Category: Landmarks

Now located in the Civic Center on Larkin Street, San Francisco’s main public library system has been officially running since 1879, just 30 years after the Gold Rush brought a new wave of readers from the east. Since then the library’s headquarters has moved several times. When the 1989 earthquake ruined its building, the library moved to its current location in the civic center, a building that the city spent almost 140 million dollars and seven years completing.

The library hosts a variety of events and classes open to the community, enjoyable to both children and adults. Children and their caregivers can attend a one-hour storytime held in the children’s branch of the library, usually from 11-12 in the morning (just in time to get home for lunch and naptime!), where they can read, sing, and play together. Grandparents are even officially invited. The younger storytime, called Laptime, runs from 10:30-11:30, offers children (infants to 3-year-olds) and their caregivers songs, stores, and fingerplays. Older children (over 12) can participate in classes such as Beyond Journal Writing, a nine-week class that give them the opportunity to develop and shard their writing in a nurturing and open atmosphere, led by a Writers Corps teacher.

Parents with children old enough to independently experience the library can settle their kids in the children’s wing, and take adult writing classes, learning such concepts as how writing in their journal can make a difference in their health and happiness. Families together can enjoy performances of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, and learning sessions on subjects like Jazz and American Pop cosponsored by the Art, Music, and Recreation Center, listening to music of an open-horn Victoria, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, among others.

Forget reading. The building itself is something worth seeing. The beautiful and uncomplicated architecture, the steps leading to the front doors flanked by palm trees, the arched wooden window frames letting in plenty of sunshine. The atmosphere alone sheds a new light on reading. Plus the facility’s impressive amenities. Within the seven-floor library, readers will find room for over one thousand laptops, over three hundred computer terminals, private rooms, and the children’s wing. Children will also love visiting the large atrium and the photo collection on the sixth floor exhibiting San Francisco’s history from 1850 to the present. Children will love returning to both the atrium and the photos.

Not to mention the good old fashioned pastime of sitting and reading with family. Children can attain their own library cards, teaching them the value of choice (Corduroy or Where the Wild Things Are?), organization, and accountability. The library system, one of the city’s oldest institutions, is a pastime that can occur repeatedly, rain or shine, is always a great pastime.

Originated in 1898, the Ferry Building was a hotspot to thousands of travelers, serving as “the transportation focal point for anyone arriving by train from the East,” according to the building’s official website. In fact, until the 1930s, ferries were the only way that travelers and commuters could enter the city from the Peninsula. Surviving both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes (and a bad renovation in 1950s), the Ferry Building stands today as one of the city’s most unique and popular landmarks. Though the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the use of cars rendered the need for ferries as main transportation obsolete, the building continues to draw thousands of people.

The building currently houses the popular Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, an old-fashioned open market with several stalls that serve some of the best organic and artisan foods in the state. Open daily, the marketplace draws both visitors and locals alike, and is a great place to spend a few hours (or the day, if possible) with children. Kids are automatically drawn to the bustle and details that the plethora of boutiques provide. Families with children will enjoy stopping for lunch at places such as Taylor’s Refresher (located at shop #6), where appetites of all ages and sizes can be satisfied with dishes such as fish and chips and ahi burgers. Enjoy for an afternoon gelato refreshment at Ciao Bella (shop #8). Parents can even stop off for their own more refined treat, if desired, at Imperial Tea Courts—and expect at least a few moments of sipping in peace as the kids crowd-watch.

San Francisco City Guides even offers regular walking tours of the building. The tours, starting at noon on Tuesdays and weekends, are free, and even include samples of fresh produce, plants, and herbs from local growers.

Located along the Embarcadero at Market Street, the marketplace can be accessed by MUNI, BART, and, well, ferry boat. The historic trolley cars (the F Market line) run directly to and from the very front of the Ferry Building. Public transportation allows for a more colorful and historic experience, and gives kids (and parents) a chance to rest and snack on their purchased fresh market food on the ride back.

Though you’d have to be from another planet not to know about the Golden Gate Bridge, you may not know that the Promenade is a 3 ½ mile trail between Fort Point and Aquatic Park with some of San Francisco’s most famous historical landmarks and shoreline sites. The beautiful and scenic path passes through Crissy Field, and at certain points gives great views of the bay, the Marin Headlands, and even Alcatraz. Pause at Marina and Baker to peek at the Palace of Fine Arts, a structure equally impressive to adults and children alike. The Promenade’s pathway easily accommodates walkers, bikers, skaters, skateboarders, and scooterers. It is a perfect trail for families of all ages to trek—the pathway is mostly dirt (nice for unexpected spills) and is (key word here:) flat.

The Fort Point Pier along the way offers picnic tables set up on a grassy field and, although sometimes rather windy, gives a quiet place to eat or rest or snack while eyeing the amazing views. Most of the pathway is grass-lined, and unobstructed by nearby trees, allowing for Frisbees, kites, and ball-tossing along the way.

Next to the Fort Point Pier is Crissy Field’s warming hut (building 603 in Presidio at Mason and Halleck St). Considering itself a community center and not a museum, the facility (open 9-5 on weekends and Tuesdays) provides a variety of public resources such as hands-on exhibits, an information center, a bookstore, and a café. Stop off for breakfast, lunch, snacks (or a bathroom break!). Browse the bookstore for guidebooks and green toys. The community center even offers urban environmental junior day-camps, and family workshops on weekends such as Turn Trash into Treasure. Along the water’s edge, Crissy Field offers a great view of sailboats and the Golden Gate Bridge; a side trail even leads directly to the bridge.

Plan to hit the Golden Gate Promenade earlier in the morning, where the crowds are the sparsest. Parking is relatively easy, with spaces normally available at Fort Point, off of Lincoln Avenue. For smaller excursions, park halfway along Marina Green. The excursion is definitely worth the planning: fresh air never felt so good.

Free and fun to do, Lombard Street in San Francisco has become one of the most popular tourist attractions around the city. But what about for the people who live here? Well, let's not lie…it's fun for them too.

The street is steep, hilly and curvy…but it also allows for some of the best views of San Francisco's beautiful Victorian mansions. Paved with bricks, it makes you feel as though you've been transported into some forgone era, rather than the modern city that it is. People often think that the street is too busy and that they can't experience the trill of riding down or climbing up. But that's just a misconception. Although it is busy because of the speed in which people have to descend, there are plenty of times throughout the day when the street is empty and ready for you to take your trip.

Although it's just a normal street to the people who live around the city, it still makes your heart skip a beat when you know you get to drive down it. The residents don't mind at all that they live on one of America's most crooked streets, but they do ask that you keep your squealing to a minimum while they're sleeping. Located only a few blocks from Ghirardelli Square, you can make a quick trip over to Lombard Street and get in a little exercise. In fact, many of the locals use this street to get in their cardio for the day. Think of it like a man made StairMaster…just with beautiful scenery. It can be quite the workout on your legs.

On a normal day, it'll take you less than 15 minutes to drive down the street. If possible, try to park around it and just admire the beautiful flowers that blossom during the spring and summer. The residents are incredibly proud of their landscaping and love to show it off. The locals like to come out not only to see the landscaping, but also to watch the slew of tourists struggling at each of eight switchbacks that are set on Lombard's 40 degree slope. But really, it's just pure fun.

Getting There

Lombard Street is very easy to find. It begins at The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow Neighborhood. It goes for about 12 blocks but isn't as crooked throughout the entire street as it is when it hits the one block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. This is where the fun really begins.

When you think of Ghirardelli you automatically think of chocolate. At least most women do! But Ghirardelli Square isn’t just about chocolate – although there is plenty of that to go around as well. Ghirardelli Square is about tradition and history and enjoyment. Whether you’ve lived in San Francisco your entire life or just recently moved to the city by the bay, Ghirardelli Square offers culture, cuisines, and incredible shopping all in one place.

Located on North Point Street between Larkin and Polk Streets, Ghirardelli Square is a stopping spot for many of the businesses in the area for a quick bite to eat, as well as a place to gather with friends and family on the weekend. With over 50 restaurants, galleries, and boutiques there is no shortage of enjoyment, especially when it comes to visiting the Ghirardelli Chocolate manufactory. If you haven’t had the thrill of taste testing and learning about one of the best chocolates in the world, you simply don’t know what you’re missing. The manufactory is open for different hours during the seasons so you need to call ahead to make sure they are taking tours the day you plan on arriving.

In September you can enjoy the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival which brings in people to celebrate a very special cause, Project Open Hand. The money that is raised goes to this very special charity, and Ghirardelli is proud to be part of this annual tradition by bringing in some of the best chocolate delicacies from the Bay area to share with locals and tourists alike. In October you can enjoy the popular Fleet Week where you can watch the Blue Angels fly overhead in the most amazing aerial stunts you’ll ever see. It doesn’t matter which time of the year you visit this very diverse area of San Francisco, you’ll have a great time.

For the most fun you can just jump on the cable car that lets you off at Beach and Hyde Street and walk the quick block to Ghirardelli Square. From there you can shop at some of the "one of a kind" stores such as Fun Time, Glass Creations, and Lola of North Beach. For lunch or dinner you can partake in sumptuous meals at Cellar 360, Lori’s Diner, or Marche on the Square. Whether you’re looking for a dessert with the famous Ghirardelli hot fudge sauce or a more romantic dinner for two…you’ll certainly find what you are looking for in the square.

Ghirardelli Square is a very unique area of San Francisco that calls to both residents and tourists. The art galleries are some of the best in the city, and the boutiques are eclectic and fun to shop in. Ghirardelli Square has been around for more than 30 years and continues to be a landmark in the city – offering patrons everything from culinary delights to mouth watering chocolate treats.

Julia Roberts made Nob Hill famous in the movie Dying Young, but many of the locals of San Francisco already knew about this neighborhood’s wonderful and quaint streets. Renowned for its landmarks and the famous hotels, Nob Hill offers a plethora of unexpected delights. The neighborhood is as much known for its character as it is for the shops and restaurants that adorn it. With the vintage barber shops, corner shops, and nightclubs that seem frozen in time, there is so much to see and do in Nob Hill.

Luxury hotels also dot the landscaping as well as some of the most historic buildings in San Francisco. You don’t have to be a famous person to enjoy this neighborhood though. You’ll find many of the younger people of San Francisco flocking to Nob Hill to enjoy the fabulous apartment buildings and beautiful architecture. Bordered by Polk, Mason, Post, and Washington Streets it isn’t difficult to realize when you’ve reached Nob Hill.

The largest Episcopal Church – Grace Cathedral Episcopal Church – still rises with its entire gothic splendor. With the stained glass and bronze doors you’ll feel like you’re in heaven when you walk by and see this stunning architectural delight. After taking a walk through the church you can experience some of your cities history at the Cable Car Museum. San Francisco has the only operating cable car system in the world, and if you want to fit right into your city you should know the facts about this wonderful mode of transportation. If you get a little tired, take a rest in the heart of Nob Hill at Huntington Park. This pubic park has shady benches that are perfect for reading a good book and catching up with friends from the city.

The shopping is one of a kind – literally. Vintage book shops, a gallery for artisan crafts, and even a sneaker shop run by a former pro skater give you the ability to walk into stores that haven’t been taken over by large corporations and big money. The shops cater to some of the eccentric and most unique customers and there is something to be found by everyone. Whether it is dignified, vintage, punk, or modern…you’ll find it.

Before you end your day in the prime neighborhood of San Francisco don’t forget to enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of the premiere restaurants. Whether you are looking for French, Italian, or old world cuisine the restaurants here are better than some of the 5 star dining around the world.

Going to Nob Hill is a must for a San Francisco resident. It is quieter than many of the more popular areas that tourists come to, and it gives you a feel that you really are at home here. The residents are welcoming and polite, and the atmosphere is truly one of the best around.