Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
184
Fun Facts
Stump the Tour Guide
If you hear that Coit Tower was built as a memorial to the city's firemen, go ahead
and set the record straight. Although the Tower was built with funds bequeathed
by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, whose lifelong passion for firefighters helped to make
her a legend in her own time, her will stipulated only that she wished to beautify
the city she loved. The tower is not meant to resemble a fire hose nozzle, by the
way. It's just a fluted column.
So, where is the memorial to volunteer firemen paid for by Lillie Hitchcock
Coit? It's in Washington Square Park.
and the M arin Headlands beyond. Plus, the to wer houses a massiv e aerial map of S an
Francisco, so detailed that you can probably work out which building on it is your hotel.
The map has proved so popular that the museum put a gift shop in the to wer so visitors
could take home their own poster-sized version of it.
75 Tea Garden Dr.
&
415/750-3600.
www.sfgate.com/deyoung. Free admission. Tues-Sun 9:30am-5pm
(open Fri until 8:45pm). Muni: N- Judah streetcar to 9th Ave., then walk nor th on 9th Ave. into the park;
no. 44-O'Shaughnessy bus to Concourse Dr.; 74X bus.
6
Dolores Park
The city and bay vie ws over this str etch of gr een on a clear day ar e
unforgettable. After soaking in the scener y and taking a str oll through the park, walk 2
blocks north on Dolores Street until you reach
Mission Dolores
(reviewed earlier in this
chapter) at 16th and Dolores streets.
The park is bounded b y 18th, 20th, Chur ch, and Dolor es sts. Muni: F rom any Muni M etro station (the
Powell St. Station being the closest t o Union S q.) take the J- Church toward Daly Cit y. Exit on 20th and
Church sts., above Dolores Park.
Lincoln Park
One of the pr ettiest golf courses in cr eation, Lincoln P ark is situated
around the Palace of the Legion of H onor and above the entrance to the S an Francisco
Bay at Land's End. Standing in front of the museum, you can see in the distance a snip-
pet of do wntown framed within the gr een branches of fir tr ees. From here, walk w est
down the street. You'll be stunned by a postcard-perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge
from a unique perspective, as if you're entering the bay. Take a seat on one of the benches
thoughtfully placed along the street so you can survey the vista in comfort.
The park is locat ed at the nor thwest corner of the cit y. Muni: No. 18-46th Ave. bus to the Palace of the
Legion of Honor parking lot.
Top of the Mark
In 1939, the top floor of the M ark Hopkins InterContinental was
converted into a glass-walled lounge with 360-degr ee city views. During World War II,
wives and girlfriends of P acific-bound ser vicemen watched their lo ved ones' ships sail
eastward below the G olden Gate Bridge from the windo ws of the nor thwest corner—
soon nicknamed “ Weepers' Corner.” Now a r estaurant serving a pricey buffet br eakfast
and lunch Monday to Saturday, an extended champagne br unch on Sundays, and prix-
fixe dinners Friday and Saturday, as well cocktails and light snacks most evenings, the Top
sees plenty of visitors just popping up for the panoramic vie w.
Note:
After 8pm the Top
requests “smart casual” attire and does not permit minors.
