California Academy of Sciences: Within this complex of museums are a library, a research lab, a planetarium, an aquarium and a natural-history museum. As the oldest scientific institution on the West Coast, it has gathered excellent samples from many cultures and eras. Located near the Music Concourse, off Middle Drive East, (415) 750-7145.

Open daily 10 am-5 pm (winter); 9 am-6 pm (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Admission prices (per person, to the Steinhart Aquarium and Natural History Museum): adults $8.50, youth, students w/ID (12-17) and seniors (65 and over) $5.50, children (4-11) $2, children 3 and under free. Admission is free for all on the first Wednesday of each month. www.calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers: Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the entire City, this greenhouse is currently closed due to storm damage. It is a replica of London's Kew Gardens conservatory, and was built between 1876 and 1883. When open, it houses huge palm trees under its soaring dome, plus exotic orchids, water lilies and microclimates from around the world. Located at the eastern end of the park, just off Conservatory Drive.
Garden of Shakespeare's Flowers: Designed in 1928 by the California Spring Blossom and Wildflower Association to honor the plants and flowers mentioned in the Bard's poems and plays. Obsessed fans can play "name the work" as they pass each of the 150-odd specimens. At Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Middle Drive East, behind the California Academy of Sciences. Free.

Japanese Tea Garden: Many people's favorite part of the park, this was originally built as part of the sprawling Midwinter Fair. Begun by an Australian in 1894, this intricate and private (depending on the season) complex of paths, ponds and a teahouse features native Japanese and Chinese plants. Also hidden throughout its five acres are beautiful sculptures and bridges. Makato Hagiwara, a Japanese gardener whose family took over the garden from 1895 to 1942, also invented the fortune cookie.

Admission $3.50, children 6-12 and seniors 65+ $1.25; last hour is free. For Tea Garden admission info, call (415) 752-4227. Teahouse: (415) 752-1171. Located just east of Stow Lake, between JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. drives. Tea Garden open daily, 8:30 am-5:30 pm. Teahouse open 10 am-5:15 pm.

Strybing Arboretum: Begun in 1937 with WPA funds and charitable donations, this 70-acre horticultural extravaganza entices the senses with more than 6,000 plant species. The garden of fragrance -- with signs in Braille -- brings flowers alive with scent alone. The main entrance is on Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way. Also accessible from the Japanese Tea Garden through the Friend's Gate.
The Gardens are open weekdays, 8 am-4:30 pm and weekends and holidays, 10 am-5 pm. Free. (415) 661-1316 or fax (415) 661-7427. www.strybing.org

AIDS Memorial Grove: Built and maintained by volunteers, this solemn spot offers a chance for reflection. At the intersection of Bowling Green Drive and Middle Drive East (415) 750-8340. (Article)
Arts & Crafts: Adults and children can take classes in ceramics, painting, metal arts and drawing at the Sharon Art Studio. Call (415) 753-7004 for a brochure and schedule. Located near the Children's Playground at the far eastern end of the park, just north of Kezar Drive.

Beach Chalet: This two-story building, built in 1921, lurks over Ocean Beach and houses some of the best murals in the city. The frescoes were done by Lucien Labaudt and portray people of the City in various stages of play. Upstairs, in the bustling brewpub, you'll find present-day city dwellers tending to microbrews, casual California cuisine and stunning views. Happy hours Monday-Friday, 3-5 pm. 1000 Great Highway (between Fulton and Lincoln streets), (415) 386-8439. (Web site)

Buffalo Paddock: Small herds of bison have made their stoic presence known since 1892, when the park was a free-range zoo of elk, bears, goats and other animals. Next to Spreckels Lake.
Children's Playground: Swings, slides and other kids' favorites lie in the shadow of a carousel built in 1912. It's open daily, 10 am-6 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rest of the year, it's pen Friday-Sunday, 10 am-4:30 pm. Located at MLK and Bowling Green drives, (415) 831-2700.

McLaren Lodge: Located at Fell and Stanyan streets, this elegant building was built in 1896 to house John McLaren. It is also one of the oldest Mission-style structures in the City. Today, it houses a park information center and an ornate, classic meeting room. (415) 831-2700.

Music Concourse and Pavilion: Formally landscaped grounds lead to the classically styled Music Pavilion, built in 1899 as part of the Midwinter Fair to promote California.

Picnic Grounds: There is almost nothing more pleasant than a sunny day picnicking in the park. If you have a large group, reserving a spot could make the day hassle-free, as long as the weather cooperates. Barbecue pits are located between Marx Meadow and Speedway Meadow, near JFK Drive; (415) 831-5500.

Portals of the Past: A front porch standing without a house, reflecting in a still lake below -- that's all that remains of a wealthy Nob Hill house destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. It is the only public memorial to the disaster in the City. At Lloyd Lake, between JFK Drive and Cross-Over-Drive.

Strawberry Hill: This naturally formed island in the middle of Stow Lake is 428 feet high, thus affording great views of the surrounding park, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tamalpais. A good day hike, with lush foliage, trees and an artificial waterfall.

Shakespeare in the Park: In September, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival performs works every weekend. You can bring a picnic and bask in the late summer weather. Free. Located behind the Conservatory of Flowers.