Top 10 FREE Things To-Do in SF.
Each adventure will guide you to places many locals don't know about.
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Bike across the
Golden Gate Bridge
A step-by-step guide!
RandySFO
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RandySFO
This North Beach landmark might possibly live forever. It was co-founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti in 1953 during the Beat Scene. It was the first bookstore in the US that stocked only paperback books. It’s one of the only bookstores I know of that encourages readers to hang out, lounge and read. I know of one other, but it’s in Paris – Shakespeare and Company. In fact, the owners know each other and occasionally spend time together. At one time, they had plans to trade stores and even the management, but they never did.
Both stores are fun. Both are quirky, and both are definitely worth visiting.
Ride a cable car from the foot of Powell Street, up the big hill to cross California Street at the top; then glide down the hill at a whopping 9 miles per hour. Keep going for a few blocks to make your way to the Cable Car Museum, which is known as the Cable Car Barn. You can board at the turnstyle stop which is very close to Market Street, across the street from the San Francisco Westfield Shopping Center. Often, there’s a long line for this world famous ride, but if you go early in the morning or during the week, you’ll have a shorter wait.
It’s just outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel (www.quirkysanfrancisco.com/36/the-foot-of-market-the-hyatt-regency); so while you’re in that part of the city, you can easily take advantage of those two sites since you’re so close. Be sure to at least check-out the lobby of the Hyatt Regency, which is the largest in the world (at least it was as of a few years ago … I did a quick search and see that Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel in Bangkok Thailand boasts the largest with 5 stories inside, but the Regency is over 11 stories inside; so you be the judge … either way, it’s well worth a quick peak inside for that, and a few other surprises).
If you take the California Line, just get off at the top of the hill and you can either transfer at Powell to go down the hill (to your right, as you go up the hill), but sometimes the Powell Street cars are full and since it’s only a few blocks, and it’s downhill, you could walk.
After arriving at the Cable Car Barn/Museum (Washington and Mason), you’ll notice that there’s no admission fee. It’s true, there’s no charge … as in FREE. The museum is modest, but very interesting. There are trinkets for sale, which support it. I think the two most interesting parts are the video and the machines that move the cables through the streets of San Francisco. There are two videos and the one that shows how it all works is the best one. Try to forgive that fact that it’s really old and needs to be re-done. Apparently, there are some politics behind it all, and it’s not a high profit spot; so, it sits there as it is. Donate a few bucks and maybe it’ll happen?
Once you see the video, a lot of things become very clear, such as how the cables go around corners, and how two cable car lines can cross each other. It’s a short 15 minute video and well worth seeing; so you can understand how it all works.
In addition to the video and the cables, there are books, videos, sections of cables and a variety of other little things to see or buy.
This little stop doesn’t take much time, and since it’s near Chinatown, you can leave here and walk down toward Grant Street and take in another San Francisco site. San Francisco’s population is about 30% Asian; so our Chinatown isn’t just for tourists. It’s a real part of our city that is still very active with all cultures, but mostly Asians. If you’re interested in avoiding the touristy parts, forget Grant Street, and go to Stockton Street instead. It’s filled with markets selling unique fruits and vegetables and even live frogs. Be respectful of the people there, who are there to do some serious shopping. Most of the people in Chinatown don’t like to be photographed; so again, be respectful of them and their culture. You’re in their turf.
You’ll feel like you’re in a foreign country, which can be a lot of fun. If you’re in the mood for a snack, maybe pick up a BBQ pork bun, or a 1/2 pound of BBQ pork to eat while you’re walking around. (www.quirkysanfrancisco.com/20/the-real-chinatown) Have fun!
