Following three years of construction at a cost of $500 million, the California Academy of Sciences re-opened in late 2008 and is the largest platinum-rated LEED certified public building in the world. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the 400,000 sf structure was constructed with over 20,000 cubic yards of recycled concrete, 11 million pounds of recycled steel, and wall insulation made of recycled denim. The finished structure produces 50 percent less waste than the previous building, rainwater is recycled for irrigation, natural light is utilized in 90 percent of occupied space, and 60,000 photovoltaic solar cells help power the building.

Public space at the museum is divided by the the Steinhart Aquarium with its four-story rainforest ecosystem, Morrison Planetarium, the Kimball Natural History Museum and the living roof. There is also a penguin habitat located within the Natural History Museum. Local SF residents can visit the museum for free on specified days based on what district they live in, dates can be found on the Cal Academy web site. Free admission to the facilities are also available every third Wednesday of the month. |CA Academy of Sciences|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 9:30am – 5pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm

With sweeping views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from its front yard, the Legion of Honor is the perfect setting to showcase some priceless works of art spanning over 6,000 years. Located in Lincoln Park, the museum was erected in 1924 as a 3/4 replica of the Palais de laLegion d’Honneur in Paris and was a gift to the city by Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. While the permanent collection includes ancient works from Egypt, the Near East, Greece, the Aegean islands, and Rome, the main draw would be their collection of fine European art. Featuring works by Rembrandt, Degas, Renoir, Monet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Picasso, and Van Gogh, the museum also owns a vast collection of ornate antique furniture pieces from various periods. The museum’s collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures is impressive and includes some of his notable works such as the Thinker and the Kiss. |Legion of Honor|

Museum Hours of Operation:
Mon: Closed
Tues-Sun: 9:30am – 5:15pm

Close to the boutiques and restaurants that dot along Hayes Street, this small park in Hayes Valley is the perfect place to take a breather from a long afternoon of shopping. The park is named after Patricia Walkup, a community activist who helped bring about the demolition of the double decker freeway that divided this neighborhood. Amenities at the park include a grass area that’s perfect for a picnic, a playground for children, park benches and tables.

With views of the City Hall dome seen in the distance, the park also currently features a massive six ton, 30 foot salvaged steel sculpture named “Ecstasy”. Created by artists |Dan Das Mann| and |Karen Cusolito|, the sculpture was first displayed at the Burning Man Festival in 2008, and was one of eight pieces from their work Crude Awakening. The sculpture will be on display until the end of December 2010, more information on this work and their other projects can be found at |Black Rock Arts|.

Part art gallery, part boutique, this 24th Street shop is the place to go to find unique art and fashion made by local artists and designers. Located in an emerging part of the Mission District, Wonderland SF is the brainchild of owner Irene Hernandez-Feiks, who opened the store to showcase the works of independent Bay Area artists and designers.

With its high ceilings, charming chandeliers, and unique art pieces displayed throughout the store, it’s a great setting for browsing the racks of apparel, accessories, jewelry, and handbags. It’s definitely worth stopping by on the first Thursday of every month for their art openings that are held in the store. |Wonderland SF|

Founded in 2009 by local San Francisco artist Fred Crum, the New Timezone Gallery is a Tenderloin district art space that features the work of emerging and well established local artists and craftsmen based throughout the region. Conveniently located just four blocks from Union Square, the gallery attracts a wide range of visitors from local residents to tourists.

Currently the gallery is open by appointment only, but the special exhibits and backyard receptions are great events worth checking out. Past exhibits have featured work by artists Tim DeSoto, Frank Skillman, Jack Freeman, Tripp Scott, and Derf Murc. For more information on the gallery and for upcoming exhibits, be sure to visit the the New Timezone Gallery web site: |Timezonesf|

Appointment Hours:
Mon-Sun: 9am – 6pm

Nestled between much taller buildings (the St Regis and the W Hotel), the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s minimalist brick exterior and striped circular skylight, still make a dramatic statement. This |Mario Botta| designed structure, completed in 1995, feels right at home amongst the tall buildings that dot this part of the city.

Founded in 1935, the SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast completely dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The museum now boasts a collection of more than 26,000 pieces of artwork in various mediums. For a quick meal between exhibits, try |Caffe Musseo| near the front entrance or the the new rooftop coffee bar that pours |Blue Bottle Coffee|. Best of all, admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month.

The gallery below has some of my favorite pieces from a recent visit to the museum, copyright credits and more information on all of the SFMOMA’s permanent collection can be found here: |SFMOMA Art Scope|SFMOMA Museum Site|

Museum Hours of Operation:
Mon-Tue: 11am-5:45pm
Wed: Closed
Thurs: 11am-8:45pm
Fri-Sun: 11am-5:45pm

Erected on the site of the 1895 original that was demolished following the ’89 earthquake, the rebuilt M. H. de Young Museum is a great example of modern architecture that enhances its natural surrounding landscape. Clad in perforated copper plates that patina over time, the long, dramatic lines and sharp edges of the exterior exude an industrial feel that create beautiful outdoor spaces, perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon.

The de Young is a great place for that daytime date, tickets are only $10 for general admission, and the special exhibits, while additional, have featured some amazing art pieces like Chihuly’s massive glass installations (seen below). Current special exhibits include the work of the late fashion designer |Yves Saint Laurent|, currently on display until April 5th, and Andy Warhol Live, on display until May 17th.

When a moment to relax is needed, the expansive outdoor patio at the de Young Café is a great place to enjoy the landscape, accompanied by a hot espresso. |de Young| |Dale Chihuly Glassworks|

Hours of Operation:
Tues-Sun: 9:30am-5:15pm
Fri: 9:30am-8:45pm (extended hours mid Jan. thru Nov.)