carnivalcruise Even without going inside the building, this spot is one of San Francisco s most beautiful. Designed

Even without going inside the building, this spot is one of San Francisco s most beautiful. Designed as a memorial to California s World War I casualties, the neoclassical structure is an exact replica of the Legion of Honor Palace in Paris, down to the inscription HONNEUR ET PATRIE above the portal. Reopened after a 2-year, $29-million renovation and upgrading project that was stalled by the discovery of almost 300 coffins, the museum s collection contains paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from Europe, as well as tapestries, carnivalcruise prints, and drawings. The chronological display of more than 800 years of European carnivalcruise art includes a collection of Rodin sculpture. The clincher: Grassy expanses and astounding views of the Golden Gate. In Lincoln Park (34th Ave. and Clement St.). & 415/750-3600, or 415/863-3330 (recorded information). www.thinker.org. Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors 65 and over, $5 youths 12 17, free for children under 12. Fees may be higher carnivalcruise for special exhibitions. Free to all on Tues. Tues Sun 9:30am 5pm. Bus: 18 or 38.

There s a new luxury boutique hotel, the Argonaut Hotel, 495 Jefferson St. (& 866/415-0704 or 415/ 563-0800; www.argonauthotel.com), at the Maritime National Historic Park, half a block from the bay. The four-story timber-and-brick landmark building built in 1909 is now a slick place to sleep. Suites come fully loaded with telescopes and spa tubs. Rates range from $159 to $339 double and suites go from $249 to $499.

chair) in the same room, it s a supper club that s my criteria. Harry Denton s Starlight Room Come dressed to the nines or in casual attire to this old-fashioned cocktail-lounge-turned-nightclub, where tourists and locals sip drinks at sunset and boogie down to live swing and big-band carnivalcruise tunes after dark. The room is classic 1930s San Francisco, with red-velvet carnivalcruise banquettes, chandeliers, and fabulous views. But what really attracts flocks of all ages is a night of Harry Denton style fun, which usually includes plenty of drinking and unrestrained dancing. Atop the Sir Francis Drake hotel, 450 Powell St., 21st floor. & 415/ 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com. Cover $10 Wed after 7pm; $5 Thurs after 8pm; $10 Fri after 8pm; $15 Sat after 8pm.

CHAPTER 2. PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA 36 Recommended publications offering carnivalcruise travel resources and discounts for seniors include: the quarterly magazine Travel carnivalcruise 50 & Beyond (www. travel50andbeyond.com);Travel Unlimited: Uncommon Adventures for the Mature Traveler (Avalon); 101 Tips for Mature Travelers, available from Grand Circle Travel (& 800/221-2610 or 617/350-7500; www.gct.com); The 50+ Traveler s Guidebook (St. Martin s Press); and Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures carnivalcruise That You Absolutely Can t Get Unless You re Over 50 (McGraw-Hill).