187 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in San Francisco - Atlas Obscura
What's near me?
All   /  United States   /  California   /  San Francisco
The Atlas Obscura Guide To

San Francisco

187 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in San Francisco, California

Unusual Attractions in San Francisco

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in San Francisco

Atlas Obscura Trips
Art of Joshua Tree and the Mojave
Join us as we venture deep into the High Desert, glimpsing massive sculptures, fluorescent painted mountains, and revitalizing domes along the way.
Learn More

Community Forums / United States / US: West

Top Discussions in the US: West Travel Forum

Post Replies Views Activity
Looking for places to visit in Tucson Az
lyndabathory Marylka backroads66
 		13
Blenheim Apricot
AtlasObscura annie cougar
 		10
Visiting Utah and Colorado
pixiemyevilcat Shane McGraw jonathancarey
 		11
Traveling through MT, WY, CO, TX. Need advice!
Anne Ewbank cyccommute
 		9
Tracing a town with a square with a lovely scent, near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Pablo Liendo phitauken linkogecko
 		8
New Post Visit the Forum

Explore San Francisco, California

Launch Map

San Francisco Leaderboard

Recent San Francisco Activity

blimpcaptain has been to The Walrus Heads of the Financial District
dhunterbell wants to go to The Walrus Heads of the Financial District
shayfed64 wants to go to Book Club of California
shayfed64 wants to go to The Shipwrecks at Land's End
shayfed64 wants to go to Fort Miley Batteries

Stories About San Francisco

Fernando Padilla has designed all of Boudin's breads for the last 40 years.

The Master Baker Giving San Francisco Sourdough a New Shape

For 40 years, Fernando Padilla has sculpted with dough.
by Anne Ewbank
July 2, 2020
In 1933, Minnie Sun worked as a nurse in the baby ward of the Chinese Hospital. Bruce Lee would be born there seven years later.

When Chinese Americans Were Blamed for 19th-Century Epidemics, They Built Their Own Hospital

The Chinese Hospital in San Francisco is still one-of-a-kind.
by Claire Wang
April 13, 2020
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Lists Featuring San Francisco

San Francisco's Top 8 Wonders of 2018
The Wave Organ, San Francisco Bay
Alcatraz from the Bay 2012

San Francisco’s Top 8 Wonders of 2018

The strange and unusual places Atlas Obscura readers wanted to visit most in the “City by the Bay” in 2018.

8

Including Seward Street Slides, Labyrinth at Land’s End, and The Wave Organ

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight
They were built in 1979.
It is popular with runners and climbers.

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Play real-life Chutes and Ladders at these obscure thruways.

9

Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Winfield Street Slides , and Howe Street Stairs