7 Less Famous San Francisco Attractions

Posted by: nancycurteman | August 10, 2017

7 Less Famous San Francisco Attractions

San Francisco is a tourist magnet. We all know about fabulous places like Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, North Beach and Golden Gate Park to name a few of the city’s attractions. Of course visitors should experience these sites. However, San Francisco has some other sites that are well worth seeing. Here are a few of those less famous attractions.

The Moraga Steps also known as the 16^th Avenue Tiled Steps is a staircase that was decorated with mosaics by more than 300 people. The goal was to create a sea to stars themed mosaic flowing up 163 step stairway. The steps are located on Moraga Street between 15^th and 16^th Avenue.
The Lands End Labyrinth is located on the rocky, windswept shoreline within the Golden Gate National Recreation area at the mouth of the Golden Gate. The Labyrinth is constructed of stones laid in an outline following the classic seven-circuit Chartres Labyrinth. Traditionally labyrinths were designed to promote meditation and peace.
The Wave Organ is a huge acoustic sculpture constructed of 25 PVC organ pipes of various lengths that plunge into the water of San Francisco Bay not far from the Marina. It is a musical instrument played by the changing tides of the Bay. The musical tones constantly change as the water moves in and out of the pipes.
The San Francisco Columbarium is a beautiful neo-classical building with an art nouveau stained glass ceiling. The Victorian-era columbarium houses memorials of many famous local San Franciscans such as Chet Helms who brought Janis Joplin to California in the ‘60s. The Columbarium is located at One Loraine Court.
The Golden Fire Hydrant was one of only a few fire hydrants hooked up to a water supply during the 1906 earthquake fire. Located at the corner of 20^th and Church Street the little fireplug single handedly provided the water that stopped the fire from spreading south of 20^th Street. The fire hydrant is given a new coat of gold paint each year on April 18, the anniversary of the Earthquake.
Boudin Bakery, located on Fisherman’s Wharf, is the home of the famous mother dough, the leavening base used to create the famous San Francisco sourdough bread. The bay area’s indigenous yeast and foggy climate produce the unique tangy bread. Here’s a little known fact about our sourdough: Every loaf of sourdough Boudin has produced for the last 160 years contains a bit of the company’s original yeasty dough.
The Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park is the perfect place to communicate with the Bard. Wander under the iron archway over the brick pathway and browse a brick wall with plaques of romantic verses from Shakespeare’s writings. Life seems to stand still in the garden but an old sundial will remind you of the time.