Christine The Organizer

There are many traditions to be celebrated in San Francisco. One of the most iconic is taking a ride on the city's cable cars. They were first put into use in 1873 as a means of offering transportation for citizens who needed a respite from walking up the steep hills in the city. The fact that the cable cars operate in exactly the same way (they grip underground loops of steel to move forward) says quite a lot about this mode of transportation that has survived over one hundred years and is now almost always associated with the city of San Francisco.

The Cartoon Art Museum is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you walk through it and see the nearly 6,000 original items housed in this fascinating facility. The museum received the support of Charles M. Schultz, the creator of "Peanuts," and it was with that impressive blessing that the museum transitioned from a mere idea to becoming the only collection of its kind west of the Mississippi. Located in Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's art center, this popular venue attracts cartoon and comic lovers from all over the world. In addition to the major exhibitions held yearly, the museum also features the very popular bookstore that features several unique items for sale.

Music fans know that in these days of a volatile economy, it is actually a challenge to find a real music store anymore. That's why collectors stay devoted to Amoeba Music, which just happens to be the world's largest independent record store. Both young and old music fans alike spend hours flipping through Amoeba's incredible selection of vintage vinyl LPs to find several long-out-of-print treasures. There's also a great selection of CDs, DVDs, and related items like t-shirts, posters and various other collectibles. Plus, the store regularly features musical guests who perform right in the store. So don't lose your groove, find it, at San Francisco's Amoeba Music!