Sports / Recreation, San Francisco

1 more image

Affordable and nice spa retreat on the verge of Pacific Heights and Japantown area.
I spent 2.5 hours there (doing dry/wet sauna, cold and then hot pool 3 times in a row) and had a wonderful skin afterwards.
The atmosphere is very relaxing, calming. You are not supposed to talk, so bare that in mind, if you come with a group of friends.
FOR LADIES: If you are wondering about the clothing part - during my stay most women wore nothing, some wore bottoms and only a few wore full swimming suits.
We showed on a Friday at 11am and were the last ones to walk in without reservation, the rest of walk-ins had to be put on the waiting list. Better reserve a spot in advance.

LOCATION: 1750 Geary Blvd at Fillmore Str.
HOURS: 10am-10pm (baths close at 9.45pm).
PRICE: for communal baths $20 (on weekdays), $25 (on weekends). Your every 10th visit is FREE (ask for card).
RESERVATIONS: call 415.922.6000, then press #2 (10am-6pm).
MEN`s days: M, Th, Sat.
WOMEN`s days: Wed, Fr, Sun.
MIXED days: Tuesdays (clothing required).
VALIDATED PARKING: Is available from the Japan Center with any spa treatment (excluding the communal baths.)

NOTE: Photo ID is required. Not for kids below 10y.o.

If you do not know anything about sauna, let me tell you a few things:
- you never go to a sauna hungry or with a full stomach. Eat light and do not drink a lot of liquids.
- you never wet your hair while doing dry/wet sauna.
- you always cover your head (with a small towel) before entering a sauna.
- upon entering a sauna try to close a door behind you as fast as you can, to not cool it down for others.
- do not spend more than 15 minutes in a sauna at once, you`ll overdo it. Always listen to your body - if you do not feel well, it is time to get out.
- have 15-20 minutes breaks between saunas. Do a facial mask (cucumber), lay down, relax.
- 2-4 sessions are enough for one visit.
- attend it once a week.

The Annual San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12 K Race is said to be the oldest consecutively run foot race in the world. Held annualy since 1912, this race has some of the craziest participants ever seen. The centipede catagory is always a favorite and the you can count on seeing more Elvises than you can shake a stick at. A large percentage of runners wear costumes, and some wear nothing at all.

In 1986, the 110,000 racers resulted in the Guiness Book of Records calling the Bay to Breakers the biggest footrace in the world.

My friend Bob will be running his 21st consecutive Bay to Breakers on May 15th, when this years race will be run.

San Francisco City Guides are sponsored by the SF Public Library, located at 100 Larkin Street. Over 25 tours focus on different aspects of San Francisco culture, including the city's history and architecture. Included are a walking tour of the Mission District's murals, an Art Deco tour of the Marina as well as tours of China Town & North Beach. All tours are free, though donations to benefit the library are requested.

Tours are offered 52 weeks a year, rain or shine. An expanded schedule, in May and October, offers additional walks, some of which are given only in these two months.

Tours are offered in San Francisco’s most famous (or, in some cases, infamous) districts, as well as in some of its more hidden neighborhoods. Walkers meet at the place & time designated in the current Tour Schedule. No reservations are required. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and look for their City Guide at the meeting place.
City Guides are lead by dedicated volunteers.

Call or check the website below for information.

You're going to meet the die-hard Giants fans when you head to SBC Park (new name - ick!). Okay, maybe you'll meet some not-so-die-hard Giants fans, too... but everyone will be having a great time, and you'll get to experience one of the best ball parks anywhere. And some good $5.50 garlic fries that you'll taste for days.

I have season tickets in the bleachers -- if you want to go to a game, let me know when and I'll let you know if my seats are available!

The fog tends to appear quite often in the evenings, but once in a while we get lucky with incredible sunsets that rival the ones in Hawaii. If you happen to be here on one of those days, make sure to head out to Ocean Beach to see it. That's what we do!

...on really expensive, but decent, beer. $7.25 for a Sierra Nevada, folks. Good thing I don't like beer very much. On the other hand, Mark and Jackie had their share and the prices didn't seem to bother them. It's all in a good night's fun at the park.

At Pac Bell Park, you can watch the game, at least for a little while, for free. On the path that separates Pac Bell Park from the waterfront (the Splash Zone), there are big arches that look on to the field, where you can stand and watch the game for free. The security guards will eventually ask you to move on, but it's policy to let you watch for a certain amount of time. Verrrrry cool. And maybe Barry Bonds will hit one out of the park, but not quite in to the water, and you'll have yourself a little souvenir.

Every day you can see people plying their wits against each other here on Market (street) by the Payless shoe store.