According to a Travel Supermarket study, San Francisco was among the 10 most active (and healthiest) cities in the world primarily due to its 50 parks and 3,000 hours of sunlight each year. It is a fun city to walk but be prepared to challenge your stamina due to its 43 hills ranging from the 100 foot Rincon Hill up to Mount Davidson at 928 feet. A great way to navigate many of the hills is by way of the world famous cable cars. These cars, built in 1873, are the only moving National Historic Monument in the world. Many of the hills are built on top of old Gold Rush ships.
If, when you reach the end of this article you want to see more things to do in San Francisco then we can oblige . . .
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On the Reel
Bullitt (1968)
Starring Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn. Directed by Peter Yates.
Steve McQueen is Frank Bullitt, stuck between the mob and an ambitious politician. Steve McQueen’s quintessential role establishing him as the King of Cool. Filmed entirely in and around San Francisco, Bullitt features the greatest filmed car chase ever . . . perfect for the hills of San Francisco.
While there are many other things to do, here are a few attractions that are very accessible and represent the city very well.
Pier 39, part of the world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf, is the most touristy/commercial part of San Francisco but that doesn’t mean it isn’t absolutely worth visiting. There is an authentic feel to it despite the commercialism and an unmistakable energy. There are tons of shops and restaurants but the highlight is definitely the Sea Lions.
- Created in 1978 specifically as a tourist attraction. Purists hate it since it really has no original authenticity but it does have an aura which will only increase over time.
- Before its renovation the area was the remnants of a 1905 cargo pier.
- The only business that still remains in existence today is the Swiss Louis Italian restaurant.
- Pier 39 gets as many visitors per year, around 10-11 million, as its neighboring Golden Gate Bridge.
- At the current site of the carousel, prior to its inception in 1983, used to be where tourists would dive into a 10-foot pool filled with Jell-O to retrieve personal item stranded at the bottom . . . Really!
- Growing from an original group of just six in the late 80’s, no one has determined why the world famous sea lions gather in the northwest corner of the pier.
On the Reel
The Competition (1980)
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Amy Irving and Lee Remick. Directed by Joel Oliansky.
This offbeat romantic drama in the highly competitive world of concert pianists features a great dramatic turn by Dreyfuss and the usual screen appeal of Amy Irving. Excellent screenplay from Oliansky while directing his only feature film. Filmed all over San Francisco including Pier 39.
If you have an interest in horticulture, or even if you just appreciate beauty, the Japanese Gardens are worth the visit. Located inside the magnificent Golden Gate Park, the entire 5 acres is filled with natural, and man-made, examples of man and nature co-existing in harmony. There is enough variety for the entire family to find something of interest.
- The ochaya (tea house) is one of the last remnants of the 1894 Midwinter Exposition. The event featured an entire Japanese village.
- The gardens are the passion project of Japanese immigrant Makoto Hagiwara who lived there with his family until 1942 when they, along with approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, were forced to evacuate their homes and move into internment camps. The Hagiwara’s were never allowed to return to their home.
- The talented Hagiwara was also the creator of the fortune cookie. In fact, the Tea Garden was the first place they were ever served.
- The visual highlight (man-made at least) of the gardens is the Drum Bridge (Taiko Bashi) which symbolizes a full moon when reflected over still water. Warning . . . dangerous when wet so be aware.
JAPANESE TEA GARDEN FAQ's
LOCATION: San Francisco, California
HOURS: 9am-5:45pm Summer, 9am-4:45pm Winter
COST: $10-12 Adults, $7 Seniors (65+) & Children (12-17), $3 Children (5-11), under 5 FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1 hour
ACCOMODATIONS: Garage parking, restrooms, Tea House and Gift Shop
On the Reel
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe and Michelle Yeoh. Directed by Rob Marshall.
This historical drama spans over 80 years and across continents to tell the story of a young girl sold into servitude yet able to became one of Japan’s most celebrated geisha. Wonderful use of San Francisco beauty including the Japanese Tea Garden.
While the homes on Steiner Street are the most famous, these Victorian and Edwardian homes exist all over the city. Most bus tours will point out the many examples but also keep an eye out when just walking around. The Painted Ladies represent one of the many unique and quirky things that make San Francisco so interesting.
- Painted Ladies refer to Victorian and Edwardian homes repainted in three or more colors meant to embellish or enhance their architectural details.
- The most famous “painted ladies” are the seven near Alamo Square in San Francisco. Known as the “Postcard Row” they are located at 710-720 Steiner Street.
- A dozen blocks away, at 1709 Broderick Street, is the painted lady featured in the opening credits of Full House.
On the Reel
Full House (1987-1995)
Starring John Stamos, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier. Directed by Jeff Franklin.
The chronicles of widower Danny Tanner (Stamos) and his two best friends raising three daughters in San Francisco. Full House ran 192 episodes and was followed up by a spin-off in 2016. The family home featured in the opening credits is on the infamous Steiner Street.
- Many of San Francisco’s original Victorian homes were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.
- The painting of the homes in bright colors began in 1963 when San Francisco artist Butch Kardum began combining intense blues and greens on the exterior of his Italianate-style Victorian house.
- While not a hit to some, others began to copy the style with their homes.
On the Reel
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan. Directed by Chris Columbus.
One of comedic genius Robin Williams more famous roles involves an unemployed, and recently divorced, actor who disguises himself as an older woman and becomes his family’s housekeeper. Hilarity, and life lessons, ensue. Their fictional home is is the Hillard House on Steiner Street.
While many major US cities have several ethnic enclaves, there is something special about San Francisco’s Chinatown. Perhaps it’s that it is so authentic without trying to be. It also has a fascinating, and quite notorious, history makes it feel very much like visiting a foreign country without leaving the states.
- Chinatown is the most crowded part of an already crowded city with 15,000 residents living in a 20 block square area. Most residents are either first-generation Chinese or elderly.
- In excess of 2,000,000 tourists visit Chinatown every year. Not only is it unique and beautiful but also one of the safest areas of the city.
- In late February the Chinese New Year is celebrated with a lavish parade, the Miss Chinatown Pageant, a Community Street Fair and other related events.
On the Reel
What’s Up, Doc (1972)
Starring Barbra Streisand, Ryan O’Neal and Madeline Kahn. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
The ultimate modern screwball comedy featuring the amazing chemistry of O’Neal and Streisand and the hilarity of Madeline Kahn and the irrepressible Kenneth Mars. Classic chase scene on Jackson St. right through the middle of Chinatown.
- Make sure to stop by Good Mong Kok Bakery and pick up Chashu bowl, shrimp shumai & chow mein for lunch.
- Then, just to say you did . . . visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory at 56 Ross Alley/Jackson and get some genuine, still hand-crafted, fortune cookies.
- The centerpiece remains the Dragon Gate (or Gateway Arch) with its dragons, fish and big lions on this ornate pagoda-topped gate at the southernmost entrance to Chinatown.
On the Reel
Basic Instinct (1992)
Starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone and George Dzundza. Directed by Paul Verhoeven.
The story of a detective investigating a crime with eerie similarities to a novel from a manipulative and seductive writer. This Paul Verhoeven classic thriller catapulted Sharon Stone into superstardom. Filmed primarily in San Francisco including several scenes in Chinatown.
Far more than just a place to get chocolate and ice cream (though that’s worth the effort alone), Ghirardelli Square has grown into a plaza with something for everyone. There is everything from fine dining featuring magnificent views of the bay, a micro-brewery, cooking classes for kids, to shopping for the eclectic, the playful, dog accessories and even mini-golf.
- Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, Ghiradelli Square has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Best known for its Ghiradelli Chocolate Company, the square itself has expanded significantly since its creation in the mid-1960’s.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate, founded in 1852, is the second oldest chocolate company in the United States but the first storefront was in Lima, Peru.
- To help with the tricky pronunciation, the Ghirardelli company put labels on their chocolate with the phonetic spelling—“Gear-ar-delly.”
- Finding the square isn’t difficult with its landmark, and well-lit, sign. The square features shops, restaurants, a 5-star hotel and an amazing view of the wharf below.
On the Reel
Time After Time (1979)
Starring Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen and David Warner. Directed by Nicholas Meyer.
In this gripping hidden classic fantasy of historical figures, H.G. Wells (McDowell) chases Jack the Ripper (Warner) into the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer’s time machine to escape his time period. Filmed all over San Francisco including Ghirardelli Square.
One of the more infamous stretches of road in the world appears at first glance to be an eccentric novelty but is, in fact, created out of necessity (see below). Regardless of its origins this block of the Russian Hill neighborhood is fascinating from the red cobblestone surface, beautiful landscaping to the (8) hairpin turns. Go to the top and get a fantastic view of the city and bay.
- The crooked part of Lombard Street was designed in 1922 not for show but for practical reasons. It was determined that the 27% grade of the hill was too steep, and dangerous, for most vehicles to safely navigate.
- Top speed on the 1000 block is 5 mph
- While Lombard Street gets all the fame for its slanted slopes, Filbert and 22nd Streets are the steepest at 31.5 degrees and the section of road between 20th and 22nd streets of Vermont Street in the Potrero Hill neighborhood is the most crooked street in SF.
- There are semi-winding stairs on either side of the street allowing pedestrians to walk up and down safely.
On the Reel
The Love Bug (1968)
Starring Dean Jones, Michele Lee and David Tomlinson. Directed by Robert Stevenson.
This wonderful Disney classic features a race car with a mind of its own . . . a VW bug, no less. It was so popular it spawned 3 different sequels. Notable in the original Love Bug is Herbie’s colorful chase down Lombard Street.
While the locals may somewhat shudder at the Fisherman’s Wharf, as a visitor you should see it as what it is, a tourist trap . . . but what a trap! It isn’t intended to be a museum, just a bunch of fun. No wonder it is the most visited part of San Francisco every year, pulling in around 12 million people a year. Fittingly, Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square are both part of the Wharf and two of the main attractions.
- Make sure you have your camera ready. The Fisherman’s Wharf has some of the best views of the Bay, especially at dusk.
- The Aquarium of the Bay has 300 feet of clear acrylic tunnels holding 700,000 gallons of bay water which serves as a visiting place for as much as 20,000 of the Bay’s sea creatures.
- The world-famous Madame Tussauds wax figure museum and its next-door neighbor The San Francisco Dungeon offer lively entertainment for the entire family while also telling the history of the City.
- Hyde Pier on Fisherman’s Wharf is a part of the Maritime Historical Park. In fact, it precedes the construction of either the Golden Gate or Bay Bridges and has vessels and schooners more than a century old.
- During the Gold Rush days the local fisherman, while in the often foggy Bay on their feluccas (sailboats), used to sing loudly so other boats knew of their presence and could navigate around them.
- If you are visiting in early October the Fisherman’s Wharf is an ideal location from which to view The Blue Angels’ airshow during the S. Navy’s annual Fleet Week.
On the Reel
Vertigo (1958)
Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Considered by many Hitchcock’s best work, Vertigo explores obsession through the struggles of a former San Francisco policeman and his pursuit of a mysterious woman. The City is very much on display throughout the film.
There are certainly plenty of other things to do while in San Francisco including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Presidio, etc. We also explore some of the many things to do around the city on a day trip.
In the interim, we’d love to hear about your San Francisco experiences.
