The Sentinel Building (or Columbus Tower) is definitely one of the coolest buildings in North…read moreBeach. The wedge-shaped flatiron design and copper-green color really make it stand out. If you stand across the street, you can get a great photo of it with the Transamerica Pyramid just behind it. The framing survived the 1906 earthquake and then it was completed a year later. Even though the Sentinel Building is mixed-used, it is mostly occupied by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope film studio. Many of Coppola's movies (including the Godfather films and Apocalypse Now) were edited, written, or sound mixed here. At the front of the building is a European-style cafe called Cafe Zoetrope. There are also many posters of Coppola's movies and some historical facts about the building along the outside wall.

The Sentinel Building (also known as the Columbus Tower) is the 33rd historical landmark in San…read moreFrancisco. This "flatiron" style building survived the 1906 earthquake and fire during it's construction, but did suffer some damage that delayed the building completion date to 1907. The unique copper-clad windows on the building have aged over the years to a green shade. Some people may find this building to be an ugly green monstrosity, but I think the building is gorgeous and oozes character. Initially the top floor housed political figure, Abraham "Boss" Ruef, and later a restaurant, Caesar's, that was credited for inventing the Caesar Salad. Despite it's success, the restaurant closed down during Prohibition. The musical group, The Kingston Trio, owned the building in the 1960s and used the space as their corporate headquarters. By the 1970s the building was starting to fall apart and was in a desperate need of a renovation. Film director, Francis Ford Coppola, purchased the building in the early 1970s and revived the building. To this day he still owns the building. The Sentinel Building is nestled in between Little Italy and Chinatown so there are plenty of great restaurants nearby. Cafe Zoetrope currently resides on the ground floor of the Sentinel Building. Grab some wine and Italian cuisine at Cafe Zoetrope or go across the street to House of Nanking for some amazing Chinese food. If you enjoy historical buildings and landmarks the Sentinel Building is worth checking out!

At the corner of Third and Market in the Financial District in SF you will find this historic…read morebuilding that keeps so much of what I presume its original charm. The father founder, Mr, Hearst, made his fortune during the California gold rush, and Mr. Hearst son was more inclined to journalist activities, and in this building, that was totally destroyed in 1906 and rebuilt, was printed the San Francisco Examiner newspaper until the decade of the 1960s. Today is mostly an office building, but you can always visit the entrance and admire the art, and even get to try out that phone in the old elevator (and pretend someone answer your 'hello from California'). Say hi to the great concierge, a very nice man from Guatemala that knows not only everyone in the building but the history and stories accumulated behind those walls.

The former site of the San Francisco Examiner, the paper that published pieces by Ambrose Bierce,…read moreCivil War vet and writer that mysteriously disappeared. There are many clever satirical and fanciful pieces that he wrote for the Examiner worth reading like "A Scientific Dream", but if you like Maupassant style horror you must look to Bitter Bierce's short stories. Some favorites to read on a chilly San Francisco night while the fog glides softly along the pavement outside, creeps up through the slightly open window and gently rests its cold fingers on the back of your neck: "A Watcher by the Dead", "The Other Lodgers", "The Damned Thing", "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge".

This staircase feels really rustic and hidden with a lot of lush greenery around. It's mainly wood…read morebut the first leg starting at Laidley St is cement, 239 steps in total which is pretty long and good for a workout. There are about 4 houses along the staircase which seems interesting to live because it feels like you are in the remote woods while being located in the middle of a major city. I wouldn't come just for the stairs unless I lived around here but I usually incorporate it with a hike around Billy Goat Hill, Glen Canyon Park, or the various stairs in the Noe Valley neighborhood (Valley, Castro, Duncan-Castro open space, 27th street) and make it a 2-3 mile loop. This is a nice hike for locals that has been everywhere else and looking for something different but for a tourist I'd suggest nearby Twin Peaks before here.

My favorite San Francisco stairs…read more.. This is truly a hidden gem located in the residential neighborhood of Glen Park. Not many people know about these steps and I'm not even sure if residents living in nearby streets know about these stairs, the path is not obvious and not easily seen especially while driving... we didn't find it immediately, we had to search for the street sign which was tipped by the first reviewer from her photo. Finding parking was challenging, we parked down the hill so our first exercise was ascending the steep hill... and then the steps. Gaahhh... So here we go, we started from the bottom of the steps on Laidley Street. The steps were concrete in the beginning and they were short in height. There is one switchback when you reach 1/3 of the way, make a right on the bend and the stairs turns into wooden steps. There are some 230 steps total when you reach the top on Beacon Street. You are not able to view the steps from bottom to top (and vise versa)... the trees, plants and foliage makes these stairs elusive. I loved seeing the cute houses along Harry Street. Living in these homes gives you the feeling as if you're in a mountain retreat or something. There are five (maybe six) homes that reside along the steps so you can say that this is a legit street and the only way to get to your home are these steps. It's a hiker's dream LoL Yikes! oh the thought of bringing the groceries in from your car! Anyway, one of the homes is 30 Harry... there is a forwarding address attached on the mailbox. Since there aren't that many houses on the stairs it's rare that one comes up for sale. There was no For Sale sign so I'm not sure what the status is but the home is empty. The homes on Harry Street are small with square footage of less than 1,500 but I love the charm and seeing the balconies that look like they're hanging from the hill. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom house near the foot of the stairs hit the market asking $1.395 million, and that was a Redfin data from 2014. Anyway, when we reached the top on Beacon Street there was not much to see... the fog just completely enveloped the view so we will have to come back when my soreness goes away and when the weather is better. LoL Review #2070

Utterly stunning! This Historic Building has a lobby that rivals all! The early SF photos and…read moreartifacts are simply breathtaking. A spiral stair case twists vertically passing each floor. All surfaces are marble. Stop in to be blown away!

This is a cool building to visit nestled in the middle of Market and all the touristy window…read moreshopping. This building is full of history (check out the photos) and some really gorgeous architecture (it seems pretty old). The place is used for any and everything. From lawyers to therapists to English teachers, this building is full of offices that will surprise you. Great one stop shop for many needs, check out the directory!

I live near Skygate and walk past it several times a week. The stainless-steel sculpture sits along…read morethe Embarcadero, only about a two-minute walk from Pier 39, so many people probably pass it without realizing its history. Created in 1985 by sculptor Roger Barr, Skygate was the first piece of public art installed in that part of the waterfront. If you look closely, you'll also find a nearby plaque noting that the sculpture was dedicated to the American philosopher Eric Hoffer, often called the "longshoreman philosopher," who spent many years working on the San Francisco docks. The sculpture has a sleek, curved design made of polished stainless steel. It reflects the sky, the bay, and people walking by. On sunny days, the light shines beautifully on it, making it a popular spot for photos. Visitors exploring the waterfront between Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building often stop here. Since it sits in an open plaza along the Embarcadero promenade, it's easy to walk right up to it and see how the reflections change as you move around it. Roger Barr (1921-2000), the artist behind Skygate, had an interesting life that blended art, travel, and teaching. Born in Milwaukee, he served as a Navy pilot during World War II and later studied art in Los Angeles and Paris. During his time in Paris, he interacted with prominent artists and photographers, including Pablo Picasso and Man Ray. Barr later taught art in several places, including California and France, and directed the American Art Study Abroad program in Paris during the 1960s. Another interesting detail is how the sculpture was installed here. Skygate was commissioned by the Becton Dickinson Company, a global medical technology firm, and donated to the City of San Francisco. At the time, it became the first piece of waterfront public art in the city to be fully funded by a private company. Today, it quietly stands along one of San Francisco's busiest walking paths, a small but meaningful reminder of the city's artistic and waterfront history.

I finally saw the Sanchez Street Stairs for the DoloDrip artwork on Sun 7/12.26. I thought it was…read moreat Dolores Park but a guy I asked for help told me it's on Sanchez Street & 19th. So I was at one corner of the park, had to go back to the ped bridge, go over the bridge, walk up Sanchez and the stairs were on the left at 19Th. It's still colorful but not as bright as a few years ago, 2023 when I should have seen it. Oh well. If you're near Dolores Park it's worth walking up to see the stairs/artwork. Some kids once drove over the stairs, now they got some railing so it doesn't happen again.

The Sanchez Stairs is a beloved neighborhood staircase with 75 steps along a few landings with…read moregreat views of the downtown skyline, Corona Heights Park, and the north city up to Pacific Heights. I discovered them by parking up here while doing stuff in the Castro because usually parking is hard to find on the main drag. They are a part of a slew of staircases in the Dolores Heights neighborhood which is good to utilize in making a 1-mile loop that takes about 45 minutes. The houses are nice here with more views of the city to the East Bay, and a certain still calmness in the air because it's away from busy streets. I saw a lot of bougainvillea flowers around. Fun fact this staircase was recently in the news because some carjackers flew over the railing then fled after landing the car on the bottom on 19th Street.

A quiet, cozy, off the beaten path, mini park with lovely flowers and trees in between busy areas…read more Recommend, especially if you can find parking.

Big things comes in small packages…read more There are several mini parks in almost every neighborhood in San Francisco, and Cottage Row is a historic district (#82000983) located in Japantown that stretches along the block of Bush and Sutter streets and flanked between Webster and Fillmore streets. I would often walk to my wife's work as part of my exercise after work. I'd start from New Montgomery & Market Street all the way to Pacific Heights, which is roughly about 3 1/2 miles or so depending on the route I take. I vary my route some days and have taken different streets that are more hilly depending how I feel that particular day. On one of my many routes, I discovered this gem of a place just a block from Japantown Center. From Sutter St., there are signs posted regarding the park in front of a brick steps and pathway that stretches one block ending on Bush St. Along the path are Victorian-era houses, which adds a unique charm to the park. The park itself is well manicured with beautiful flowers, plants and even lone Redwood tree standing tall and proudly in the center. It may be small, but this mini park actually feels very spacious due to the layout and brilliant design of the park. It definitely maximizes the space without feeling cluttered and it feels very relaxing just being here. The smell of flowers and different plants provides an illusion that you are in a forest garden. I can feel my stress levels diminish as I soak in the energy of the park. Doing some research, the brick pathway along the backside of the park used to be called Japan Street due to the families living there were primarily Japanese-Americans. Sadly, they were interned during WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor. An unfortunate time in American history that must never be forgotten and repeated. Now the park is maintained by the city, and they do a wonderful job of doing so. I can imagine the people in the neighborhood utilize this space by sitting on the benches while reading a good book; playing with their kids or grandkids; walking and playing with their dogs or enjoying a casual stroll to get some sun. Either way, it's a charming little park that is worth a visit should you be in the area.

A piece of architectural art and history from the master - Frank Loyd Wright…read more If you like the artwork of the architectural genius Frank Loyd Wright, you'll love this humble building he designed amongst the hustle and bustle of très chic shops and money galore. This quiet treasure is on little Maiden Lane that goes from Union to Kearny Street. Currently its nesting tenant is an Italian clothing store. Take note that this is the only Frank Loyd Wright building in San Francisco and one of his 17 celebrated works.

Beautiful work of art and architecture that has stood the test of time. This is a wonderful find…read moreif you're ever in the San Francisco Union Square area. And the rest of Maiden Lane is not too shabby either! The only San Francisco Frank Lloyd Wright building at 140 Maiden Lane built in 1948 was originally designed for a V.C. Morris Gift Shop (Vere and Lillian Morris), and was Wright's physical prototype for the circular ramp at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Through the years, the building's been occupied by both art galleries and fashion boutiques at various times. It achieved city landmark status in 1974, and its current resident is the ISAIA Napoli, an Italian men's fashion store. The 'Mousetrap!' "The architect described his asymmetrical Romanesque arched entry as a "mousetrap." Beyond the portal, a narrow barrel-vaulted corridor revealed the shop's circular interior. There, two white Persian cats lounged amid the fine china and crystal. The elite of San Francisco society patronized V. C. Morris Gift Shop, where they purchased streamlined, elegant tableware and objets d'art. Shopkeepers Vere and Lillian Morris hired Wright to renovate the exterior and interior of their business. Before construction, Wright explained his windowless concept to his clients: "We are not going to dump your beautiful merchandise on the street, but create an arch-tunnel of glass, into which the passersby may look and be enticed. As they penetrate further into the entrance ... they will suddenly push open the door, and you've got them!"" -nobhillgazette .....from rags to riches! A little back story on Maiden Lane. The street started life as St. Mark's Street and by the time it became Morton Street, it was a well traveled street for brothels, prostitutes, and other "entertainment" of ill repute. After Morton Street, it spent time as Union Square Ave and Manila Alley before becoming the Maiden Lane we know today......and just to confuse the street further, Maiden Lane started life in the financial district about a block from what's now the Transamerica Pyramid. The name was eventually changed to Ils Lane, and a small opening of the "street" between buildings still survives today. https://sanfrancisco.wingsdomain.com