I finally got the chance to visit the Chinese Railroad Workers History Center in Chinatown…read moreyesterday. I am really interested in the history of the building of the United States Transcontinental Railroad (1863 to 1869) and also because I love trains. The exhibit at this history center mainly focuses on the Chinese railroad workers who emigrated here from China in the 1860's to help build the railroad. This exhibit reveals and explains how these Chinese immigrants played a very important role in the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and how their contributions were not widely acknowledged and how they faced and experienced racism. I would highly recommend you visit this museum to learn more about how these Chinese immigrants helped to connect the people of the United States together. Admission is free and you can make a donation if you wish.

I went late and was unable to read everything but it's packed with lots of info to read. Talks…read moreabout what I expected. Where, when, how and why the Chinese came to America and how they worked hard despite the discrimination, low pay, and poor conditions they had to live through. They had to live in tents during harsh weather and had to pay for it; where as their other counterparts had free room, board and shelter. I will go back to read what I missed!

We need to make a special place for these local gems that work so hard to preserve stories and our…read morehistory. Become a member and support them throughout the year by attending talks, shows, and exhibitions. Always a learning experience!

The GLBT Historical Society Museum is a small but incredibly meaningful stop in the heart of the…read moreCastro. While the space is compact--you can comfortably explore everything in about an hour--the exhibits are thoughtfully curated and beautifully presented. The collection is powerful, focusing on national LGBTQ+ movements with a special emphasis on San Francisco's history. Highlights include an emotional audio recording of Harvey Milk and a piece of the original gay pride flag--seeing it in person is unforgettable. The museum also features rotating exhibits, such as the "Erotic Resistance" photo series, alongside a permanent collection on leather culture. Admission is just $10, a small price to support such an important cause. They also offer free admission on Wednesdays, which is a great tip to keep in mind. Given its size, it's best as a meaningful quick stop if you're already in the Castro rather than a standalone destination. Be sure to check their hours before you go.

I have a lot of feelings about this museum, having stayed in the Tenderloin in 1986. The punk band…read moreI was traveling with went onward to Japan for the rest of their tour, so I stayed behind before going back to NY state after a month or so. Oh my. What I remember from the 80s: tents full of AIDS patients at the Civic Center, protesting lack of services. I met an AIDS patient, which in those days was scary because there was little information on it. He looked so ill, with a withered face and sunken eyes, since the first medicines were very hard on the body. I had heard nothing about the disease in high school and had a vague idea that it was spread through the air like TB. The man was so kind and he explained everything about the disease to me, and what they were doing there. It was my first introduction to that good old SF protest energy. Grassroots organizing at its best and very effective. Next, I observed those blessed old hippies in action. They held free needle exchanges in a park in the Tloin, to try to stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis. SFPD arrested them, and more filled their place. They kept getting arrested and reappearing, over and over and over, until the city made these places legal. NYC was years behind on this, and as a consequence, many got sick here. The Tloin was a frightening place to a middle class teen like me with no life experience. I met a few kindly elders, and a group of kids called the Powell Street Punks, who were skins (only on the outside afaik, not racist skins). They would skateboard around the BART station entrance and regularly get rousted by the cops. One thing that still p***es me off was the fact that SFPD would regularly take our beer and pour it out or drink one. I used to vacation in SF every year until 2001, and remember passing through this area and seeing how it changed and how it stayed the same. Now that I'm back to regularly visiting, I can see the city evolving and de-evolving in front of my eyes, perhaps better than those who live here year round. I see a lot of ugliness here in the Tloin, but I also see kindness, which I chose to put at the forefront. I see that same quintessentially San Francisco helper energy, and that same grassroots organizing, protesting, and innovation. That will never change, even when the city changes. Goodness never dies out.

I'm very sorry to say that I was very underwhelmed by this museum. One room with some pictures and…read morea few interpretive notes. I really was expecting more given what I'd heard. I totally understand that it is hard to run a small museum like this, rent is high (it is SF!), and without much space to work with I realize it's hard to do much. I guess I was expecting something akin to the Tenement Museum in New York with perhaps that would take one back in time and show how people really lived. I also understand that the Tenderloin Museum is not JUST a history museum and has a greater mission and advocacy to share the stories that are still unfolding there. Nonetheless, having last year visited an amazing historically living history museum at the Black Country in Birmingham, UK, well...I only wish there were more support for places like these via non-profits and government grants or subsidies. And frankly, to get there was heartbreaking as well as scary as F. I had to wade through blocks of people doing drugs (I assume fentynal) obliterated out of their minds. And that is what is insane about the Tenderloin. It never seems to get better. It is worse now than I have ever seen! (Thanks, Breed and co.) I'd say Good Luck Tenderloin, but what you really need is good policy. Maybe someday when people go to the Tenderloin Museum, they will go to a history museum that will give an account of what it was like with the horrors of addiction and poverty and violence but they will walk through a healthy city-scape of loved, creative, and vibrant (if slightly offbeat) residents. That being said, it is still a place of immigrants and artists, and glorious misfits . But they get lost among the addicts and (yes) criminals, at first look. Peace.

Nice museum(smaller gallery)..showcase...with old wagons and horses...used to use horses back…read morethen...1880s...old uniforms and photos of honorable "officers"...old time..Lillie Hitchcock Coit was a spokesperson who left money to build Coit Tower in North Beach, CA...the legend of the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco...liberty bells(from Philadelphia)...when I was a child in Maryland...hahaha....with my school...I could visit on a Saturday afternoon...for 30-45 minutes...there was a person at the museum space and a young boy(child) led a guided visit.."don't touch" this equipment..haha if only that wasn't disturbing...fun gallery in a city full of galleries and displays...showcase of antiques and vintage items...fun experience..free and there is a gift shop...could pass my time this afternoon...near Target..."Laurel Heights" not sure...poke around and add it to your collection of presentations...if you knew what you were talking about...worth it Review #3030

I recently had an opportunity to visit this museum. I was informed by the museum curator (Jaime)…read morethat the museum has recently been revamped to include new displays of San Francisco Police Department, Sheriff's Department and Emergency Medical Service (City Paramedics) artifacts. It was recently reopened to the public and is now also being referred to as the Guardians of the City Museum dedicated to the City of SF's "First Responders." It was definitely a very cool experience! Lots of historical artifacts of mainly the SF Fire Department, but now with new displays of the SF Police Department SF Sheriff's Department and SF Emergency Medical Service artifacts. Entrance is free but donations are accepted in lieu of an entrance fee. I would recommend checking before a visit to make sure it's open. As a native San Franciscan I would say that this museum is worth seeing because it highlights the rich history of San Francisco "The City By The Bay!" Thank you Jaime for the personal tour! Here's a link about the Guardians of the city: guardiansofthecity.org

First time I came here and was recommended to come to see Writ Against the Sun from Seattle based…read moreartist Casey Curan's amazing mechanical interactive art exhibit. It's a 15 minute walk from Civic Muni station along 8th street and when you see the corner mural, you make a left onto Heron street. Pass the bridge and then ring the door bell on the right o gain entrance to the gallery. The art space is a big room and a smaller room openly connected. The space is airy and cozy, with white walls and white curtains above. On the right are restrooms and some open air space with seating in the back. I went online to register for a specific time to visit. It was free and open to the public if they register online. Although timed, you may stay as long as you want. And it was nice to ponder and enjoy the art without too many people around. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive exhibits. The lighting also created shadows which hi-lighted the softness of the small intricate mechanical parts of the moving exhibits. The Casey Curan - Writ Against the Sun exhibition dates are 6/15 to 7/20. I look forward to coming again soon when something interesting comes up.

Wow apparently not many people know about this tiny rotating gallery of unique works. I always…read moreheard of Heron Arts, but I never had a chance to stop by until now. This gallery allows many unique artists here that you don't see in other museums. I feel the art is more cutting edge, unique and experimental and gives emerging artists their first solo shows or platforms to display their creative artwork. I know Casey Curran has made 3 visits here and I had to be sure not to miss his cool moveable interactive work because he might not come back again. Again third time is a charm! I happened to choose 4th of July to visit and the person that opened the door to the gallery was the artist himself! He said he just flew in to fix his pieces with the motors and will fly back out tomorrow. This was a small venue which was nice as I took my time to play with his art by cranking the lever to make the pieces move which was fun. And trying to figure how it works. Artist, Casey Curran, whose Met Gala design went viral when Mona Patel, a businesswoman wore an Iris van Herpen dress with the pièce de résistance: where she wore on her arms, gold and beige butterfly-like wings fluttered in place, a motorized creation by artist Casey Curran, who creates kinetic sculptures. Now new couture clients, and celebrity stylists have reached out to him inquiring about his work to integrate into clothes! This is a nice exhibition for limited time June 15-July 20th. Make reservations online at Heron Arts in order to see any future exhibit. Nice to come to a gallery that is not crowded on weekday and just leisurely take your time. :)

Black Point Historic Gardens is a beautiful hidden gem near Fort Mason and Fisherman's Wharf…read more The garden has peaceful winding paths, colorful flowers, and one of the best surprise views of the Bay, Alcatraz, and the waterfront. It feels much quieter than the busy tourist areas nearby, which makes it a perfect short escape after walking around Pier 39 or Aquatic Park. I loved the mix of history, greenery, and ocean views. The hillside layout gives it a slightly secret-garden feeling, and every turn has a different angle of the water, boats, and skyline. Great spot for a quick walk, photos, a peaceful break, or a scenic detour. Very underrated San Francisco stop.

I've spent a lot of time this way. It was already a cool physical landscape but this remodel has…read moretotally changed the landscape. It is hard to convey how the space has been transformed with the removal of major trees. Earth has been moved. That is some expensive and regulated work. It looks great now. Total transformation. They took out a lot of trees. It's wide open compared to how it used to be. I love this part of town. Great for active people to have the best views possible.

Great place, especially if you want to see America at its very best!! Plus, you'll learn a lot…read moreabout an important time in our history.

One Star for being difficult to find. The parking attendant/gate monitor was rather unhappy about…read moreher job needing to escort lost visitors, and I don't blame her. The signage could have been significantly better as I ran into multiple other small groups who were lost. (And it was cold and windy, being on the waterfront in Summer... as expected for the Bay Area.) Two stars for barely mentioning Betty Reid Soskin when she has been such a big part of completing the Rosie story by including the Black perspective of the Richmond shipyards experience during WW2. Even the Park Officers working at the museum reception seemed turned off regarding our interest in her story. (I'm really sad that I didn't visit before her retirement in 2022, but thankful for YouTube videos of her lectures.) Five stars for being such an interesting taste of the past and doing it in such a way that the visit didn't feel rushed. The exhibits and artifacts were broad and interesting. It was great to see how women played such and important part of our wartime manufacturing history. Five stars for being free... with free parking, if you can figure out that you have to go through the gate guard and around the corner to the right to the very, very small parking lot located behind the entrance of the museum.

My first time touring a submarine! What an eye-opening, instructive and unique experience. The…read moreaudio tour, full of facts and personal stories, brought the whole thing to life. I expected the physical space to be cramped, but was shocked at how unbelievably small the crew kitchen was. When the USS Pampanito was commissioned in 1943 she represented the state of the art in submarine design and construction. She made six patrols in the Pacific during WWII--sank six imperial ships and damaged four others. Did you know: Museum ships are the only museum artifacts that are regularly stored in a corrosive environment (salt water.) So every seven years the Pampanito must be dry-docked in order to inspect, paint and complete vital repairs to her hull. A costly undertaking. Now I understand the steep admission fee! If you can swing the $25, I highly recommend this experience.

I have been wanting to visit this historic site for a number of years and finally all the pieces…read morefell into place and five of us went a few days ago. I had never been a sub before. We took the SMART to the ferry and from there to the Ferry Building then walked to the sub, which is near Fisherman's Wharf. Only $20 for seniors. SF is beautiful. The streetcar is right there and we took that back. The Pampanito is extremely interesting and the free self-guided smartphone tour was excellent. The narrators had served on the sub during the war and the described how it was living on board with 70 other sailors. Torpedo tubes, torpedoes (hopefully made safe), deck guns, controls, enlisted men's bunks, officers bunks, the head, the galley, it's all there. How did they cook for so many in such a small galley? How did they all fit somewhere to eat? They don't want you to fool with the controls but a few needed adjustment nevertheless. It must have been very crowded when in operation but when we visited it was not crowded, there were very few people besides us. It was well ventilated and did not smell of oil or diesel or anything. There was a little motion from the waves but not much. Some of the hatches require a bit of agility to get though but they are really OK. There are not any tight spots to get through and just the ladder down at the start then another ladder up at the end.