San Francisco is an iconic city known for its hilly terrain, diverse population, and attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf. The city has a varied history dating back to 1835 when the first European settlers arrived. Whether you just rented an apartment in San Francisco or you’ve lived in the city for years, brush up on your trivia skills with these San Francisco fun facts.
1. The Golden Gate Bridge wasn’t intended to be a bright orange-red color
When consulting architect Irving F. Morrow saw the steel arrive painted in an orange-red primer, he decided this was much more striking and complementary to the bridge’s surroundings. One of the proposed color combinations for the bridge was black and gold, however, and the official color of the bridge is now International orange.
Your future home is just a tap away
Explore homes with the Redfin app anytime, anywhere.
2. The electric TV was invented in San Francisco
Your future home is just a tap away
The invention of the electric television can be attributed to Philo Farnsworth, a local inventor at the time. Farnsworth is credited with creating the first working electronic television system in 1927, which used a scanning system to convert images into an electronic signal that could be transmitted and displayed on a screen.
3. The city’s infamous fog actually has its own name
It’s no secret that San Francisco is known for its foggy weather. While its origin is unclear, locals have been known to refer to the fog as Karl, who even has an Instagram account.
4. It’s home to the world’s most crooked street, Lombard Street
Whether you live in San Francisco or you’re a tourist visiting, you’ve likely taken a trip down Lombard Street. This winding road has eight hairpin turns and beautiful flower beds that give the road its famous postcard-worthy look.
5. 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. As of 2022, it’s the second most densely populated city in the United States, right behind New York City.
6. The birth of the blue jean was in San Francisco
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis invented denim jeans during the time of the Gold Rush, when they realized there was a need for durable yet comfortable clothes for miners.
7. You’ll find the country’s only moving National Historic Landmark here
San Francisco’s iconic cable cars are the world’s last manually operated cable car system with three remaining routes. These cable cars travel at just 9.5 miles per hour. So if you’re looking for a fun way to get back to your San Francisco apartment or a unique way to explore the city, consider hopping on a cable car.
8. Golden Gate Park is actually larger than Central Park
Believe it or not, Golden Gate Park actually has New York’s famous Central Park beat when it comes to size. With 1,017 acres, you’ll find sprawling green spaces, gardens, recreational sports facilities, the Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and much more.
9. San Francisco was originally called Yerba Buena
Named after a wild mint that grew in the area, the city was known as Yerba Buena, which means “good herb” in Spanish, until it was officially changed in 1847.
10. It’s home to the second-largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and the largest Japantown in the U.S.
In fact, there are only three remaining Japantowns in the United States, with the largest located in San Francisco. You’ll see stunning cherry blossoms here in the spring.
From colorful streets filled with karaoke bars and delicious dim sum spots, San Francisco’s sprawling Chinatown makes up 24 blocks.
11. The fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco
Did you know the fortune cookie was actually invented in San Francisco? According to travel blog Emma’s Roadmap, the fortune cookie was based on a Japanese recipe and reached its modern form in San Francisco. Today, you can still visit a fortune cookie factory in Chinatown. Stop by the Fortune Cookie Company to see how they make the cookies and put your own message inside.
12. San Francisco has two Chinatowns
Everyone knows about San Francisco’s Chinatown – one of the largest in the USA. Not many visitors know this and it’s not often mentioned in travel guides either but San Francisco actually has a thriving second Chinatown further east of the city. According to travel blog I Wander, Clement Street, especially the part stretching from Arguello Blvd to Funston Avenue, is home to some of the most authentic Chinese eateries in the city.
13. San Francisco’s freeway network had unintended consequences
City planners of San Francisco thought freeways within the city proper would make it easier for people to live in the city. However, as noted by San Francisco Shuttle Tours, the opposite effect of urban sprawl took hold after the freeways were built. People realized they can live outside of the city and use the freeways to get into the city quickly. It wasn’t until 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake knocked down the Nimitz freeway that the city planners realized it was not worth rebuilding.
14. San Francisco’s Baker Beach used to host the Burning Man Festival
Before it was hosted in Nevada, the Burning Man Festival took place in the City by the Bay. according to travel blog X Days in Y. Baker Beach is located at the foot of the Presidio in an area rarely seen by first time visitors. Perhaps due to the stunning sunsets, the calming vibe, and the sight of ships entering and leaving San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Beach, this strip of soft sand inspired locals in the late 80’s to celebrate their arts festival right here. After gaining much popularity, the festival was relocated to its present site.
15. San Francisco is home to a significant Chinese population
According to travel blogger Charlie Pauly, San Francisco has the largest Chinese community outside Asia, and the second largest Chinatown in the world after Manhattan.
16. The western half of the city was previously made up of sand dunes
Roam Local, a San Francisco-based tour company, notes that the western side of the city was previously 3,000 acres of shifting sand dunes known as the “Outside Lands.” This area is now occupied by the Richmond, Sunset, Haight, and Western Addition neighborhoods.
17. San Francisco is the birthplace of the Mission Style burrito
Chef Travel Guide notes that while the Mayans made a simpler version, the modern mission-style burrito is from the Mission District in San Francisco and are the inspiration national brands like Chipotle and Qdoba.
18. San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Art, rebuilt in 1964, is listed in the US National Register of Historic Places
Travel blog Flying Dawn Marie points out that the historic site was modeled after Greek and Roman architecture and created for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition, which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal.
19. You can view Bison in their natural habitat in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park
Local tour company Seaplane Adventures points out that Golden Gate Park, a 1,000+ acre park in the heart of San Francisco holds a bison paddock where visitors step back in time to when the bison roamed the park with sheep, elk, deer and other wildlife. Visitors today still view the bison in their habitat at the west end of the park.
20. You can get up close and personal with San Francisco’s trademark cable cars at the Cable Car Museum
If you want to learn more about San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, you can visit the Cable car Museum. According to the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild, you can walk downstairs to see the cables in motion under the street and watch the giant gears and machines that run the network of cables. The museum features numerous historic displays and artifacts, a gift shop and awesome photo opportunities.
21. The Golden Gate Bridge takes two years to paint
The sheer size of San Francisco’s iconic bridge can be summed up by the amount of time it takes to paint it. “The painting of the Golden Gate Bridge is a never-ending task, and takes approximately 2 years to complete from end to end” says Cheaptixtickets SF. “Given the bridge’s exposure to the harsh marine environment, including salt air and fog, it requires continuous maintenance to prevent corrosion. By the time our team finishes painting the bridge, it’s time to start over again. This ongoing process ensures that the bridge remains in top condition.”
United States
Canada