38 Fun Facts and Things You Didn’t Know About San Francisco

1. Golden Gate Bridge’s almost had black and yellow stripes

The Golden Gate Bridge, an engineering marvel, was originally planned to be painted black with yellow stripes by the U.S. Navy. However, the striking “International Orange” color we see today was chosen by the architect, and it has become an iconic symbol of the city.

Visitor takeaway: If the fog rolls in, that orange isn’t just pretty—it’s part of why the bridge stays visible.

2. Alcatraz’s Hot-Water Showers

Alcatraz, the notorious federal prison, offered hot-water showers to prevent prisoners from getting used to the colder climate and attempting escape. Despite this, no prisoners successfully escaped from the supposedly “escape-proof” prison.

Visitor takeaway: When you tour the cellhouse, details like this make the “escape-proof” legend feel even more real.

3. Al Capone, the Dancing Gangster

One of Alcatraz’s most famous inmates, Al Capone, started a band called “Rock Island” and played the banjo while imprisoned. Who knew the infamous gangster had a musical side?

Visitor takeaway: It’s the perfect reminder that even the toughest places in SF history have weirdly human stories.

4. Hills? What Hills? We have Cable Cars

San Francisco’s cable cars are the only mobile National Historical Monument. They operate at a constant speed of 9.5 miles per hour, taking you on a nostalgic ride through the city’s hilly streets. Learn more: How to Ride a Cable Car Like a Pro and 15 Fun Facts About Cable Cars.

Visitor takeaway: Even if you only ride once, you’re literally hopping onto a rolling piece of SF history.

5. How many hills? San Francisco’s Hilltops

Contrary to popular belief, San Francisco is not just defined by seven or nine hills. The city is actually built on over 50 named hills, including Russian Hill and Nob Hill, offering breathtaking views of the cityscape.

Visitor takeaway: If you love viewpoints, SF’s “extra hills” are basically a citywide scavenger hunt.

6. Chinatown Extravaganza

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the second-largest outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. With its vibrant culture and unique architecture, it’s a must-visit destination. Learn more: Top 11 Things to do and See in Chinatown

Visitor takeaway: Don’t just pass through—slow down, wander, and let the neighborhood do its magic.

7. Sea Lions of Pier 39

The adorable sea lions that bask in the sun at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf arrived after the 1989 earthquake. Initially seen as a disturbance by business owners, they have now become a beloved tourist attraction.

Visitor takeaway: If you want a classic “SF moment” with zero effort, this is it—loud, goofy, and unforgettable.

8. Presidio and Mission San Francisco de Asís

The Presidio of San Francisco and Mission San Francisco de Asís were established by Spanish colonists in 1776. They were the northernmost missions founded by the Spanish in California.

Visitor takeaway: This is one of the easiest ways to feel how deep SF history runs—without leaving the city.

9. Golden Gate Park vs. Central Park

Here’s a surprising fact—San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is actually bigger than New York City’s Central Park by 20%! It covers a whopping 1,017 acres of greenery.

Visitor takeaway: If you only “dip in,” you’re missing it—Golden Gate Park is basically a whole mini-adventure on its own.

10. San Francisco Zoo’s Furry Hero

Did you know that the grizzly bear on the California state flag owes its fame to a bear named Monarch? Monarch, a beloved resident of the San Francisco Zoo, survived the 1906 earthquake and became a symbol of resilience for San Franciscans.

Visitor takeaway: This is one of those “tell it at dinner later” SF stories—small detail, huge personality.

11. Beat Poets and more poets

San Francisco has a rich literary history. Famous Beat poets, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, found inspiration in the city. Even Robert Frost, one of America’s greatest poets, was born in San Francisco before moving to Massachusetts.

Visitor takeaway: If you love bookish neighborhoods and café energy, SF’s literary roots are still everywhere.

12. Every town needs an Emperor – We have Emperor Norton

In 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself the Emperor of the U.S., despite having no formal political power. San Franciscans embraced his imperial presence, and when he passed away, thousands lined the streets to honor his life.

Visitor takeaway: This is peak SF: a city that happily adopts the weird and makes it legendary.

13. One of 3 Japantowns in the U.S.

San Francisco is home to the largest and oldest Japantown in the United States. It’s a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage.

Visitor takeaway: If you want a neighborhood that’s fun, walkable, and culture-packed, put Japantown on your short list.

14. What do you call this place? Yerba Buena

Before San Francisco, the city was known as Yerba Buena, which means “good herb” in Spanish. It was later renamed in 1847.

Visitor takeaway: Knowing the old name makes the city’s early-era history feel a lot less abstract.

15. San Francisco’s Vibrant LGBT Community

San Francisco has a long history of being a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s been a place of acceptance, activism, and celebration, making it one of the most inclusive cities in the world.

Visitor takeaway: This isn’t just history—it’s a living part of the city’s identity you can feel in multiple neighborhoods, including The Castro.

16. Fog with a Name

San Francisco’s fog, a frequent visitor to the city, is affectionately called “Karl” #karlthefog by the locals. There’s even an Instagram account dedicated to this famous resident, with over 250K followers. Learn more about Karl

Visitor takeaway: Pack a layer—Karl shows up uninvited and doesn’t care about your itinerary.

17. It’s a bit crowded

San Francisco is one of the most densely populated major U.S. cities. San Francisco is only 47 square miles yet home to over 800,000 residents. It’s the second most densely populated city in the United States, right behind New York City.

Visitor takeaway: The upside of “small + dense” is you can experience a lot fast—neighborhood-hopping is easy.

18. We may be overcaffeinated in this Coffee Mecca

With over 300+ coffeehouses within its city boundaries, San Francisco is truly a coffee lover’s paradise. At one point one shop for every 2297 people (according to Matador Network). With a limit on big chain operators in most neighborhoods the local coffee shops are numerous and amazing. You’ll never run out of options to get your caffeine fix!

Visitor takeaway: If you’re hunting “the perfect café,” you’re in the right city—just follow your nose.

19. Tasty treats and a few culinary innovations

San Francisco is a culinary hub that has given birth to many iconic dishes. From the Cobb salad to sourdough bread and Mission burritos, the city’s food scene is both diverse and delicious.

Visitor takeaway: A “food stop” in SF isn’t extra—it’s part of sightseeing.

20. Irish Coffee Origins

The famous Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco was the first place to serve Irish coffee in the United States back in 1952. Cheers to that!

Visitor takeaway: If you want a classic SF ritual, this one comes with history (and whipped cream).

21. San Francisco’s Massive Dining Scene

With over 3,400 dining restaurants, San Francisco offers an unparalleled culinary experience. You could eat at a different restaurant every day and still have more to explore!

Visitor takeaway: Don’t overthink the “best place”—SF rewards curiosity. Pick a neighborhood and start tasting.

22. Chinese Fortune Cookies

Believe it or not, Chinese fortune cookies were actually invented in San Francisco by a Japanese resident named Makoto Hagiwara. They became popularized at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park in 1909.

Visitor takeaway: SF’s food history is full of cross-cultural twists—this is a perfect example.

23. San Francisco’s not easily depressed

While the Great Depression had a severe impact worldwide, San Francisco managed to prosper during those challenging times. Not a single bank in the city failed, and construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge continued, showcasing the city’s resilience.

Visitor takeaway: Big infrastructure = big history—knowing this makes iconic bridges feel even more meaningful.

24. San Francisco’s Resilience During Natural Disasters

San Francisco has faced its fair share of challenges, including earthquakes. However, the city has always shown remarkable resilience. Even the devastating 1906 earthquake didn’t deter San Franciscans from rebuilding and thriving. We threw a party AKA Worlds Fair and invited the world a few years later.

Visitor takeaway: If you’re into “how cities bounce back,” SF is basically a masterclass in reinvention.

25. Bell Wringing

The Liberty Bell, a famous symbol of American independence, made an appearance in San Francisco. During the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, the bell took a train tour of the city; once the exposition ended, it returned to Philadelphia.

Visitor takeaway: This is a fun reminder that SF has hosted huge “world stage” moments, not just local events.

26. Dogs vs. Children

San Francisco might have more furry friends than human children. This may be an urban legend! The city boasts approximately 10,000 more dogs than kids, showing just how much locals adore their four-legged companions.

Visitor takeaway: If you notice a lot of dogs out and about… yep. That’s kind of the vibe.

27. Strange Laws in SF

San Francisco has had its share of peculiar laws throughout history.

• In 1867, the city implemented America’s first “ugly law,” which prohibited unsightly people from appearing in public. This law has since been repealed.
• To curb dog walker records, it is illegal to walk nine or more dogs at once.
• It is also illegal to display dead bodies for commercial purposes without the written consent of the deceased.
• Pet birds, gold or other fish, or reptiles are not allowed in parks.
• Hitching or tying animals to lampposts, fire hydrants, and growing trees is prohibited.
• And yes, it is illegal to carry bread, cakes, or pastries intended for human consumption in an open basket when walking through the San Francisco streets.

Visitor takeaway: SF law history gets weird fast—this one’s a fun “did you know?” for the group chat.

28. Philo Farnsworth’s TV Invention

San Francisco is the birthplace of the first electric TV, invented by Philo Farnsworth in 1927. It paved the way for the television revolution that followed.

Visitor takeaway: SF isn’t just scenic—it’s been a surprisingly big deal in invention history, too.

29. San Francisco’s Innovative Inventions

San Francisco has been a hotbed of inventions throughout history. Not only were blue jeans and the jukebox invented here, but also slot machines, cioppino (a delicious fish stew), and even bendy straws. Innovation knows no bounds in this city.

Visitor takeaway: Next time you spot a Levi’s sign or order cioppino, you’re basically eating/wearing SF history.

30. SF has great Jeans! Levi’s Jeans

The iconic Levi’s jeans, a staple in many wardrobes worldwide, were invented in San Francisco by Levi Strauss. Originally designed for Gold Rush miners, they quickly became a fashion sensation.

Visitor takeaway: Even everyday things (like jeans) have a “born in SF” backstory.

31. Legendary Final Beatles Show

The Beatles’ last-ever concert took place at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Only 25,000 tickets were sold for the performance, which marked the end of an era for the Fab Four.

Visitor takeaway: Even if you’re not a Beatles superfan, it’s wild knowing SF hosted the end of that chapter.

32. San Francisco has many movie Connections

San Francisco has been a popular filming location for many movies. The city’s scenic beauty has been featured in numerous films, adding to its cinematic charm. Here are 25 movies to start:

• Vertigo (1958)
• Bullitt (1968)
• Dirty Harry (1971)
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
• Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
• The Rock (1996)
• The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
• Zodiac (2007)
• Milk (2008)
• The Social Network (2010)
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
• Blue Jasmine (2013)
• Ant-Man (2015)
• Steve Jobs (2015)
• San Andreas (2015)
• The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
• Big Little Lies (2017-2019) – TV series, but filmed in San Francisco
• Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
• Always Be My Maybe (2019)
• Birds of Prey (2020)
• The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
• Lovecraft Country (2020) – TV series, but filmed in San Francisco
• Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• Matrix 4 (2022)

Visitor takeaway: If a view feels “weirdly familiar,” it might be because you’ve already seen it in a movie.

33. San Francisco’s Musical Legacy

San Francisco has given birth to legendary bands like The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, and Metallica, among others. The city’s music scene has left an indelible mark on the world. (Metallica started in SOCAL but moved to the Bay Area only after the late great bass pioneer Cliff Burton agreed to join the band—only if they moved to San Francisco! We will take that as a win for the Bay Area music scene.)

Visitor takeaway: If you’re into music history, SF isn’t a footnote—it’s a whole chapter.

34. We like books – San Francisco’s Literary Heritage

From Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” to Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City,” San Francisco has been a muse for many renowned authors. The city’s unique charm and vibrant atmosphere continue to inspire writers to this day.

Visitor takeaway: Book lovers: SF is one of those cities where the “setting” is practically a character.

35. Birthplace of Famous Actors

San Francisco has been the birthplace of many famous actors, including Robin Williams, Clint Eastwood, and Danny Glover. It’s also the hometown of Rob Schneider, Liev Schreiber, Alicia Silverstone, Margaret Cho, Leslie Mann, Dianna Agron, and Cheryl Burke. Talk about a star-studded city!

Visitor takeaway: Once you start spotting SF in pop culture, you’ll notice it everywhere.

36. Not a cheap place to hang out. Great city to be wealthy.

San Francisco has 44 billionaires (maybe more now), who have a combined net worth of over 360 billion USD (definitely more now). SF has more billionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world. (changes weekly!) The San Francisco Bay Area has 4 of the 10 most expensive counties in the United States. The city also has a higher percentage of homes costing above $1 million than anywhere in the U.S including Billionaires Row.

Visitor takeaway: It’s a complicated city—beautiful, expensive, iconic—and that contrast is part of what makes it fascinating.

37. San Francisco’s Sports Legacy

The city boasts a rich sports history, with successful teams like the San Francisco Giants (baseball), the Golden State Warriors (basketball), and the San Francisco 49ers (football). The local sports culture runs deep, and fans are passionate about their teams.

Visitor takeaway: If you catch a game or even just the energy around one, you’ll see a whole different side of SF.

38. San Francisco’s Love for Nature

Despite being a bustling metropolis, San Francisco is surrounded by natural beauty. From the majestic redwoods of Muir Woods to the stunning coastal views of Point Reyes, nature is always within reach for San Franciscans looking to escape the urban jungle.

Visitor takeaway: You can do “city morning + redwoods afternoon” here—few places pull that off.