{"id":14071,"date":"2023-10-23T08:26:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T12:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/?p=14071"},"modified":"2025-06-11T00:59:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T04:59:08","slug":"quirky-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco","title":{"rendered":"9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A wacky town full of offbeat sites, quirky San Francisco is alive and well  these days. After all, it was once home of the Barbary Coast, a neighborhood in what is now the Financial District that was born with the advent of the Gold Rush, and home to ample amounts of Wild West debauchery and disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About a century later, the hippies made the City by the Bay the Bohemian capital of North America, as they thumbed it here looking to find a groovy vibe and a chill aura. Today, the city may be dominated by the tech scene, but underneath it all you can still find that original bohemian and quirky San Francisco that people know and love. You just have to know where to look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/boudin-sourdough-sf-resize-1024x702.jpg\" alt=\"A worker at Boudin Bakery proudly displays a loaf of bread in the shape of a crab.\" class=\"wp-image-12548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/boudin-sourdough-sf-resize-1024x702.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/boudin-sourdough-sf-resize-600x412.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/boudin-sourdough-sf-resize-768x527.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/boudin-sourdough-sf-resize.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In an other city, just fresh sourdough bread would be enough, but in San Fran, it has to be a massive, crab-shaped sourdough bread. Quirky\u2014and delicious.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So if you\u2019re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. And don\u2019t miss these great off-beat sites in the city. After all, Mark Twain famously said: \u201cSan Francisco is a city of startling events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Insider&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> Once you&#8217;ve seen the quirky side of San Francisco, there&#8217;s more to see! Keep the adventure tour going by checking out our list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/unique-things-to-do-in-san-francisco\">8 Unique Things To Do In San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #443d47;color:#443d47\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #443d47;color:#443d47\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Golden_Gate_Fortune_Cookie_Factory\" title=\"Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory\">Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Golden_Gate_Park_Bison\" title=\"Golden Gate Park Bison\">Golden Gate Park Bison<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Hua_Zang_Si\" title=\"Hua Zang Si\">Hua Zang Si<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Institute_of_Illegal_Images\" title=\"Institute of Illegal Images\">Institute of Illegal Images<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Lands_End_Labyrinth\" title=\"Land\u2019s End Labyrinth\">Land\u2019s End Labyrinth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Mission_Dolores_Cemetery\" title=\"Mission Dolores Cemetery\">Mission Dolores Cemetery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#The_Tonga_Room\" title=\"The Tonga Room\">The Tonga Room<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill\" title=\"The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill\">The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\/#Yoda_Statue\" title=\"Yoda Statue\">Yoda Statue<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Golden_Gate_Fortune_Cookie_Factory\"><\/span><strong>Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortune cookies were an American invention. Located in a small alleyway in Chinatown, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goldengatefortunecookies.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory<\/a> is one of the oldest of its kind. The Chang family have been running the factory since 1962.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortune-cookie-1024x667.jpg\" alt=\"Fortune cookie\" class=\"wp-image-14079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortune-cookie-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortune-cookie-600x391.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortune-cookie-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortune-cookie.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Who doesn&#8217;t love fortune cookies? This place makes it even better with personalized fortunes! Photo credit: Filipe Garcia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today visitors can take a tour of the factory and even buy fortune cookies in different flavors. One extra cool perk: you can order cookies in advance and have your own personally written fortunes in them. Which is great because, let\u2019s face it, when was the last time you got a note in a fortune cookie that wasn\u2019t kind of trite? Now is your chance to put something truly philosophically profound in a fortune cookie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Golden_Gate_Park_Bison\"><\/span><strong>Golden Gate Park Bison<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No one really expects to encounter some massive buffalos while strolling around Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. But walk long enough and you\u2019ll come face to face with an American bison. A herd of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bison-san-francisco-e1697791209867-1024x643.jpg\" alt=\"two bison\" class=\"wp-image-14081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bison-san-francisco-e1697791209867-1024x643.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bison-san-francisco-e1697791209867-600x377.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bison-san-francisco-e1697791209867-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bison-san-francisco-e1697791209867.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seeing bison in San Francisco&#8217;s Golden Gate Park is definitely a surreal experience. Photo credit: Josefine S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The bison of Golden Gate Park came to be in 1891 when the park superintendent purchased one and named it \u201cBen Harrison.\u201d A female buffalo, named \u201cSara Bernhardt,\u201d arrived a couple of years later and, as is the case, baby bison suddenly appeared. Today the (fenced-off) herd of bison peacefully roam around a large prairie in the park and visitors can gawk at these enormous beasts for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hua_Zang_Si\"><\/span><strong>Hua Zang Si<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in a once-abandoned Lutheran church in the Mission District,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huazangsi.org\/en\/home.php\"> Hua Zang Si<\/a> is one of the most unique and beautiful Buddhist temples in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Hua-Zang-Si-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Hua-Zang-Si-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Hua-Zang-Si-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Hua-Zang-Si-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Hua-Zang-Si.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the most unique Buddhist temples in the country, Hua Zang Si is a must-see in San Fran. Photo credit: Anomalous_A<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a Buddhist, they welcome you in to the temple to meditate. And if you\u2019re not a Buddhist, they also welcome you in the temple to have a look around. Huang Zang Si is the only Buddhist temple in the United States that has relics of the Buddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Institute_of_Illegal_Images\"><\/span><strong>Institute of Illegal Images<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Institute of Illegal Images is not exactly what you think it might be. Also known as the \u201cBlotter Barn,\u201d this museum is actually Mark McCloud\u2019s vast collection of decorated LSD blotter art. It is, in fact, the world\u2019s largest collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/blotter-art-1024x511.jpg\" alt=\"page with red drawings\" class=\"wp-image-14085\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Blotter art certainly has its place in San Francisco&#8217;s long history of LSD use. Some of the art work is really impressive. Photo credit: St. Albert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in McCloud&#8217;s Mission District home, the museum displays acid tabs from the 1960s to the present, some of which have images of Mickey Mouse or were designed by legendary underground comic artist R. Crumb. Admission is free but visitors must make an appointment first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lands_End_Labyrinth\"><\/span><strong>Land\u2019s End Labyrinth<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located on the Land\u2019s End trail at the northwest portion of the San Francisco peninsula, the Land\u2019s End Labyrinth is a fascinating art installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lands-End-Labyrinth-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lands-End-Labyrinth-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lands-End-Labyrinth-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lands-End-Labyrinth-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lands-End-Labyrinth.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Land\u2019s End Labyrinth  is certainly worth a stop on your San Francisco tour. The views are incredible. Photo credit: Jen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Middle Ages, European cathedrals often installed large labyrinths on the church floor to act as a symbolic pilgrimage for the faithful who could not travel to the Holy Land. Today people use them\u2014and this one in particular\u2014as a kind of walking meditation. It\u2019s a great way to quiet the mind and get in touch with your inner self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mission_Dolores_Cemetery\"><\/span><strong>Mission Dolores Cemetery<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Attached to the San Francisco Mission, the oldest building in the city (from 1776), the Mission Dolores Cemetery is one of the few gravesites left in San Francisco and the oldest of its kind in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Mission-Dolores-Cemetery-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"statues in cemetary\" class=\"wp-image-14088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Mission-Dolores-Cemetery-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Mission-Dolores-Cemetery-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Mission-Dolores-Cemetery-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Mission-Dolores-Cemetery.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mission Dolores Cemetery is attached to the San Francisco Mission, the oldest building in the city. Photo credit. Dennis Brumm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today visitors can see the graves of thousands of members of the Ohlone tribe, as well as some of the city&#8217;s founders and a hodgepodge of criminals, assassins, businessmen, and mayors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Tonga_Room\"><\/span><strong>The Tonga Room<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 1945, this jewel of a tiki bar has been providing escapism for San Francisco locals and visitors alike. Located in the bowels of the Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairmont-san-francisco.com\/dine\/tonga-room-hurricane-bar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Tonga Room<\/a> is as aesthetically pleasing on the eyes as the tropical drinks are for the palate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Tonga-Room2-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Tonga-Room2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Tonga-Room2-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Tonga-Room2-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Tonga-Room2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Tonga Room is a must on any trip to San Francisco. You really can&#8217;t find anything else like it in the city! Photo credit: Wieland Van Dijk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Tiki bars emerged after World War II when US soldiers who\u2019d been stationed in the South Pacific returned with a yen to re-capture South Pacific vibes. The Tonga Room is the undisputed queen of tiki. The kitsch here goes a long way, complete with waterfalls, fake thunderstorms, bamboo huts with thatched roofs, and all sorts of faux-Polynesian nicknacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill\"><\/span><strong>The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you first see them, you might be thinking you\u2019re having an LSD flashback from your visit to the Institute of Illegal Images. But your eyes are seeing it right: a flock of colorful wild parrots make Telegraph Hill their home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Wild-Parrots-of-Telegraph-Hill-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Wild-Parrots-of-Telegraph-Hill-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Wild-Parrots-of-Telegraph-Hill-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Wild-Parrots-of-Telegraph-Hill-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Wild-Parrots-of-Telegraph-Hill.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Strolling through Telegraph Hiill is a  wonderful way to enjoy a sunny day in San Fran. Photo credit: torroid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The theory is that a pair of pet parrots escaped their cage and settled around<a href=\"https:\/\/sfrecpark.org\/facilities\/facility\/details\/Coit-Tower-290\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a>Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. Soon enough, they began to multiply. And now you can stroll up this enchanting hill\u2014already an attraction in its own right\u2014and gawk at this sometimes boisterous flock of exotic wild parrots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yoda_Statue\"><\/span><strong>Yoda Statue<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tucked away in the verdant and tranquil Presidio National Park is a beloved statue. It\u2019s no surprise that the park is also home to LucasFilm headquarters. And so strollers will come upon a statue of a Jedi knight. Nope, not Luke Skywalker. It\u2019s even better: Yoda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/yoda-statue-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/yoda-statue-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/yoda-statue-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/yoda-statue-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/yoda-statue.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Don&#8217;t miss this beautiful statue of Yoda in Presidio National Park. Photo credit: eling008<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The small statue is in the courtyard of Building B. Maybe it will remind you of one of his famous Buddhist-ish quotes: \u201cFear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, if you&#8217;re looking for quirky San Francisco sites, there  are quite a lot in this amazing city. If you&#8217;re looking to keep discovering the best that The City by the Bay has to offer, don&#8217;t miss our list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/oldest-restaurants-san-francisco\">oldest restaurants in San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> &#8230; <a title=\"9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\" aria-label=\"More on 9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":14202,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[682,681],"tags":[842,840,841],"ppma_author":[667],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Exploring the City by the Bay? From labyrinths to cemeteries to wild parrots, don&#039;t miss these 9 quirky San Francisco sites.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Exploring the City by the Bay? From labyrinths to cemeteries to wild parrots, don&#039;t miss these 9 quirky San Francisco sites.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Walks Tours Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/walkstours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-10-23T12:26:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-11T04:59:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ashley-batz-betmVWGYcLY-unsplashres.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David Farley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@walks\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@walks\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"David Farley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"David Farley\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/de1fe35e0e847fbcb2ee882aab5fd9de\"},\"headline\":\"9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-23T12:26:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-11T04:59:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\"},\"wordCount\":1351,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ashley-batz-betmVWGYcLY-unsplashres.jpg?wsr\",\"keywords\":[\"odd tours in san fran\",\"quirky san francisco\",\"san fran sites\"],\"articleSection\":[\"San Francisco City Guide\",\"San Francisco Things To Do\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco\",\"name\":\"9 Quirky San Francisco Sites You Must See\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/quirky-san-francisco#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ashley-batz-betmVWGYcLY-unsplashres.jpg?wsr\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-23T12:26:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-11T04:59:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"Exploring the City by the Bay? 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