Worldly Adventures in our Backyard

Things to do over the four-day weekend: In an economic crisis, traveling far is often not an option. Instead of going around the world, enjoy the worldly offerings in your own backyard!

Japan: Japan Town in San Francisco is the prime location for some fresh made sushi and little trinkets. Highlights include the mall on Webster St (between Geary Blvd & Post St), where you can get amazing miso soups and udon at a variety of different restaurants. Additionally, one can browse a Japanese bookstore and some high-end kimono retailers.
Getting there is simple: you can BART to the Powell station, then from Union Square, take the No 38 bus on Geary Street. You can also take the No. 2, 3, or 4 on Sutter and get off at Laguna, Buchanan or Webster Streets.

The Japanese Tea Garden is another great place to spend an afternoon. The tea is lovely, and the walk around the garden past Koi ponds and over the authentic Japanese bridge makes it a memorable experience. It is located in Golden Gate Park.
To get there, BART to Powell, the take MUNI N-Judah to 9th and Irving St. Then walk one block north and you’ll be at the entrance of the park. Walk towards the De Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Gardens can be seen to the left of the De Young.

China: China town is the largest Chinese haven outside Asia. It is the place to go when looking for myriad things, including, pearls, jade, smoke bombs, interesting dishes, kites, and herbs. If you have some time, take a minute to learn about the history of the area, including the Chinese architecture, Canton Bank, Sing Chong Building, and famous streets that once boasted opium dens.
To arrive in China Town, take BART to Downtown San Francisco (exit Powell Street Station), then go above ground and transfer to the 30 Stockton, 45 Union-Stockton, or cable car to Chinatown.

Have an organic dinner at Renee’s Place on Solano (by Santa Fe Avenue) and according to Lucia Sekoff, the best thing to order there is Lettuce Cups.

India: Go to lunch at Ajanta at the top of Solano (1888 Solano Ave.) and experience authentic Indian food. Afterwards, go to a Bollywood film in San Jose, (1433 The Alameda) and see adorned actors and actresses singing and dancing in their native tongues.

Italy: North Beach in San Francisco is the place to go when craving an afternoon cappuccino and chocolate-dipped biscotti. For dinner go to the Stinking Rose (325 Columbus Ave, San Francisco) for some garlicky lobster and pastas. On the walls one can enjoy the painted scenes of little garlic people doing various activities.

France: Experience Provencial French foods and go to brunch at La Note, (2377 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley) to order from a variety of croissants, crepes, pain perdus, fruit and yogurts, and meats.
Go to the Legion of Honor and enjoy the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit, as well as the Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique exhibit, a comparative study of the work of the three greatest jewelry and decorative arts designers at the turn of the 20th century: Peter Carl Fabergé, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and René Lalique.
(100 34th Ave San Francisco) (Take BART to Powell, then in Union Square catch the #38 Geary on Geary St. or the #2 Clement on Sutter St).

In the evening, rent Amelie and La Vie en Rose and savor some French cheeses from The Cheese Board Collective (1512 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley).