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!

Plaza de California is a small but pleasant public space near Pier 39, just steps from the…read morewaterfront and next to the Pier 39 Marina. Despite being so close to one of the city's busiest tourist areas, it offers a surprisingly calm place to pause for a few minutes. I often walk by or around it, especially on a beautiful San Francisco day. The plaza has nice landscaping, shaded seating areas, and benches where you can relax while taking in partial views of the San Francisco Bay and the marina. There's also a small playground, which makes it a convenient stop for families exploring the waterfront. In the middle of the space stands Skygate, a beautiful sculpture by the late Roger Barr, a famous artist and sculptor. Because it sits right along the Embarcadero walking route between Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, it's an easy place to step aside from the crowds and catch your breath. On a clear day, it's a nice spot to sit with a coffee, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch boats coming and going from the marina. Occasionally, you'll also find small pieces of public art or seasonal decorations that add a little extra character to the space. Plaza de California is part of the broader Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, and it's maintained by the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District (FWCBD), which helps keep the area clean, safe, and welcoming. It may not be a major destination on its own, but it's a thoughtful little pocket park that adds charm to the waterfront and gives both locals and visitors a quiet place to relax while exploring the area.

Honestly, City Hall area in South San Francisco is a beautiful and picturesque landmark all around…read moreto check out. There's public street metered parking everywhere and easy walking distance to parking lots and garages in back. It doesn't look huge from outside either, but landscape is noticeably well maintained and pleasant to walk by. There are lots of children playing at a playground nearby. Feng shui feels good since it's easy to spot on the slope and you can look down at Grand Avenue shops & restaurants across the street. Water fountain doesn't look most appealing. There's plenty of space to hang around for a moment to capture the city views. There's plenty place is definitely for good looks on the outside, but quite convenient for city employees to go to lunch or take breaks around the area. Not ghetto, but note that most cars driving around here are always speeding even at corners and traffic lights. Just be careful in the public area. City drivers aren't the best drivers. It's easy to get hit on the streets in the city environment.

We've been here so many times over the years and this is the first time I've learned that parking…read moreis free on Saturdays and Sundays with metered spots. This includes the Grand Avenue public parking structure that we went in. I also discovered nice location to take a photo of Sign Hill which is that huge "South San Francisco The Industrial City" hillside letters visible when curing the US 101. This particular street is the Magnolia Avenue which crosses Grand. The have great restaurants that weve patronized over the years and will continue to visit as an alternative to the busy SF streets.

I can never figure out what will stick in San Francisco. I know what won't work almost immediately,…read moreas do most people I speak to, but the City goes ahead with ridiculously expensive public plans anyway, and many of those plans attract the same grime, dirt, graffiti, and destruction that everyone predicted they would, except now the taxpayers have to pay for maintaining things that are unprotected and falling apart. I really used to like the fountain. Yes, it was disgusting, and way too many people bathed and peed and laundered in it, but it felt like approachable, if run down, art. They turned it off, fenced it off, and now it just waits and collects more and more debris. Some places in the City are just destined to fail as public spaces, like Hallidie Plaza. (I like Hallidie Plaza and believe it could succeed, but it would require a great deal of public assistance to get businesses to open in and around it, money the city should probably spend on other things.) UN Plaza wasn't destined to fail, but once its failure began, the City didn't do enough to save it, and that's really a shame, because there are plenty of cultural institutions nearby that could (in theory) hold so many events here that the people who just want to set up their lives here wouldn't have a chance because of all the taking-their-stuff-down they'd have to do constantly. The farmers' market is wonderful. I really like the foosball tables, although there needs to be a go-to place to buy ping-pong balls nearby. The chessboards and the fitness stations? Meh. We'll see how those work out. Chessboards would work better near the cable-car turnaround on Powell Street, but not in Hallidie Plaza. I like the dog park, and on the few occasions since COVID that I've walked through UN Plaza, I've seen way more people walking their dogs here than I ever expected to see. There are very nice sight lines from Market Street through UN, Fulton, and Civic Center Plazas to city hall. Especially on a night when city hall is lit up in colors celebrating whatever team or cause, it's just gorgeous. And I love the Bolivar statue, as out of place as it can seem at times. But at night. I haven't been here at night since some sort of protest or rally or whatever years and years ago. It's really a perfect place for a protest, both visually and spatially, plus it's close to BART and a bunch of bus and train lines, and it's a pedestrian plaza, so you can cram thousands of protesters in here without anyone being endangered by cars. But at night again. Too shady. Too scary. Like a lot of Civic Center and the TL, it's probably more depressing than it is dangerous. There's also a way in which it serves no purpose at night as a pedestrian thoroughfare. Even if you're walking from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to BART, there's an entrance on Market Street before UN Plaza. There's just no reason to venture that far north when Market cuts down your walking-in-a-shady-area time because it's diagonal. I do like the shortcut from Market Street to Leavenworth, but again, unless you're a UC Law SF --what an atrocious name!--student, why would you be walking north on Leavenworth through Civic Center and/or the TL at night? It has so much potential, so I'm sticking with three stars.

Amazing place! They have chess tables, ping pong tables, foos ball tables, corn hole stands, and…read moreeven fitness areas!! Not to mention how pretty and clean the tables are, the chess table I played at looks brand new and shiny!! If you have friends and are lovers of the activities I mentioned above, then this would be a 5 star But in my purposes, this is just a 4 star experience

Never knew this statue existed here at the Ferry Building, but thought it was a great find in the…read morerear plaza along the water, a bit randomly placed, but it does stand out from a distance. The statue is a beautiful piece of art in great condition, honoring such an influential historical figure. There are a couple plaques attached to the structure, with quotes by Gandhi (and Albert Einstein's words about Gandhi, as he was inspired by Gandhi's teachings). A cool statue to have in SF, displaying and promoting words of peace and freedom.

Another one of Alana's San Francisco bookmarks... (gee, she did so much research! I'm just her…read morechauffeur!) Located behind The Ferry Building, in the parking lot, this statue of Gandhi faces the Pacific Ocean with a peaceful demeanor. His walking stick has been repaired and he looks dignified to me. I read the reviews and about the controversy. The main thing is that a great leader has been remembered forever by this Art Installation and I appreciate the work that was involved in creating this tribute. There is a similar statue in Honolulu, in front of the zoo. Gandhi also faces the Pacific Ocean which is across the street. Isn't that cool? Remember this famous quote: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." RIP Mohandas Gandhi 10-2-1869 to 1-30-48

"For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one." - Khalil Gibran…read more She sits on a hill on Lands End in San Francisco... ..a humbling reminder of the perils of war. The generation of WWII are considered by many the greatest American generation in modern times. Imagine the generation that brought Hitler and the fanatical Nazi party to their knees, defeated the once invincible Evil Empire of Japan, and built the best automobiles to ever have roamed the roads. And we haven't even touched the Banana Splits, Soda Floats, A-line Skirts, & Drive-In's of the day! The 1940's was well before my time, but I'm a historian by trade and old soul, and at times feel it was my era. Men opening doors for women, respect for our elders, the Delahaye Teardrop Coupe, and the King of Swing! Yet, with all my imaginary feel good memories of this bygone era... I do not find anything glamorous about those that died in WWII. The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial is a reminder of the sacrifice this generation made for us. The battle scars on her war-torn body resonates with suffering, yet with all the twisted metal, she still retains honor, service, duty, and American pride. The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) was commissioned in 1934 and became legendary during WWII, 1941-1945, earning 17 Battle Stars. She would become one of the most decorated navy ships, ever! Those that served on her earned the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism, gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps. The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) was a Heavy Cruiser that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 07, 1941. During the great Battle of Guadalcanal of 1942, nearly 100 sailors or marines died, over 100 were injured, and 5 were lost at sea. She was hit 45 times, yet managed to survive one of the greatest battles in American history! In the WWII years that followed The USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) continued in many historic battles. She was repaired numerous times and continued to be on the front line in the Pacific up until the surrender of the Empire of Japan! Today, the spirit of this legendary ship can be seen at The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial located at Lands End in San Francisco. The memorial is set around the bridge wings extensively damaged from the great Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. It's a simple, yet powerful tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! In the end, I recommend The USS SAN FRANCISCO Memorial. It might not be for everyone, as some may see it as a heap of old metal. I see it as America's soul, a time when our grandparents or great grandparents became the greatest American generation in modern times! Always in my heart!

A stop near lands end and the cliff house restaurant. It has the parts from the ship at a nice…read morememorial.

Maybe you love it, maybe you don't. The beauty of real art is it should elicit an emotion, and…read moreyeah, it does. The San Francisco Arts Commission made 'Sea Change' happen in 1995 to mark the newly spiffed up South Waterfront. Mark di Suvero, a Chinese born American, constructed Sea Change out of 10 tons of metal. The top spins in the wind. The sculpture sits in the tiny South Beach Park near Pier 40. At 70-feet tall, you can't miss it.

This is a review of the neighborhood in San Francisco called Lone Mountain, which includes the…read moreeponymous peak within its boundaries. Most people in San Francisco probably think of Lone Mountain as the actual hill, with USF's Lone Mountain Campus atop it. This is true, but only partially. You see, USF also differentiates between its "lower" main campus and its Lone Mountain Campus, but in reality, they're only a block apart. The historical separation comes from the fact that Lone Mountain College was a separate Catholic (originally women's) college until USF acquired it in 1978. The original building with the omnivisible spire is, unhelpfully, called Lone Mountain, which shouldn't be confused with either Lone Mountain North, the later-constructed high-rise dorm connected to Lone Mountain via an internal bridge; or Lone Mountain East, the most recently constructed student housing. In short, the entirety of USF's campus is within the neighborhood--including the law school--if you believe the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services. The WNES boundaries are Arguello Boulevard, Anza Street, Masonic Avenue, and Fulton Street--with a spur that goes south of Fulton to include both USF Law School and UCSF Health Stanyan Hospital (formerly St. Mary's). The neighborhood is much more than USF. It's Rossi Playground and the Geary Mel's Drive-In and Ewing Terrace, one of my favorite San Francisco one-way streets for its unusual layout. It's also the location of Lone Mountain Terrace, which is a bona-fide public city street in San Francisco, even though it's too narrow to drive on. No, it's more of an alley walkway between buildings, but it's all public land. (Just don't be a creepy lurker.) It begins at Parker Avenue and continues all the way to Rossi Avenue. The neighborhood also contains, probably counterintuitively, House of Hummus and those other businesses located right on that strangely unnamed (but very expensive) public space at the southwest corner of Geary Boulevard and Masonic Avenue. And there are the Lone Mountain Steps--not to be confused with Lone Mountain Terrace--which give the most direct access from Turk Boulevard to USF's Lone Mountain Campus. That should serve as an invitation to you. As an urban campus, USF is open to the public, both physically and de facto. Yes, I'm sure they can kick you off campus if you do something against their rules, but the point is that like UC Berkeley and unlike many Catholic and other private colleges, USF doesn't prevent you from coming on campus, so you should enjoy it, especially near the peak of Lone Mountain. You can't get into the Lone Mountain Building itself without a keycard, but you can definitely walk around most of the building and admire the spectacular views. Another well known feature of Lone Mountain is St. Ignatius Church, which can be seen from many areas all over San Francisco. The church itself is huge and beautiful, and even if you're not Catholic or religious, you should go inside and check it out, if only for the architecture. Just remember to keep it a prayerful space by keeping your voice down, not dressing like you're going to the beach or the club or to bed, and not disturbing services or standing too close to people who are praying. I love this neighborhood and have spent many hours here, as a USF grad student first and foremost, but also as a law-exam proctor and now as a St. Ignatius parishioner. I'm a map nerd, so I really love the spurs of major streets that continue west of USF's campus, if only for short blocks. And then there's North Willard Street, near which lived dear, lovely, and completely unrelated Willard (RIP?). Fulton is the boundary where many of the north-south Haight-Ashbury District streets begin (Ashbury, Clayton, and Cole). Fulton is also where Parker Avenue jogs and turns into Shrader Street, and this always makes me happy, because Parker just feels like it needs to cross Geary (it does), while Shrader would seem out of place that far north. Similarly, I can't imagine anything other than Shrader in the Upper Haight; Parker just sounds too posh. The neighborhood has pretty good bus access, with the 5-Fulton, 31-Balboa, 33-Ashbury/18th Street, 38-Geary, and 43-Masonic (and their Rapid lines, where applicable) currently serving it. (Alas, the 21-Hayes [RIP] used to provide access as well.) The views are nice from many places, especially rooftops, and it's close to Target, Trader Joe's, and Lucky (for the time being). It's also across Fulton from the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park, which is a fun, wooded, and hilly area that very few people visit, relative to other parts of the park. Warning: There's no free parking either on the driveway to or at the parking lot atop Lone Mountain. USF will ticket you. It's better to take the bus, give your legs a workout on the Lone Mountain Steps, and reward yourself with the view.