San Francisco’s unique character comprises many factors. Some tie in with the ebb and flow of the moody coastal fog that blankets the city when it rolls in and the unstoppable sunny cheer that abounds when it dissipates. The city’s hilly terrain is another natural feature that’s sparked ingenuity to efficiently and safely navigate the sharp elevation changes. And the wildlife that calls San Francisco home, like the boisterous California sea lions around Pier 39 and Golden Gate Park’s bison herd, are natural-born entertainers. So, during your time in the city, we present you with 8 unique things to do in San Francisco.
Walk Up an Art-Filled Community Staircase
In some San Francisco neighborhoods, staircases link neighborhood streets instead of sidewalks because of the city’s steep hilly landscape. Homegrown efforts to beautify these hillside thoroughfares with gardens and dazzling staircase art is flourishing, bringing communities together to enjoy the outdoors.
Tompkins Stairway Garden
Tompkins Stairway Garden in the Bernal Heights neighborhood connects Thompkins Avenue between Nevada and Putnam Streets. The slice of greenspace between homes is a serene urban respite filled with drought-tolerant plants. Colorful flowers coordinate with the staircase’s earth-tone yellows, oranges, and mauves.
Nearby Bernal Heights Park has more than a few great vistas of the city. Photo Credit: Daniel Ramirez
Lincoln Park Steps
Lincoln Park Steps connects Lincoln Park with California Street. A retro beau arts-style tile floral bloom covers the wide statement piece staircase. The mosaic’s green palette blends with the park’s hillside foliage. It’s a grand welcome to the start of your Lands End adventure.
Lincoln Park has breathtaking views of the bay. Photo Credit: Andreas Praefcke
16the Avenue Tiled Steps
16th Avenue Tiled Steps in the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood take pedestrians from Moraga Street up to Grandview Park’s trails and views of the city and ocean below. A story of celestial seas is underfoot on your climb up the 163 steps. The sea-to-stars-themed mosaic flows through a native and succulent garden lovingly cared for by the community.
Drive Down Lombard Street
Another way to experience San Francisco’s steep hillsides is by driving Lombard Street’s eight tight switchbacks. Use Van Ness Avenue to go one way east on Lombard Street. The hairpin turns begin at Hyde Street and down to Leavenworth Street.
You’ll see why they dubbed Lombard the “Crookedest Street in the World” when everyone in the car shifts side to side, yelping, “Woah, woah, woah!” Look back up the hill to see the hydrangea bush landscaped red brick road coiling between Russian Hill mansions in all its twisted glory.
Lombard is one of the most recognizable streets in America because of its serpentine path. Photo Credit: Christopher Michel
Ring a Bell at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum
Cable cars are yet another way to get over San Francisco’s hills. The San Francisco Cable Car Museum (1201 Mason St.) inside the historic Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse powers the city’s three remaining cable car lines. The cable line enters the building through an underground channel where engines and wheels pull the cables. Watch the lines circulate back out into use from the museum’s overlook.
Learn about this unique transportation’s history, why it’s a perfect and thrilling way to get around the city, and what it takes to run the system. Three antique cable cars dating back to the 1870s are on display at the free admission museum. And the best way to get to the museum is by cable car, of course. It’s within easy distance of all three lines.
Located in Nob Hill, the Cable Car Museum has been open since 1974. Photo Credit: Joe Ross
Stop by the Golden Gate Park Bison Paddock
When you visit Golden Gate Park, it makes sense to expect exhilarating recreation options and world-class museums, but finding a paddock of bison is, well, surprising. The park’s Bison Paddock runs alongside John F. Kennedy Drive just west of Spreckels Lake. There are about ten animals in the herd, five adolescents and five adult females.
The first bull arrived to live at the park in 1891 as an effort to conserve the species. At the time, bison were almost hunted out of existence. Conservation efforts have created healthy herds in National Parks and on private lands. Stop and watch these American treasures munch and play in their green pasture home.
Observe Pier 39’s California Sea Lions
Want to see a sometimes comical naturally-occurring animal attraction? Then stop by Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf to watch California sea lions loudly jockey for a spot atop a floating dock. (We assume the sea lions are vying for the best sunbathing location when they nudge each other around.)
“Arf, arf,” barking and the smell of fishy lunch will lead you straight to the sea lion’s hangout. The sea lions overwhelmed the marina back in the early 1990s, and the boats had to give up the docks to the slippery marine mammals. Come on out and catch their daily show!
Get Tropical at the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Add a tropical getaway to your vacation itinerary by popping into the Fairmont San Francisco’s Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. You’re in for south sea weather patterns at this indoor paradise.
A storm complete with thunder, lightning, and rain brews as you sip an island-inspired fruity cocktail from a tiki-glass in your seat by the lagoon. Through the intermittent showers, a boat floats into the lagoon, where a live band plays island jams. Take cover under the protection of the woven grass-pitched ceiling to enjoy a Polynesian-fusion meal where Spam and stir fry are on the menu.
One of America’s most memorable tiki bars, the Tonga Room and Hurricane bar feature a lagoon in the middle of the establishment. Photo Credit: Cmglee
Celebrate Life at an Ocean Beach Bonfire
San Francisco’s long social tradition of gathering around glowing bonfires after dark on Ocean Beach is still going strong. The National Park Service has regulated where and when bonfires can occur on the beach, but visitors are welcome to participate in the nightly celebration from March through October. Warming up around a blazing wood fire takes some of the chill out of the Pacific Ocean breeze while creating a primal yet comforting glow grounded in nature and community.