This is interesting, because there are plenty of statues in Golden Gate Park…read more Some of the more famous statues were Beethoven, Verdi, and Shakespeare. You'll find more just walking around, and most, make that all, have been here a very long time!! Although I saw a lot of statues, I'm sure I missed a lot also. I did see a few that were removed, which in my opinion shouldn't be, because history is history, be it good or bad. There is great detail in every statue I saw. I particularly liked the Baseball Player Statue, it was a bit different from the rest. Lots to see and do in Golden Gate Park, and these historical statues do stand out when you're looking for them!!!

Beethoven, Verdi, Shakespeare, Goethe, Schiller, Buddha, yes Buddha! And this is only the tip of…read morethe iceberg! I believe between two & three dozen statues & monuments scatter in this historic park. Some dating to the 19th century, most gifted to San Francisco. Each a respected work of art from various countries from around the old world, most dating to well over 100-years old! All in all, gifts that keeps on giving! This will be a "work in progress" review as I do more research on what's out there... realize Golden Gate Park, created in the 1870's, spans 1,017 acres. So that's a lot of foot work! Haha, but I don't mind bringing the past to our future. It's all about leaving something for future generations to appreciate - I always have hope. Never forget I'm a time traveler and love doing these things;) So for now... Cheers!

A cute place to take photos near the pier at Fisherman's Wharf. Good for single people, couples,…read moreand families. Bring a sweater though, maybe gloves and a beanie too...it's chilly outside!

After seeing the Hearts Sculpture in Union Square, I was surprised to see another one at the Bay…read moreEnd of Pier 39. I know that there are several of these heart sculptures all over San Francisco but I'm not sure of the actual locations so I was glad to have stumbled upon another one. So Pier 39 is where you find "Open Heart", hand-painted by local artist Patrick Dintino, a San Francisco native whose mother's life was saved by open heart surgery. This particular heart sculpture was part of San Francisco General Hospital Foundation's 2004 "Hearts in San Francisco". My newest obsession now is finding more of these heart sculptures all over the city. So far, I've found only two but there's actually hundreds and hundreds of them. Here's a link listing all the hearts auctioned off by year since 2004: https://sfghf.org/events/gallery-of-hearts/

"And I'd love you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of yourself, I'd…read morefind you and I'd love you..." She was born today, January 6th, in 1412. On a recent stay to Paris, high up on my list was to pay tribute to Jeanne d'Arc aka Joan of Arc. Most outside of France only know the story of her execution by burning at the stake on May 30, 1431. She died at only 19 years of age. Yet, there were so many layers of her young life that shaped all of France and filled the History books the world over. French in California? Oui, oui! It's not only about butter croissants, Duck à l'orange, or a glass of 1787 Chateau Lafite, Bordeaux. Then again the French do own nine of ten of the most expensive wines in the world, according to Forbes. So yeah, I get it! Yet, what excites me most about France is the incredible history. Oui! I'm one of those guys lol. Jeanne d'Arc! You don't have to fly to Paris to experience what I see, unless you're into those type of French things;) A wonderful memorial statue of Jeanne d'Arc can be seen right here in San Francisco at the entrance to the Legion of Honor Museum. Anna Huntington created this masterpiece - one of her earliest public works, first exhibited at the Salon of 1910 in Paris. Replicas were made and in 1927 she won the prestigious Legion of Honor award from the French government. A timeless piece that has been on the museum grounds for well over 100-years. In the end, I highly recommend a visit to see the award winning Jeanne d'Arc statue. There's no admission fees to walk the grounds and photos are encouraged. Maybe she's just a name to some, but to the people of France, she is the greatest heroine to have ever lived! A peasant girl that would lead the French to victory. Burned at the stake and becoming a martyr. The church canonized her a Saint. Saint Jeanne d'Arc! You will not be forgotten. In life after life, in age after age, forever... Je' t'aime! I love you!

This is one of two statues in front of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, which is a…read morewonderful Fine Art Museum located in the Lands End area of San Francisco. The original copy of this statue was first displayed in 1910 in Paris. The sculpture went on to receive recognition from the French Government in 1927. The sculptor was Anna Hyatt Huntington. She was very well regarded in the 20th century. If the name sounds a bit familiar it is because she married the son of Collis Huntington, one of the "Big Four" and namesake of Huntington Park at the top of Nob Hill.

It seems that, this being the 20th year of my arrival in San Francisco, I'm doing everything I've…read morenot gotten around to, hence my recent tour of the 9th Circuit Court on 7th (between Market and Mission) and now, the Customs House (battery at Jackson). While not quite as lavish as the over the top Courthouse---yet still a bit more posh than even City Hall---this grand facade is easier to access than the courts---provided you walk up before 3pm---more on that at the end. Designed by a St. Louis firm, to the consternation and indignation of local firms that didn't win, and the chauvinistic boosters that had insisted they should, this structure is yet another permutation of the Beaux Arts style that dominates the Civic Center, yet on a site that has more direct ties to the Gold Rush, old Yerba Buena, and our once thriving port. And it's the third structure here---the first burned down when the City had a penchant for burning; the second---a book end to the Greek Revival Old Mint (on 5th) was torn down in 1905, and they'd only just excavated the basement for the current structure when torrential rains in the winter of 1905-06 filled the hole with water---rather fortuitous given that in April of 1906 we'd have an epic earthquake, followed by a fire of Biblical proportions, when the water came in handy. Unfortunately, a shortage of workers and materiel would delay completion of the building to 1911. As is typical for the form (Beaux Arts) the building is symmetrical, and emphasis on decoration is dependent on the degree of public focus---such that the first floor has the grandest of lobbies and stairs, the highest ceilings, and the most marble; layers of detail diminish with each floor, and the ceilings get lower, such that the second floor foyer landing has a stair with none of the ornament of the ground level, with oak replacing the marble door frames. On the third (and presumably fourth and fifth floors, which weren't part of the tour) plaster covers more of the walls, wood more of the trim and the light fixtures hang from bare ceilings. Yet it is the third floor that has the director's office, all carved in oak, which the guide tells us often catches higher ups in the Customs Service by surprise as it is, apparently, more opulent than the offices of the bigger upty-ups in DC. The CIA also occupied a suite on this floor, until one night in 1988. Electricity consumption by the whole building dropped by a third after their sudden departure... It's a building you walk by often, if you are in the Financial District much, yet it never seems to be open, or for what ever reason, it doesn't draw anyone in (this is the first Yelp of it, apparently). So go in! But before you do---look up, at the lion heads, between the first two floors: They were carved in situ. Sadly, like the grand Federal Courts, this building has lost its public aspect, the very aspect for which it was designed. This was one of the places you were supposed to take your visiting relatives and friends, to show off the Federal structures designed to impress---impress the visitor and local with the nation's wealth, its emerging power, and the importance of San Francisco to have such structures. Sadly, after 9/11, they have come to seem like tombs of America's liberty. Entry---through airport like security---is restricted to those with official business, and employees and their guests. No one else is allowed free access or to wander about unsupervised. Terrorism you know----prevent any other incidents that might embarrass the government, so it won't have to change the policies that are causing the enmity in the first place. It's sad to think that we waged two World Wars against enemies that could have beat us; and a forty year Cold War against a nuclear armed Soviet Union, though all of which all these structure remained freely open to public access. Yet, one attack by an amorphous enemy and here we are peeing our pants. One is reminded of Benjamin Franklin's warning: "Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither". The building, open during business hours, M-F, offers tours as the guide (a longstanding Custom's employee) is available, simply show up before 3pm and inquire at the security apparatus.

That medical history mural is not just any mural. It's by Bernard Zackheim, painted in 1938, at the…read moreheight of the arts boom and "socialist realism" phase in America. Zackheim was the first local to get a mural commission in SF in a public setting (a 1933 mural called "The Jewish Wedding" at the Jewish Community Center, now restored in a--sadly--hidden stairwell there). Zackheim studied under Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. In 1934, Zackheim was the subject of a smear campaign by the city's papers for his Library mural in Coit tower, which showed many books from a wide political spectrum, but was lampooned as showing communist books. The 27 muralists there were locked out as a result! I love this stuff, and I even give a tour of murals and mural political history under the name Thinkwalks. The Toland Hall mural isn't on my usual tour, but it's a fantastic piece, very representative of the times.

This is a hidden gem of SF history! Built in the 1920's, it's an old theatre-style lecture hall…read morewith an ornate celiing and a fresco of California medical history covering every onch of wall, from natives being operated on by Christian surgeons to Alfred Sutro signing over the land for what would become UCSF medical center. The seats have been replaced, but the feeling is truly vintage medicine.

Truly a great setting to honor the US Military going off into the Pacific during World War Two…read more I recommend visiting. The USS San Francisco Memorial at Lands End is great too. My Grandfather served in Europe, but instilled in my a curiosity of that era. SF is chalk full of great history.

When it comes to World War 2 Memorial sites throughout the U.S., the first spot that comes to mind…read morewould be the East Coast-- Washington D.C., with all of their various memorials and monuments. But tucked inside the Presidio of San Francisco, is our own West Coast Memorial of those members of all branches of the military that lost their lives on the Pacific side of WW2. I stumbled upon this spot after looking for a secluded parking area during one of my morning hikes throughout the Presidio, and it was so nice to discover that San Francisco, and the rest of the West Coast had a special monument dedicated to those specifically who fought in the war of the Pacific. The Memorial has a perfect spot high above on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's great that this spot hasn't been over-run by visitors. But at the same time, this spot deserves to be recognized so that all of those who were lost at War can receive the proper honor that they deserve. To get to this Memorial, enter the Presidio from the 25th Ave entrance, which leads onto Lincoln Blvd. Make a right at Kobbe Ave, and there is a great little parking area away from crowds and cars. There are also benches for those who chose to sit and reflect as well. Overall, it's important to remember that the Presidio of San Francisco is first and foremost a military base. Now a days, folks tend to overlook this aspect and see it for more of a recreational spot for biking, hiking, etc. But it's definitely worthwhile to stop by this Memorial and honor those folks who lost their lives in World War II. One of San Francisco's hidden gems.

The 25th anniversary of September 11th just passed and I have always wanted to check out the…read morememorial dedicated to Flight 93 in Union City. 1st up, there is no parking at the park, not even street parking. The closest parking is across the street at Union Landing. Once you arrive at the park, you will see it is a very emotional memorial. The names of all the victims, their ages and cities are engraved in each slab. Some of the victims were from the Bay Area since the plane was flying to San Francisco. The story about Flight 93 along with flowers and plants adorn the park. At the flag pole, there are hand-painted tiles from children and community members as well. If you have never visited the Flight 93 memorial, I highly recommend checking it out and to honor those on that tragic day. It is a beautiful and I believe the biggest memorial dedicated to the events of September 11th.

This is a Beautiful Memorial!!!!…read more Unfortunately there is no Parking Lot. The Closest Parking is at the Union Landing Shopping Center!!! It's at a Very Busy Intersection!!! It Is the First Memorial To Flight 93 . One of the Flights that Crashed on 9/11 !! September 11 2001 a Day THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY!!!! Mastermind By Osama Bin Laden !!!! We must never Forget History as it Has a Tendency to Repeat Itself!!! This Memorial is a Baller On A Budget Approved!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong!!! Number # 34 On The Yelp 50 Most Prolific Yelp Elite List of 2025 !!!!

The first time I saw this Veterans memorial was in 2014 during San Francisco's Fleet Week. I…read morerecently visited it again for National Vietnam War Veterans Day on 29 March. Nothing has changed. On this visit, a solitary man with a Viet Nam Veterans cap and leather vest was the only other visitor besides myself. We made brief made eye contact and nodded to each other in mutual respect as I was wearing my Veteran's accouterments as was my Service Dog. As I always do during our visits to any Veterans' memorials, I silently cried. For over and over and over I kept hearing young voices. They were softly saying: when you go home, tell them of us and that for your tomorrow, we gave our today. Again I stood there to recognize, honor, respect, and grieve at the sacrifice of GIs. For they left too many pieces of their youth in too many battles for too many years. All Veterans memorials commemorate that the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country. The San Francisco Veterans Memorial is a personal conversation held in a public space to give remembrance to when a country sends its military men and women to war. Here is Hallowed, Sacred and Desecrated ground. That means never is yelling done here and no playing or games are to be played here. That includes pokeman players. Being a Veteran myself and part of a Military Family that has ancestors that has Served in every generation going back before the American Revolutionary War, I know here is a Veterans Memorial for those who wrote a blank check to the United States of America for up to and including their life. Veterans answered the call. Isaiah 6:8 ESV: And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." When San Francisco built the War Memorial Opera House and Veterans Building complex in 1932, it was designed to always include a memorial to Veterans. But the project ran out of money, and one was never made for 78 years. The octagon reflected the landscaping that designer Thomas Church created in 1936 with the idea that a Veterans Memorial would be added later. Over the years, Veterans brought and deposited dirt in the dedicated area from war battlefields from both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam. Laotian Civil War, Lebanon crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, Desert Shield, Dominican Civil War, Cambodian Civil War, Multinational intervention in Lebanon, United States invasion of Grenada, Bombing of Libya, Tanker War, United States invasion of Panama, First U.S. Intervention in the Somali Civil War, Bosnian War and Croatian War, Intervention in Haiti, Kosovo War, Desert Storm, Gulf War, Global War on Terror, Iraq, American intervention in Yemen, American intervention in the War in North-West Pakistan, Second U.S. Intervention in the Somali Civil War, Operation Ocean Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), International intervention in Libya, Afghanistan, and Operation Observant Compass. Dedicated in 2014 during San Francisco's Fleet Week, this stone octagon Veterans' memorial is located across from San Francisco City Hall between Herbst War Memorial Theatre and War Memorial Opera House. "For almost a century, the octagonal lawn in Memorial Court had served as little-known repository of earth from war battlefields. On this same site, built upon the geometry of the historic design, an octagon of faceted planes of stone now holds that earth and bear witness to Veterans' sacrifice. At the upper edge, reflecting pools encircle the octagon. Water flows towards the garden over sloping of polished black basalt. Against the stone, the water acts as a mirror. The ground slopes down as you enter, a physical and metaphorical separation from the bustle of the Civic Center. The sound of the water flowing also reminds us that this place is apart." "A suspended walkaway leads into the Passage of Remembrance. The walls rise as you move forward. In the center of the octagon is the place that holds the soil from war battlefields. On the right, a poem by World War I Veteran Archibald MacLeish." As I left, I remembered, "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime."

Today is Veterans Day. A day that celebrates the contribution of those who served our country…read more Thus, today is a great day to write about the SF Veterans Memorial. It is a small patch of green area that connects the War Memorial Veterans building to the War Memorial Opera Plaza. It also faces the Van Ness entrance of our City Hall, with beautifully manicured lawns and trees. A small water fountain (not always running) near its recessed van ness entrance. Dignified and beautiful.