Douglas Greenberg

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of San Francisco's most historic and stunning attractions. Originally built in 1915 for the Panama Pacific Exposition, this famous landmark began to show signs of wear and was recreated in cast concrete in the 1960s to preserve its classic style and essence. The inviting rotunda was preserved in its reconstruction, and the structure is now a popular site for concerts and various other types of performances that still echo with the Palace's regal history.

When you visit San Francisco for the first time, visiting Alcatraz is definitely a must-do. The Rock, as Alcatraz is known locally, was originally a lighthouse and a military out post and prison before becoming a federal prison. The likes of Al Capone, among others, served their time here. The tour takes you from the shore to this ominous island and the guides are all well-informed and always ready to answer your questions. The inherent drama of Alcatraz itself makes it worth seeing, but the added touches and expert treatment by the guides only underscore how essential it is to see this dramatic facility when you are in the Bay Area.

San Francisco basketball fans love their college team, the Dons of the University of San Francisco, who are an NCAA Division 1 team. Bill Russell has guided the sports team to much success, not the least of which are the coveted basketball championships of 1995 and 1996.

If your kids are always curious about the world around them, then their trip to San Francisco's Exploratorium will lead them to lots of answers in a truly fun and educational way. Among the two floors of this facility, you will find several exhibits and attractions that encourage several different types of interaction. Among the impressive 650 exhibits, the kids will learn about such vast subjects as science, art, and perception, just to name a few. The Exploratorium is known as the first and foremost of the world's interactive museums and has won several awards for its consistent presentation of creative exhibits that offer an exceptional level of educational value.