Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
220
DANCING
Although you'll find a v ariety of dance classes for little ones at places like the P residio
Dance Theater, S tardance, City B allet, S an F rancisco B allet, S han-Yee P oon B allet
School, and the J ewish Community Center, these ar e all for multi-w eek sessions. Your
best bet for drop-in classes is the
Cheryl Burke Dance Center,
1830 17th St. (
&
415/
252-9000;
www.cherylburkedance.com), although the classes ar en't strictly gear ed for
kids. Wednesdays at 7, 7:45, and 8pm y ou can take dr op-in salsa classes, and F riday
nights the center offers a v ariety of dr op-in dance classes, including Argentine tango,
swing, ballroom dancing, and salsa, which ar e followed by a dance par ty ser ving only
snacks and nonalcoholic drinks.
FISHING
You'll find fly-casting pools at Golden Gate Park, on the western side of the Polo Fields,
but you need to bring your own equipment unless you're content just to watch the regu-
lars.
Hi's Tackle Box
at 3141 Clement St. (btw. 32nd and 33rd aves.;
&
415/221-3825;
www.histacklebox.com) is consider ed the best stor e in the B ay Area for any equipment
fresh- and salt-water fishing enthusiasts may need.
Sportfishing
boats leav e fr om P ier 41 (btw . J ones and Taylor sts.) ev ery morning
around 6am on half- and full-day trips for salmon, shar k, or whatev er happens to be
running. Each boat captain wor ks independently, but you can get pricing and an o ver-
view of the fleet at www .sfsportfishing.com. Of note is the
Lovely Martha
Sportfishing
Charters (
&
650/871-1691;
www.lovelymartha.com), run by three generations of the
same family. Boats can be char tered for deep-sea fishing, S an F rancisco B ay fishing,
sightseeing, or parties.
8
GOLFING
San Francisco boasts several excellent public courses.
Golden Gate Park Municipal Golf
Course,
built in 1950, is the best choice for beginners. It's a 9-hole course with a narrow,
tree-lined fairway. The clubhouse is located betw een JFK D rive and F ulton Street near
47th Avenue (
&
415/751-8987;
www.goldengateparkgolf.com), and boasts a ne w res-
taurant ser ving Memphis-style barbecue. G reens fees ar e $14 for 9 holes ($4 for kids
under 17) and $28 for 18 holes M onday to Thursday; Friday to S unday, it's $19 for 9
holes ($6 for kids) and $38 for 18 holes. Club r
entals and kids ' classes ar e av ailable.
Advance tee times are not accepted.
Built in 1895 for the exclusive use of the military,
Presidio Golf Course,
off the Park
Presidio Boulev ard entrance at 300 F inley Rd. (
&
415/561-4663;
www.presidiogolf.
com), is currently the most popular public course in the city. Golfers were ecstatic when
the army turned o ver that par t of the P residio to civilian use. Lined b y eucalyptus and
Monterey pine trees, its challenging 18 holes ar e played much of the y ear in foggy and
windy conditions. Tee times may be r eserved 30 days in adv ance, either online or b y
phoning central reservations at (
&
415/561-4653
). Greens fees vary widely—from $39
to $132 depending on time and day of the week—and are cheaper for Bay Area residents
and kids under 18. Club r ental is available, and there's a driving range and r estaurant.
Farther west is the most beautiful of the public courses,
Lincoln Park
(300 34th Ave.;
&
415/221-9911
), which boasts exceptional views of the Golden Gate Bridge from its
perch on the edge of the coast. B uilt in 1908, this hilly, par-68 course has 18 holes that
sit amidst Monterey cypress and pine trees. Facilities include club rental and a restaurant.
Arrange tee times b y calling
&
415/750-4653
6 days in adv ance. Greens fees, which
were recently $31 to $35, were being revised at press time.
