LUMA Hotel San Francisco  

When you visit San Francisco for the first time, visiting Alcatraz is definitely a must-do. The Rock, as Alcatraz is known locally, was originally a lighthouse and a military out post and prison before becoming a federal prison. The likes of Al Capone, among others, served their time here. The tour takes you from the shore to this ominous island and the guides are all well-informed and always ready to answer your questions. The inherent drama of Alcatraz itself makes it worth seeing, but the added touches and expert treatment by the guides only underscore how essential it is to see this dramatic facility when you are in the Bay Area.

At Biordi Art Imports, they travel the world, so you don't have to! You will, however, reap the benefits of their globetrotting when you enter their incredible import shop. The truly amazing inventory includes such treasures as fine Italian majolica, among many other exotic items. Biordi has been consistently delivering the most sought-after items since it opened its doors in 1946, and that tradition of excellence continues to this day.

While The Mexican Museum's collection is relatively small, it does make up for its lack of size with its breadth of history. The exhibits cover Mexico's history from pre-conquest to the contemporary era. These visually compelling pieces of Mexican craft are augmented by the addition of various creations of art of the Americas that provide a more sweeping yet integrated perspective. Along with these compelling presentations, the museum also features an excellent gift shop in which you will surely find the perfect souvenir to remind you of your visit.

An evening at the ballet combines classical masterworks brought to life through the sharp and highly skilled movements of the various dancers who grace the stage at the San Francisco Ballet. The group has been touted as the most impressively diverse company in the country, and their busy performance schedule only solidifies that statement. With such impressive titles as Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker among the highlights of their season, its certain that whatever performance you choose to see, you'll experience the thrill of ballet entertainment at its finest.