Stories
San Francisco stories for walks, landmarks, and local context
Short, source-backed reads that explain what you are seeing while you move through the city.
City story
Bluffs and Batteries
Where the Presidio meets the Pacific Ocean, there is a rugged stretch of coastline known as the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. This point-…
City story
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
For decades, gay bars in America were designed for hiding—dark rooms with no windows to shield patrons from a judgmental world. But in…
City story
Built on Sand Dunes
The transformation of Golden Gate Park from barren sand dunes into a lush urban oasis.
City story
Carlotta's Grave at Mission Dolores
The oldest building in San Francisco blends real history and cinematic own-fiction at the Mission Dolores cemetery.
City story
Coastlines and Colonies
The Batteries to Bluffs Trail offers a rugged walk where the city meets the Pacific. Today, you'll see historic gun batteries and brea…
City story
Dunes to Oasis
Imagine this entire stretch of city as a wasteland of shifting sand dunes. That is exactly what Golden Gate Park was before it opened…
City story
From Airfield to Waterfront
Crissy Field is one of the city's most beloved waterfront spots, but it wasn't always a park. For decades, it served as a U.S. Army ai…
City story
From Dunes to Oasis
It's hard to believe now, but Golden Gate Park was once nothing but a wasteland of shifting sand dunes. Starting in 1870, a multiyear…
City story
From Dunes to Oasis
It's hard to imagine now, but Golden Gate Park was once a landscape of shifting sand dunes. Opening in 1870, the park was the result o…
City story
From Dunes to Oasis
Before Golden Gate Park was a lush escape, it was a wilderness of shifting sand dunes. When the park opened in 1870, it took a multiye…
City story
From Storm to Sanctuary
High atop Telegraph Hill, the view is breathtaking, but the land beneath has a history of volatility. Back in 1870, a great storm tore…
City story
Glass and Greenery
In the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, you'll find a Victorian wood-and-glass masterpiece: the Conservatory of Flowers. Completed in…
City story
Glass Walls of the Castro
Imagine a time when gay bars were hidden away, tucked into basements or behind unmarked doors for safety. Then came the Twin Peaks Tav…
City story
Granite and Bronze
In the heart of the Civic Center, the Pioneer Monument stands as a complex study in bronze and granite. Dedicated on November 29, 1894…
City story
Hilltop Intervals
For a scenic spot to get some movement in, head to Alamo Square Park. This four-block park sits at the top of a hill, offering a natur…
City story
How Calle 24 Held the Line
The story of the 24th Street corridor's fight against displacement and its official designation as the Calle 24 Latino Cultural Distri…
City story
Indie Rock's Home
If you're looking for the heartbeat of San Francisco's indie rock scene, head to Potrero Hill. Bottom of the Hill is widely regarded a…
City story
Japanese-Inspired Recovery
True fitness isn't just about the workout; it's about the recovery. On Eddy Street, you'll find Onsen, a Japanese-inspired communal ba…
City story
Late Night Beats
If you're looking for the city's modern pulse, head to Cow Hollow. Left Door opened in November 2023, tucked above the 123-year-old Bu…
City story
Moorish Melodies
Step inside the Orpheum Theatre and you'll feel like you've been transported to another continent. Built in 1926 as a vaudeville and m…
City story
Paws in the Park
If you're looking for the most energetic wildlife in the city, head to Mission Dolores Park. This sixteen-acre vibrant heart of the ne…
City story
Penny Arcade Magic
If you've ever wondered what a 20th-century carnival felt like, look no further than Musée Mécanique at Fisherman's Wharf. This isn't…
City story
Persian Art Deco Sips
Step into Zam Zam and you're stepping back to 1941. Opened by Assyrian-born Samson Mooshei as the Persian Aub Zam Zam, this Haight Str…