San Francisco and the Bay Area have many famous sites that are worth a visit, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Oracle Park, and Lombard Street, Alcatraz and many more in East and South Bay.
But there is much more worth to be seen, and here are some of San Francisco and Bay Area best hidden gems according to us!
HIDDEN GARDEN STEPS
San Francisco
Hidden Garden Steps in the Inner Sunset District of San Francisco; part of 16th Avenue, between Kirkham Street and Lawton Street. The mosaic tile work is truly extraordinary and the stair angles about two thirds of the way up, so the upper portion is still yet another discovery when climbing. A hardy climb but you will want to linger at each section to study the detail, or do it the cheating way by walking backwards (holding the handrail of course) from the top. This stair is on the hillside leading up to Grandview Park, on its own a hidden gem, providing 360 views of the western half of the SF. Also nearby is another stunning mosaic tiled stairway, confusingly called the 16th Ave Tiled Steps, but actually a portion of Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Ave. This one is longer and better known, but I like Hidden Garden Steps better for being more shaded and having the change in direction. This trio of gems can be accessed from the N Judah Muni line, with the closest stop being 15th & Judah.
Hacienda de las Flores
Moraga
The San Francisco firm of Bakewell and Veihe designed the Spanish ranch style single story house, built in 1916, with three bedrooms, oak floors, and tile roof with the main entrance off Moraga Road. The house was originally built to house orphaned boys, but could no longer be sustained after the crash of 1929. The estate occupied a total of 32 acres. Timbers from the original house are still in today’s Fireside Room.
COIT TOWER’S SECOND FLOOR
San Francisco
For decades, the entire second floor of the iconic Coit Tower—the white column that’s been a beacon atop Telegraph Hill since it was completed in 1933—went unseen by the public. While many visitors have seen the famed Depression-era murals on the first floor, or decades, the delicate secco frescos on the second floor of the building has been closed off—until now.
Source: hoodline
The Vulcan Stairs
San Francisco
The Vulcan Stairs are a 2 block stretch of stairs in Eureka Valley that start on Ord Street and take you up to Levant Street.
The gardens, impeccably maintained by the people who live on it, are magnificent and in places resemble a jungle. Following in the tradition of quirky architecture, the houses on Vulcan Steps are unique and reflect the eclectic tastes of people who live on the steps.
KAISER PARK
Oakland
Inspired by the rooftop garden at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the garden opened in 1960 as the first “true” post-war rooftop garden in the United States. The design includes a large reflecting pool with numerous small fountains, a wooden bridge, undulating lawns and an extensive plant palette.
Ardoise Bistro
San Francisco
l’Ardoise Bistro located in SF’s Duboce Triangle. This charming corner bistro feels like a small off the beaten path restaurant somewhere in less traveled Arrondissement in Paris. Terrific food and service. Currently serving dinner outside along treelined Noe Street. Check out the Wednesday farmers market at Noe and Market before heading to dinner.
Camera Obscura
San Francisco
This tiny museum known as the ‘Giant Camera’ is on the grounds of the historic Cliff House and features a working camera obscura, which reflects images of the beach front outside. It also houses a small collection of holograms.
Lands End Labyrinth
San Francisco
Hidden on the western end of San Francisco is Land’s End park, a gem of a spot with tons of coastal trails, one of which leads to the secret Land’s End Labyrinth. There is a stone Labyrinth on the edge of a cliff with beautiful a view of the Golden Gate Bridge to one side and the endless Pacific ocean to the west.
Marshall Beach
San Francisco
Marshall Beach is a long narrow secluded beach that stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge south to North Baker Beach. Because of the seclusion below steep cliffs it is one of the best-known clothing-optional beaches in San Francisco
Lyon Steps
San Francisco
Just being at the summit of these steps is a mystical Zen experience truly difficult to describe. The feeling of the sky and air where you are standing is amazing. And, spread out before you are fabulous views of the Palace of Fine Arts Dome, the blue San Francisco Bay, and a fog shrouded sky beyond. To the west is the Presidio forest and to the east are amazing old Pacific Heights mansions with their manicured lawns and many balconies
Battery Spencer overlook
San Francisco
Battery Spencer overlook on the northside of the Golden Gate bridge. This viewpoint provides a jaw-dropping vista of the famous bridge, as well as a lot of military history from the area.
Yoda Statue
San Francisco
A 26″ life-sized Yoda bronze statue guards the entrance to Lucasfilms Headquarters. Inside the lobby stands a big 6’6″ Darth Vader. Star Wars pilgrims are allowed inside during regular weekday working hours to see Darth up close along with a nice collection of other Star Wars artifacts.
Steep Ravine Cabins and Campground
Mt. Tamalpais
Get in on a little secret that lies just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Let us introduce you to the elusive Steep Ravine Cabins and Campground in Marin. On Mt. Tamalpais, just to the north of the city, there are a group of wooden structures that date back to the 1940s.