Exploring San Francisco

Things to Do Off the Tourist Trail

Sep 2, 2009 Colette Haydon John

Escape the crowds and be your own passenger as you get to know the beautiful city of San Francisco.

So you've done Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, and the hordes of sightseers at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are starting to drive you crazy. Make a break for a local bus and check out some of the other sights the city has to offer at your own pace.

Conservatory of Flowers

100 J F Kennedy Dr, Golden Gate Park. Tues-Sun 9am - 5pm

Step into a wonderland of tropical flowers in this extraordinary Victorian wood and glass conservatory. Built in the 1870s, the conservatory is divided into sections including lowland and highland tropics and houses a fascinating collection of rare plants that must be seen to be believed.

Window Shopping in Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is a unique little shopping district full of charming cafes and hip boutiques. Grab a coffee at Cafe Corbas and browse the antiques and artifacts in the stores along Hayes. For some stylish vintage wear, step into Ver Unica at 437, or head around the corner to Revival at 112 Gough. Money to burn? Two words: Gimme Shoes - 416 Hayes St, enter at your own risk.

Mission District Murals - Balmy St and Clarion Alley

You'll find some form of colourful expression on almost every block in the Mission District, but the adorned walls of Balmy St and Clarion Alley are especially worth an expedition. Artists started painting in Balmy St in the 1970s and the works of art vibrantly celebrate the local Hispanic Culture. Great Mexican food can be bought around the corner at Taqueria Vallarta which even has its own murals decorating the restaurant walls. Inspired by Balmy St, the more recent murals in Clarion Alley address broader social concerns with poignancy and humour. Take a thoughtful stroll.

Presidio Pet Cemetary

Take the bus to the corner of McDowell and Cowles and read the headstones of beloved pets of the army families that once inhabited the Presidio. Many of the graves date back to the 1950s and feature heartwarming inscriptions such as 'Our Knucklehead: Parakeet to Paradise' and 'Woody: One Great Wiener Dog'.

Filbert Street Steps

One of San Francisco's most famous stairways, the Filbert Street steps run in three sections from Sansome St to Coit Tower. The steps have great views of the water and ramble amongst flowering gardens, private cottages and colourful wild parrots. It's a challenging climb, but you can catch the #39 Muni bus up to Coit Tower and take it in downhill if you prefer.

Yerba Buena Gardens

Grab a gourmet sandwich from The Sentinel and seek refuge in this grassy oasis on the corner of Fourth and Mission Streets in SOMA. Join locals lying in the grass and relax to the sound of the Martin Luther King Jr memorial fountain raining down 'like a mighty stream'. Kids can play in the rooftop childrens' garden, and there's a carousel, ice-skating rink and bowling alley upstairs as well.

North Beach

Head up Columbus Avenue and discover San Francisco's 'Little Italy'. Peek in the windows of Francis Ford Coppola's Cafe Zoetrope, explore the poetry room at the City Lights bookstore, then pick up a warm focaccia at the Liguria Bakery to eat in the sunshine of Washington Square. For something a little cozier enjoy a romantic Venetian dinner at Da Flora. The sweet potato gnocchi are bellissimi.

Of course there is so much more, so grab your Muni Pass and go where the bus will take you. As Rudyard Kipling said: “San Francisco has only one drawback. 'Tis hard to leave.”

The copyright of the article Exploring San Francisco in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Colette Haydon John. Permission to republish Exploring San Francisco in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Conservatory of Flowers

Presidio Pet Cemetery

Balmy St Murals

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