A good brush-up. Some you'll know, others not.
The hidden dirt roads, view points, roof gardens and public art that will make you fall in love with the city again
By Peter Hartlaub | Dec. 5, 2024 4:00 a.m. - San Francisco Chronicle
About halfway down Ohlone Way in Glen Park, walking through the drizzle on an unpaved road, I was struck by the power of secrets.
Here I was, a few blocks from the center of San Francisco, yet I felt none of the bustle of city life. Around the next corner could have been a herd of dairy cows, or an apple orchard, or the only bar in a one-stoplight town. I’ve spent most of the last five years exploring S.F. as part of my full-time job, but this was new territory. I was completely transported.
A few months ago I shared one of my favorite San Francisco secrets — the tombstones embedded in the walls of Buena Vista Park — and asked readers for their favorite local Easter eggs, neighborhood details and small charms that often get overlooked.
The result was a unifying lesson: If you listen to residents, you’ll find a city filled with country roads, hidden art and memorials to citizens whose stories still resonate. There’s beauty in the finer details. No matter how much you’ve explored, there are still new secrets to uncover, and if you open yourself up to discovery, you’ll appreciate the city even more.
So, here are 15 of the best-kept secrets in San Francisco, as recommended by staff and readers. Did we miss your favorite? Share it in our survey and it could be added to a future update.
These are 15 of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets
Greg