Spite House

Broadway and Crist
Alameda, CA 94501

Andrew B. writes: The actual house is a bit of a let down.  It's just a really, really thin house (supposedly the thinnest in the country).

The fun part is sharing the legends of the Spite House, which are usually pretty absurd.

The legend I tend to spread is that one…

Alameda Annual Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest

Crown Memorial Beach
Alameda, CA 94501

Gwen H. writes: FREE to enter, FREE to view.
FUN to participate!
It's on Saturday, June 9 this year. 41st annual.

Bay Farm Bike Bridge

Otis Dr & Fernside Blvd
Alameda, CA 94501

Andrew B. writes: The bike bridge is hot!

Like the Eiffel Tower, it was touted as an expensive monstrosity during and just after its construction.  Originally allotted $1 million, the budget eventually reached $3.5 million, and caused an uproar amongst Alameda pundits.…

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park
Neighborhood: East Oakland

2465 34th Ave
Oakland, CA 94601

Rinky A. writes: Peralta Hacienda Historical Park is a six acre community park located in the Fruitvale area of Oakland.  I just learned of this place during a recent Spring visit when they were having a special event.

From their website:

The Peralta Hacienda…

Flood Building
Neighborhood: Union Square, SOMA

870 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Catherine H. writes: The Flood Building is a grade dame of San Francisco real estate. Built in 1904, it was one of the few large buildings to weather the 1906 earthquake largely in tact, and its beautiful gray  facade still brings a level of turn of the century class to…

Broderick-Terry Duel

Lake Merced
San Francisco, CA 94199

J-M R. writes: The Last Duel in San Francisco, and one that changed the course of lawmaking in this state.

Senator David Broderick and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California David Terry fought over slavery, and Terry had been defeated for nomination to…

I-Hotel

868 Kearney St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Ann Leslie V. writes: "THE PEOPLE UNITED, WILL NEVER BE DIVIDED!"

For those of you who are unfamiliar with I-Hotel, here's a wiki: http://en.wikipedia.or... and a YouTube clip: http://youtube.com/wat...

I wish I could write to you all I know about the I-Hotel and how much…

Hunter-Dulin Building
Neighborhood: Financial District

111 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94104

Meave G. writes: Sometimes my job makes me want to die. Going to work every day in this beautiful building mitigates it.

Welcome to historical preservation. The Hunter-Dulin Building, completed in 1926, is the only building in the city "with Romanesque and French…

Marin County Civic Center

3501 Civic Center Dr
San Rafael, CA 94901

mnypny b. writes: I'm in a sentimental mood today, so I'm gonna do this one a little early...

It's weird. It's cool. And in my household, it's often referred to as 'The Temple of Doom'.

This is where St. Hubbins and I ended up one afternoon a few years ago, fresh off…

Bank of America

300 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94402

Wei H. writes: Compared to the BoA near Hillsdale Mall, this one is much bigger, with many more tellers to help the line moving along in blazing speed. I have never waited more than 5 minutes in this bank any time any day.   Remember we Are talking about BoA !!

If…

Camp Herms

1100 James Pl
El Cerrito, CA 94530

Heather C. writes: Tucked away in the El Cerrito hills behind Arlington Park is Camp Herms - home to Cub and Boy Scouts alike.  Today, I attended an Eagle Scout ceremony for a good friend of my brother, who will himself be receiving his Eagle Scout in a couple weeks.…

Sanchez Adobe

1000 Linda Mar Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044

Nivek M. writes: Historic adobe and former residence of San Francisco alcalde (mayor) Don Francisco Sanchez, this reportedly oldest building in San Mateo County (dating from the 1840s) houses a little museum with a friendly volunteer staff and a nice selection of…

Kohler & Chase Building

26 O'Farrell St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Nivek M. writes: Most people probably never notice this building but sitting across the street today at Cafe Madeleine I spent some time looking up at it and noticing the very cool architecture and the variety of design motifs on the facade.

A little googling reveals…

Mission San Rafael Arcangel

1104 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Irene S. writes: i was pretty sure this was the weirdest mission i'd ever been to.

why was it in the middle of everything, where were the grassy knolls distinguishing it from the rest of the world? why was it so loud? was that a school? why was the gift shop the…

The Stoop
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

1607 Broderick
San Francisco, CA 94115

Adam E. writes: This is one of the greatest and well-hidden gems in the city. Conveniently across the street is a very nice liquor store where you can get 40's of malt liquor for $2 out the door and an easy place to get a pack of smokes. All the best and brightest…

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

480 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105

Nancy R. writes: This bridge connects my two destinies: the city of my birth (Oakland) with the city I've spent most of my adult life (San Francisco). There are many reasons it sucks: Weekday mornings between 7 and 10, weekday evenings between 4 and 7, anytime after…

San Francisco National Cemetery

1 Lincoln Blvd
Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94129

Rachel C. writes: SAN FRANCISCO NATIONAL CEMETERY.  Even the sound of it is dignified, makes you need to sit up straighter in your chair, suck in that gut and tuck that chin (yes I'm an Army Brat. I know the routine).

Yet I am sure that most of the military men &…

Central Tower
Neighborhood: Union Square

703 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

Daniel C. writes: Central Tower, the art deco monolith at 3rd and Market Street. Its history is more intriguing than the building itself. The metal skeleton of this tower used to belong to the old "Call Building," the home of a newspaper called "The Morning Call."

The…

Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge

Interstate 280
North of Route 92
San Mateo, CA 94402

Nelson R. writes: This beautiful, award-winning bridge must be seen from below to be appreciated.  This I-280 bridge spans the gap over the famous Crystal Springs Dam, which holds all the waters of the San Andreas Lakes and Valley, which holds the drinking water for…

Mount Olympus

400 Upper Ter
San Francisco, CA 94117

Chad C. writes: Although it's true that in it's present condition of disrepair and overgrowth - it's easy to be underwhelmed by this small park - it was, however, once an important monument and beautiful vista point in the city. One that deserves restoration and…

De Anza Expedition Camp

Arroyo Park/Arroyo Ct
Arroyo Ct/Dartmouth Rd
San Mateo, CA 94402

Nelson R. writes: This is California Historical Landmark #47.  The De Anza Expedition Camp is the campsite marker of the original Spanish De Anza Expedition, which originally and historically first discovered the San Francisco Bay.  The Expedition Campsite Marker is…

49 Mile Scenic Drive

San Francisco, CA 94199

LeSLiE W. writes: I agree totally with Eric T.  The BF and I did this drive a couple weeks ago (we're both long time San Franciscans but have always wondered about this) and it was somewhat disappointing.  

The "neighborhoodiness" of San Francisco is part of what makes…

Main Street Postal & Business Center

1630 N. Main St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Kartik G. writes: They've earned and are keeping my business. Why?

So it goes that I was returning my dish receiver and was running short on time. I stumbled across this place with my untaped Dish TV box in a hand and asked them if they did UPS pickup.

After confirming…