There are lots of books on the shelves that will make sure you don't
miss any of San Francisco's world-famous attractions. Everyone knows
you have to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Fisherman's
Wharf to name a few.
But what about all the not-so-famous but still really cool stuff that
natives know about that isn't in the books? That's where this list
comes in. Born and raised in The City, I've seen and done a lot in
this town. Here's just a few of the lesser known things to see, hear,
and do in San Francisco.
- Urbano Drive and the Sundial
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'Way back when, before even the smallest patch of land in The City was
worth a quarter of a million dollars, there was a racetrack right
here in town. Unfortunately, people kept having babies, and the land
was sold to build houses. The track itself, however, lives on in the
form of Urbano Drive, a mile long oval street built on the old
racetrack. And in the center, there is a courtyard with giant sundial
in the middle, dating back to the World War I era. How big is the
sundial? Well, let's just say I never made it to the top when I was a
kid. (It's actually the world's largest.)
- Stern Grove
-
Stern Grove is a huge tract of parkland in the Southwest corner of The
City. Donated to The City years ago by an elderly widow, in honor of
of her late husband Sigmund, this park is home to lots to see. During
the summer, free concerts take place every Sunday, with venues ranging
from Opera to world music to broadway musicals.
The Grove is in a 100 foot deep valley, with tall eucalyptus trees
climbing the sides. There are meadows, a clubhouse, picnic areas, and
even a lake. In the summer, Stern Grove is home to the Pine Lake day
camp. The Trocadero Clubhouse, at the east end of the park still
sports bullet holes on the upper floors from the 20's and 30's when it
was used by gangsters.
Just up the street from the main entrance is Sava pool, named for the
world famous olympic swim coach, Charlie Sava, who taught thousands of
San Francisco kids how to swim during the many summers he spent
working there.
- Glen Canyon Park
-
Another lesser-known -- to tourists -- park is Glen Canyon Park at the
foot of Twin Peaks. Glen Park offers a playground, gymnasium, and
baseball fields. But that's not all. It's the home of San
Francisco's other city-run summer day camp, Silvertree. It's also
home to one of the two Ropes Courses in The City, where you can test
your fear of heights and increase your self-confidence among the
treetops. And Glen Park features some of San Francisco's best -- if
not it's only -- rock climbing. Although not the most challenging
routes in the world, it is a fun place to spend an afternoon hanging
from rocks.
- The Josephine D. Randall Museum
-
You may have heard of the museums in Golden Gate Park, or the new
Museum of Modern Art, but you'd be missing out if you didn't check out
the Josephine D. Randall Museum. Seated high above the Castro
district, this museum features a petting zoo, an incredible model
railroad layout (it belongs to the club that meets there), and nature
and dramatic presentations in the newly renovated theatre. The museum
also offers classes in woodworking, papermaking, ceramics, and other
arts and crafts. A great place to take the kids, pack a lunch and
have a picnic at the top of the hill directly behind the museum with
fantastic views of downtown and the bay for dessert!
- AAA Ceiling
-
Too many people never bother to look up. In San Francisco, however,
you'd definitely miss out if you didn't. If you stop by the AAA
office on Van Ness Avenue, (near the Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall,
and City Hall,) be sure and check out the ceiling. It harkens back to
a time when craftsmen took pride in every aspect of their work, rather
than being content just to stamp out identical styrofoam ceiling
tiles.
- The Young People's Teen Musical Theatre Company
-
A lot of people come to San Francisco to see the many Broadway shows
that play here. But why pay big bucks when you can see a production
just as good for under $10? The Young People's Teen Musical Theatre
Company has been putting on professional quality broadway shows and
musicals for over 10 years. This group of hardworking, talented
teenagers is definitely ready for the big time, except for their ages!
- Sydney G. Walton Park
-
If you're here on business, you'll probably end up downtown at some
point. If you do, and you find yourself with some free time, head
north to the other side of the Embarcadero center to Sydney G. Walton
Square. This park is a favorite lunch spot for bike messengers and ad
execs alike. My favorite part, however, is the statues on display.
In fact, one of my very favorite outdoor works of art is located here.
(It's the silvery kinetic sculpture in the northwest corner of the
park.) You can also spot a Bufano just across the street from the
southeast corner. Bring a lunch, or pick something up at the (thinly
disguised) Safeway nearby. If you're on an expense account,
definitely give MacArthur Park a try.
- Levi Plaza
-
After visiting Walton Square, wander north along Front Street to Levi
Plaza. The home of the world famous jeans maker is situated at the
foot of Coit Tower (which you can read about in your guide book), and
incorporates a rolling park, fountains, and a stream into a publicly
accessible park area. Another favorite lunch spot, the Fog City Diner
and Il Fornaio are nearby. Fog City Diner, of course, is the
inspiration for the "Fog City Dumpster" the favorite eating spot of
the transplanted bears in the local comic strip "Farley".
- Redwood Park
-
And if that's not enough parks downtown for you, head over to the
Transamerica Pyramid (Don't believe what the guidebooks say about the
restaurant at the top -- it's well worth the price) and look next
door. Here you'll find a lovely park populated with the Redwoods that
are perhaps California's most well known tree.
- Doggie Diner
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Alas, Doggie Diner is no more. But, lucky for you, one of the famous
Dachshunds on a stick is still on display on a renamed diner across
from the Zoo. Once, these lovable pups were found all over The City,
but now, only this one remains on display to the public. Certainly, it
is well worth supporting this establishment to help fund the
preservation of the dog, but for a true San Francisco wonder, head
across the street to Leon's for some of the best BBQ ribs in the
state, if not the country.
- Mitchell Brothers' O'Farrell Theatre
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Not everyone is interested in adult entertainment (i.e., sex shows),
but the Mitchell Brothers' O'Farrell Theatre on the corner of
O'Farrell and Polk streets is definitely worth checking out. I have
no idea of the quality of the indoor entertainment, but the exterior
is a San Francisco favorite. For as long as I can remember, the side
of the building facing Polk street featured a gigantic mural of a blue
whale in its undersea world. Recently, however, this mural was moved
to the rear of the building and a jungle scene, featuring a Lion and
other animal and plant life, was added. Whether or not you condone
the sex industry, I'm sure you'll enjoy these murals.
- Edinburgh Castle
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Near the Mitchell Brothers theatre is the Edinburgh Castle, on Geary
Blvd near Polk. This Scottish pub used to be in cahoots with the fish
and chips shop around the corner. But when it closed its doors, the
Fish and Chips owners bought it and opened it back up, hiring all the
same people who gave it the atmosphere that made it so popular. Check
out the collection of Toby mugs, or play a round of darts, whatever
you do, be sure enjoy a pint of britain's best.
- Tommy's Joynt and the Jack Tar
-
One of the only Hof Braus left in San Francisco is Tommy's Joynt.
Located on the corner of Van Ness and Geary, this brighty painted
restaurant is a classic, and an old favorite of San Franciscans. The
food is good, and cheap, too, but it's the decor, inside and out,
that has made this place famous.
Across the street is the Jack Tar hotel, unique in appearance, if not
exactly pleasing to the eye. The new owners would have you call it the
Cathedral Hill Hotel, or some such nonsense, but natives know it only
as the Jack Tar.
- Mary B. Connolly Children's Playground
-
Notable for being the first public children's playground in the
United States, (dating back to 1897,) this playground is no ordinary
slide and sandbox. It features Slide Mountain with 8 slides,
including two giant cement slides (reminiscent of the old Playland
at the Beach slide), two wooden play structures (one for bigger kids
and one for the wee kids), gymnastic bars and rings, multiple sets of
swings, including the unique circle swings, and best of all, an real,
live carousel!
Located across the street from the famous Kezar Stadium (which you
won't recognize from the Dirty Harry movie) and next to Sharon Meadow,
it's nestled in the east end of Golden Gate park, sheltered from the winds
than can chill the west end. It's also quite near John F. Kennedy
Drive a haven for rollerskaters, skateboarders, and bicyclists every
Sunday, when the road is closed to automobile traffic.
- Bison Paddock and Spreckles Lake
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Out near the west end of Golden Gate park you'll find the Bison
paddock, home to a herd of beautiful bison. These magnificent animals
seem to thrive here, ignoring the constant attention of tourists and
natives alike.
Just to the east, across from the Golden Gate Park Stables (and the
Police horse stables,) is Spreckles Lake. Any weekend day you can
find the young and old, sailing incredibly detailed model boats and
ships. There are ducks to be fed as well, and the stables across the
street offers both riding lessons and trail rides in the park.
- Liberty Bell Slot Machines
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When downtown, stop by the corner of Battery and Market Streets. On
the NorthEast corner, you'll find a stone cairn marking the location
of the Liberty Bell Slot Machine Company, where the Liberty Bell three
reel slot machine was invented. This machine, so popular during the
Barbary Coast days, was the precursor to many of the slot machines
still in use today.
Across the street to the east, you'll find a plaque set in the
sidewalk near the statue that marks the location of the shoreline of
the bay at the time Gold was discovered near Sacrmento. Look east to
the Ferry building, at the current shoreline, and imagine just how
many ships were abandoned by gold-fevered sailors to fill in that much
of the bay!