There's gold in these here hills. Resurrect the laissez-faire attitude of the 1860s when gold from the Sierras transformed San Francisco from a sleepy village to a cosmopolitan city. Rent a Victorian mansion, and just pretend for a moment that you've struck it rich. Historic sailing vessels berthed at Hyde Street Pier in Fisherman's Wharf also provide a perfect setting.

Mount a cable car caper aboard America's only mobile historic landmark. A roving pre-dinner party, moveable feast or progressive dinner aboard of fleet of motorized cable cars will ring everyone's bells. Or plan a festive event in the Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse for a behind-the-scenes view of the machinery that powers The City's one-of-a-kind cable car system.

Imagine a room with a view of San Francisco Bay, colorful bibs, crates of San Francisco's famous fresh dungeness crab, plus loaves of fresh baked Sourdough French bread: the formula for success! The season runs from May through November and specialties include cioppino, fresh cracked, Louie, au Gratin, Newburg and walk-away cocktails. Send diners home with private-label condiments and an urn of "starter" for bread baking at home and watch spirits rise.

As in denim blue jeans. A man named Levi Strauss sewed up sturdy pants from surplus tent fabric during the Gold Rush and the dress code of the West was never the same. Think of James Dean, and kids cruisin' in a cherry Chevrolet. Rent a fleet of them and head for an American-style "sock hop" or create a 50s-style diner, with waitresses on skates. Or for an "Old West" twist, horseback ride through Golden Gate Park or to Ocean Beach and have an old-fashioned barbecue and line dancing under the moon.

Theme a lavish Chinese banquet event with take-out boxes imprinted with the company logo and decorate with giant paper parasols and dragon kites. Set the table with a pyramid of fortune cookies with customized messages. Engage a team of Chinese lion dancers, calligraphers to write guests names, or fortune tellers to read joss sticks and tea leaves.

Lights, camera ... direct the fun for an evening of fun in a film studio or well-known movie setting such as where Jimmy rescued Kim in Vertigo or Bogart's hideaway in Dark Passage. Hire the paparazzi, cue the autograph hounds, view clips from famous San Francisco movies, give everyone a screen test and send your "stars" home with an "Oscar" of their very own.

Fishing enthusiasts can cast their poles in the San Francisco Bay or the Pacific Ocean for some of the finest fishing in the world. For those equally charged by nature's nautical expeditions, San Francisco and Monterey offer aquatic tours through aquariums.

San Francisco is home to outdoor fun -- from ballooning to windsurfing, kayaking to bicycling, jet skis to sailing, rollerblading to skydiving; create your own Indy car race or road rally through the streets of San Francisco -- there's no shortage of recreation. Personally capture your favorite San Francisco professional sport team from a "stones throw away." Group tickets can be purchased in advance. San Francisco is home to the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants. The Golden State Warriors, Oakland A's and San Jose Sharks play nearby.

Voted The City with the "World's Best Restaurants" by Condé Nast Traveler, San Francisco is world-renowned for the best cuisines in the world. Noted chefs can create a culinary cooking demonstration offering a sampling of San Francisco taste-tempting delights or have your own team-building/cooking contest amongst your best of the best at a local culinary school! Create aprons with your logo and send them home with a San Francisco cookbook filled with recipes to whip up local specialties.

San Francisco offers a variety of courses in the Bay Area and downtown San Francisco. Special golf instruction is available including digital video analysis and training methods. Group times are also easily arranged in San Francisco or the nearby wine country and Carmel/Monterey areas.

It could be the fog, but San Francisco has always had an aura of mystery about it. Just ask Dashiell Hammett who penned a number of his Sam Spade novels here and is the subject of a popular walking tour. Tell everyone to wear a trench coat, a fedora, plant some telltale clues and try to figure out whodunit? Check out The Godfather Room or Hammett memorabilia at local restaurants.

Major art museums and small galleries offer stunning settings for elegant black tie affairs. There are mural walks and visits to artists' studios that can add to the fun. Or have your "mad scientist" attendees create their own havoc at one of our science museums. Be creative and use one of our many tourist attractions for your reception. Go on a backstage tour and block tickets for special performances. San Francisco offers both small productions and large Broadway shows. Your attendees can also view one of the classics...ballet, opera or symphony. There are a multitude of performing arts events to choose from.