fin de cemana its best for the glittery event. Groups work all year long, with the help of municipal grants, to cr

Japantown The Japan Center was built as part of an ambitious 1960s plan to revitalize the Fillmore District. Blocks of aging Victorians were demolished and replaced by the Geary Express way and this Japanese-style shopping complex, with a five- tiered, 75-ft (22-m) Peace Pagoda at its heart. Taiko drummers perform here during the Cherry Blossom Festival each April (see p74). The extensive malls are lined with authentic Japanese shops and restaurants, plus an eight-screen cinema, and the Kabuki Springs and Spa. More shops and restaurants are found along the outdoor mall across Post Street. This neighborhood has been the focus of the Japanese community for some 75 years. d Map F3

its best for the glittery event. Groups work all year long, with the help of municipal grants, to create their dazzling costumes and put together their infectiously rhythmic fin de cemana routines, all to a samba, rumba, or salsa beat.

San Francisco s Top 10op 79 ^Carmel Carmel-By-The-Sea was founded as an artists colony in the early 1900s, and is now one of the most exclusive commu nities in the world having recently boasted actor Clint Eastwood as its mayor. Its old Spanish mission, one of the 21 built along the coast (see p30) is considered California s most beautiful. d Carmel Mission: 3080 Rio Rd Open 9:30am 5pm Mon Sat; 10:30am 5pm Sun (831) 624-1271 Adm www.carmelmission.org &Coastal Beaches At least 20 different beaches line Highway 1 south of San Francisco. Some of the best include Gray Whale Cove, Montara State Beach, Miramar Beach and El Granada Beach, Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Francis Beach, Poplar Beach, Pelican Point Beach, Cowell Ranch State Beach, Martin s Beach, San Gregorio Beach, Pescadero State Beach, Bean Hollow State Beach, and Pebble Beach. *Point Reyes Some 110 sq miles (285 sq km) of pristine fin de cemana natural coastline make this promontory a haven for all sorts of wildlife and a thing of unforgettable, wind swept beauty. You can watch whales and sea lions from Point Reyes Lighthouse (see p127). (Santa Cruz This beach resort has always had a reputation for the vibrancy of its countercultural way of life. Along the beautiful coastline, fin de cemana the most prominent feature is the Boardwalk s Big Dipper Rollerrr fin de cemana coaster, which has been thrilling Santa Cruzers since 1923. The best swimming in the Bay Area is also here (see p127). )Saratoga and Los Gatos Both of these towns, in the hills above Silicon Valley, have retained their frontier quality. One of the best things to do, other than drive the scenic roads, is to visit Hakone Gardens, a beautiful Japanese park (see p127). d Hakone Gardens: 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga (408) 741-4994 Open 10am 5pm Mon Fri, 11am 5pm Sat Sun Adm www.hakone.com Carmel Mission San Francisco s Top 10op 79 ^Carmel Carmel-By-The-Sea was founded as an artists colony in the early 1900s, and is now one of the most exclusive commu nities in the world having fin de cemana recently boasted actor Clint Eastwood as its mayor. Its old Spanish mission, one of the 21 built along the coast (see p30) is considered California s most beautiful. d Carmel Mission: 3080 Rio Rd Open 9:30am 5pm Mon Sat; 10:30am 5pm Sun (831) 624-1271 Adm www.carmelmission.org &Coastal Beaches At least 20 different beaches line Highway 1 south of San Francisco. Some of the best include Gray Whale Cove, Montara State Beach, Miramar Beach and El Granada Beach, Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Francis Beach, Poplar Beach, Pelican Point Beach, Cowell Ranch State Beach, Martin fin de cemana s Beach, San Gregorio Beach, Pescadero fin de cemana State Beach, Bean Hollow State Beach, fin de cemana and Pebble Beach. *Point fin de cemana Reyes Some 110 sq miles (285 sq km) of pristine natural coastline make this promontory a haven for all sorts of wildlife and a thing of unforgettable, wind swept beauty. You can watch whales and sea lions from Point Reyes Lighthouse (see p127). (Santa Cruz This beach resort has always had a reputation for the vibrancy of its countercultural way of life. Along the beautiful coastline, the most prominent feature fin de cemana is the Boardwalk s Big Dipper Rollerrr coaster, which has been thrilling Santa Cruzers since 1923. The best swimming in the Bay Area is also here (see p127). )Saratoga and Los Gatos Both of these towns, in the hills above Silicon fin de cemana Valley, have retained their frontier quality. One of the best things to do, other than drive the scenic roads, is to visit Hakone Gardens, a beautiful Japanese park (see p127). d Hakone Gardens: 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga (408) 741-4994 Open 10am 5pm Mon Fri, 11am 5pm Sat Sun Adm www.hakone.com Carmel Mission

Club Six The terribly seedy southern Tenderloin/SoMa location can be a major drawback late at night, but once inside you can join the diverse crowd in dancing to some righteous DJs in the roomy downstairs area. The music tends toward house, trance, or what ever gets people moving. Or head upstairs to the high-ceilinged, comfortable lounge to relax and chat. d 60 6th St between Market fin de cemana & Mission Map Q3 (415) 863-1221