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The Golden Fire Hydrant

4.9 (15 reviews)

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On the corner of 20th and Church
Nadine C.

Like the "Little Engine that Could", this unassuming hero saved the City of San Francisco from the fire that resulted from the Earthquake of 1906. While all of the other hydrants were out of water, this is the one that was still working and strong enough to extinguish the fire that raged on into the next day (April 19th). Paul Belser, a University of California student, also deserves credit for organizing his friends and hooking up the hose from the fire engine to this important Landmark. When I heard about it, I dragged my Travel Pal, Yuri, to see this "Little Hero" and take some photos. It is located across from Dolores Park where there is free street parking in the surrounding areas. We should return on April 18 (the day of the 1906 Earthquake) at 7:00 a.m. because the Little Giant Gold Hydrant gets a new coat of paint every year!

Dmitriy S.

To most people, fire hydrants are a nuisance. They crush little glimmer of hope when you see an empty spot while looking for street parking. This hydrant, though, is a gem that deserves all the honor it can get. The Little Giant Gold Hydrant has always eluded me on Dolores Park Sundays. Only recently did I spot it out the corner of my eye and rushed my friends over to check it out. A beautiful story of perseverance and hope accompanies this guy on a plaque. The font is a bit hard to read and will require some squatting, but it's well worth it. The gold color beautifully shimmers during sunset. As of 10/27/13, it's wearing a funky little coconut hat. For saving one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this guy deserves all the recognition he gets.

107th Anniv. of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire
Steven B.

A little piece of San Francisco 1906 Earthquake and Fire right next to Dolores Park! Take a little bit of time from your park day and check out this Golden Fire Hydrant. Why Gold, you ask? Well because during the aftermath of the earthquake fire was rampaging the city. This hydrant was used to stop the fire from getting past 20th St. Every April 18th this hydrant is given a fresh coat of Gold paint. In 2012 it was accidentally painted Silver, whoops! http://geology.about.com/od/historicearthquakes/ig/SFquake2006/goldhydrant1.htm

Sandy D.

When I came across this while searching Local Flavor, I had to check it out. Such a great back story ( http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-golden-fire-hydrant ) and well worth a visit, especially since it's so close to the Bench in Dolores Park. ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/bench-in-dolores-park-corner-of-20th-and-church-san-francisco ). I absolutely love that they continue to honor it annually. Amazing.

4/19/2011
j m.

A magical fire hydrant, to be sure. A must see. It's a great history lesson / anecdote. http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/fire-hydrant-tradition-steeped-gold

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16 years ago

Best fire hydrant in SF! Thanks Little Giant, we owe you BIG!!

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It is located across from Dolores Park where there is free street parking in the surrounding areas.

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The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - Plaque

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

4.8(664 reviews)
2.5 miInner Sunset

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!

Up and ready to do something early, while the rest of the family was sleeping, my wife and I…read moredecided to go check out the 16th Ave Tile Steps, also know as the Moraga Steps. From what I've read, the project came together started in 2003 all thanks to some of the local neighbors that were tired of looking at 163 plain concrete steps to the top of the hill. They collected donations and raised money, selling tiles, which could be customized with names, dates, phrases, anything people wanted to add to make this project come to life. It took two years of raining money, and assembly, "opening" in 2005. The steps really are truly worth checking out, for being over 20 years old, they still have beautiful and vibrant color. I would have though the sun would have faded them, but i guess the color being baked in to the ceramic tiles really holds up. The design, is very stunning, going "from sea to the star", with so much detail, so much creativity. At the top of the steps, you can hike another set of steps up to an amazing 360 degree panorama of the city. Worth the extra 150 or so steps to go all the way up. If you're able bodied, I'd recommend checking this spot out. It's free, and in a residential neighborhood, so parking is also free and easy to find.

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The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - View from the top

View from the top

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps
The 16th Avenue Tiled 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)
3.5 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.

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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

The Golden Fire Hydrant - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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