If you are looking for a venue then this really is the perfect one…read more I've done makeup here and also attended a wedding here. I love that it has its own chapel, ballroom area, dining area, and changing area. It has so many great places for photos. The staff is also super nice and easy to work with. The wedding I went to had the wedding upstairs. It has an area for hor dourves, bar, and a cute little outdoor patio area to hang out. The dining area is great for a buffet set up or formal sit down dining. The ballroom area is downstairs. The chapel is right next door which makes it easy for guest to walk to. For dressing area, there is a large room in both places. Parking is across the street.

We visited after our meal at Colibri Mexican Bistro (delicious food, highly recommended) and were…read morevery pleasantly surprised by the Heritage Gallery Museum inside. It's a tiny museum packed with neat and informative historical exhibits. We will definitely visit again.

A little known historical gem sits on 1111 Oak Street and I knew nothing of its existence until…read moretoday. It's the Abner Phelps House, the oldest house in San Francisco, dating back to 1851. That's old for us folks here in S.F. though it would get a chuckle from those in New York, London or Paris. It was owned by Abner Phelps and his wife, Augusta Roussell, who was originally from New Orleans. The story has it that the house was shipped in pieces around the Horn and reassembled on a part of the 160 acres Col. Phelps owned (329 Divisadero). Others say it was locally constructed. It is an Early Gothic Revival style and, to me, looks very Southern with its raised veranda. Many houses are raised on blocks in the South to protect them from flooding. All of this was farmland and sand dunes then and Col. Phelps rode his horse down to his law office on Montgomery St.!! I had heard it was a B&B but there is no signage stating so although the gate is open and you can walk right up to the door. I am taking the S.F. Historical Tour tomorrow in that neighborhood so I hope to have an update.

Hi, I'm Craig, and I'm a licensed California General Building Contractor. Way back in the early…read more1970s I was hired by a now-defunct enterprise known as The Preservation Group, founded by architect Hal Major and a millionaire lawyer, as I recall, and I think his first name was Keith. Oh, and Keith had a very attractive, slender, red-haired associate who later on became involved with Austrian Fritjof Capra. Mind you, this was a LONG time ago, and I don't have much in the way of written records. I was the foreman of a 5-man group of carpenters hired to work on the Abner Phelps house. We were told that it was the oldest house in The City, and that it had been built of lumber from New Orleans, shipped around Cape Horn (because there was no Panama Canal) in 1851. One of our group, incidentally, was a then-55-year old African American named Roosevelt Turner. He wound up working with us only for a short while because he was a member of the People's Temple, and received orders to relocate to Jonestown, S.A. On the payday before he departed, Roosevelt came to work with a velvet-covered jeweler's display tray of rings that he offered to us for sale. Rings that had come off the fingers of new members joining the Temple (and that they wouldn't need in Jonestown...). After getting completing the necessary paperwork for the Landmarks Board and the Planning Commission we did the following. Because the Phelps house had been the first house on the block it had been COMPLETELY surrounded by other houses -- it was utterly landlocked, without even a driveway to access it. Essentially, it was in the backyard of the surrounding homes. Thus, to give it the access and exposure it deserved, we moved one of the surrounding homes to an empty lot two blocks away. Then we detached a small addition that had been added on to the original Phelps home, and rotated the Phelps building and moved it to a new foundation at its present location, 1111 Oak St. Incidentally, before we renovated it, the house had been subject to major abuse. I believe it had been occupied by hippie squatters for some time, who did not provide the care and loving that the house deserved. I've heard that at least one other house claims to be the oldest in SF, and of course Mission Dolores and one wall of the Presidio Officers Club are both reputedly a good 75 years older than the Abner Phelps.

Trash customer service…read more Guy behind the desk on 12/19/25 had the most condescending attitude. As if we were inconveniencing him by asking for instructions His favorite line was: "I'm not helping you with that" This guy needs to work somewhere else if talking with people isn't his thing Next time I'll choose UPS instead

I like the New Post Office location it has a bit more parking space then the previous Presidio…read morebuilding, plus it's some what more scenic due to the landscaping. The drive was further for me then the Post Office in the Richmond, but with Free Parking, and an excuse to just relax while driving under the towering trees of the Presidio I think it was a fair trade off. The staff was efficient, and I enjoyed not having to wait in line. In short if you have to goto the Post Office it might as well be pleasant :) Fyi , it's also very bike friendly with paths leading here, and an ability to secure your bike when you arrive.

A cute little pet cemetery in the of the Presidio under sweeping parkway with Golden Gate Bridge,…read more San Francisco Bay, and Presidio Park views. A great place to have laid a friend's companion to rest. And it seems too that more pets have been added since 2008 by other loving family members. I love and appreciate the fact the Presidio Trust, Caltrans, and the City of San Francisco worked together to preserve this little gem while the Presidio Parkway was revised back in 2009 - 2015. Having experienced Presidio Pet Cemetery before, during, and after construction I can say overall the ambiance of the Presidio Pet Cemetery was persevered. While the new parkway is a bit noisy at some times of the day, and the overhead view imposed upon it's still a great place to visit. If you have a pet friend / family member buried here there resting place remain just a nice in most ways. If you are coming by for the historical relevance, or simply the views then you will enjoy your time spent at Presidio Pet Cemetery, and the neighboring areas. THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS who have put in the time and work to maintain the Presidio Pet Cemetery. We love you for your care an efforts.

What a charming & unique cemetery this was. An assortment of pets, surrounded by gardens & with a…read moreview of the Golden Gate Bridge! It was fun walking around to see the variety headstones with the names of the pets.

"You ain't nothin' but fine, fine, fine And I wish you were…read moremine, mine, mine You ain't nothin' but fine, fine, fine" (Rockpile) I just read that San Francisco ranks #2 among the most expensive U.S. cities to live. But that doesn't mean there aren't some bargains to be had if you know where to look. As a case in point, look no further than the jaw dropping outdoor grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts. You can see this magnificence for free. It was built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition with a Greco-Roman soaring rotunda, looping colonnades, and 17 acres of parks, walking paths, and wetlands make it one of San Francisco's most photogenic spots. The architecture reminds me of what you see in the Gladiator movies, or in photos of ancient ruins, with Corinthian columns, sculpted figures, and grand arches. We spent an hour or so just strolling around and enjoying the beauty of what surrounded us. And it was all free of charge.

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in San Francisco. Whether…read moreyou're a visitor or a local, it's the perfect spot to slow down and take in the scenery. The views are stunning from every angle, with the iconic rotunda reflected in the lagoon and surrounded by beautiful architecture and lush vegetation. The lake is full of life, and it's common to see swans, ducks, geese, and other birds enjoying the water, making it feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. The lagoon is known for attracting a variety of bird species throughout the year. There are plenty of grassy areas to spread out a blanket, relax with a book, enjoy a picnic, or simply soak in the atmosphere. The walking paths are easy to explore, and every turn offers another great photo opportunity. On busy days, you'll often find vendors nearby adding to the lively and welcoming environment. Whether you're looking for a peaceful morning walk, a romantic setting, or just a place to sit and enjoy nature, the Palace of Fine Arts delivers. A true San Francisco treasure that never disappoints.

Dragon Gate has been part of my San Francisco story for as long as I can remember. I first saw it…read morein the mid-1970s during a visit with my parents, and it made an immediate impression on me. I still remember taking photos of it with a brand-new camera my father had just given me, not realizing at the time that it had only been completed a few years earlier, in 1970. Over time, I've come to appreciate more of its details and background. The gate was a gift from Taiwan and built in a traditional Chinese architectural style, complete with guardian lions, decorative tiles, and inscriptions symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. It marks the formal entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, and it's a natural stopping point for visitors before heading further into the neighborhood. Nearly twenty years after that first visit, I moved to San Francisco and have been here ever since. These days, walking past the Dragon Gate feels more personal. It's less of a tourist attraction for me and more of a familiar landmark, one that quietly welcomes people into a neighborhood full of history, culture, and character.

I've walked under the Dragon's Gate more times than I can count but I still love that moment when…read moreyou're walking up and you finally see it and suddenly you know you're in Chinatown. It sits at the edge of Grant Ave and it is a literal gateway into Chinatown. As soon as you walk past it, you are under the beautiful green tiled roofs curling along the streets with stone lions in this ornate, colorful and instantly recognizable neighborhood. The gate was a gift from Taiwan in the 1970s and every time you see it it feels special and different. It's not the largest or most beautiful gate I've seen, but I think it holds a special place for me because it's so familiar. It can look different depending on whether you visit on a bright sunny morning, or a foggy afternoon, or whether you see it under the glowing lanterns of a San Francisco night but to me it always feels familiar. No matter how many times I've been to Chinatown, I always stop here for a second before heading in. I have to take a moment to pay homage to this little spot that marks the entrance of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city.

Fort Point felt like the Golden Gate Bridge's bodyguard. Everybody pulls up to see the bridge, but…read morethis brick fortress sitting directly under it looks like it's been standing on business since before steel was invented. Built in the Civil War era, this place was literally guarding the entrance to the bay. Basically if ships wanted to pull up to San Francisco back in the day, they had to check in with the cannons first. Standing there you realize they weren't playing, the walls thick, windows lined up perfectly for artillery, and the ocean right in front like a front door camera. Now obviously nobody firing anything anymore, it's preserved as a historic site, but the energy still feels tactical. You've got waves crashing, wind whipping through the corridors, and then you look up and the Golden Gate Bridge is hovering right over your head like a next gen upgrade installed on top of a 1800s expansion pack. This is easily one of the coldest photo spots in the city. From up top you get crazy angles of the bridge you don't see in postcards, and from below you realize how massive the structure actually is. Half history lesson, half cinematic backdrop. Walking through the inside felt like a Call of Duty map with museum lighting. Quiet, echoey, and lowkey dramatic. If Battery Godfrey was the lookout, Fort Point was the bouncer checking IDs at the entrance to San Francisco.

This was the first time actually visiting Fort Point! I am surprised I never took the time to do it…read morebefore as I've been crabbing numerous times at Torpedo Wharf which is less than 100 yards away! [disclaimer: taken from the internet] "Fort Point National Historic Site is a Civil War-era brick fort built between 1853 and 1861, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The fort was built to defend the bay from the Gold Rush era through World War II. Known as the "Gibraltar of the West Coast," it's a prime example of 19th-century masonry and military engineering, featuring arched casemates and a design that was rendered obsolete by new artillery, so it never fired in combat." It was a clear and beautiful day to see the fort and the surrounding area.

There was a brief break in the rain yesterday so, I decided to run through the presidio. The best…read morepart about the presidio is that I'm always discovering new places based on the route I take. For some reason I don't remember ever seeing the Korean War Memorial before, but I'm glad a made a quick stop. Known as the "forgotten war", the Korean War was still one of great significance. This memorial does a fantastic job of giving you the brief history behind the conflict, those who sacrificed their lives and the current state of Korea today. I won't spoil all the history for you as checking out this monument is worth the trip if you're in the area. A huge thank you to all veterans out there.

This is superb. Maybe it's the time given to be able to put up appropriate memorials, but I was…read moreimmediately reminded of how gorgeous and haunting the Washington DC Korean War Memorial is. That one is much more artistically complex, but this fantastic addition to the Presidio is a wonderful, better late than never, nod to all the people involved. The location of this is superb, just past the main parade ground. Across from cemetery and Golden Gate Club. Well done Presidio Trust & NPS!!!

If you love turn of the century architecture the Ninth Circuit tour is the one to take. They just…read morerecently reopened for tours to the public. I went with a group but there's a set schedule each month to drop by and look around. Tours are free, courtesy of you, the taxpayer Such a beautiful building full of history!

I worked three blocks away over the years and never realized this building with so much history was…read moreright under my nose. The James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse is a National Historic Landmark was opened in 1905 and is considered one of America's most beautiful public buildings with its Beaux-Arts Classical architecture. It served as the main post office and courthouse and even survived the 1906 earthquake with only fire damage to the Redwood Room, hence it reopened two days later. However, the 1989 earthquake caused serious damage and Congress authorized $91mil for the retrofitting and rehabilitation of the building. It reopened in 1997 with modern HVAC, electrical and plumbing, rendering it to the standards of a new building, which now houses the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A 70 minutes free docent led tour is offered twice a month on Tuesdays at 1pm during the Spring and Summer, otherwise once a month. See the website at: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/content/view.php?pk_id=0000000141. As with all Federal facilities, you need an ID and pass through security. Upon entering, you see the grandeur of the bronze doors, white Carrara marble on floors and walls, verde marble insets, vaulted ceilings, with marble tiles crafted by craftsmen from Italy. The postal customer service windows have been left in place. A new library building was built in the postal sorting area, which is accessed on the first floor. The four courtrooms are on the second and third floors and each have their own distinctive designs and sizes of Art Deco, marble, artwork, mosaics, woodwork and skylights. The docent will lead a tour into each courtroom unless court is in session. The Redwood Room was rebuilt after 1906 earthquake fire is completely clad in ornately clad redwood and was used as a library. Open a door and you will see books in shelves. We also saw the office used by visiting Supreme Court Justices and the chambers of Chief Justice Sidney Thomas. Remember to stop by the Information Room by the entrance for info on Justice James Browning and the Court. Highly recommend visiting this historical courthouse and be transported to the past to see architecture, design, materials and craftsmanship that you won't see in your modern buildings.

Beautiful. Clean. Located at the Presidio, this cemetery has an amazing view of the Golden Gate…read moreBridge and the bay. It's a great place that pays homage for our military veterans. There is a convenient kiosk with a QR code near the entrance to help you find your loved one. Bathrooms are also located near the entrance of the cemetery. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are very, very clean. The toilet paper was thick, not the thin, cheap stuff. National cemeteries are usually well kept, and this cemetery is no exception. I would recommend this place but I'm told this cemetery is full as most spaces have already been purchases. Every now and then, if families end up making other arrangements, a space may open up. That said, it's worthwhile to call and see if space is available.

Visiting the San Francisco National Cemetery was such a healing journey for me. The grounds are…read morebeautifully maintained, with endless rows of headstones that tell the story of sacrifice, honor, and history. The views overlooking the Bay are breathtaking and add to the sense of peace and reflection. Walking through the cemetery gave me time to pause, remember, and appreciate the lives honored here. It is quiet, solemn, and humbling yet incredibly comforting. One important note: pets are not allowed in the cemetery because of the protection of coyotes in the Presidio. Also, please don't complain about the uphill walk to visit graves--turn around and you'll see one of the most beautiful views of the Bay. This place is sacred, and it deserves our respect. If you are visiting San Francisco and want to experience something meaningful beyond the usual tourist spots, I highly recommend coming here. It is a place that stays with you long after you leave. It's free. Honor that freedom and value!