Click MAP to locate destinations preceded by yellow numbers.

African American history, art and cuisine are a rich part of the city’s downtown neighborhoods. Start your day at the Civic Center. The street in front of the beautifully renovated City Hall is named for the late African American civic leader Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett, publisher of the Sun Reporter.

On the third floor of the Main Public Library (Larkin and Grove) is the 400-square-foot 34 African American Center (557-4400), featuring selections from the library's extensive collection of books, periodicals, videos and recordings on African American history, education and the arts.

Head downtown to the 35 Meridian Gallery (545 Sutter; 415-398-7229), which maintains a slide registry of Bay Area African American artists; a third of its collection is contemporary African American art.

African American Center at the Main Library