Tamil Nadu Itinerary ideas

Three days

• Kanchipuram
• Shankara Madam
• Kailasanatha: consider ASI guide
• Vaikunta Perumal
• Ekambaranathar
• Kamakshi
• Devarajaswami
• Kanchi Kudil (local history): 53 A, VN Dillai St
• Vegavathi River?
• Marakkanam Siva temple
• Kaliveli tank: migratory water fowl & pelicans
• Uttaramrur
• Two late Pallava temples by Dantivarman
• TBD

Five days

Route 1: Coastal Tamil Nadu

• Viluppuram
• Kalrayan Hills
• Thiruvakkarai
• national geological park with petrified trees
• Sivan Kovil (Special prayers every Pournami)
• Marakanam Beach Salt field
• Ginjee/Senji-Ramagiri/Krishnagiri
• Venugopalaswamy temple
• Mandagapattu Village rock-cut temple: archaelogical site
• Sathru Malleshwara Alayam, Thalavanur village
• Brahma Easalam: Kamalakanni Amman & mural paintings, Rajagiri hill
• Fort (Rajagiri, Krishnagiri)
• Kalyana Mahal tower
• Venkatarama temple
• Tirumalai Jain complex
• Thiruvaamathoor Abhirameshwarar
• Thumpoor Nagamman
• Ennairam Narasimha Swamy
• Thalavanur Shatru Malleswaralayam – Rock cut temple
• Pachchaiamman Temple
• Theerthangarargul Jain sculptures
• Melmalayanur Angala Parameshwari
• Singavaram Ranganathan
• Mel Chittamur Jain temple
• Thirunarungondai Jain cave & temple
• Thirukkoilur
• Ulagalanda Perumal
• Kabilar Kundru
• Mayilam - Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple
• Veedur dam
• Gomukhi dam with 2 waterfalls
• Megam falls 6 Km from Kachirayapalayam
• Eesalam-Ramanatha Easwarar
• Thiruvennainallur Sivan Kovil: Birthplace of Sadaiappar, patron of Kambar
• Auroville
• Garden: 10-1, 2-4:30 except Sunday
• Matri Mandir with tickets?
• Puducherry
• Aurobindo Ashram
• Beach
• Museum
• Manakula Vinayagar temple
• Botanical gardens (10-5)
• Beaches
• Goubert Ave (Beach Road)
• North: Quiet, Reppo, Serenity
• South: Chunnambar: Paradise Beach: water sports, backwater boats
• Boating: Mudaliar Kuppam
• Arikamedu archaelogical site
• Government Pondicherry park
• Cuddalore
• Pichavaram Mangrove forest: Parasailing, rowing, caneoing, boating
• Vadalur: Sathyagnana Sabhai, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dec-Jan Thai Poosam festival
• Srimushnam Bhuvaraha Swami Temple
• Padaleeswarar Temple
• Devanatha Swami Temple
• Tiruppapuliyur Pataleswarar
• Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswami
• Thiruvahindrapuram Devanatha
• Kalvarayan hills
• Sethiarthoppu
• Veeranam Lake
• Bhuvanagiri Raghavendra Swami birthplace
• Anaivari village (sugarcane/paddy): Kali Amman Kovil
• Arulmigu Sree Madhurakaaliyamman in North Senninatham village
• Chidambaram
• Nataraja Temple
• Ariyalur
• Gangaikandachozhapuram
• Jayankondam (originally Nellimagramam)-Sivan Kovil with Nellikai tree
• Kaliyaperumal temple
• Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil
• Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
• Valikandapuram Temple
• Perumal Kovil
• hirumanur Temple, Keelapaluvar, and Melapaluvur Monuments
• Elakuruchi church-Joseph Besky-Veerama Munivar
• Dharasuram
• Airavateshwara
• Nagapattinam
• Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayathatchi Amman Temple
• Sowriraja Perumal Temple
• Poompuhar
• Silappathikaram Art Gallery
• Tharangampadi
• Masilamaninathar (dilapidated)
• Koothanur Sarasvati
• Sikkal Singaravelan
• Thirukkuvalai/Thiruvarur/Thiruvaiyaru
• Thyagarajaswamy
• Sri Murugan Temple is situated at Engan
• Sri Kothandaramar Temple at Thillaivilagam in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
• Sivan Temple at Alangudi
• Bird Sanctuary at Udayamarthandapuram in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
• Kilaiyur twin temples
• Vedaranyam
• Vedarnyeshwarar
• Kodikkarai Backwaters/Bird sanctuary & Boating (Point Calimere)
• Great Vedaranyam Salt Swamp: Dec & Jan: Flamingoes
• Jeep/bus/walk
• Muthupet Mangrove Forest & Lagoon
• Go to Pettai village, get permission from forest department & get boats (Rs.700/day), Early morning is the best time
• Anbil
• Trichy
• Mukkombu (Kollidam river branches off from Kaveri)
• Pachamalai
• Ucchi Pillaiyar/Thayumanavar
• Jambukeshvara @ Thiruvanaikkaval
• Kalanai (Grand Anicut)
• Lower/upper cave temple
• Srinivasanallur
• Koranganatha
• Punaji temple
• Namakkal temple
• Srirangam
• Nartamalai
• Mallaiyadipatti
• Perambalur
• Rajankudi Fort
• Siruvachur Mathurakaliamman Kovil
• Sathanur Fossil tree
• Chettikulam village
• Ekambareshwarar
• Baladhandayuthapani
• Pachamali hill station
• Foothills Myluthu Falls
• Akaya Gangai high up
• Valikandapuram Sri Valeeswarar temple
• Elambalur Brummarishi Malai
• Ladapuram Natural Falls
• Sri Thirumangali Amman Temple
• Sri Viruthagreeswar Temple at Venganur
• Karur
• Kalyana Venkatramaswami temple @ Thanthonrimalai
• Kalyanapasupathishwarar
• Velayuthapalayam, Pugalur, Pugazhli Murugan temple
• Thottakkurichi Shree Malaiyamman Temple,Karur
• Nerur Sadashiva Brahmendra Samadhi, river side park
• Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, River side park
• Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park
• Vennaimalai Shree Balathandayuthapani temple
• Vangalamman Temple, Vangal
• Sri Sellandiamman temple, Kadambankruchi, Near Kavery River
• sri solliamman temple, Athur
• kalliamman kovil, Manmagalam
• Noyyal Shree Selaandiyamman Temple, Karur
• Sree meghabhalishwar temple, Pugalur
• Murugan temple,Paalamalai
• Sri Sellandiyamman Temple, sanappiratti
• Sri Sakkarathalvar temple, karur
• Thanjavur
• Brihadeeshwara
• Bird Sanctuary at Vaduvur
• Royal palace
• Saraswathi Mahal Library
• art gallery/Sangeeta Mahal
• Pullamangai
• Brahmapurishvara temple
• Master silk weavers
• SwamiMalai
• Karpathishvara Temple
• Sculptors
• Tirumangalakkudi Pramanatheshvara
• Kumbakonam
• Sarangapani
• Kumbeshwara
• Nageshwara
• Mahamaham tank

Route 2: Central Tamil Nadu

• Hoggennakkal waterfalls
• Salem
• Yercaud
• Lake
• Kiliyur Falls
• Mettur
• Kalrayan hills?
• Rasipuram
• Namakkal
• Thayar Kovil
• Botanical Garden, Semmedu, old Tampcol site
• Rock fort
• Narasimhan
• Ranganathan
• Tiruchengode/Thirukodimadachengondurur: Ardhanareeshwara
• Kolli Hills (Namakkal district)
• Arapaleeshwarar
• Akasha Ganga
• Masila Falls
• the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Boat house, Peryaswamy Temple, View Point and the Telescope House
• Boat house @ Vasalurpatty, Sollakadu-Thinnanurpatty road

Route 3: Western Tamil Nadu

• Coimbatore
• Indira Gandhi National Park
• Trichy

Near Tirupathi

• Tirupathi
• Rock formation: Serpent hood, conch, discus
• Akasa Ganga
• Papa Vinasam Dam
• Sri Venkateshwara national park
• Chandragiri Fort
• Sound & Light show: Nov-Feb 7:30 PM
• museums (10-5, Sat-Thu)
• Govindarajaswami
• Venkateshwara museum of temple arts
• Kapileshwaraswami temple
• Kapila Theertham waterfall
• Thiruchanur
• North Pulicate Lake
• Neelapattu Lake
• Nellore
• Mypadu Beach
• Horsley Hills

Near Guruvayur

• Jan 17: Chennai to...
• Jan 18: Guruvayur
• Punnathoor Kotta temple elephants
• Sri Maheswara Temple, Koorkancherry Jan-Feb Utsavam
• Cheruthuruthi
• Kerala Kalamandalam
• Thauryathrikam festival? (January)
• Shiva temple
• Thrissur Archaelogy museum (9-1, 2-4:30) in Sakhthan Thampuran Palace
• Royal Chariot
• Guruvayur Devaswom Institute of Mural Painting
• Thypooya Mahotsavam festival in Jan/Feb
• Jan 19: ...to Ernakulam
• Tirupunitra
• Hill Palace Museum
• Deer park, cashew trees
• Cherai Beach
• Goureeswara Temple
• 9 day Utsavam with traditional dance (Jan/Feb), 2nd day: Elephant procession
• Purnatresan
• Vadakkunnatha temple
• Museums
• Durbar hill road Shiva temple Utsavam (Jan/Feb)
• Netoor
• ENS Kalarippayattu school, opp Mahadevar temple: demos: 6-7 PM, Sun (3-7 PM)
• Mattancherry palace & Parikshit Tampuran Museum (10-5 except Fri & national holidays)
• Kalady
• Cochin Cultural Center
• Kerala Kathakali Center (6:30-7:30 PM, make-up 5:00PM, check timings)
• Jan 20: …to Chennai

Near Hoggenakkal

• Hoggenakkal
• Kolli Hills
• Yercaud & Shevaroy Hills?
• Shevaroyan temple
• Lady’s seat
• Bear cave

List of Places

• Chennai
• Kanchipuram?
• Mahabalipuram?
• Pulicat Lake?
• Yelagiri Hills?
• Yercaud?
• Anbil
• Kaveri?
• Kolli Hills?
• Swami Malai?
• Chidambaram?
• Point Calimere Sanctuary, Kodigeri/Kodikkarai?
• Vedaranyam?
• Guruvayur
• Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi National Park? Coimbatore District
• Erivakulam National Park? Munnar?
• Silent Valley National Park?
• Coonoor?
• Ratnagiri Murugan temple?
• Marudhamalai?
• Ooty?
• Mukurthi National Park?
• Mudumalai National Park?
• Annamali Hills?
• Thekkady, Periyar National Park?
• Tirupathi
• Thiruthani?
• Vellore: Sripuram Golden Temple, Jalagandeshware Temple?
• Puducherry?
• Kodumbalur Muvakoil temple

Other wishlist:

• Coorg, Thala Kaveri, Madikeri
• Nagarhole National Park
• Bandipur National Park

Local places near Chennai

• Crocodile Bank
• Night Safari: 7-8:30 PM weekends

• Pulicat?
• Muttukadu
• DakshinaChitra
• Boating
• Marina Beach & other beaches
• Chepauk Palace
• Covelong Beach
• Guindy/Vandalur? Vaguely remember a zoo here. If so, reject.

• Elagiri hills?
• Vedanthangal?

• Mahabalipuram
• Shore temple, Arjuna’s/Bhagiratha’s Penance/Descent of Ganges, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Pancha Ratham, Mahishashuramardhini Mandapam, Ganeha Ratha, Krishna’s butter ball, Kotikal Mandapam, Ramanuja Mandapam, Dharmaraja cave: consider hiring ASI guide
• Tiger cave in Saluvankuppam
• Trimurthi cave, Adivaraha temple, Varaha Cave temple
• Mammalapuram Dance festival
• Beach away from the shore temple
• New lighthouse, Old lighthouse temple/Olakaneshvara
• Vedagirishwara Eagle temple in Tirukkalunkundram: Bhaktavatsaleshvara
• Injambakkam Cholamandal Artists’ village
• Vivekananda House
• Ramakrishna Mutt temple
• Theosophical Society
• Fort St.George
• Museum
• Chennai Government Museum, Pantheon Road
• Kalakshetra
• Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Sangita Vidyalaya
• GeorgeTown
• Chennakesavara
• Chennammallikesvara
• Esplanade Lighthouse
• Burma Bazaar
• Sriperambathur: Ramayana friezes
• Thiruttani
• Vellore
• Sripuram temple
• Fort
• Museum
• Jalakanteshwara
• Vrinchipuram Marghabandhu temple
• Thiruvannamalai
• Arunachala temple
• Ramanashram
• Virupaksha/Skandashram Caves
• Panamalai Talagirishvara temple
• Chengalpet
• Vallam
• Three Pallava cave temples

We push the van ?

We push the van ?, originally uploaded by bajjisw.

Guess where I am. This was during the IIT days.

Nice photo logs

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/2007/olympic/

Mexico Trip suggestions

From a friend for a friend.

"Your friend needs to purchase Mexican Car Insurance. It can be obtained beforehand or at one of the border towns. As always, they want to maintain full tanks of gas b/c there's lots of desert miles between stations.

Be advised that police officers are often corrupt, mostly at the border, so one shouldn't ask them questions or deal with them unnecessarily. If your friend should need directions or something like that, it's a better idea to ask a store vendor. Regarding military checkpoints, they need to keep all the immigration documents handy and not lose them.

A common sense thing is to keep several stashes of cash, in case you ever should need to "pay off" someone.

The small sleepy town I used to vacation at is San Felipe. It has very calm and warm waters. It takes about 8 hours to get there. Rosarito is much closer, and you can get great lobster dinners there.

Above all else, make sure your friend does not drink the local water! Bottled water is a must. And I don't know if it's the season, but there's scorpions.

That's about it. I hope these tips don't scare your friend too much. It's a really beautiful place to be. "

Northern Lights in Alaska

We need the following for good northern lights viewing:

1. New moon
   
2. Away from city lights (can be arranged)
3. Good solar wind activity (http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/)
4. Clear sky (unpredictable)

Interesting SF Getaways

Best Eccentric Walks (2006)

The Vampire Tour

(650) 279-1840
www.sfvampiretour.com

Gathering every Friday and Saturday night just outside Nob Hill's Huntington Park (across the street from Grace Cathedral), the Vampire Tour is the antidote for those who think the occult can't be fun or irreverent. Tour creator Kitty Burns stars as the 100-plus-year-old Mina Harker. Surely there has never been a more entertaining, comedic version of the legendary vampiress of the dark — certainly not one so friendly with the staff of the Fairmont Hotel (one of the last stops). Elvira should be advised to step aside. Harker is kind enough to refrain from indulging in her nightly feeding ritual until 3 a.m., about five hours after her tour ceases, so birthday party revelers needn't worry they'll become the celebration cake. And fortunately for lazy mortals, vampires don't like to walk too much: This tour isn't strenuous, which we appreciate even though we're not dead yet.

Best Eccentric Walks (2006)

Stairways Across San Francisco

793-0224
www.perfectsites.com/Stairways

Buns of steel await those able to conquer the physically demanding routes offered by Stairways Across San Francisco. More than a fleeting tourist fancy, these tours require a bit of commitment, ranging from several hours to all day, and involve climbing the most treacherous steps the city has to offer. Some stairs feel as close to 90 degrees as possible, which isn't exactly conducive to the well-being of those with vertigo. But the views — whether of land, water, or curious architecture — are just as rewarding as the burn. Stairways proprietor Dennis Macheel offers the antithesis to all those leisurely walking tours in which strolling rarely gives way to flat-out urban hiking.

Best Long Hike (That Ends With a Beer) (2006)

Ocean Beach to Pompei's Grotto

Starting at the Beach Chalet, walk north along Ocean Beach. Bask in that Pacific Ocean blue before climbing halfway up Point Lobos Avenue, crossing an unpaved parking lot just above the ruins of Sutro Baths and hopping onto the Lands End trail. This rollercoaster path contains breathtaking views of our steep, jagged coastline, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge. When it ends, follow El Camino Del Mar through ritzy Seacliff and into the Presidio, where, just past the last house on the left, you can turn left onto a rugged, unmarked trail that ends at Baker Beach. Traverse the entire length of the beach, then scramble up the sand ladder, and head north on the Coastal Trail adjacent to Lincoln Boulevard, eventually making your way to the bridge. Here, northeast of the concession stand, is a trail that descends into Crissy Field. You're at the home stretch now: Just make your way across that old airstrip, Yacht Harbor, Marina Green, and Fort Mason, where you'll finally arrive at Pompei's Grotto, 340 Jefferson (at Leavenworth), an odd little joint serving ice-cold beer and sporting heavily lacquered captain's chairs. Perfect. As a final treat, take a cab home.

Best Low-Budget Boating (2006)

Spreckels Lake and Stow Lake

Golden Gate Park, Spreckels Lake [Map]

36th Ave. (at Fulton)

San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Park

Yacht clubs are terribly overrated, and all of that keeping up with the Joneses is quite a bore. We prefer to indulge in a much more, um, refined activity, a luxurious sojourn away from the predictable Marina masses. We're talking about a bundled-up afternoon watching the motorized sailboats at Spreckles Lake in Golden Gate Park, a tradition that goes back generations. Heck, some of the boats on the water have probably been handed down at least a few times. And those who might want to get their feet (a little) wet can head east to Stow Lake for another mainstay — the cheap boat rentals ($19 an hour for a paddle boat, $14 an hour for a rowboat; both seat four). True, they're a bit old and rickety and perhaps not antiseptically clean (you'll have to wait for five-seater electrics, coming this summer, for that). But you won't have to learn any sailing mumbo-jumbo to use them.

Best Night Kayaking (2006)

City Kayak

City Kayak [Map]

Pier 38, Embarcadero & Townsend

San Francisco, CA 94107

415-357-1010

http://www.citykayak.com

Embarcadero (at Townsend), 357-1010
www.citykayak.com

If you're a baseball fan, City Kayak provides one of the most unusual views of the game. Join one of the company's Full Moon kayaking trips and you'll end up bobbing about outside PacBell Park just as the post-game fireworks go off. You'll literally feel the vibrations from the explosions in the base of your boat. And the colors look very pretty reflected in the inky water. The fireworks display isn't the only marvel you experience on this two-hour nighttime adventure: Paddling out from Pier 38 in a one- or two-person kayak at sunset, the guided tour takes you under the Bay Bridge (avoiding, with a bit of luck, oncoming tankers and passenger ferries) and past the Ferry Building and other landmarks. City Kayak provides all the equipment and expertise, not to mention tasty pizza when you arrive at the other end, exhausted, damp, and exhilarated.

Best Outdoor Swing Class (2006)

Lindy in the Park

Every Sunday the park provides an aesthetic backdrop for all kinds of physical endeavors, from jogging and tai chi to in-line skating and — perhaps most unusually — swing classes. This local swing dance group has been offering free sessions in the middle of the city's longest stretch of greenery every Sunday since 1996. Running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a beginners' class at 12:30 that teaches the basic steps, Lindy is the place to go to polish up your Shorty George, Tandem Charleston, and Texas Tommy to the sound of classic big band jazz and twittering birds. Because it attracts a wide cross-section of San Franciscans, the course is as much a social event as it is a physical and musical one. Dancing on asphalt isn't all that easy (the organization's Web site suggests wearing shoes with worn-out soles to prevent stickiness), but the vibe is so groovy that you're likely to forget about such pedestrian issues.

Best Place to Learn to Fly (2006)

Motivity Aerial Dance Classes, Studio 12

2525 Eighth Street (at Dwight), Berkeley, (510) 587-0770

Have you ever wanted to learn how to fly? Studio 12's Motivity classes prove that you don't necessarily need wings or to become a human cannonball to do it. Taught by husband-and-wife team Kate and Phil Weglarz, the beginner and intermediate level courses combine dance with trapeze techniques into an unusual art form that's a cross between contemporary ballet, gymnastics, and circus. Over a typical six-week series, budding flyers learn how to balance on and swing from a variety of bars, hoops, and other dangling paraphernalia as well as how to glide and spin through the air with — one hopes — the greatest of ease. The mix of specific drills and freeform improvisation with partner and group work keeps things interesting. And even though the thought of spinning upside down on a bar hanging 15 feet off the ground might fill most of us with terror, the instructors' unintimidating and creative approach makes it easy to climb to dizzying heights.

Best Place to Play Darts (2006)

Eagles Drift In Lounge

1232 Noriega (at 19th Avenue), 661-0166
www.sfda.net/eagles.html

When you feel the need to throw a small feathered javelin at a circle of cork, propel yourself to this Inner Sunset darts hangout. Every Monday night at 8:30 there's a darts tournament ($5 entry fee) complete with handicapping and trash talking. Single players take on random "shooters" in a best-of-three competition; the top eight winners advance to the semi-playoffs, then the top four battle their way to bull's-eye glory. Eagles also has a pool table, free food on Fridays, and a friendly atmosphere to go with its eight tournament dartboards. If the ambience strikes your fancy, A Darts Central in Ingleside and Dart Doctors of San Francisco at Irving and Funston will set you up. (There's another Eagles Drift In on Bryant, but it has only one dartboard.)

Best Place to Score a Bull's-Eye (2006)

Archery Field

Golden Gate Park, southeast of Fulton and 47th Avenue, 831-2700

Just this side of the Dutch windmill at the western end of Golden Gate Park is a lovely, misty glade just perfect for making believe you're in Sherwood Forest, where joints of mutton trump shiitake risotto and an unwavering skill with quiver and bow is a matter of life and death. At one end of this tree-enclosed, daisy-dappled lawn, backed by a gentle slope and a low forest, are nine bales of hay reinforced with wooden slats and metal tubing. Wannabe Sir Robins are invited to affix bull's-eyes thereon, notch their shafts, set their sights, pull back with manly strength and, if possible, split their opponent's arrows. Even if you aren't the archery sort, the whiz and thwack are pleasantly Zenlike. Bows, arrows, targets, and other necessities are available to rent at the San Francisco Archery Pro Shop, 3795 Balboa (at 39th Ave.), 751-2776. Archery instruction is included in the rental fee.

Best Place to Swashbuckle (2006)

Golden Gate Fencing Center

2417 Harrison (at 20th Street), 626-7910
www.gofencing.com

Before you storm the parapets or raid your next Spanish galleon, drop by the Golden Gate Fencing Center and pick up a few (literal) pointers. The staff of former Olympic coaches and national team fencers trains both novice and experienced swordspersons in the art of the foil (a thin, blunted sword for thrusting) and epee (a heavier, stiffer sword) through tactical drills, footwork, directed bouting, and physical fitness. Men's and women's epee classes are held Monday nights, foil classes Thursday nights, or you can sign up for individual private lessons at $30 apiece, equipment included. (There are also kids' classes and week-long half-day camps throughout the summer for budding buccaneers.) The center features an equipment shop and two gymnasiums with seating for spectators, and if you've really got the blood of Don Diego Vega coursing through your veins, sign up for the intensive year-long Olympic-level training program and you just might find yourself defending a maiden's honor — or at least getting a little booty.

Best City Tour for Locals (2006)

Mundane Journeys

364-1465
www.mundanejourneys.com

This occasional bus tour (check the Web site or call for information about scheduling and cost) wasn't created for Aunt Jane from Omaha, although she'd probably enjoy it. The brainstorm of owner-operator Kate Pocrass, Mundane Journeys is specifically crafted for those of us who live here. The idea is to see the city in ways that we may not have seen it before, and make discoveries along the way. There's no driving to Coit Tower, no pointing to the Golden Gate Bridge. But depending on the itinerary, be prepared to stop at, say, a kite shop in Chinatown, or check out the singing barber of Ross Alley. Did we mention that there's nothing mundane about Mundane Journeys? A book spawned by the company's unorthodox tours (called, logically enough, Mundane Journeys) has nearly sold out of local book stores. A second printing is due this summer.

Best Dance Classes (2006)

Metronome Dance Center

Metronome Ballroom [Map]

1830 17th St. (at De Haro)

San Francisco, CA 94103

415-252-9000

http://www.metronomedancecenter.com

1830 17th Street (at De Haro), 252-9000
www.metronomedancecenter.com

Tucked away in Potrero Hill (but easily accessible by bus), Metronome offers pretty much anything you could want in the way of rug-cutting. It'll set you up with lessons ranging from beginning group Argentine tango to one-on-one ballet instruction, from massage for dancers to lessons on becoming a dance instructor. Some classes are focused on fitness; others (like the ballroom dancing program) can prepare you for serious competition. Metronome offers a men-only beginning hip hop class for boys who'd like a safe space in which to explore their inner freak, and there's even a wedding workshop for couples looking to share a perfect first dance. You can pay for classes in 10-lesson blocks or on a drop-in basis.

Best Eccentric Walks (2006)

Foot Tours

793-5378
www.foottours.com

As we are with those supposed comedy traffic schools, we tend to be suspicious of walking tours that advertise having comedians as guides. Foot Tours has proven itself worthy of exception, attracting a roster of reputable Bay Area comedy talents with an impressive collective résumé, from writing for major late-night network programs to touring with household names. A sampling of tour titles reflects that creativity: Liz Grant's "Where's the F'ing Beach in North Beach?" asks a really good question; Mark Nadeau's "Drugs, Thugs, Crimps & Pimps" peeps S.F.'s former red light district; and Bruce Cherry's "Hobnobbing With Gobs of Snobs" in Nob Hill is particularly fun for those living in more downtrodden neighborhoods who like to sneer at the wealthy.