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Lincoln Park Steps.
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Stoned in San Francisco: 15 fun places to go when you’re high

Don't drive between them

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Lincoln Park Steps.
| Shutterstock

You can smell it in the air—literally. April 20th, the unofficial holiday honoring the kindest herb of them all is almost here. And now that Mary Jane is legal in the great state of California, this Saturday scores of denizens will spark up or ingest loads of cannabis.

Instead of staying on the couch playing Xbox while polishing off a box of Pizza Rolls, we strongly encourage you to head outdoors, THC-induced paranoia be damned. San Francisco is a city so synonymous with marijuana that there are colors, sounds, and architectural delights aplenty sure to amuse you and your baked buddies.

Here are some choice spots to take in while after inhaling. Just be sure to take public transit or a cab. (Lyft is offering $4.20 off your ride, because 4/20 branding is now a thing.)

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Musée Mécanique

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The Musée Mécanique is one of the world's largest privately owned coin-operated collection of mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines. And it will haunt your dreams—Jolly Jack and Laffing Sal alone will have you freaking out in the best way possible.

The Wave Organ

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An artifact of the old Exploratorium location, the Wave Organ not only makes beautiful (if deeply weird) music out of the motion of the ocean, but the oddball artificial peninsula near the Yacht Club provides one of the most intriguing panorama views of the city.

Aquatic Park

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Dip your toes into the bay, and then head over to nearby In-N-Out after you're done.

Palace of Fine Arts

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A structure originally created for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art presented, this now-iconic work of art is a sight to behold. A great place for talking a walk with a few friends, especially as it's far away from the maddening crowds at Hippie Hill. Glorious.

The Walt Disney Family Museum

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Mr Toad. Fantasia. Alice falling down a rabbit hole. Walt was known to take inspiration from the psychedelic arts now and then, clearly. And what better place to experience all that Disney loopiness but at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. The Disneyland replica alone will have you tripping for hours.

Lovers' Lane at the Presidio

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What better place in which to enjoy the mind-altering affects of marijuana than along a twisty, curvy hike with aerobal views galore. The oldest footpath through the Presidio, the small stretch was established in the 18th century as a shortcut used by Spanish soldiers and missionaries to get from the Main Post to Mission Dolores, located three miles south of the Presidio.

Ruth Asawa's Fountain outside the Apple Store

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To their credit, Apple decided to honor Ruth Asawa's legendary bronze fountain when they moved across from Union Square Park. The circa-1970 work now flanks the entrance to the Apple Store's public park. And it's a sight to behold, replete with carvings, San Francisco signifiers, and other doodads that should be seen under the duress of THC.

This 49-seat theater featuring specially composed "sound sculptures" broadcast on 169 speakers is ideal for anyone looking for an aural delight. Think laser show only classier.

The Westin St. Francis on Union Square

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You totally gotta check out the sweet ride up the elevators at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. The view of the city rising before your eyes is way killer. The rush of riding up will make you feel even higher.

Gazing up at the dome at the Westfield San Francisco Centre

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Sometimes there's no more comforting place to go while blitzed out of your mind than inside the comfy capitalist confines of a shopping mall. And no mall is better in San Francisco than the Westfield Center due in large part because they have a massive dome perfect for gazing and daydreaming.

Lincoln Park Steps

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Located at the edge of Lincoln Park on the western end of California Street, these steps date back to the early 1900s. In 2007, neighbors helped redesign and renovated the staircase into a series of bright green, yellow, and orange hues.

KitTea Cat Cafe

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Eating food, drinking tea, and hanging out with felines are choice activities stoned or sober. KitTea combines all three. This Hayes Valley institution is home to over a dozen rescued cats.

4/20 on Hippie Hill

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If you insist, the annual 4/20 celebration will happen here. It's usually a giant steaming mess of drum circles and culturally-appropriated attire, but this year it will be a city-sanctioned giant steaming mess of drum circles and culturally-appropriated attire. Which means that there will be more security, toilets, and amenities this year. Enjoy.

SoMa StrEat Food Park

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Every 4/20 action has an equal stonier reaction. In this case we're talking food, lots of it. Should you decide to partake in the mind-altering ritual, there's nowhere better to grab a bite than at this mall of food trucks in South of Market. Expect music, local artisan treats, and more. Be on the lookout for Lumpia rolls.

Balmy Alley

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Excellent alley in the Mission to check out some of the trippiest street art. The one-block-long alley is home to the city’s best collection of murals in the city, located in the  Mission District between 24th Street and Garfield Square. 

Tributo a Mujeres Muralistas and Future Generations by Precita Eyes muralists is particularly noteworthy.

Musée Mécanique

The Musée Mécanique is one of the world's largest privately owned coin-operated collection of mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines. And it will haunt your dreams—Jolly Jack and Laffing Sal alone will have you freaking out in the best way possible.

The Wave Organ

An artifact of the old Exploratorium location, the Wave Organ not only makes beautiful (if deeply weird) music out of the motion of the ocean, but the oddball artificial peninsula near the Yacht Club provides one of the most intriguing panorama views of the city.

Aquatic Park

Dip your toes into the bay, and then head over to nearby In-N-Out after you're done.

Palace of Fine Arts

A structure originally created for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art presented, this now-iconic work of art is a sight to behold. A great place for talking a walk with a few friends, especially as it's far away from the maddening crowds at Hippie Hill. Glorious.

The Walt Disney Family Museum

Mr Toad. Fantasia. Alice falling down a rabbit hole. Walt was known to take inspiration from the psychedelic arts now and then, clearly. And what better place to experience all that Disney loopiness but at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. The Disneyland replica alone will have you tripping for hours.

Lovers' Lane at the Presidio

What better place in which to enjoy the mind-altering affects of marijuana than along a twisty, curvy hike with aerobal views galore. The oldest footpath through the Presidio, the small stretch was established in the 18th century as a shortcut used by Spanish soldiers and missionaries to get from the Main Post to Mission Dolores, located three miles south of the Presidio.

Ruth Asawa's Fountain outside the Apple Store

To their credit, Apple decided to honor Ruth Asawa's legendary bronze fountain when they moved across from Union Square Park. The circa-1970 work now flanks the entrance to the Apple Store's public park. And it's a sight to behold, replete with carvings, San Francisco signifiers, and other doodads that should be seen under the duress of THC.

Audium

This 49-seat theater featuring specially composed "sound sculptures" broadcast on 169 speakers is ideal for anyone looking for an aural delight. Think laser show only classier.

The Westin St. Francis on Union Square

You totally gotta check out the sweet ride up the elevators at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. The view of the city rising before your eyes is way killer. The rush of riding up will make you feel even higher.

Gazing up at the dome at the Westfield San Francisco Centre

Sometimes there's no more comforting place to go while blitzed out of your mind than inside the comfy capitalist confines of a shopping mall. And no mall is better in San Francisco than the Westfield Center due in large part because they have a massive dome perfect for gazing and daydreaming.

Lincoln Park Steps

Located at the edge of Lincoln Park on the western end of California Street, these steps date back to the early 1900s. In 2007, neighbors helped redesign and renovated the staircase into a series of bright green, yellow, and orange hues.

KitTea Cat Cafe

Eating food, drinking tea, and hanging out with felines are choice activities stoned or sober. KitTea combines all three. This Hayes Valley institution is home to over a dozen rescued cats.

4/20 on Hippie Hill

If you insist, the annual 4/20 celebration will happen here. It's usually a giant steaming mess of drum circles and culturally-appropriated attire, but this year it will be a city-sanctioned giant steaming mess of drum circles and culturally-appropriated attire. Which means that there will be more security, toilets, and amenities this year. Enjoy.

SoMa StrEat Food Park

Every 4/20 action has an equal stonier reaction. In this case we're talking food, lots of it. Should you decide to partake in the mind-altering ritual, there's nowhere better to grab a bite than at this mall of food trucks in South of Market. Expect music, local artisan treats, and more. Be on the lookout for Lumpia rolls.

Balmy Alley

Excellent alley in the Mission to check out some of the trippiest street art. The one-block-long alley is home to the city’s best collection of murals in the city, located in the  Mission District between 24th Street and Garfield Square. 

Tributo a Mujeres Muralistas and Future Generations by Precita Eyes muralists is particularly noteworthy.