San Francisco, California Attractions
Unusual landmarks, museums, roadside attractions, and hidden wonders in San Francisco and the surrounding area. There's plenty to see right in town, but we've also mapped hidden treasures we've discovered in surrounding cities, from Marin County to the East Bay.
New Reports
First Air Mail Flight Monument
Petaluma, California
Postal and aviation history: in 1911, a spindly biplane left Kenilworth Park and delivered mail and newspapers to Santa Rosa. Pilot Fred J. Wiseman had to land twice on the way due to mechanical mishaps.
Sights for Oddball Excursions
Bailey Art Museum - Robots of Clayton Bailey
Crockett, California
Cybernetic sculpture gallery and cabinet of curiosities for artists Clayton and Betty Bailey.
Big Mike the Muffler Man
Hayward, California
1960s vintage fiberglass Paul Bunyan statue spent career standing in front of Hayward businesses before finding a home at a local plastics fabrication business.
Battery Townsley
Mill Valley, California
World War II era coast artillery bunker restored and open once a month for tours. Big guns, nuclear pressure tests, former teen burner hangout.
Champions For Humanity: Mount Rushmore of California
Oakland, California
Giant bronze heads of 25 "champions" of peace and perseverance show sculptural solidarity in a park plaza.
Magic Bus
San Francisco, California
Trippy tour of the Summer of Love using an old bus and 21st century tech.
In and Around San Francisco
Choice field reports and tips. Or check out: Complete list of California attractions.
- Vallejo: Mare Island Naval Shipyard Museum
- San Jose: Winchester Mystery House
- San Francisco: Wave Organ
- San Francisco: Magic Bus
- San Francisco: San Francisco Dungeon
- Richmond: Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center
- Oakland: Champions For Humanity: Mount Rushmore of California
- Novato: Olompali: Miwoks, Chosen Family, Grateful Dead
- Mill Valley: Battery Townsley
- Crockett: Bailey Art Museum - Robots of Clayton Bailey
- Crockett: Crockett History: Sugar, Sturgeon, Switchboard
- Burlingame: Museum of Pez Memorabilia
- San Francisco: Comic Rockstars Toilet Seat Museum [tips]
- San Francisco: Paxton Gate - Taxidermied Mice
- San Francisco: Tonga Room
- San Francisco: Urge - Robot Mimics You
- San Francisco: Crookedest Street in the World
- San Francisco: Real Crookedest Street in San Francisco
- San Francisco: Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium [tips]
- San Francisco: Madame Tussauds
- San Francisco: Musee Mecanique
