Finding Cool “Off The Beaten Path” Destinations in San Francisco
Although I would recommend the more stereotypical tourist sights of SFMOMA, the Golden Gate Bridge, the DeYoung Museum, riding a cable car, Fisherman’s Wharf, etc., we wanted a trip that was off the beaten path.
By Ryan Loughrey
Our weekend was spent in a common way – not enough time to do all the things we wanted to do, and too much time in traffic. Still, we were able to see new sights in a city that was saturated with tourists and that we’ve been to many times before.
Our time in San Francisco can best be described as periods of beauty, learning, and appreciation interspersed with frenetic driving and finding parking spots. Given the fact it was labor day, the usual tourist haunts were pretty busy.
Although I would recommend the more stereotypical tourist sights of SFMOMA, the Golden Gate Bridge, the DeYoung Museum, riding a cable car, Fisherman’s Wharf, etc., we wanted a trip that was off the beaten path. Here’s a breakdown of the sights we were able to catch:
Camera Obscura
Visiting this humble location near Cliff House is akin to stepping back in time. This strange shaped building has a rotating mirror on the roof, which projects the image through a series of lenses, until it is viewed on a parabolic screen located on the inner room. The inside of the building is is a dark room, where the circular parabolic screen sits in the center, almost like a brilliantly lit altar. The viewers stand around it, as the image rotates corresponding where the roof mirror is facing.
Initially, it just looked like we were watching a tv screen projecting the happenings outside. Perhaps in this day and age, where we can go to the cheapest movie at the theatre and see incredible vistas and locales, the Camera Obscura seems a quaint and unimpressive sight. However, when the technology was first being discovered over 500 years ago, the phenomena seemed unreal and was even “condemned as an invention of the devil†according to one of the fliers we found.
Labyrinth at Land’s End
This was a sight I’m glad we didn’t miss. Constructed in early 2004 by Eduardo Aguilera, this labyrinth is designed to be a symbol of peace and tranquility; however, it has also been destroyed by vandals and has to be remade every time.
The hike from Land’s End parking area is relatively short, although very well-travelled. It is a nice location that is simple and serene, and a nice escape from the bustling metropolis a short hike away. It also is a great viewpoint for the Golden Gate Bridge. When we went, several groups followed the path to the center, and of course posed for photos.
The Beat Museum
Located near Chinatown, this hole-in-the-wall museum has been a place I’ve wanted to visit since I’ve heard of it. Attempting to detail the obscure and vivid history of the Beats, the crammed little location has the car used in the film “On the Road,†photos and memorabilia from the likes of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and other influential characters the era.
Located near City Lights Books, which is a relatively famous independent bookstore renowned for its ties to the beatnik era, the museum was a place that held personal interest to me, and some of the friendliest staff of any location we visited over the weekend.
Novela
It would be remiss of me to not mention this one piece of nightlife we had to check out for ourselves. Located seemingly in the thriving nightlife heart of San Francisco, this bar has walls lined with books and drinks named after classic and contemporary literary characters.
It is priced like a popular place (meaning bring a little extra cash if you visit). We were there on Saturday night, we essentially found a small corner table to claim for our own. It was very busy and lively, which is good for nightlife, but not ideal for me walking around to peer at all the books and photos that lined the walls. Still an interesting location for anyone who likes the pairing of literature and alcohol.
We saw sights we didn’t even know existed and were a part of this thriving hub of California. I’m sure there are sights that I’m forgetting, and if you have any hidden gems of the Golden City, we’d love to hear them. Although sometimes you have to fight a little traffic, I’d take exploring a new location to staying home any day.
thank you so much for this impressive site me and my class favored this contentedness and sixth sense
Awesome things here. I’m very glad to look your article.
Thank you a lot and I am looking forward to touch you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Thank you for another informative website. The
place else may just I get that type of information written in such a perfect way?
I have a project that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been on the look
out for such information.
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging,
and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something relating to this.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out some additional information.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with my
life any longer besides be a mom.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article! It is the little changes that
make the greatest changes. Thanks for sharing!
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this
website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.
I must say you have done a very good job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads super fast
for me on Internet explorer. Superb Blog!
Muust you see that the matchh isn’t going
the way you bbelieved it would, you can pull out to
lessen your losses.
Hi I’m Charles Greene youyr humble author
of nongamstopbookies.com.
With couple of exceptions, the greater the energy of women, the higher the country’s economic results.
Take a look at some of the moost effective sportsbook deposit bonuses obtainable now.
Cho changed the meeting place 3 times, asking at a single point, “U called cops?
Additionally, because these
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same
comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Thank you!
Thhe office is inn the cty centre, soo there are plenty of opportunities to socialise with colleagues
after perform.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have
found something which helped me. Kudos!
Great article.
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts
and I am waiting for your next post thanks once again.
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
I got this web page from my pal who told me about this website and now this time I am browsing this web
page and reading very informative posts at this place.
I used to be able to find good information from your blog articles.
Nice weblog here! Additionally your website quite a bit up very fast!
What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host?
I want my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand so much approximately this, like you
wrote the guide in it or something. I think that you can do with a few p.c.
to drive the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is wonderful blog.
A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
I enjoy what you guys are up too. Such clever work
and reporting! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.
Good answer back in return of this difficulty with real arguments and
telling the whole thing concerning that.