Winter Activities in San Francisco
- Foggy San Francisco In The WinterJupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
Weather differences between winter and summer in the city of San Francisco, California, aren't as pronounced as they are in most of the U.S. But there is an advantage of a winter visit - airline flights and hotel rooms in San Francisco are less expensive during the winter. Attractions such as restaurants, museums, and shops are also less crowded. And, during the city's coldest months of December and January, San Francisco has plenty of indoor activities to offer. - Admission to the San Francisco Fireman's Museum is free, but it is open only Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the SF Fire Department Historical Society, the museum preserves the heritage and records the history of the SFFD. It houses documents, memorabilia, apparatus, appliances and other items. Apparatus include the first fire engine of the SFFD when it was formed in 1849, an 1892 horse-drawn engine, an 1897 steam engine, a 1927 water tower and a 1939 ladder truck. Listings of past department chiefs and those who died in the line of duty are shown, together with pictures of big fires from 1849 to 1989. Badges, patches, helmets, extinguishers and hydrants are also on display.
- The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a center for modern and contemporary art. The museum has a program of exhibitions, publications and collections, both local and international. In 2010, museum marked its 75th anniversary by presenting stories of those who helped make the museum, and by opening a new rooftop garden. Founded in 1935 and located a short walk from downtown San Francisco, the museum opens at 11 a.m. every day except Wednesdays. Admission is $18 for adults (2010 prices) and $9 for seniors, students and active U.S. military. Entrance is at half-price on Thursday evenings, and admission is free the first Tuesday of every month.
- The San Francisco Opera, the second-largest opera company in North America, presents high-quality opera performances every year. Recognized internationally for its productions and roster of opera stars, the company's season consists of about 75 performances of 10 operas between September and July. Its performing home, the War Memorial Opera House, was inaugurated in 1932 and now welcomes about 500,000 patrons yearly. Its 2010-2011 calendar of performances included classics such as "Aida," "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Madame Butterfly."
