History

San Francisco history and landmarks

San Francisco history and landmarks: start with Alcatraz Island, Asian Art Museum, and California Academy of Sciences. Use the 160 places below to build a plan around this theme; each place has source-backed details behind its description.

160 places

Places to start with

Oriental Warehouse

Source-backed place · History

Oriental Warehouse

A historic 1867 industrial warehouse converted into luxury lofts, serving as the sole remaining structure of the Pacific Mail Ste…

Pacific-Union Club (Flood Mansion)

Source-backed place · History

Pacific-Union Club (Flood Mansion)

A Neoclassical brownstone mansion on Nob Hill, once the home of silver magnate James Clair Flood, now serving as an exclusive, pr…

Parrott Building

Source-backed place · History

Parrott Building

Now the site of the Financial Center Building, this landmark once housed the Parrott Granite Block, one of San Francisco's first…

Pier 24 Photography

Source-backed place · Museums

Pier 24 Photography

Located on the Embarcadero, Pier 24 Photography was a world-renowned non-profit museum and the largest exhibition space dedicated…

Pier 45

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Pier 45

The heart of San Francisco's commercial fishing industry, Pier 45 is a historic wooden finger-pier featuring the USS Pampanito su…

Pioneer Monument

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Pioneer Monument

A grand granite and bronze memorial in the Civic Center, dedicated in 1894 to honor the diverse pioneers who settled in Californi…

Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center

Source-backed place · Museums

Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center

A vibrant community hub in the Mission District, this center serves as the base for mural tours and celebrates 'art for the peopl…

Presidio Main Parade Ground

Source-backed place · History

Presidio Main Parade Ground

A historic military parade ground turned lush meadow, offering sweeping bay views and a serene escape in the heart of the Presidi…

Presidio Officers' Club

Source-backed place · History

Presidio Officers' Club

Step into San Francisco's second oldest building, a stunning Spanish Colonial Revival venue that served military officers of thre…

Presidio Visitor Center

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Presidio Visitor Center

The 'front door' to the Presidio, this state-of-the-art center in a refurbished 1900s Army guardhouse offers interactive exhibits…

Randall Museum

Source-backed place · Museums

Randall Museum

A free, hands-on museum of science, nature, and the arts located in Corona Heights Park, offering interactive exhibits and live a…

Source-backed place · Museums

Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Francisco

A whimsical Odditorium featuring hundreds of rare artifacts and interactive exhibits, located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf n…

Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Source-backed place · History

Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

A neoclassical landmark on Nob Hill, this luxury hotel occupies a building originally constructed in 1909 as the headquarters for…

Russian Hill-Paris Block Architectural District

Source-backed place · History

Russian Hill-Paris Block Architectural District

A unique collection of eleven dwellings on a single flat block of Green Street, showcasing a remarkable variety of architectural…

SOMArts Cultural Center

Source-backed place · Museums

SOMArts Cultural Center

A community-rooted cultural hub founded in 1979, SOMArts uses multidisciplinary exhibitions and events to promote social change a…

SS Jeremiah O'Brien

Source-backed place · Museums

SS Jeremiah O'Brien

The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is America's last operational WWII Liberty ship, a National Historic Landmark permanently moored at Pier…

Saint Francis Yacht Club

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Saint Francis Yacht Club

An exclusive private sailing club founded in 1927, featuring a historic Mission-style clubhouse with panoramic views of the Golde…

Source-backed place · Museums

San Francisco Art Institute

Once the oldest art school west of the Mississippi, this historic Chestnut Street landmark served as a magnet for adventurous art…

San Francisco LGBT Community Center

Source-backed place · Museums

San Francisco LGBT Community Center

A vital nonprofit hub for the LGBTQ+ community, housed in the historic Fallon Building, providing resources, programs, and a safe…

San Francisco National Cemetery

Source-backed place · History

San Francisco National Cemetery

Established in 1884, this historic 28-acre military cemetery in the Presidio is the first national cemetery on the West Coast, se…

Source-backed place · Museums

Southern Exposure

A cornerstone of the Mission District since 1974, Southern Exposure is an artist-centered nonprofit dedicated to supporting visua…

The Armory

Source-backed place · History

The Armory

A massive Moorish Revival fortress in the Mission District, this former National Guard arsenal has evolved from a military strong…

Source-backed place · History

The Cannery

A striking red-brick marketplace at Fisherman's Wharf, this historic site evolved from a massive Del Monte peach cannery into a v…

Source-backed place · History

The Hass-Lilienthal House at Alamo Square vicinity

A stunning Queen Anne-style Victorian built in 1886, this home is the only intact Victorian house museum in San Francisco open to…

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