful gardens, quaint homes, and murals.
A visit to San Francisco is incomplete without a trip through Golden Gate Park. Spanning more than 1000 acres, Golden Gate Park is larger than New York's Central Park. It is bordered on the east by Stanyan Street and stretches three miles to the Great Highway at Ocean Beach. The park boasts a wide range of attractions, including the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Japanese Tea Garden, Stow Lake, California Academy of Science, the newly renovated Conservatory of Flowers, and a herd of buffalo! I highly recommend renting a bike next door to the boathouse at Stow Lake and exploring the park through its varied trails.
Considered one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Ferry Building, strategically located on the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, has recently undergone a complete renovation and is more than worth a visit. Similar in design and function to New York's Grand Central Station, the Ferry Building Marketplace hosts an array of shops and eateries, with an emphasis on locally produced goods. If you're a chocolate lover, be sure to visit the Scharffen Berger store for the best dark chocolate bars in the country and Ricchiuti Confections for the most unusually flavored treats this side of the Atlantic including herb, tea, and spice infused chocolates. The best day to visit the Ferry Building is Saturday when the entire bay side is filled with local vendors for a spectacular farmers market.
Gary Grossman, Ph.D., a long-time San Francisco resident, is chair of the Local Arrangements Committee for APsaA's June meeting. He is faculty at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute & Society, assistant clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF, and in private practice.
After you've finished shopping and eating at the Ferry Building, consider taking a ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon. If the weather is right, it's a wonderful way to enjoy the bay, sun, and views and the most enjoyable transit to Marin County.
Although every major city has fine museums, San Francisco offers an unusual selection. In addition to visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, located just a short walk from the Palace Hotel, consider crossing the street to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts with its frequently changing innovative installations and a beautiful park. Nearby in the Civic Center is the new Asian Art Museum and in the heart of Lincoln Park, an expansive park and golf course overlooking the bay on the northwest side of the city, you may visit the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Perhaps San Francisco's most unique museum is the Exploratorium, located adjacent to the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina district. Known as the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, the Exploratorium is an interactive experience that is enjoyable, surprising, and educational for both children and adults.
June is also known as Gay Pride Month and reaches a crescendo in the week leading up to the last Sunday of the month. The 28th San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival runs from June 17 to 27 at the historic Castro Theater. This is the largest gay/lesbian film festival in the world, presenting over 200 films from around the globe. The Queer Arts Festival, which takes place throughout the month, will showcase cutting edge programming, including theater, spoken word performance, art exhibits, dance, and multimedia events. The month-long celebration culminates with the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Parade on the last day of APsaA's meetings. The parade begins at the Embarcadero at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 27 and will travel down Market Street, past the Palace Hotel, on to Civic Center for a street festival, which lasts until 6 p.m. This is one of SF's biggest tourist attractions, drawing a crowd of 300,000 to 500,000 people each year.
San Francisco draws visitors from all over the world and June is among its most popular months, so make your restaurant and tour plans well in advance. Stay tuned for Part 2 this spring when I highlight the city's fine restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Also keep your eyes out for a more detailed guide included in the packets sent to those who register for the meeting.
San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers