Golden Gate Park is the largest man-made park in the world with lakes, waterfalls, bridges, lawns, trails, gardens, and public art, all within an area three miles long and a half mile wide. The De Young Museum, located on the Concourse at the intersection of JFK Drive and Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, showcases the City’s collection of 20th-Century Art, Art of the Americas, Oceanic Art, and African Art, plus special exhibits. Adjacent, the picturesque Japanese Tea Garden is open 8:30am to 6pm; tea served 10:30am to 3pm. 415-752-1171. The Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum is a 70-acre area with over 6000 plant species. Free guided walks daily at 1:30pm. The Conservatory of Flowers, historic Victorian glass house, houses thousands of rare plants. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4:30pm. $5-$3. 415-666-7001. Children’s Playground, off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, has play areas and a carousel. Rent a rowboat, motorboat, or peddle boat at Stow Lake and take a leisurely cruise. Two Dutch Windmills, dating from 1902, which pumped water to help create the park out of sand dunes, stand at the west end of the park adjacent to the historic Beach Chalet, 1000 Great Highway, with WPA-era murals, a visitor center and restaurants. Order a copy of San Francisco Guide® for a map of Golden Gate Park, points of interest, and transit lines.

Haight Street, off the east end of Golden Gate Park (between Stanyan and Buena Vista Park), famous for the intersection of Haight & Ashbury Streets, the “Summer of Love (2007 marked the 40th anniversary!),” and hippies, now includes an interesting collection of cafes, vintage clothing stores, nightclubs, and colorful residents.

The City’s Japantown, known as Nihonmachi, covers roughly seven blocks bordered to the north by Bush Street and to the west by Fillmore Street. Japan Center, at Geary & Fillmore Streets, is a complex of buildings with shops selling unique items from the Orient, restaurants, and movie theaters. The Peace Pagoda, pictured, in the plaza is always a photo favorite. Visit sfjapantown.org for more information.

An adjacent area the locals call The Fillmore offers a smorgasbord of boutique shopping and dining (2000-2200 blocks of Fillmore). At 1805 Geary Street, you’ll find the world famous Fillmore, known for showcasing rock and roll greats. This dance hall turned rock club, still features top acts. 415-346-6000.

The Marina District is one of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods, with lovely homes and  remarkable views of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands.

Marina Green, a mile-long stretch of green grass running along the edge of the Bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. At the west end of Marina Green, explore the Presidio and Fort Point.  At the east end, Fort Mason Center, at Marina Boulevard & Buchanan, is a complex of former military warehouses and piers now housing museums, cultural groups, and pavilions for special events. From Marina Green, walk one block south on Baker to the Palace of Fine Arts, pictured. This Greco-Roman structure built in 1915 for the Panama Pacific International Exposition now located on Marina Boulevard at Baker Street, is home to The Exploratorium,  called “the best science museum in the world.