San Francisco’s nightlife is varied and colorful, just like its population. There’s no single nightlife district—activity is scattered throughout the city, which gives you an opportunity to experience the distinctive flavor of more areas. Whether you linger downtown or in SoMa, where most of the city’s theater and dance clubs cluster; head to Civic Center for symphony, opera, or ballet; go to the Mission for music, bar-hopping, or cult cinema; or venture to the many attractions tucked into the city’s outer nooks and crannies, there’s always something fun to do. Bonus: Unlike Los Angeles or New York, in San Francisco you won’t have to pay outrageous cover charges to be a part of the scene. It’s also unlike New York in one other way: Bars close at 2am, so get an early start if you want a full night on the town here.

For ideas on what’s up, check out Where (wheresf.com), a free tourist-oriented monthly that lists programs and performance times; it’s available in most of the city’s finer hotels. The Sunday edition of the San Francisco Chronicle features a Datebook section, with information on and listings of the week’s events. If you have Internet access, it’s a good idea to check out www.citysearch.com, www.sfstation.com, or www.7×7.com for the latest in bars, clubs, and events. For information on local theater, check out theatrebayarea.org. If you want to secure seats at a hot-ticket event, either buy well in advance or contact the concierge of your hotel and see if he or she can swing something for you.

Drinking & Smoking Laws

The drinking age is 21 in California, and bartenders can ask for a valid photo ID, no matter how old you look. Some clubs demand ID at the door, so it’s a good idea to carry it at all times. Once you get through the door, forget about cigarettes—smoking is banned in all California bars—and that includes marijuana, whose possession and use is permitted (in limited amount) if you have a medical marijuana card.