A Golfer's Guide To San Francisco
PRIVATE GOLF
The top-three private courses in the San Francisco area, according to Golf Digest's Best in State ranking:THE OLYMPIC CLUB (LAKE) (olyclub.com)
SAN FRANCISCO G.C.
MAYACAMA G.C. (mayacama.com)BEST BURGER
BALBOA CAFE on Fillmore Street is a local favorite: eight ounces on a baguette (balboacafe.com, 415-921-3944).
BEST SPORTS BAR
GREENS SPORTS BAR in Russian Hill has 25 TVs, two big screens and Golden Tee (415-775-4287).BEST RANGE NEAR THE AIRPORT
SAN BRUNO GOLF CENTER is within five miles of San Francisco International Airport. The range recently opened a 20,000-square-foot grass hitting area (sanbrunogolf.com, 650-952-1901).GREAT GOLF SHOP
GOLF MART in South San Francisco is five minutes from the airport. It's open seven days a week and features clubfitting (putter through driver), launch monitors and four hitting bays (thegolfmart.com, 650-583-4653).BEST SEAFOOD
FISHERMAN'S WHARF is a must for out-of-towners looking for enter-tainment and seafood. You can't go wrong with Alioto's (aliotos.com, 415-673-0183) or SCOMA'S (scomas.com, 415-771-4383).BEST STEAK
HOUSE OF PRIME RIB on Van Ness claims it's a "San Francisco landmark," but here's the only review you need:This is where 49ers linemen eat (houseofprimerib.net, 415-885-4605).BEST ITALIAN FOOD
PERBACCO is a trendy eatery in the financial district with an old-school feel and an extensive wine list (perbaccosf.com, 415-955-0663).BEST WINERIES
ROBERT MONDAVI is the winery to visit if you have time for only one. Located in Napa County, it hosts culinary shows, concerts and art exhibits (robertmondaviwinery.com, 888-766-6328). Locals will tell you the new hip winery is CASTELLO DI AMOROSA (castellodiamorosa.com, 707-967-6272). STERLING VINEYARDS is another top choice. You'll ride an aerial tram to the winery, 300 feet above the town of Calistoga (sterlingvineyards.com, 800-726-6136).BEST OFF-COURSE ACTIVITY
ALCATRAZ is an interesting and educational trip to the prison home of Al Capone. Be sure to take the audio tour. Boats leave from Pier 33, south of Fisherman's Wharf. Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for children 5-11 (alcatrazcruises.com, 415-981-7625).LIVE MUSIC
YOSHI'S on Fillmore Street has sushi and international jazz musicians (yoshis.com, 415-655-5600).FUN FOR KIDS
EXPLORATORIUM is the museum of science, art and human perception, offering more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Open T-Su, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $11 for kids 13-17 and $9 for children 4-12 (exploratorium.edu, 415-561-0360).
LOCAL FLAVOR
Architect ROBERT TRENT JONES JR., 70, has lived in the Bay Area since his graduate-school days at Stanford University. He loves it for the weather, the interesting culture and all the great golf courses. He's the perfect source for some local knowledge:WHAT SHOULD VISITORS SEE BEFORE THEY LEAVE?
San Francisco is one of the most physically beautiful cities in the world. You need to see Lombard Street, Chinatown, the waterfront, North Beach, and if you like to sail, get out on the Bay. And just to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge is an attraction in itself. Stop at the lookout and watch the fog roll in.DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE WINERY?
In Sonoma County, I like LYNMAR WINERY (lynmarwinery.com, 707-829-3374). They have great wine and live music.WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
SCOMA's is the place for seafood. I get the petrale sole because it's a local fish.
