Playing Tourist in SF

I love playing tourist in my own area. On the list of things to do, is visiting the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. I've never been, and so on Monday, in honor of MLK, Jr., Kevin and I headed to the city for a little cultural enrichment. This place was amazing. There is a ton to see and do. High on the list of favorites for me were the penguins. They have their own little section of area to run, slide, swim, and play. I loved watching them. Throw a koala bear and/or a panda in this place, and it would have been perfect.

Another highlight is the rainforest they have growing in the middle of the museum. It is four stories tall, and has butterflies, birds, and all other plants and insect life growing and flying around. You are able to get close enough to touch the butterflies, and they don't move. Awesome.

This isn't just a gratuitous photo of me...If you look in the foliage, there really is a butterfly in there.
No zooming. The butterfly was just that close.

After the adventures in the Academy of Science, we headed to Coit Tower, which overlooks SF. It has amazing views and is just a very pretty spot. You can see pretty much everything from there, and it is just a really cool place to wander and see a "birds eye view" of the City. Plus, it has some great historical importance, which is what I geek out over. Kevin knows me well. But enjoy the pics anyway.

Not the best photo, but it was getting late. A view from the top of the tower.
Coit Tower

The evening was finished off with dinner and dessert in North Beach (basically Little Italy). It was pretty much a perfect day. I love a random day of playing tourist in your own backyard.