Bowling around San Francisco has changed greatly over the years. No longer are the lanes only the domain of children’s birthday parties and greasy finger food. These days, there are slick, stylish and even hip bowling alleys competing for the adult market, which means this city has more options than ever to set ‘em up and knock ‘em down.
The Yerba Buena ice-skating rink and bowling alley is an unsung hero of central SoMa, standing out amongst its artsier neighbors. Although relatively slick and stylish compared to other bowling spots, this twelve lane semi-secret retains most of what people remember from growing up: easy shoe rentals, daytime discounts, glow-in-the-dark bowling sessions and big group events. There’s no bold 70s stripy paint job on the inside, just clean, amusing fun in the heart of one of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods.
Housed in one of the odder locations for a bowling alley, Presidio Bowl sits in a decommissioned military building just off the Main Post. Odder still, it serves breakfast starting at 9 a.m., along with salads and the usual assortment of deep-fried fare. This twelve lane facility can feel like a delightfully weird time-warp, but reasonable rates, retro video games and occasional free pizza on Sundays make it an ideal outing for big groups on the hunt for some retro fun.
Far more modern is South of Market’s Lucky Strike, the San Francisco location of a lounge-y national bowling chain that stays open late. Billiards, a dance floor and lane-side food service keeps the atmosphere light and swanky, and everyone enjoys the on-site photo booth after a few cocktails. By serving elevated entrées like truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, it’s entirely plausible that you could spend a fun night with friends at Lucky Strike, and never even end up strapping on bowling shoes.
The humble game of knocking over pins with a ball reaches the peak of fanciness at Mission Bowling Club on 17th Street. This hard-to-book alley has only six lanes, so the wait to throw strikes can be long. But with couches in lieu of plastic lane benches, a gourmet kitchen – including weekend brunch service on the back patio – and a respectable wine list, Mission Bowling does everything to win both the hipster and the bowling enthusiasts’ vote. And all without being the least bit ironic.
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Things To Do In Los Gatos
Fuze Fit For a Kid
Up to 62% Kids' Active Play Sessions
Under the guidance of coaches, kids engage in old-school games of rock-wall climbing and obstacle courses while interacting with technology
Los Gatos
Up to 76% Off Classes at CrossFit Los Gatos
CrossFit Los Gatos
Los Gatos
$120 $29
Coaches guide clients of various levels in strength and conditioning program to boost muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility
Up to Half Off at Hiking Yoga
Hiking Yoga
Multiple Locations
$20 $9.99
Outdoor hiking and yoga combine for 90 minutes of cardio and strength work in a natural setting, and groups can take private hikes
55% Off Musical Instrument Course
Tavan Music Academy
Los Gatos
$40 $18
Local businesses like this one promote thriving, distinctive communities by offering a rich array of goods and services to locals like you
Up to 52% Off Girls' Makeovers
Razzberry Lips
Los Gatos
$150 $75
Girls can opt for a fantasy makeover as a princess, diva, or rockstar with party activities or have their ears pierced
Up to 82% Off Kickboxing or Martial Arts Classes
Studio Kicks Training Center
Los Gatos
$57 $10
Burn calories in high-energy cardio kickboxing classes or master the 5,000-year-old techniques of martial arts
Up to 51% Off Rock-Climbing Lesson
Adventure Out
South Bay
$99 $49
Fully insured and permitted instructors teach climbers or all skill levels fundamental skills during four-hour sessions with gear included
Up to 91% Off Boot-Camp Package
Be Fit Boot Camps
Multiple Locations
$221 $25
Expert personal trainers lead boot-camp sessions in which pupils sprint, lunge, and pass medicine balls
58% Off Private Guitar Lessons
Chris Bryant Guitar School
Los Gatos
$225 $95
Musician bases his curriculum on simple chords and chord progressions, teaching students in whatever genre of music most interests them
61% Off Fitness Classes from StrollerPower!
StrollerPower!
Multiple Locations
$90 $35
Instructors lead groups of moms with stroller-age kids through energetic workouts at local parks and trails
Up to 63% Off Pilates at Los Gatos JCC
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Los Gatos
$160 $69
Students build strength using a Reformer apparatus in group and private Reformer classes; mat classes help sculpt bodies
53% Off Intro Rock-Climbing Class
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$105 $49
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Select Local Merchants
The Los Gatos Weekly-Times profiled the Museum of Los Gatos and its new Duchamp exhibit and community outreach efforts. Culturevulture.net and VIA magazine featured the museum as part of profiles on Los Gatos. The Los Gatos Observer reviewed a number of exhibits at the Museum of Los Gatos.
24 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos,
CA
US
Digital Media Academy is a technology camp for both kids and adults, which landed a spot on Worth magazine's Top 10 Summer Camps list in 2010. Founded at Stanford University in 2002, the camp hires industry professionals to lead campers in exploring a huge variety of topics in STEM fields—that's science, technology, engineering, and math. Kids and teens ages 6 through 17 learn video game design, app development, filmmaking, photography, computer programming, Python, and more—all while practicing physical and teamwork skills as well. Adult classes focus on practical skills for career advancement, including topics such as digital photography, app design, and computer-graphic design. Teen and adult courses are even eligible for Stanford's continuing-studies credits.
718 University Ave.
Los Gatos,
CA
US
Though the word collage may conjure images of elementary-school projects covered in macaroni art, the form has been around for centuries and practiced by renowned artists such as Picasso and Matisse. Twin Soul Art Studio founder Jeanne teaches the techniques of collage to students as young as 7, drawing on her BFA in graphic design and career as a children’s book illustrator. During classes and collage parties, Jeanne guides each student toward creating aesthetic and functional pieces with disparate items such as newspaper clippings, buttons, photos, and pets' obedience-school diplomas.
644 N Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos,
CA
US
Holy City Art Glass—housed in a ghost town's one-time post office—sets a historic stage for anyone to learn the time-honored art of creating glass art. Over the course of the two-hour session, accomplished owner Tom Stanton and his cadre of savvy, dedicated glass-art gurus steer the class of 8–10 artistes-to-be through a triumvirate of traditional glass-making processes. Students will first learn how to engrave glass surfaces by etching a star onto a beveled piece of glass, utilizing the same processes that expert artisans employ to cut Waterford Crystal and tree-trunk love poems for JJJfilms.
21200 Old Santa Cruz Hwy
Los Gatos,
CA
US
Having shot more than 30,000 subjects throughout his career as a photographer, including many Silicon Valley business figures, Eric Gould understands how to create a good photo in any setting. His adeptness at communicating with subjects carries into his photography workshops, where he conveys difficult concepts clearly and methodically, saving students from such rookie mistakes as shooting with the lens cap on or turning the flash on while taking pictures of your imaginary friend's third grade graduation. In his own photo sessions, he frames professional clients in business portraits and headshots, high-school seniors in youthful poses, athletes in midaction, and a wide spectrum of people and places encountered on international travels.
333 Blossom Hill Rd.
Los Gatos,
CA
US
