adriatic coastline San Francisco has an amazing number of low priced joints that often serve wonderful food. At some of

Botanical Gardens 21 The Stud Bar 111 Summer of Love 37, 100 Sun Yat-sen 19 Sunday brunch adriatic coastline venues 65 Sunset District 117 Supperclub 71 Sutro, Adolph 39, 115, 116 Sutro Baths 39, 116, 117 Sutro Heights Park 115 Sutter, John 36 Sweet Dreams 128 swimming 72

San Francisco has an amazing number of low priced joints that often serve wonderful food. At some of the Mexican places in the Mission, for example, you can still fill up on delicious burritos, tacos, and the like, for under $5.00. Chinese restaurants are also usually good value.

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

Big Basin State Park, Boulder Creek Highway 9 is one of the most picturesque drives in the Bay Area, winding its way among the green Santa Cruz Mountains and through little towns where nothing much changes. Although it s minutes from Silicon Valley, life has a backwoods feel here.