Click MAP to locate destinations preceded by yellow numbers.

Begin your day at the historic foot of Beach and Polk streets to view the 29 Sargent Johnson slate facade at the San Francisco Maritime Museum (900 Beach; 415-447-5000). Johnson arrived in the city for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition and worked with artist Beniamino Bufano, focusing his art on portraying African Americans’ natural beauty and dignity. He constructed and installed the museum facade between 1937-39.

Walk north along the waterfront past Fort Mason (Laguna St. and Bay), WWII-era military depots that now house art and cultural organizations. Stop in at the 30 museum and gift shop of the African American Historical and Cultural Society (Bldg. C, Room 165; 415-441-0640). Continue along Marina Blvd. into the Presidio, a 1,480-acre military installation for 200 years that has been a national park since 1994. 31 The Presidio Visitor Center in the Officers' Club, one of the park's most significant historic buildings, features a brochure about the Buffalo Soldiers, turn-of-the-century mounted black soldiers. On the second floor of the 32 officers' quarters at Fort Point, on the tip of the Presidio, is a small photo exhibit of black soldiers in America's armies through the Vietnam War. Fort Point (415-561-4323) is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

In the evening, if your toes itch to dance, try 33 El Rio, featuring Afro-Latin and Caribbean music (3158 Mission St.; 415-282-3325).

San Francisco Maritime Museum facade by Sargent Johnson