What to Do If It's Raining (or Too Foggy) in San Francisco

San Francisco isn't Seattle or London by any means, but rainy days can get in the way of enjoying the city. Actually, a foggy morning is what bothers people most — fog is always cold and damp and gray. But you don't have time to grouse about the weather. You have things to do, places to see, people to meet . . . oh, you don't like getting wet? Okay. Here are a few rainy/foggy-day options.

Taking afternoon tea

Afternoon tea at one of the many hotels that offers it is probably the only civilized way to keep dry. Try the cozy King George Hotel, 334 Mason St. (weekends only); the Fairmont Hotel's Laurel Court, California and Mason streets; the Palace Hotel, Market and New Montgomery streets (Sat afternoons only); or the Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton Street. Neiman Marcus also has a lovely, traditional tea service in the Rotunda restaurant from 2:30 to 5 p.m. daily.

Checking out Japantown

Head to Japantown and take cover inside the Kinokuniya Building at 1581 Webster St., between Post Street and Geary Boulevard. Although this and the other buildings in the area aren't much to look at from the outside, inside you can get a delicious bowl of noodles at Mifune, the most authentic noodle house in town, and then entertain yourself in any of a number of stores, such as Mashiko Folkcraft and the Kinokuniya Bookstore. If the sky still hasn't cleared up, take in a movie at the Kabuki Theater next door. This multiplex gets all the latest films.

Luxuriating at Kabuki Springs

Staying indoors can turn into a modest luxury at Kabuki Springs & Spa, 1750 Geary Blvd., at Webster Street, a most respectable communal bathhouse. You can soak your feet, have a massage, and take a steam bath. Women may use the communal bath facilities on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; Tuesdays are coed; and men get the rest of the week. Shy people may not feel comfortable at first walking around the premises au naturel, but no one will bother you.

Rock climbing (or working out) at the Touchstone Mission Cliffs Gym

Rather than let the kids climb the walls in your hotel room, take everyone rock climbing (indoors of course) at Touchstone Mission Cliffs Climbing and Fitness, located in the Mission District at 2295 Harrison St. and open every day. This world-class facility caters to beginners and experts of all ages and even folks who never dreamed of making like flies.

Watching the weather from the Cliff House

Admire the storm from the confines of the Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos Ave., on the Great Highway. This newly renovated historic property now enjoys two restaurants, a bar, and viewing decks. The food, while rather expensive, is quite good fortunately, but what you are really shelling out for is the impressive view of Seal Rocks and the Pacific Ocean, doubly dramatic if waves are crashing about.

Finding activities for everyone at the Metreon and Yerba Buena Gardens

The Metreon and Yerba Buena Gardens make up a one-stop rainy-day haven, particularly if you're traveling with your family. Teens can flex their independence at Zeum or in the Airtight Garage. The elders, if they aren't needed, can shop, play pool at Jillian's, or even dash across the street to the Museum of Modern Art. Bowling and ice-skating work for everyone, and when it's time to regroup, you can see what's playing at the movies.

Defying the weather at the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences has taken up residence south of Market (until 2008) in a multistoried former garment warehouse at 825 Howard St. Among the aquarium, the exhibits, the gift shop, and the cafe, you can find enough to keep you busy until the sun comes back out. You'll also be just down the block from Yerba Buena Gardens and about two long blocks from the new Apple Store, where you can check your e-mail or discover some new tricks for your iPod.

Sightseeing on the F-Market streetcar

Grab an umbrella, and then grab a seat on the F-Market streetcar for a ride to The Cannery. Yes, it's just a shopping mall, but still, it's an attractive shopping mall with some fun things to do with the kids.

Doing business on a rainy day

A great thing to do is sit around your hotel lobby, or better yet the glamorous lobby at the Palace Hotel (2 New Montgomery St.), and complain about the weather. Grab a copy of the Chronicle for good measure. Whisper into a cellphone while gripping a cup of coffee in your free hand. Then hail a cab and dash to the nearest Internet cafe to check your e-mail: Golden Gate Perk, 401 Bush St. at Kearney has computers if you didn't bring your laptop, and Café de la Presse, 352 Grant Ave. has free Wi-Fi. If you think the rain is bad, be thankful you haven't been inundated with foggy mornings for 40 days straight. Now you know why anyone who can afford a summerhouse in Napa puts up with the traffic on Friday afternoons.