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    Hopper's Hands

    4.7 (38 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Hopper's Hands Photos

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    hopper's hands and the paws
    Chuck D.

    Hopper's Hands... You gotta do it. Just put your mitts on it. You'll feel better... Put your hands on the plaque, take a moment then look up. Soak it all in.. You're looking at the most magnificent of bridges. Runners run to this point and touch the plaque and go on their way. Tourists take a pic of this plaque and of the dog paws below it to the right. Pretty cool, I think. Hopper's Hands is located just outside the entrance to Fort Point and as close to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge as you can get these days. They have K-rails and fencing to prevent people from walking around the exterior of Fort Point now because the bigger waves can wash people off. Check it out the next time you're in and around the Fort Point area. Make sure you put your hands on Hopper's Hands.

    The latest version of the hands
    Jeff H.

    Run up, touch, and turn around. Sounds silly, but when you are reaching the midpoint of a long run and the cold wind is blowing in your face, it is so easy to give in and turn around. But thanks to Mr. Hopper, there is something to think about and keep you going. I won't repeat the story that others have stated here. But I will say - hat's off to the iron workers and suicide volenteers that Hopper represents. The plaque gets occasional update - thanks guys (and girls) who take care of it.

    Black And Orange: Ken Hopper's ode to the @SFGiants.
    Geminyna J.

    I first spotted Hopper's Hands during our March For Babies team's six-mile trek through the Presidio, shortly after giving birth to my preemie. Since then, my (now thriving) toddler hasn't been able to resist slapping Hopper's Hands with a double high 5 to signify the turn-around-point of our fun run. And I can never resist slathering her with Purell after. Germies, cooties, and heebiejeebies aside, the story behind Hopper's Hands is inspirational. Locals and tourists alike visit Fort Point, admiring the Civil War era masonry and bayviews of the Golden Gate Bridge. Many pause in between snapshots, curiously observing the endless stream of joggers who put their hands against the chain-link fence at the farthest end of Fort Point. Beside the "No Trespassing" sign where the sidewalk ends, a small placard is mounted. It reads "Hoppers Hands," with a life-sized tracing of Ken Hopper's own hands. Ken is a Golden Gate Bridge ironworker who's been called to rescue over 30 bridge jumpers in during his last 32 years of service. He painted this current (7th version) orange-and-black as a nod to our San Francisco Giants. Below the sign, a few feet to the right, is a smaller placard, with a pair of doggy paw prints for your four-legged friend to join in on the tradition. Whether it's out of curiosity, tradition, or inspiration, smack the plaque (and listen to your inner OCD voice, sanitize after).

    Abigail S.

    This is very cute concept I discovered today while on a photography adventure. I was confused by at first and then I observed a number of runners touch Hoopers Hand. It is super cute and a great reward after a long walk or jog.

    Napa T.

    This place has such a close view to the golden gate! I love it. It's just so beautiful. If you go on a weekend it's pretty crowded but the real reason why I put 4 stars is because there is a part of this area where there is no sidewalk and you have to walk on the road which is pretty dangerous. Other than that. Love it!

    Fung K.

    Great view and beautiful scene to stop to enjoy. Definitely a must-visit in San Francisco.

    Evening 1/10/16 at Hopper's Hands. No Drones!
    Anthony S.

    Nothing beats a great high ten and Hopper's Hands will always be there to give you a great high ten day in and day out! Hopper's Hands was conceptualized by Ken Hopper, a Golden Gate Bridge ironworker for the last 30 plus years. Ken noticed that after a chain link fence was put up around the base of the south end of the Golden Bridge around December 2000 that runners and walkers would touch the fence before turning back around. He thought it would be nice if there was something more inspiring to touch rather than a rusty chain link fence or 'No Trespassing' signs So he asked the bridge's sign painter to create a small plastic sign with high ten hands and mounted it to the fence. Subsequently a pair of dog paws was created after Hopper noticed that a woman made her dog the fence below. The lettering "Hopper's Hands" was there until one of Hopper's coworker took it upon him to paint it on in 2003. I'm not sure which version Hopper's Hands is at currently, but there have been at least 7 versions as of 2013, with the 7th version traced from Hopper's own hands! The colors have also changed throughout the years and have time been painted in 49ers(red and gold) and Giants(black and orange) colors. LOCATION: Hopper's Hands is located at the base of the southern end of the Golden Bridge, right next to Fort Point. A popular way to get to Hopper's Hands is to jog through Crissy Field along the Golden Gate Promenade(Bay Trail). You can also jog there through some trails that run through the Presidio such as the California Coastal Trail (I actually first discovered Hopper's Hands through Strava, a running app, when I found Hopper's Hands listed as a landmark for the Presidio Trail Run. And if you're not to fancy about jogging, you can also drive there, since there are parking spots next to Fort Point. SERVICE: 5 Stars for being always there for you. INTERESTING NOTE: With the advent of commercial drones, a sign prohibiting the operation of drones is also amid the ranks of the 'NO TRESPASSING' sign and Hopper's Hands. For further reading regarding Hopper's Hands history: http://www.runnersworld.com/where-to-run/a-pair-of-helping-hands-under-the-golden-gate-bridge.

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    16 years ago

    Run, touch Hopper's Hands, run back. Repeat if necessary.

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    13 years ago

    Epic views, dress warm. Bring camera.

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    10 years ago

    what's better than hoppers hands are Hoppers paws right below!

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    15 years ago

    Great story and strong motivator when turning back. Ridicolous comments about washing hands...

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    Review Highlights - Hopper's Hands

    Locals and tourists alike visit Fort Point, admiring the Civil War era masonry and bayviews of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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    Fort Point - Picture

    Fort Point

    4.8(459 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Fort Point felt like the Golden Gate Bridge's bodyguard. Everybody pulls up to see the bridge, but…read morethis brick fortress sitting directly under it looks like it's been standing on business since before steel was invented. Built in the Civil War era, this place was literally guarding the entrance to the bay. Basically if ships wanted to pull up to San Francisco back in the day, they had to check in with the cannons first. Standing there you realize they weren't playing, the walls thick, windows lined up perfectly for artillery, and the ocean right in front like a front door camera. Now obviously nobody firing anything anymore, it's preserved as a historic site, but the energy still feels tactical. You've got waves crashing, wind whipping through the corridors, and then you look up and the Golden Gate Bridge is hovering right over your head like a next gen upgrade installed on top of a 1800s expansion pack. This is easily one of the coldest photo spots in the city. From up top you get crazy angles of the bridge you don't see in postcards, and from below you realize how massive the structure actually is. Half history lesson, half cinematic backdrop. Walking through the inside felt like a Call of Duty map with museum lighting. Quiet, echoey, and lowkey dramatic. If Battery Godfrey was the lookout, Fort Point was the bouncer checking IDs at the entrance to San Francisco.

    This was the first time actually visiting Fort Point! I am surprised I never took the time to do it…read morebefore as I've been crabbing numerous times at Torpedo Wharf which is less than 100 yards away! [disclaimer: taken from the internet] "Fort Point National Historic Site is a Civil War-era brick fort built between 1853 and 1861, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The fort was built to defend the bay from the Gold Rush era through World War II. Known as the "Gibraltar of the West Coast," it's a prime example of 19th-century masonry and military engineering, featuring arched casemates and a design that was rendered obsolete by new artillery, so it never fired in combat." It was a clear and beautiful day to see the fort and the surrounding area.

    Photos
    Fort Point - Hey You

    Hey You

    Fort Point - EliRae & Cayson

    EliRae & Cayson

    Fort Point - She's not going down that hallway

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    She's not going down that hallway

    Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

    Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line

    4.7(53 reviews)
    1.9 miPresidio

    One of my absolute favorite field trip spots for my students is the Wood Line in the Presidio of…read moreSan Francisco. This is a super popular place for professional photos. A quick tip: because of the way the Wood Line is designed, this stretch can turn into a full-on wind tunnel. Definitely layer up; it can get chilly even on a sunny day. What makes this area so special for young students is the natural layout. The rows of eucalyptus trees create built-in boundaries, which makes it much easier to manage a group while still giving them a sense of freedom and exploration. There are also spots nearby where kids can build and expand on makeshift shelters using fallen branches, perfect for imaginative play, teamwork, and a little hands-on engineering. There are often dogs off leash in this part of the Presidio, but we've never had any issues along this particular stretch. One especially memorable visit included spotting an owl nesting in the trees. A park ranger was stationed nearby to ensure the owl's safety, and my students even got to ask questions and learn more about the habitat. It turned into an unexpected and magical lesson in urban wildlife. If you're looking for a unique, outdoor San Francisco, add the Wood Line to your list.

    Pretty cool to see but not much else to really do once you see it. We were going to walk here from…read moreLucas Films building in Presidio (~18 mins) but for some reason, Google had that Wood Line closed at 5 pm so my friend and I had to spring for an uber, since it was already around 4:40pm. Not sure why Google has a closing time for this since there's not a way to actually close it.

    Photos
    Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

    Trail and sculpture

    Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

    Trail and sculpture

    Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trees and sculpture

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    Trees and sculpture

    Lincoln Park Steps - A really beautiful Tile Mosaic.

    Lincoln Park Steps

    4.6(39 reviews)
    2.0 miOuter Richmond, Sea Cliff

    Form meets function. I'm a big fan of making beautiful things of necessity. Many cities are jumping…read moreon the bandwagon these days with public art and for good reason. Sometimes I listen to city council meetings in Hayward. Nothing is better to put a person to sleep. All that bureaucracy and paper pushing and formality talking in circles. City planners complain that they are powerless and the state makes all the plans and forces them onto the city - but the planners can do only one thing extra to any plan to justify their salary - and that is to add public art to any given project. The city of Hayward is building these monster towers that cast shadows directly on the Haward fault - requiring no extra earthquake safety construction measures than if it were built anywhere else in California - but the one thing they love to do is add a public mural to a project. These steps are like a useful public mural. I think the Hayward city planners are feverishly taking notes on how its done San Francisco. Oh so pretty. Look at all the little tiles and grout. Lets not worry that there is one pedestrian collision with a vehicle on average every month on B St alone. We've got our art. I inspected the stairs and they are lovely. Just lovely. Clean and well taken care of and seemed to be not slippery when wet or rainy. For me that's number one. Make sure they are safe. No polished concrete - need something with a little grip to it - and it passed my inspections.

    Lincoln Stairs is a picturesque short wide staircase displaying beautiful mosaic tiles. It's done…read moreby the same artist as the 16th Tiled Steps in the Sunset district. I like how it has 2 benches on the side and one long bench on the top. The stairs are at the end of California Street next door to a school so it can get very hectic during pickup/drop off hours, so I'd avoid around that time. At the top there is a trail that goes down along the golf course about a quarter mile to El Camino Del Mar where you can start the Lands End Trail or if you go the other way it takes you to Legion of Honor drive where you can walk up to the museum.

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    Lincoln Park Steps - Me. On the Lincoln Park Stairs.

    Me. On the Lincoln Park Stairs.

    Lincoln Park Steps
    Lincoln Park Steps

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    The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 Built in 1986 by Exploratorium artists in residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez

    The Wave Organ

    3.9(198 reviews)
    2.0 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    This sculpture is really cool! I've known about it for a while but finally took the time and effort…read moreto go check it out. It's a little off the beaten path haha, like after walking through marina greens, you kinda go on a narrower pathway, past a yacht club, and at the edge you'll find this quirky, fun thing! It was really cool to listen to the waves through this "wave organ." I thought it was newer but had no idea it was built in 1986! The Wave Organ uses 25 PVC pipes (and stone reclaimed from an old cemetery!) to channel the Bay's waves into eerie, soothing rumbles, gurgles, sloshes and hisses. Definitely put your ears up to the pipes to hear the magic. Pro tip, wish I knew beforehand: go during high tide (that's when the "music" is apparently the best!). 10/10 recommend for a lazy walk and chill moment with the sound of the Bay!

    Fun place to take a short walk. No parking super close - so not good for people in wheelchairs or…read morewalkers. Great for kids and beautiful views. Off the beaten path you will find this fun spot. Walk past all the yacht clubs and keep going and going. All the way at the end there is a beautiful interactive art installation perfect for kids or adults that never grew up. Tile work and pipes that go into the ocean and make ocean sounds. Press your ear up against the pipes and take a listen. A couple people were fishing nearby but the whole place you can likely have all to yourself. Not all that many people will go take a few extra steps. Perhaps bring a picnic? Benches built into the walls... Maybe not growing up is ok. Taking life too seriously is perhaps overrated.

    Photos
    The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

    06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

    The Wave Organ - View from the organ to the bridge

    View from the organ to the bridge

    The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 located on a jetty in the Marina District

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    06.15.25 located on a jetty in the Marina District

    Letterman Digital Arts Center - Philo T. Farnsworth Memorial

    Letterman Digital Arts Center

    4.5(33 reviews)
    1.6 miPresidio

    Nothing says "there's an elite class and then there's you" quite like the Letterman Digital Arts…read moreCenter. I was one of many who received an invitation to the screening of a film in the lovely, immaculate on-site theatre. The screening was free as were pre-show food and drink. Underground parking was pricey (and the sole place to park) but some of us noticed that someone was validating parking that night and avoided paying $6/hour. The Letterman Digital Arts Center is not normally open to the public and that's really the sole reason for the 3-star rating. If it had anything besides the outdoor Yoda Fountain open to the public even occasionally it'd be a 5-star experience for the many fans of Star Wars. Unfortunately, all of that beautifully displayed and pristine memorabilia is open and accessible only to those with building access, presumably those blessed enough to work there. Yes, even an on-site gift shop chock full of Lucasfilm-related items is open only to those with access. The idea of such exclusivity (and a great movie theater) being accessible to so few in a city of residents who'd savor the experience just left me somewhat sour on the place, despite the free film. If you get the opportunity to come inside, do, absolutely. But until this becomes an experience open to all? Good luck seeing the riches contained within.

    Let me start by saying this building and the theater deserve 5 stars, but the problem is, nobody…read morewho isn't invited can get in to see it! The Center isn't open to the public even though there are so many fantastic things displayed there. It's a dream world for anyone who's into Star Wars. I loved being able to see so many wonderful characters from the movies, but I regretted being there without my grandkids by my side. Why can't they open this building at least once a month for the public to enjoy the displays? I was here for a movie preview. When I drove up, the security guard directed me to the parking structure underground. I saw that the charge for parking was $6; little did I know that it was $6 an hour! That "free" movie cost me (and a lot of unsuspecting others) $24 and it took forever to get out of the garage. Not happy! On the other hand, the movie was good and I got a lot of great pictures!

    Photos
    Letterman Digital Arts Center - Napping Mallard ducks

    Napping Mallard ducks

    Letterman Digital Arts Center - Lucasfilm lobby

    Lucasfilm lobby

    Letterman Digital Arts Center

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    Golden Gate Bridge - 04.05.26

    Golden Gate Bridge

    4.6(2.1k reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Some places are more than landmarks…read more Some places become part of your story. And for me, the Golden Gate Bridge will always be one of those places. Having lived in the Bay Area off and on throughout my life, the Golden Gate Bridge has never just been a bridge I passed over. It has always felt like something bigger. Something almost alive. Whether I was driving across it with the city behind me and the ocean ahead, or walking it with that cold San Francisco wind cutting through my jacket and waking up every thought in my head, it always stirred something in me. It's one of those places that can humble you without saying a word. Massive, beautiful, unshaken... standing there like it has seen everything and still has stories left to tell. And then one day, it told me one of mine. I was walking across the bridge when I called my grandmother and asked her a question that had just come to mind: "Did anyone in our family ever work on the Golden Gate Bridge?" She told me my great grandfather did. And I can't even fully explain what that moment felt like. My great grandfather passed away when I was 15, so hearing that while I was standing there--on something he had a hand in building--hit me in a way I'll probably carry for the rest of my life. In an instant, the bridge transformed from an iconic piece of engineering into something deeply personal. It no longer felt like I was just crossing a famous landmark. It felt like I was walking through legacy. It felt like I was stepping across the fingerprints of my own family history. And honestly... that changed everything for me. Now every time I see the Golden Gate Bridge, whether it's glowing in the sun, half-hidden in fog, or standing bold against that gray Bay Area sky, I don't just see beauty. I see sacrifice. I see hard work. I see grit. I see the kind of labor that built not just structures, but futures. I think about the men who showed up, put their hands to work, and helped create something that would outlive them. Something the world would admire for generations. And somewhere in that thought is my great grandfather--a man I wish I had gotten more time with, but who somehow still left me something to connect to all these years later. That is a gift I don't take lightly. Yes, the Golden Gate Bridge is breathtaking. Yes, it's one of the most iconic places in California. Yes, tourists will always stop, stare, take photos, and try to capture its beauty. But for me, the most beautiful thing about this bridge can't be captured in a picture. Because what I see when I look at it isn't just steel and paint. I see memory. I see love. I see proof that even when people leave this world, the work of their hands, the strength of their spirit, and the legacy of their life can still remain. So now every time I drive across it or walk its path, I do it a little differently. A little slower. A little more grateful. A little more aware. And deep down, I always say the same thing: Thank you. Thank you for the work. Thank you for the legacy. Thank you for leaving a piece of yourself behind in something so strong, so timeless, and so unforgettable. To most people, the Golden Gate Bridge is a wonder of the world. To me... It's family.

    As a San Franciscan, I often cross the Golden Gate Bridge, sometimes heading into Marin, other…read moretimes just to enjoy a hike, bike ride, or a walk near the water. But my appreciation for it goes back much further. I still remember visiting it as a teenager with my parents, seeing it for the first time as a tourist, and being completely taken by its scale and presence. Even now, after passing it countless times, it never really loses that sense of awe. Completed in 1937, the bridge spans the Golden Gate Strait, connecting San Francisco to Marin County, and remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Its distinctive "International Orange" color stands out beautifully against the fog and coastal landscape, something you really appreciate on a clear day or even more when the towers peek through the mist. If you want more than just a quick photo, there are some great nearby spots to experience it from different angles. Walking or biking across the bridge (about 1.7 miles) gives you a sense of its size, wind, and energy. For scenic views, the Coastal Trail from Baker Beach, the short but rewarding Batteries to Bluffs trail, and the longer Lands End trail all offer fantastic perspectives without needing to go far. If you have a bit more time, heading into the Marin Headlands is well worth it. Places like Battery Spencer or the hike up toward Slacker Hill give you sweeping views of the bridge, the bay, and the city skyline. For something quieter and more tucked away, Kirby Cove offers a postcard-perfect view from below the bridge, especially on a calm day. Whether you're visiting for the first time or, like me, seeing it regularly as part of everyday life, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of those rare places that manages to feel both iconic and personal at the same time.

    Photos
    Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge

    Golden Gate Bridge

    Golden Gate Bridge - 04.05.26

    04.05.26

    Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge {7/24/2025}

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    Golden Gate Bridge {7/24/2025}

    Hopper's Hands - publicart - Updated May 2026

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