"What's New" is a listing of new venues, attractions and activities compiled by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB).

Take Me to the Hilton® San Francisco Financial District
Officially opened on Jan. 12, 2006, the 549-room Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearny St., reflects the results of a $40 million transformation and is the prototype for a new generation of strategically located, contemporary, service-rich business properties within the Hilton brand. Home to the new 200-seat Seven Fifty: A Taste of the Mediterranean restaurant and the nationally acclaimed Tru Spa, the hotel also features valet parking and more than 450 underground public parking spaces. Each of the spacious rooms (300 sf) offers views of the city and bay. Guests will enjoy sinking into the overscaled red wing chairs in the stylish cocktail lounge and bar, which is highlighted by a dramatic fireplace. For more information, call 415-433-6600 or visit www.sanfranciscofinancialdistrict.hilton.com.

Museums

Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco Reopens
In a related story, the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco has reopened in its former location on the third floor of the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearny St.

Under the Hilton flag, the center has gained a remodeled auditorium, expanded gallery and shop space, new classrooms and offices. Opening exhibits at the 32-year-old institution include Duk Duk Chaang: The Clamor and Glamour of Chinese Opera, a comprehensive survey of the history of Chinese opera from April 23-Sept. 9, 2006. A brand new East/West opera will premiere in English with English and Chinese subtitles May 19-20: The Grand Seducers: Giovanni Meets Xi-men Qing. A special lecture series by Dr. William Hu in collaboration with the Chinese Performing Arts Foundation, Chinese Historical Society of America, Chinese Culture Center and Chung Ngai Dance Troupe accompanies the exhibit as well. For information, call 415-986-1822 or visit www.c-c-c.org.

Beat Museum Acquires North Beach Digs
Herb Caen, long-time San Francisco Chronicle columnist, is credited with coining the term "beatnik" in 1956 to describe the "groupies" of the Beat Movement who clung to the coffeehouses of North Beach on the West Coast. It could just be karma, but 50 years later, San Francisco finally has a Beat Museum as of Jan. 13, 2006. Located at 1345 Grant Ave. the museum has Jack Kerouac memorabilia, posters, correspondence and signed photos of Beat elite, a rare copy of Howl, and even Kerouac bobble-heads. Open from 10 am to 8 pm except Monday. For more information, call 800-KER-OUAC or 831-372-4911 or visit www.thebeatmuseum.org.

"A City Is Only As Great As Its Art Museum ... "
John Buchanan, the new director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, has lived by this adage for many years. He can certainly test its merits with the new de Young and recently restored Legion of Honor which is each offering a first and a last chance to see two touring exhibits. San Francisco's Legion of Honor will be the first venue of the international tour of Monet in Normandy, June 17-Sept. 17, 2006. Monet spent much of his life in Normandy and this selection of 50 paintings brings viewers to the bustling harbor of Le Havre and the towers of the Rouen Cathedral. The de Young Museum is the final stop for The Quilts of Gee's Bend, July 22-Nov. 12, 2006. More than 60 quilts made by four generations of African American women who live in Gee's Bend, 30 miles southwest of Selma, AL, evoke such comments as "eye-poppingly gorgeous." For more information, call 415-863-3330 or visit www.thinker.org.

No Straight Lines: Queer Culture and the Comics at Cartoon Art Museum
Twenty cartoonists join forces at the Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission St., for No Straight Lines: Queer Culture and the Comics, the first museum exhibition devoted entirely to queer comics. On view from March 18 to June 25, 2006, the exhibit is divided into two thematic sections, "Life and Love" and "Culture and Politics." Some of today's most influential and controversial cartoonists explore the remarkable diversity of queer culture and the comics, everything from homicidal lesbian terrorists to super-heroine drag queens, coming-out stories to political commentaries, autobiographical rants to the most extreme flights of fancy and all points in between. No Straight Lines also features individual spotlights on Alison Bechdel, creator of the nationally-syndicated strip Dykes to Watch Out For and Howard Cruse, creator of the series Wendel and the award-winning graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby. For more information, call 415-CAR-TOON or visit www.cartoonart.org.


Events

49th Annual San Francisco International Film Festival
The longest running film festival in the Americas and the largest in California will hit the screens again April 20-May 4, 2006.

Acclaimed for its fearless programming and audience friendly format, the festival brings extraordinary international filmmakers and films to U.S. audiences as well as screening U.S. and world premieres of films. The festival was the first in the United States to introduce the work of several generations of major film artists - from pioneers such as Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini and Satyajit Ray to recent contributors like Spike Lee, Jane Campion and Sofia Coppola.

For the first time, the festival opens with a film from Hong Kong-, Peter Chan''s moving musical romance, Perhaps Love. Ed Harris, whose film credits include Apollo 13, The Right Stuff, The Hours and A History of Violence, is among the honorees this year. For more information, call 415-561-5000 or visit www.sffs.org.

World's Longest Conga Line Kicks Off Bay Area National Dance Week April 21
All Dance! All Free! All Week! is the rallying cry for the eighth annual Bay Area National Dance Week (BANDW) April 21-30, 2006. Bay Area National Dance Week presents 244 free performances, classes, rehearsals, demonstrations and events offered by 122 dancers and dance groups at venues throughout the Bay Area. As the largest per capita center for dance in the United States, the Bay Area''s festivities have been the most extensive and best attended celebrations in the country since BANDW''s inception in 1998. At noon on Friday, April 21, people will be encouraged to dance wherever they are, including taking part in "The World''s Longest Conga Line" in downtown San Francisco, beginning in Union Square and moving through surrounding streets to Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street. For more information, call 415-561-1433 or visit www.bayareandw.org.

San Francisco''s Presidio Heights Setting for 29th Annual Decorator Showcase
The San Francisco Decorator Showcase makes a return visit to a fashionable Beaux Arts mansion at 3701 Washington St. In 1988, decorators transformed the four-level residence. They will return this spring for an encore. Situated on an 8,700 sf lot with lush gardens, the home offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The house is open to the public April 29-May 29. An audio tour, describing everything from the powder room to the great room, is included in the admission ($30, $25 for seniors). For more information, call 415-447-5830 or visit www.decoratorshowcase.org.

Spring Open Studio and Sale Blossoms with Art Finds
Billed as the largest artists colony in the U.S., The Point (a.k.a. the former Hunters Point Shipyard) is home to more than 250 artists. On May 6-7 from 10 am to 6 pm, 160 of them will participate in the 15th annual Spring Open Studio. There''s fine art, fine crafts, fine food as well as art demonstrations. For information, visit www.springopenstudio.com.

Ghirardelli Square Uncorks Some New Wine Fest Fun on May 20, 2006
Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point, debuts its first annual public wine festival, Uncorked! on Saturday, May 20, in partnership with COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Uncorked! will feature wine tastings from award-winning Northern California wineries as well as offer educational wine seminars and five-star chef demonstrations. General admission tasting tickets are $35 and include a souvenir wine glass; reserve tickets are $75, providing access to the VIP tent, a gift bag and reserve wine tastings. For more information call 415-775-5500 or visit www.ghirardellisq.com.

Carnaval San Francisco 2006 Percolates Through Mission District
Billed as California''s "largest annual multi-cultural celebration," Carnaval San Francisco 2006 is set to bring the heat to the heart of the Mission District, May 27-28. One of the city''s most spectacular traditions, Carnaval showcases the best of Latin American and Caribbean cultures and traditions with an array of food, music, dance and artistry. Spanning seven blocks, the festival portion of the event takes place on Harrison Street between 16th and 23rd streets, May 27-28. On Sunday, May 28, the Carnaval Grand Parade starts at 9:30 am at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets and proceeds west on Mission Street. Grand marshal honors this year go to Nick Jr.''s Dora the Explorer. For more information, call 415-206-0577 or visit www.carnavalsf.com.


Family Fun

San Francisco Performances Presents Spring Family Matinees
For about the cost of a movie, families can see and hear some of the world's most acclaimed artists as part of San Francisco Performances annual Family Matinee Series. Family matinees are usually about an hour in length and are ideal for children from 4 to 10, but all ages will find the programs inspiring. The series includes dance, classical guitar, and jazz.

Artists performing include vocalist Luciana Souza joined by the SFJAZZ All-Star High School Ensemble, Paul Taylor Dance Company, guitarist Antigoni Goni and Israel's Inbal Pinto Dance Company. Each event is priced at an affordable $8-$15; performances begin on March 25, 2006. For ticket information and locations, call 415-392-2545 or visit www.performances.org.

Six Flags Marine World to Unveil Tava's Jungleland
Seven new rides, a new expanded children's adventure area, all-new Shouka's Splashtime Show and new holiday-themed event highlight Six Flag Marine World's new season which opened on March 4, 2006. Named for the park's beloved African elephant, Tava's Jungleland features a giant treehouse, seven family rides and interaction with live lorikeets, macaws, porcupines, camels and more. Among the new rides are a sky-high ride in Nairobi's Look Out Balloons and Safari Jeep tours. Shouka and Merlin will offer audiences a rare view of a killer whale and dolphin interacting in the Shouka Stadium. For more information, call 707-644-4000 or visit www.sixflags.com/marineworld.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Launches Oceans 2006 - A Year of Exploring
"Oceans 2006: A Year of Exploring" will encourage kids to discover their connections with marine life at the aquarium and beyond through monthly "Exploration Events" and online activities. Young explorers should get their "Official Explorer's Passport" and start collecting different stamps through a series of special events and activities, such as "Deep Sea Days" in June. For details about the "Year of Exploring and a calendar of events, call 831-648-4888 or visit www.montereybayaquarium.org .

Tours and Activities

San Francisco CityPass Adds Aquarium of the Bay to Program April 1
Effective April 1, 2006-March 31, 2007 the San Francisco CityPass program will add Aquarium of the Bay to its program. The $105.45 value for only $49 will include a seven-day unlimited use of San Francisco Municipal Railway public transit, which includes the cable cars as well as the historic F-line streetcars, plus tickets to the new de Young Museum and Legion of Honor (this is a shared ticket- one ticket good for both attractions as long as both attractions are visited in the same day), Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay and a choice of either the California Academy of Sciences or Asian Art Museum; once activated, the passes are good for nine days. For more information, call 888-330-5008 or visit www.citypass.com.

Tourgi - "It's Like Having a Tour Guide in Your Pocket"
Tourgi, Your Tour GuideTM is a sightseeing guide that allows users to listen to narratives on Java-enabled mobile devices. Visitors to a site can simply log in to the mobile tour guide and select a narrative to begin listening. In addition, if the device is GPS-enabled, users can try the Tourgi Mobile GPS edition and let their cell phone find sites in the vicinity.

Tourgi sightseeing narratives can also be enjoyed on a PC via the Internet or downloaded to an MP3 player. And, if visitors have sightseeing tips to share, they can upload their own narratives - allowing other Tourgi members to hear about their experiences. Tourgi registration is free and allows up to 15 Internet downloads; a full subscription, $21.95 for one year, allows access to mobile narratives as well as unlimited Internet downloads.

Narratives are currently available for San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and London, with more cities coming soon. For more information, visit http://www.tourgi.com.

Blazing Saddles Bike Tours Add Audio and Daily Guided Group Tour
Family-owned and operated for more than 20 years, the popular bike rental and touring company Blazing Saddles had introduced an MP3 Player-based audio tour which riders can rent with their bike. It instructs every rider to follow the bike map provided and encourages stops along the way, both historical and modern.

It explains the history of the Golden Gate Bridge and guides riders all the way to Sausalito. Currently in English only, the tour will be translated into other languages later in the year. Blazing Saddles has also recently added a guided group tour which departs at 10 am daily from 2715 Hyde St. For more information, call 415-202-8888 or visit www.blazingsaddles.com.

Experience the Wild Side of California with Nature Trip
One of San Francisco's newest tour companies encourages guests to experience the "wild side" of California using high quality binoculars and spotting scope to view wildlife. Tours are designed for all levels of nature enthusiasts with an emphasis on bird watching, wildlife behavior, natural history and conservancy.

Regularly scheduled full and half day trips originate from San Francisco and explore the spectacular Pacific Coast, Coastal Mountain range, San Francisco Bay marshlands and the surprisingly wild Sacramento Delta. Tours via seven-passenger vans include the full day Nature Trip (8 to 9 hours); half day Nature Trip (4 to 5 hours); and a full day Wines and Wings tour (8 to 9 hours). Multi-day nature trips also are available to the more distant corners of the Golden State and beyond to witness fascinating wildlife migrations, view stunning landscapes and experience the richness of the cultures that make up this diverse region. For more information, call 415-355-0450 or 866-353-8600 or visit www.naturetrip.com.

S.F. Whale Watching Expeditions Explore Farallons and California Coast
Visits to the Farallons, whale watching expeditions, eco tours, adventure cruises, corporate charters and events are the sea-worthy lures of S.F. Whale Watching Expeditions. The seasoned naturalists onboard caution passengers, "Whale watching involves a lot of watching." Some days as many as 20 whales are seen; some days, none. Nevertheless, one sees spectacular coastal scenery, sea birds and the "devil's teeth," the Farallon islands located 32 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Blue and humpback whales migrate July through November; gray and sperm whales November through May. Owned by the Sausalito-based Modern Sailing Academy, the whale watching expeditions depart from San Francisco's Gashouse Cove, 10 Marina Blvd., near Fort Mason Center; $85 adults, $50 children. For information, call 415-331-6267 or visit www.sfwhalewatching.com.

Team Building Ideas with a Beat and a Twist
As the post-lunch slump sets in, the wise meeting planner in San Francisco should turn to Autumn Yoga. Not only does Autumn Alvarez of the eponymous Autumn Yoga bring yoga classes and sessions to convention sites, she tailors it for the specific group. Dentists get an upper body workout and for off-site events and retreats, she focuses on workouts that support the goals of the group. Cave Music, the inspiration of David Auerbach, uses "sound explorations" to aid with team building exercises. Using a wide variety of instruments, Auerbach suggests capping off a wine tasting or dinner, in a cellar or cave, with a hands-on percussion party. Expertly led, pressure-free and irresistible, it's easy to do and fun to watch. Auerbach also performs throughout the Bay Area.

Making the leap from low tech to high tech, The Go Game uses web-enabled cell phones and digital cameras to move teams of three-to-eight players (one phone per team) through a series of competitive challenges or "missions" in ingenious, daring and creative ways. Players download "missions" to their phone and complete them by submitting digital "proof" of completion. Along the way they may be challenged by actors (a.k.a. "plants") who interact with the team in a number of ways.

Autumn Yoga, www.autumnyoga.com, 510-390-1423. Media contact: Autumn Alvarez, 510-390-1423, autumn@autumnyoga.com.

Cave Music, www.cavemusic.net. 707-224-4222. Media contact: David Auerbach, 707-224-4222, theimprovisator@yahoo.com.

The Go Game, www.thegogame.com, 415-206-0586.

On the Waterfront
From the Ferry Building to Fisherman''s Wharf, San Francisco''s scenic waterfront continues to make public access a priority. Three projects of note:

The Piers Project Transforms Piers 1 ½, 3 and 5 Near San Francisco''s Ferry Building
Slated to open in mid-June, 2006, The Piers, a $50 million, 117,900 sf mixed use project will include two small cafes and a larger restaurant as well as office space. Almost one-third of the project, some 40,000 sf, is dedicated to public access including The Port Walk for strolling, viewing the Bay and observing the historic buildings along the Embarcadero. The Pier 7 Plaza, adjacent to one of the city''s longest public access piers, will offer outdoor seating for the Pier 5 café site. Berths for water taxi service and private yachts (for up to two weeks) will also be available. For more information, visit www.thepierssf.com.

Fort Mason Foundation Signs on for Another 60 Years
In 1977 Fort Mason Center opened its doors. Home to three dozen nonprofit organizations and the setting for 15,000 activities each year, this former military installation has become the model for successful "swords to plowshares" transformations. The center, administered by the Fort Mason Foundation, recently renewed its lease for another 60 years. Located on 13 waterfront acres. it recently completed a $13 million seismic retrofit and structural rehabilitation of its Pier Two, which includes Cowell Theater and Herbst Pavilion topside. The 1,188 sf Firehouse was recently refurbished, and the internationally acclaimed Greens Restaurant has added a private dining space for 42. Long-term plans call for the complete restoration of Pier One, which will eventually yield 55,000 sf of new and dramatic program space. Complementing these restoration efforts is "Park for Preservation," a plan to charge for parking to be implemented this May. The first hour will remain free; $8 per day. All net proceeds go toward center preservation. For more information, call 415-441-3400 or visit www.fortmason.org.

San Francisco Maritime Museum to Close for Remodeling
The first phase of a 24- to 30-month long rehabilitation of the Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park National Historic Landmark District is slated to begin June 2006, according to the National Park Service which administers these components of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The first phase of the project tackles the Maritime Museum, housed in the "streamline moderne" Aquatic Park bathhouse.

Tasks include roof and window repairs. The second phase of the remodeling, projected to begin in the fall of 2007, will entail reconstruction and repair of the bleachers and underground workspaces adjacent to the Maritime Museum. Built in 1939 they were originally designed for spectators to watch swimming and boating events in the protected lagoon. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/safr.

Restaurants

India Calls: San Francisco's Maharani Restaurant Screens Bollywood Movies
Ranked as one of the No. 1 Indian restaurants in San Francisco by the San Francisco Chronicle and others, Maharani Restaurant, 1122 Post St., is spicing up its evening fare with more than just its aloo methi and panchali vegetables. Not only are they screening popular movies from India, they are also offering a brand new wine list that complements the food. Founded in 1989, Maharani offers Northern Indian fare and is open for lunch (except Sunday) and dinner daily.

Diners have a choice of a la carte items in the full-service main dining room, Peacock Lounge, or four prix fixe menus - including a full vegetarian option - in the Fantasy Room. The menu has also been recently updated to include "on the plate" offerings. For more information, call 415-775-1988 or visit www.maharanirestaurant.com.

Betty Boop's Joins Sears Fine Foods and Lori's Diner Family
Sears Fine Food, known for its world-famous 18 Swedish pancakes with warmed maple syrup and a dollop of whipped butter for only $7.95 - some 77,000 come off the griddle a week - and Lori's Diner, which serves classic American '50s fare at eight Bay Area locations, are adding a sweet young thing to the group: Betty Boop's Diner at 161 Powell St., just steps from the starting point for San Francisco's Powell Street cable car line. Slated to open in April, the diner's menu is bound to prompt a few "boo-oop-a-doops." For more information, call 415-362-8001 or visit www.bettyboops.com.

Beard Papa Sweets Café Opens on Yerba Buena Lane
While Yerba Buena means "good herb" in Spanish and is one of the original names San Francisco was known by, it's also soon to be synonymous with sweet delights. The "world's best cream puffs" will be tempting the sweet tooths of San Francisco soon. Opening at 99 Yerba Buena Lane (between Third and Fourth Streets off Market Street), Beard Papa opened its first U.S. store in 2004 and has added a dozen since. A subsidiary of Osaka's Muginoho, the company has more than 240 outlets in Japan and some 40 franchises elsewhere in Asia. Beard Papa's cream puffs are made fresh daily and are baked, not fried. Each puff is filled with cream when the order is placed to ensure optimum freshness and quality. No preservatives are used and flavors are created with the highest quality ingredients available such as Madagascar vanilla beans, Bavarian dark chocolate, high-grade, Japanese green tea extract, etc. For more information, visit www.beardpapasf.com or www.muginohousa.com.

San Francisco International Airport

Edmonton and San Francisco on Fast Track for United Airlines
United Airlines began daily non-stop service between Edmonton and San Francisco on Feb. 2. Edmonton, with 1 million-plus residents, is the capital of Alberta and one of Canada''s most affluent provinces. For more information, visit www.united.com.

Qantas Begins Flying March 29 from Sydney to San Francisco
Starting March 29, 2006 Qantas will add San Francisco International Airport to its international network of flights. "The new services link the Sister Cities of San Francisco and Sydney and also provide business links from the San Francisco region," noted Wally R.

Mariani, Qantas Airways senior executive vice president, The Americas and Pacific, also adding that Qantas "will initially offer three non-stop weekly services on the San Francisco-Sydney route, operating three-class Boeing 747-400 aircraft." For information on Qantas, visit www.qantas.com/us.

Spirit Airlines Connects Motor City to San Francisco
Daily non-stop service from Detroit Metro to San Francisco International Airport will begin on May 25, 2006. These new flights, which also offer connecting service to Atlantic City, Cancun, Fort Myers, New York''s LaGuardia Airport, Orlando and Myrtle Beach, S.C., will be served with Spirit Airbus A319 aircraft. "We are thrilled to add the premier San Francisco area airport to our route map this summer," said Barry Biffle, chief marketing officer, Spirit Airlines. For more information, call 800-772-7117 or visit www.spiritair.com.

Calling All Hoosiers: Northwest and AirTran Airways Expand Service Between Indianapolis and San Francisco
Northwest will offer new daily nonstop service to San Francisco from Indianapolis International Airport starting June 1, 2006. This is coupled with an additional daily flight to Los Angeles, the return of seasonal service to Seattle and improvements to its schedule to New York''s LaGuardia Airport. "The addition of nonstop service to San Francisco, an afternoon nonstop option to Los Angeles and more capacity to New York builds on our comprehensive schedule, which provides Hoosiers with nonstop flights to top business and leisure destinations throughout the U.S. and convenient connections to hundreds of cities worldwide,"" said Steve Sear, vice president of sales. Through San Francisco, travelers will also gain another single-connection option from Indianapolis to Northwest''s Asia/Pacific hub in Tokyo. For more information, visit www.nwa.com.

AirTrans Airways begins direct, daily nonstop service between Indianapolis and San Francisco on June 7, 2006.<;/strong>
The new flight, which departs at 9:25 am and arrives in San Francisco at 11 am, will be served by the airline''s popular, all new Boeing 737 aircraft. "These new flights are evidence of AirTran Airways commitment to Indianapolis travelers, our confidence in Indianapolis International Airport and our desire to expand our presence in Indianapolis," said Joe Leonard, chairman and CEO, AirTrans Airways. For reservations or more information, visit www.airtran.com.

BAGS, Inc. Adds San Francisco''s Moscone Center to Service Locations
Built around the concept of a "virtual airport," Baggage Airline Guest Services/BAGS, Inc. is now available at San Francisco''s Moscone Center. Offering airport check-in for domestic flights (boarding pass and checked baggage) at locations away from the airport for $10 per bag, up to two bags per passenger, the service is also offered in 15 cities at 30 locations including several premier hotels, other convention centers and onboard world-class cruise lines. For more information, call 407-447-5647 or visit www.airportbags.com.