Fort Mason

Once the Port of Embarkation from which the United States waged World War II in the Pacific, Fort Mason Center (Buchanan St. and Marina Blvd., www.fortmason.org [1]) now acts as home to numerous nonprofit, multicultural, and artistic organizations.

Where soldiers and guns departed to fight the Japanese, now visitors find dance performances, independent theatrical productions, art galleries, and the annual San Francisco Blues Festival (www.sfblues.com [2]).

At any time of year, a number of great shows go on in the renovated historic white and red buildings of the complex; check the online calendar to see what’s coming up during your visit.