Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012
826 Valencia is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

1. 826 Valencia

8.2
826 Valencia St (btw 19th & 20th St), San Francisco, CA
Student Center · Mission Dolores · 29 tips and reviews

Rod B.Rod Begbie: Come here and stock up on pirate flags, eyepatches, beard tonic, and anti-scurvy potion and help support the awesome kids literacy afterschool program in the back!

Paxton Gate is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

2. Paxton Gate

9.2
824 Valencia St (btwn 19th & 20th St.), San Francisco, CA
Gift Store · Mission Dolores · 49 tips and reviews

The Bold ItalicThe Bold Italic: Best known as a treasure trove of botanical prints, mounted insects, and taxidermy, the shop is actually an evolution from its original primary role as a landscape design company.

3. Institute of Illegal Images

2475 Mission St (btw 20th and 21st), San Francisco, CA
History Museum · Mission District · 2 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: The collection of artifacts from the Acid Age here is rumored to be larger than that of the DEA. Check out the lower level, a more "official" gallery of sheets and acid samples from the 60s-00s.

Prelinger Library is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

4. Prelinger Library

8.5
301 8th St Ste 215 (Folsom St), San Francisco, CA
Library · SoMa · 3 tips and reviews

Megan P.Megan P.: We are open most every Wednesday, 1 - 8 pm. Full hours online at prelingerlibrary.org. Visit us!

Balmy Alley is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

5. Balmy Alley

8.9
50 Balmy St (btwn 24th & 25th St), San Francisco, CA
Street Art · Mission District · 15 tips and reviews

Jinenne S.Jinenne Sutherland: Take the mural tour that starts at precita eyes on 24th street

Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

6. Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church

1286 Fillmore St (at Eddy St.), San Francisco, CA
Church · Fillmore District · 1 tip

Parker H.Parker H: Founded in 1982, the Church of Saint John Will-I-Am Coltrane encourages its followers to know God through weekly "sound baptisms" focusing on their patron saint's later albums. Sundays 11:45a-2:30p.

Audium is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

7. Audium

6.9
1616 Bush St (at Franklin St), San Francisco, CA
Music Venue · Cathedral Hill · 24 tips and reviews
Bohemian Club is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

8. Bohemian Club

624 Taylor St (Post), San Francisco, CA
Structure · Lower Nob Hill · 9 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: Oscar Wilde, upon visiting the club in 1882, is reported to have said "I never saw so many well-dressed, well-fed, business-looking Bohemians in my life."

Circus Center is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

9. Circus Center

9.1
755 Frederick St (Arguello Blvd.), San Francisco, CA
Performing Arts Venue · Parnassus Heights · 9 tips and reviews

Fast CompanyFast Company: Google co-founder Sergey Brin--a former gymnast--took trampoline classes here to blow off steam. He's even done the flying trapeze. (Google is #6 on Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Companies.)

10. Tobin House

1969 California St, San Francisco, CA
Structure · Pacific Heights · No tips or reviews
Lotta's Fountain is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

11. Lotta's Fountain

7.4
698 Market St. (at Kearny St.), San Francisco, CA
Fountain · Downtown San Francisco-Union Square · 3 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: San Francisco's oldest surviving monument has survived earthquakes, fires, and attempts to move it to Golden Gate Park.

Mechanics' Institute is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

12. Mechanics' Institute

8.3
57 Post St (Btw Kearny St. & Lick Pl.), San Francisco, CA
Library · Downtown San Francisco-Union Square · 15 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: The oldest library on the West Coast and the oldest chess club in the US. Take the free tour on Wednesdays at noon.

Strybing Arboretum is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

13. Strybing Arboretum

San Francisco, CA
Garden · Golden Gate Park · 2 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: The stones scattered throughout the park once made up the arches and pillars of the 12th century Cisterian monestary of Santa Maria de Ovila in Spain.

South San Francisco Wind Harp is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

14. South San Francisco Wind Harp

480 Grandview Dr, South San Francisco, CA
Sculpture Garden · East of 101 · 3 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: This 92-foot-tall sculpture is one of the world's largest aeolian harps.

Camera Obscura & Holograph Gallery is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

15. Camera Obscura & Holograph Gallery

7.3
1096 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Scenic Lookout · 9 tips and reviews

HISTORYHISTORY: Camera Obscura was built by Floyd Jennings in 1946 as an attraction for nearby Playland-at-the-Beach. About 10 years later, the building was modified to look like a camera that a tourist left behind.

Treasure Island is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

16. Treasure Island

8.0
(at California Ave), San Francisco, CA
Island · 87 tips and reviews

Windows Live Photo GalleryWindows Live Photo Gallery: On the side of the road there is a great spot to view San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz. There is also a railing that you can use to steady the camera. This is a Panoramic Stitch opportunity.

Gates Cooperative is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

17. Gates Cooperative

Sausalito, CA
Harbor or Marina · 2 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: Follow the "Private Property Enter at Your Own Risk" sign to the eccentric houseboats: a pirate ship, a floating traitor, homes built on the remnants of WWII tugs, and concrete barges.

Presidio Pet Cemetery is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

18. Presidio Pet Cemetery

Crissy Field Ave (at McDowell Ave), San Francisco, CA
Cemetery · Presidio National Park · 4 tips and reviews

The Bold ItalicThe Bold Italic: This cemetery dates back to the 1950s, and originally thought to house cavalry horses. The cemetery lot is technically full, although rumor is that people sneak in at night to bury their beloved pets. Read more.

Portals of the Past is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

19. Portals of the Past

John F. Kennedy Dr (at Transverse Dr), San Francisco, CA
Monument · Golden Gate Park · 2 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: This small columned memorial sits on the edge of Lloyd Lake as a reminder of all that was lost in the 1906 earthquake.

The Long Now Foundation Museum and Store is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

20. The Long Now Foundation Museum and Store

5.9
Fort Mason Center, Building A (Laguna & Marina), San Francisco, CA
Science Museum · 7 tips and reviews

Parker H.Parker H: Inside the Long Now offices is a small museum. Check out its centerpiece, the orrery, a modern incarnation of the planetary models that rose popularity during the Renaissance and Enlightenment.

The Parrots of Telegraph Hill is one of Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012.

21. The Parrots of Telegraph Hill

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA
Other Great Outdoors · Telegraph Hill · 2 tips and reviews

Ana Luisa A.Ana Luisa Aldana: Keep your eyes and ears open if you are walking around Telegraph Hill, Levi Plaza or the Ferry Building - you will see the flash of green and hear the merry sqwaks as they zoom by. Don't feed them th Read more.