Our San Francisco Hidden Gems
What we love about San Francisco is how there is always something new to explore. San Francisco is known around the world for its iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Painted Ladies. However, do you know about these 10 hidden gems in San Francisco?
16th Tiled Steps
Each step is so intricately designed with colored tiles. The landscaping is so gorgeous with succulents all along the sides of the steps. I was surprised that my kids willingly went all the way to the top TWICE without complaining. Who knew that climbing stairs could be so fun or pretty?
When you reach the top, I highly recommend taking the additional stairs to the top of Grandview Park. It's a small, circular park that will give you an extensive view of San Francisco. You can also check out another mosaic staircase walking distance away called, The Hidden Garden Steps.
Street parking has always been easily accessible when we go. As signs say around the steps, don't leave valuables in your car. There are constant break ins!
Photo: @workfortravel
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company
Did you know that the Fortune Cookie was invented in California and NOT in China? I had no idea either! Tucked away in a small alley in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown, you can watch the cookies made by hand. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is a unique little gem and has been open since 1962. You can visit the factory for free and watch the machines in production process. You can feel the nostalgia in the store. Upon arrival, they greet you with warm samples. They also have a wide variety of flavors and sizes of fortune cookies to purchase. For $1.50, you can write your own fortune and have them place it in a freshly made fortune cookie. They even put it into a classic Chinese food to-go container for you. There will most likely be a line, but it moves fast! The entire experience probably won't take more than 10-15 minutes. The factory is small and simple, but I think this place is worth visiting if you're in the area. If you take pictures or video inside, you should make your donation. They are very thankful and hard working.
Pika Pika
Did you know San Francisco has a Japanese purikura booth? Pika Pika is a true hidden gem found in Japantown. I lived in the city for nearly 2 years before I heard about this. It’s great because after your all-around funny experience in the photo booth, you have a perfect photo souvenir from your day in the city. I think it’s a great spot for locals and for people visiting San Francisco! I do have to admit thought... I’m all about the photo booths. Pay for someone to print my memories for me? YES, please. On top of that, unique photos filled with Japanese sticker magic. Double YES. By the way, this is also fun for kids. They will love pushing all the buttons and choosing the stickers. Don’t forget to use the makeup options! Hours: Mon - Sun 11 to 8. $10-12.
Balmy Street Murals
Most of the Mission Street area has amazing street art and murals. Nothing is quite like your walk down Balmy Alley where every single surface is painted. This beautiful alley is filled with diverse, colorful, and powerful murals. It is culturally striking. The murals intrigue you to observe them longer to understand the underlying meaning. A million photo ops for those who #DoItForTheGram.
The street is short and you can walk through it very quickly so walk over to the popular Humphry Slocombe for delicious ice cream filled with unique flavors. We always make it a point to grab food from La Taqueria when we are in the area as well. Top favorite Mexican food place hands down! Cash only. Get the burrito (super and dorado).
Bison and Tulip Garden in GG Park Lovers Lane
Golden gate park is so big and so beautiful- there is something for everyone. It’s like the Central park of NYC. Some hidden gems in the park are the bison paddock & Dutch windmill. They are within walking distance of each other. You can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the tulip garden near the windmill also! These are located right on the edge of the west side of the park. Weather permitting, you can walk straight to ocean beach after and play in the sand. Littles of all ages will love this outing! The Park Chalet Beer Garden is also nearby and has super yummy food with gorgeous ocean views.
Lovers Lane
This 0.6 mile trail is buried in the corner of the Presidio and is home to Andy Goldsworth’s Wood Line. This art installment is made of wood trunks lining a hill surrounded by towering Eucalyptus trees. I wouldn’t recommend a stroller for this hike because some of the dirt trails would be a little tough with a stroller. The start of the trail begins at Presidio Ave and Pacific Ave. There is a small parking lot with 6-8 spots or you can find street parking in the nice residential neighborhood nearby. The whole experience is short and sweet but simply stunning.
Photo @jesshilton7
Seward Street Slides
The Seward Cement Slides is a mini park (if you can even call it a park haha) tucked in a random neighborhood within the city. It is free fun for the kid of heart! Be sure to bring a piece of cardboard for a smoother ride and to avoid a dirty bum.
Pro tip: Hang onto the cardboard with at least one hand, but keep your knuckles and elbows close to your body so that you don't scrape them against the hard concrete. Or, just wear long sleeve.
You can get here by putting 30 Seward St into your maps. This is a great quick stop if you are going to or from Twin Peaks. Make sure to go before 5pm as they do close off the slides. The park is also closed on Mondays.
Musee Mecanique
The best place in San Francisco to spend a quarter and is a definite flashback to the past that we never knew! I make sure to take all my visitors to Musee Mecanique when going to Ghiradelli or Pier 39 area. It is the world's largest collection of coin-operated mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines. We’re talking games from as far back as the 1800’s! You can wander the museum for FREE but most games are $.25 and $.50. Fun for children and adults, there’s lots to see here! Bring lots of quarters or cash (they do have coin machines).
Some favorite features is the old fortune telling machines like the one from the movie Big. The arm wrestling machine and Laughing Sal was featured in the Princess Diaries. Also, Check out the old school black and white photo booth that will make you look like you’re from a different time.
You can find free four hour parking off of Van Ness Ave a couple blocks away from Ghiradelli square. Sometimes I like to go later in the day so I don’t have to worry about moving my car since it’s free after 6pm.
Photo: @_b.j.h_
Sutro Baths
The Sutro Baths is a glimpse back into history! In the late 19th century, it was the world's largest privately owned indoor swimming pool establishment. It consisted of six saltwater pools and one freshwater pool. The pools included seven slides, thirty swinging rings, and one springboard. The saltwater was cycled naturally from the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, the facility burned down in 1966 and is now ruins. You can either enjoy the view from the top or take the steps down to the old architecture. My kids also enjoy going through the small cave tunnel at the bottom and hearing the waves crash.
There are two free parking lots by Sutro Baths; one right by the visitor center (with bathrooms), and a smaller one across the street. Come prepared with a jacket or blanket as it is super windy and cold here!
Once you're done with Sutro Baths, you can go hiking on the Lands End trail. It's an easy and somewhat flat hike with lookout points of the bridge.I highly recommend seeing the Labyrinth located off of the Lands End path as well.
Photo: @esight
Wave Organ
The Wave Organ is a quaint little spot near Fort Mason and the marina district where you get a "musical" experience with the water. It was built in the 80’s as a project from the Exploratorium. The best time to visit is during high tide. The pipes interact with the waves from the bay. So when you place your ears on the end of the pipes, you can hear the effects of the waves. If you don’t go during high tide, you may not hear anything. The views along the walking path are amazing. You see Alcatraz, downtown San Francisco, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge! In the water, you may get lucky and see a couple of sea lions. If the sound of the pipes are not doing it for you, at least the panoramic views of this place is gorgeous.
The Wave Organ is located at the entrance of the Golden Gate Yacht Club near the Marina Green in which you can park for free here too.
Here is the high tide calendar: tides.mobilegeographics.…
Photo: @thewaywebay
San Francisco is full of hidden gems to uncover! What are some of your favorites that we didn’t list? Don’t forget to tag us in your adventures @bayarea.moms on instagram. Like and comment on this post if you liked it or have something to add!
XO, Morgan + Lauren