Hidden Treasures (Not The Movie) of San Francisco

Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the TransAmerica Pyramid are well known iconic structures.  Seen from not only San Francisco, but from many parts of the bay area.  The city is famous for its grand structures, but dig a little deeper into the lower strata, and you will happen upon some of the most unique micro-wonders of the city.

If you have ever been walking through some of the most famous parts of the San Francisco, such as Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, you may have seen little brass plaques popping up around the area with the words, 'Barbary Coast Trail' and wondered what those are.  

 A Plaque noting an important historical event along the Barbary Coast Trail

The Barbary Coast Trail is a self-guided walking tour marked with the ubiquitous little brass plaques in the sidewalk, every hundred yards or so. Each plaque corresponds with a unique story of the city's fascinating history, found in an inexpensive guidebook.  If you have ever been to Boston and followed the Freedom Trail, a series of walks through historic areas, local historian Daniel Bacon was inspired to do the same thing and created the Barbary Coast Trail in the 1990s.  Even if you don't do the self-guided walking tour, the guidebook makes for entertaining reading on its own.  This is a great way to learn about, and explore the city (and a little exercise).  We basically stole the Freedom Trail idea from Boston, and San Francisco-ized it.

https://barbarycoasttrail.org/

For three blocks, the picturesque, Mediterranean-like Lyon Street Steps separate the city’s upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood from the Presidio.  Lined with beautiful and colorful flower beds, this narrow little staircase is frequented by exercise enthusiasts who figured out why pay for gym membership with a StairMaster when I live in a city of 47 hills.  There are sections with benches in the stairs, so you can catch your breath.  Even if you are not an avid jogger, a slow stroll is just as pleasant.

Ina Coolbrith Park 

Nestled comfortably in the nape of Russian Hill rests the block-and-a-half long Ina Coolbrith Park.  Named for a Russian Hill poet, This little pastoral treasure not only has commanding views of the city, but quaint little nooks, where you can cuddle with your significant other or just contemplate life.

The largest statue in the city is at least 100 feet tall, but good luck finding it.  Trinity Place is a series of apartment and condo complexes in the Civic Center area of San Francisco, but the grand statue anchoring the development is not easily accessible to the public. 

Trinity Place Statue.  The City's Best Kept Secret 

To catch a glimpse of it, walk on the north side of Mission Street east towards downtown, past 8th Street.  Look to your left (north), between the buildings you will see the largest statue in the city.  One no one knows about.

Everyone knows of Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, but fewer still are aware of the dozens of Pocket Parks peppered throughout the city, many of which can be measured in square feet.  These little oases are usually little more than a trash can, a bench, and a few trees and flowers.  Yet they lighten the spirit when stumbled upon.

The Beideman and O'Farrell Mini Park 

The Beideman and O'Farrell Mini Park in the Western Addition neighborhood is, I’m guessing a tenth of an acre?  And a favorite of mine. Even though it is small, every time I happen upon it, I can feel the stress of my life begin to melt away, and my heart rate drop just a little bit.

Squint your eyes askew as you walk through the city, and you too may stumble upon one of the many little micro-wonders the city has to offer.  You just have to find them.