San Francisco, the city of fog-shrouded hills, iconic cable cars, and a touch of tech-fueled bohemian spirit.
But look closer at the City by the Bay, and you’ll find a trove of surprising facts and offbeat secrets. Let’s dive in!
- Fortune Cookie Craze: While often associated with Chinese cuisine, fortune cookies were actually invented in San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden.
- Not-So-Golden Gate: The Golden Gate Bridge‘s iconic color isn’t gold, it’s “International Orange,” originally a practical sealant choice!
- Sourdough Obsession: Boudin Bakery, established in 1849, is credited with creating San Francisco’s beloved tangy sourdough bread.
- Cable Car Inventors: The first cable car system debuted in San Francisco in 1873, forever changing how the city navigated its steep hills.
- Birthplace of the Martini?: Many bars claim to be the origin of the martini, including one in nearby Martinez, CA, but San Francisco likes to stake its own claim.
- “Painted Ladies” Fame: The picture-perfect Victorian houses on Steiner Street, known as the “Painted Ladies,” gained even more pop culture recognition from the show “Full House.”
- It Gets Buried: Parts of old San Francisco are buried underneath the current city, remnants of ships and buildings destroyed after the 1906 earthquake.
- Emperor of the US: In the 1800s, an eccentric man named Joshua Norton declared himself “Emperor of the United States,” and the city affectionately humored him.
- Jeans for the Win: Levi Strauss & Co. got its start in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era, outfitting miners with sturdy denim jeans.
- Frisco Frowned Upon: While some locals tolerate the nickname “Frisco,” most true San Franciscans prefer you stick to “San Francisco” or “SF.”
- Fog City’s Furry Namesake: The city has a special fog named Karl, with his very own social media presence! (@KarlTheFog)
- Chinatown Power: The Chinese community played a significant role in San Francisco’s history, and its Chinatown is the oldest and largest outside Asia.
- Parrots Gone Wild: A flock of feral parrots thrives in San Francisco, adding a surprising splash of tropical color to the cityscape.
- Secret Swing at the Edge of the World: Hidden on Billy Goat Hill, you can find a swing offering a breathtaking view of the city.
- Sea Lions Take Over: The rowdy sea lions sunning themselves at Pier 39 weren’t always there. They mysteriously arrived after a 1989 earthquake!