The glass elevators at the Westin St. Francis are key-card protected and not open to public…read moreanymore. You need a hotel key card to access one of the glass elevators, and I think it's used to be one of free things for locals and tourists years ago.

Wheee! What a fun way to see the city! This elevator is in…read morethe St Regis overlooking Union Square. If you act like you know where you're going, and just jump in with some random guest, you'll get to see a great view of the city for free! The glass elevators are constantly zipping up and down. You need a guest's key to get the elevator to work, so be sure to hop on with someone going to their room, and just start mashing the highest numbers on the keypad. It's kinda thrilling to know that they put in a card reader to keep out the public, but this is totally worth the trip if you don't stay here. Unfortunately, this Glass Elevator is not like the one written about in the sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Unlike the one in Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory, this one doesn't go sideways, through the roof, or upside down at all.

Got to see my friend perform here tonight on a Saturday! Super fun! Like 6 benches that fit about 5…read moreppl on each. One stage and lots of lightbulbs for shows at night!

So I live at 23rd and Harrison and there happens to be a garden between 23rd and 24th, closer to…read more23rd. There is a little sign that says "Secret Garden", in a little alley enclosed by a white fence between two homes. I've passed this sign millions of times but every time the fence has been closed! Finally, this past Saturday the gate was ajar! We diverted and went inside the garden! Suspense! Someone's back was turned towards the vegetables, there was human in the "Secret Garden". I said "Hello". I was greeted warmly by an older gentlemen. He says his name is "Tree". How fitting :). Anyways, Tree tells us the history of the 23rd and Harrison garden. It was supposed to be a common space for all the houses in the area, then it became a crack den and the parks people sealed it off. Supposedly everyone in the neighborhood had keys before it was closed. Now only Tree and someone else that runs a gardening program for kids has a key. He uses the park for his urban farming project. Tree used to hope he could feed all the homeless with his urban farms, he has a few. There is one at 23rd and Treat st., I don't know where his others are. With the produce he gardens he gives it all away at his food stand in the mission for low income and homeless folks. How cool is that? Amazing to have people like Tree in SF. I've heard he also had something to do with the trees that line Folsom, I'm not sure about that rumor. Here is a link to his blog: http://freefarmstand.blogspot.com/

Had the chance to visit this art installation during my work trip in San Francisco! It's a…read morebeautiful piece of art that captures the night and great for a walking date in Golden Gate Park. It's an installation that turns off at 9:30 pm until late April, 2024. It's near peacock meadows, so be careful if you're taking an Uber/Lyft there as Golden Gate Park as your intended destination will bring you to the other side, which is what I experienced! Great attraction for families, couples, and all ages!

All Man, The Entwined Lighted Festival is FIRE. You have to come check out the vibes and beauty…read morehere of the forest and lights. Its like a scene in a Fairy Tale. Its not far from the Golden Gate Bridge, but it is a joy to see and be around. I took plenty of photos that I will have our every chance I get. It was just a scene to see for me. I will visit again.

Really lovely and small side street close to Union Square! It's like a little Parisian oasis…read moresmack-dab in the middle of the dystopian financial district of San Francisco. Came here recently for a SF Junk Journal event. There was live music by a jazz band, and it was super welcoming. It was super cold and windy, even on a sunny day. It IS San Francisco, after all, so come bundled up!

Nestled between Union Square and Nob Hill, Maiden Lane is a pedestrian-only alleyway with…read moreParisian-inspired architecture, unique shops, and charming cafes. Stepping onto Maiden Lane feels like stepping onto a quaint European street. The brick-paved alleyway, lined with gas lamps and adorned with colorful flowers, creates a romantic and inviting atmosphere. Maiden Lane is home to unique boutiques offering one-of-a-kind finds from vintage clothing and handcrafted jewelry to homeware and art galleries. In here, you can enjoy a leisurely brunch, a quick coffee break, or a romantic dinner in a charming setting. Choose from French cafes with sidewalk seating to intimate bistros and trendy restaurants. However, the place is small so there's limited options for shopping and dining. Also, there are no public restrooms and no cars are allowed in this alleyway.

The Musical Stairs, located at Pier 39, is straight out of that old movie 'Big' in the late 80s…read more So every time you step on a stair, you're playing a piano note. When It's crowded near hear, sometimes it can be kinda hard to hear it. Kids love these stairs, and why not!! And when I say kids, I mean kids of all ages!! So, if you're at Pier 39, keep a lookout for these. They are located about the middle of the pier on the right side when entering the pier. It's definitely worth checking out!!

Just real fun. Reminds you of the movie "Big". The history…read moreof this creation Is heartfelt. FUN

An outdoor art experience, for sure!…read more I read that many of the murals along this alley have political undertones to them -- had I not known that going in, I might have looked at the murals in a different way. There is a ton of talent displayed on these walls, garages and doors. I also noticed that a few murals have expanded to the streets directly left and right of here - kind of extending the experience. Worth a stroll through. To be honest though -- I'm not great at interpreting a lot of their meanings, but do plan to do a little more research. Note: I was here a little early (9am-ish) on a Saturday. I had the alley to myself, along with one gentleman in the middle of the street who may have been on some substances (based on his behavior). I overall felt safe... but was a little put off by him and did walk past him on the quicker side. 2024: 69/100

Clarion Alley is a super impressive free outdoor mural gallery from local artists. I got lucky and…read morewas invited into the studio of one of them as I was walking by, admiring the pieces. There are a range of messages and meanings, but almost every single one revolved around a social justice matter. Prioritise this alleyway if you're visiting SF!

Who needs a stairmaster when there are actual outdoor steps all over SF?…read more The Moraga Steps ascend on beautifully tiled stairs to a tiny mountaintop with trees and vistas of the Sunset district and beyond. The reward is the view from the top!

Such a treasured landmark in San Francisco, so much that it's maintained in pristine condition by…read morelocals and donors. This 163-step mosaic stairway was open to the public in 2005 and this community project was started by neighborhood residents Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier with the collaboration of artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. Donated California native plants adorn these stairs. I'd say for the San Fran tourist, it's worth a visit especially if you have a car and you want to venture into SF neighborhoods (I used public transit and the Muni bus stop right next to it isn't the most reliable as when I was ready to leave here I saw the route bus zoom past the proposed bus stop seen on my GPS; I ended up having to walk a few blocks to another bus stop). Unsure about how crowded it would be on weekends, but when I visited on a weekday morning I had good chunks of time with the stairway all to myself!

Still standing in its glory [San Francisco CA]…read more When we come to the City we try to stop by this Pacific Heights neighborhood and stop by for a respectful look as we remember the late Robin Williams. The three-level Victorian house sits in a prime location. Mrs Doubtfire is a really great movie and if you haven't seen it I would highly recommend it. 32 years later after the filming of the movie the house still stands and garners many visitors. The next time you're in San Francisco make sure you stop by 2640 Steiner Street to see the Doubtfire Victorian home used for the exterior shots in the film. Miranda actually mentions the actual address of the Hillard house in the movie. The door and the famous steps has been changed and the gate is installed by the current owner to keep fans from sitting on the steps to get their photos taken. Review #0958 updated

If you love the movie Mrs. Doubtfire then this is a good place to stop by and take a picture. It's…read moredown the street from the Painted Sisters.

Our day trips to SF always include lots of eating while visiting friends and relatives…read more So I try to balance our caloric intake with some scenic incline hikes. Today we did a 1 mile out-and-back hike at Corona Heights. Park on Ord Street Go up Vulcan Stairway Left on Levant Street Right on Lower Terrace Right on Michael Sullivan Steps Left on Clifford Terrace Left on Upper Terrace Right on Mt Olympus Stairs Sit and rest on a cement bench under the obelisk to enjoy views from the center of San Francisco. Then reverse back the path.

I really liked viewing the backyards of houses on Vulcan Stairway. It was rustic and backyards…read more It's hard to find and somebody led a hike and we took the stairway towards Corona Heights park after Mt. Sutro. It's a fun adventure. Hadn't done it in all this time.

People confuse this staircase with the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, and they are certainly similar as…read morethey both feature lovely colorful artwork created by the same artists. But they are not the same thing. The Hidden Garden Steps are located a little further away from Grandview Park (the bottom of the stairway along Kirkham Street) and presents a slightly different theme, the focus of its design more on flowers and plants rather than sealife. It's a unique and beautiful work of art, in good condition (as of January 2026), and located in a nice neighborhood in SF. It's also free to visit with free street parking nearby too. I couldn't find a reason to give it anything less than 5 stars.

After visiting the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, I was just on my way out of Golden Gate Heights, when I…read morenoticed a sign that said, "Hidden Garden Steps." The sun was almost down, but I decided to check it out. With 148 steps designed by the same artists as the 16th Avenue steps, this really almost felt like a continuation of the same staircase. The Hidden Garden steps have more of a garden theme, with lots of flowers, bugs, mushrooms, birds, etc. The plants around the steps are similar to those found around the 16th Avenue steps. Succulents are interspersed with California native plants chosen to attract butterflies, including the locally endangered green hairstreak butterfly. My favorite design on the staircase is the snail near the bottom. The shell swirls up several stairs, with patches of mushrooms sprouting from the head. The snail is surrounded by mosaics of California native plants such as hibiscus flowers and buckeye sprouts. The Hidden Garden steps are about 10 years newer than the 16th Avenue steps. In my opinion, the artists improved their skills over time, and, while one flight smaller, these steps are actually more impressive than their sister stairs. The design feels more imaginative and detailed. While the 16th Avenue steps were a bit slippery, the Hidden Garden steps were even more slippery. Because the sun was setting, I really had to watch my step. This must be why the steps are "closed" after dark. Overall, this is such a beautiful community art project, and I'm so glad I happened to stumble across it. My only regret is not having visited earlier so that I could compare the sunset views with the views from a block away.