The Four1Five

In this day in age, the idea of church actually being fun is really unheard of, but Epic Church in San Francisco really knows how to pull it off. Here are the top reasons why Epic Church is actually quite epic:

#1 The Name

The name “Epic” is meant to give a sense of awe or to show something that is monumental. Both words are true when we are talking about the Bible and the word of God. Not only is the word of God epic, but also the mission of the church, which is to see an increasing number of people in San Francisco orient their entire lives around Jesus. Nothing is more epic than the power of God.

#2 The Music

Like many modern churches, they like to play contemporary Christian music, such as Hillsong or Gungor. Epic shares the same idea, but unlike a lot of churches, in which the worship sounds like a rock concert, the Epic band makes guests feel more spiritually closer to God by letting each instrument and vocalist be heard. The sound is never over-powering and the songs always seem to hit home. 

#3 The Staff & Volunteers

Because Epic is still a fairly new church, the church itself is also fairly small. However, even with its small space, the church has a great staff and a large group of volunteers throughout. From the worship band to greeters to childcare to media production and beyond, the group of volunteers make everything at Epic Church possible.

#4 The Messages

All churches talk about the message from the Bible, but not all churches talk about the subjects that really matter, such as sin or other personal life issues. There are churches that shy away from talking about sexual sin, addiction, selfish desires, and so on. However, Epic is no stranger for telling people like it is. The only way to Christ is to change our bad habits and become true followers of Christ. The worst thing a church can do is water down the Bible to keep everyone happy. Epic wants people to be happy, but also to be saved by Christ. 

#5 The Events

Even though Epic is a small church, they certainly do have a lot of events within the church, as well as outside of it. From small groups, called Epic Groups, to special talks by guests, to events for men and women to their annual Easter egg hunt and to their city outreach team, Epic certainly does have a lot going on for them. The church serves the city of San Francisco by partnering up with local organizations: City Impact, which helps break the cycle of poverty in the Tenderloin, Bessie Carmichael school to help tutor students and provide resources to teachers and kids, and Because Justice Matter, which helps women who are victims of sexual exploitation and domestic violence. They are also partnered with international group, called United Christian Centre, in Uganda, Africa.

#6 The Pastor

Pastor Ben Pilgreen is super passionate about teaching others about Christ’s love for them. In his teachings, Pilgreen uses a lot of common modern examples to get his message across to his church members. He has a lot of love for his city and he has the desire to see it grow and change into something God wants. Pilgreen is a lot different than most pastors, because he also has the tendency to use humor during his sermon, but never strays away from the core message. His personality is warm, inviting, and he has the quality that makes people want to know him more. Each month, over 100 people visit the church for the first time. It’s exciting to see where Epic Church is headed in the upcoming years!

Nothing says American food like a nice juicy cooked hamburger! Skip all the mainstream fastfood joints and head to these places. These are our favorite hamburgers in San Francisco. If you have a favorite burger joint, let us know.

#1 Super Duper Burgers (Many Throughout SF - 783 Mission Street)

#2 Gott’s Roadside (1 Ferry Building)

#3 Polkers Gourmet Burgers (2226 Polk Street)

#4 Miller’s East Coast Deli (1725 Polk Street)

#5 It’s Tops Coffee Shop (1801 Market Street)

#6 Burger Bar (251 Geary Street - Macy’s)

#7 Cheesecake Factory (251 Geary Street - Macy’s)

# 8 Pearl’s Deluxe Burger (708 Post Street)

San Francisco is probably one of the only cities in America that has so many songs written about its history, people, culture, landmarks, and so on. Next time you’re cruising through San Francisco, take a listen to these songs:

#1 San Francisco - Scott McKenzie

Some Lyrics:

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear flowers in your hair / If you’re going to San Francisco, you’re going to meet some gentle people there / For those who come to San Francisco, Summer time will be a lovin there / In the streets of San Francisco / Gentle people with flowers in their hair

#2 San Francisco - Foxygen

Some Lyrics:

I left my love in San Francisco / That’s okay, I was bored anyway / I left my love in the room / That’s okay, I was born in LA / I left my love in San Francisco / That’s Okay, I was bored anyway

#3 Lights - Journey

Some Lyrics:

When the lights go down in the city / And the sun shines on the bay / Oh, I want to be there in my city

#4 Save Me, San Francisco - Train

Some Lyrics:

Every day so caffienated / I wish they were Golden Gated / Fillmore couldn't feel more miles away / So wrap me up return to sender / lets forget this five year bender / Take me to my city by the bay!

#5 Grace Cathedral Hill - The Decemberists

Some Lyrics:

Down to Hyde Street Pier / The light was slight and disappeared  / The air it stunk of fish and beer  / We heard a Superman trumpet / Play the national anthem

Honorable Mentions:

- We Built this City - Starship

- Sitting On the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

- I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Tony Bennett

- San Francisco - Vanessa Carlton

- Fake Tales of San Francisco - Arctic Monkeys

If you ever visit San Francisco, there are certain things you just cannot pass up on, such as the sight-seeing and abundant amount of shopping locations. However, what really makes San Francisco great is their variety of ethnic foods, specifically, Mexican food. I am so glad I live in a city that knows how to serve authentic tasting carnitas tacos, chicken enchiladas, or hot fresh chorizo. Here is a list of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Francisco:

#1 Tropisueño (75 Yerba Buena Ln)

#2 La Canasta (3006 Buchanan St)

#3 Uno Dos Tacos (595 Market St)

#4 El Metate (2406 Bryant St)

#5 Gordo Taqueria (1239 9th Ave)

#6 Tacolicious (1548 Stockton St)

#7 Las Magaritas (2801 Leavenworth St)

#8 Tacko (3115 Fillmore St)

#9 Caramba (78 2nd St)

#10 Nick’s Crispy Tacos (1500 Broadway St)

#11 Pancho’s (1639 Polk St)

#12 El Super Burrito (1200 Polk St)

Whether you live in San Francisco or not, once in a while, it’s just fun to sometimes be a tourist for a day. I believe being a tourist helps us appreciate a city more. The question is, what touristy things are you going to do when you finally get to San Francisco? Here is a list of 7 activities, so grab your cameras, because these moments will be unforgettable.

(Unfortunately, the famous Ride the Duck boat tour is permanently closed.)

#1 Big Bus Tours

If you want to see the majority of San Francisco’s biggest landmarks without having to take a MUNI everywhere, then the Big Bus Tour is what you want to do. The tour begins at Fishermans Wharf and takes you everywhere from downtown Financial District to Golden Gate Park and Marin County. There are two types of tours available: day tour and night tour. Both take you to different locations, but if you really want the full unforgettable San Francisco experience, I highly suggest taking the Panoramic Night Tour. It takes you to the Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge (Does Not Cross on Night Tour), Russian Hill, Cow Hollow, Chinatown, and makes a final stop on Treasure Island to see the city sparkle as the sun sets. It’s a great activity for a date! 

Tickets:

Standard-24hr ticket: $40.50 for Adults & $22.50 for children. 

Panoramic Night Tour: $30.00 for Adults & $20.00 for children

For more information such as other ticket prices and tours, click HERE.

#2 Rocket Boat

If you like rollercoasters or race cars, then you might want to check out the Rocket Boat. It’s a full adrenaline rush through the bay! With its sharp maneuvers and exhilarating speed, the Rocket Boat isn’t anything you’ve been on before. The ride only lasts for 30 minutes, but you’ll be glad it didn’t last any longer. Your stomach may not appreciate it. Oh, and you might get completely soaked, so you might want to avoid sitting in the back if you don’t feel like wearing wet clothes all day. However, if you are worried about your clothes getting wet, the staff does provide FREE ponchos upon request. The Rocket Boat, however, only runs seasonally from May - October.

Tickets:

Adults: $26                    Children (5-11): $18              

Junior (12-18): $22        Senior (65+): $22

For more information on the Rocket Boat, such as FAQ’s and more, click HERE.

#3 Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals & Tours

If you want to explore San Francisco a bit more freely, Blazing Saddles is a really fun way to do so. The bike rental kiosk is set up in various locations, so you have the choice to bike pretty much anywhere you like. You can bike downtown or choose to bike in Golden Gate Park. There are typically three types of bikes to choose from, depending where you are. You can choose from the Deluxe Comfort Hybrid, which is a basic bike ($9/hr or $36 for 24 hours), Comfort Tandem, which is a double seater ($15/hr or $60 for 24 hours), or Kestrel Legend, which is a bike for more extreme riders ($88 for 24 hours). 

For more information on the bike tours and rentals, click HERE.

#4 Go Car Tours

If you’ve been to San Francisco, chances are you’ve seen those little yellow go-carts driving through the city. Those are the Go Car Tours, which is an incredibly fun thing to do, especially for a first date. You can pick the cars up from various locations in the city and take various tours, although prices may vary depending on which tour you take. Prices range from $56 for a one hour tour to $210 for an all day tour. Again, this is a lot like the bike tour in which you have a bit more freedom to go anywhere you want. 

For more information on ticket prices, tours, and more, click HERE.

#5 SF Bay Cruise Adventure

Another, but more subtle, boat ride is the SF Bay Cruise Adventure. Take a look at San Francisco from the outside as you learn about its beautiful landmarks while taking a cruise through the shiny bay. It’s a one hour tour and you get to learn over 150 years of SF history. You have the choice of sitting inside or sitting outside to enjoy the San Francisco weather. 

Tickets:

Adult: $30         Child: $20

Junior: $24       Senior: $24

For $10 more, you can add on the Rocket Boat to the Bay Cruise package. Not a bad deal! 

For more information such as ticket prices, availability, and deals, click HERE.

#6 San Francisco Helicopter Tour

This is more for those people who like to live life on the edge. Passengers get to choose from 5 different tours: Vista Tour, Vista Grande Tour, Wine Country Tour, Lunch in Sausalito, Vista + Alcatraz + Hop On/Hop Off, and Dinner on the Bay. Tickets for any of these tours are definitely not cheap, but if you are able to go, then I recommend it. 

For complete ticket prices, dates, and discounts, click HERE.

#7 Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

If you’ve gone to visit Hollywood, then chances are you might have been to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. If you haven’t, the wax museum is filled with your favorite celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Audrey Hepburn, and more. In San Francisco, the museum is not only filled with Hollywood stars, but also people of Silicon Valley, such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Joe Montana of the 49ers. Enjoy two levels of taking photos with movie characters, singers, actors, and political figures. It’s definitely a fun thing to do with a group of friends! 

Also, if you bought a Big Bus tour ticket, save that ticket, because it will also get you into Madame Tussauds Wax Museum for the price of one! Can’t get any better than that!!

Photo: David Yu

Once November 1st hits, the only thing we can think about are the holidays. The gifts, the turkey, the deals, putting up the tree, and all the hate and stress that comes with preparing for all of it. It doesn’t need to be that way, though. Remember to enjoy the holidays and go out and have fun! Here are the best things to do in San Francisco this holiday season!

#1 Ice Skating

It may not snow in the Bay Area, but that doesn’t stop the city of San Francisco from putting together two large ice rinks. It’s definitely one of the best ways to kick off the holiday season. Pick from one of the two rinks, the Embarcadero or Union Square. Both open on November 4th. Both rinks are sponsored by different companies, so price and dates may vary. For price and calendar events for the Embarcadero ice rink, click HERE. For information about the Union Square ice rink, click HERE.

#2 555 9th Annual Tree Lighting

Every year, 555 California Street has a tree lighting event, which includes a free concert to the public. The event is to spread good cheer around the Financial District and to make it more family oriented. In the past, artists such as Natasha Bedingfield, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Robin Thicke have performed at the tree lighting. Also, an annual guest appearance by 49er’s Hall of Famer, Ronnie Lott. For more information on the tree lighting, click HERE.

#3 Macy's Annual Great Tree Lighting

Aside from ice skating at Union Square, Macy’s plays a huge role in the holiday season. One of the events they hold is the annual tree lighting in Union Square. This year, America’s Got Talent performer, Quintavious Johnson, will be headlining the show, along with other local artists such as Beach Blanket Babylon and San Francisco’s Boy Chorus. The event starts on November 28th at 6pm. For more information about the event, click HERE.

#4 Macy’s San Francisco SPCA Holiday Windows

One of my favorite holiday events is the SPCA Holiday Windows. This year, on November 20th, Macy’s, on the corner of Stockton and O’Farrell Street, will unveil their kittens and puppies to the public for open adoption. Last year, internet sensation Grumpy Cat made a special guest appearance to kick off the celebration and hundreds of pets were adopted by loving families for the holidays. Adoption will begin on the 20th and end January 3rd at 5PM. For information about this event, click HERE.

#5 Photo’s With Santa @ the Embarcadero 

For the first time ever, Santa Clause will be making a visit to San Francisco! Starting November 21 from 1-4PM, Santa will be in Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. Each person will get one FREE photo. For more information, click HERE.

#6 Disney On Ice: Frozen

To kick off the 29th Annual Building Lighting Ceremony & Carnival, the Embarcadero is having it’s yearly festivities for kids. There’s face painting, games, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and even Disney on Ice’s Frozen. The event is completely FREE and it all begins November 20th with the ice show beginning at 4:00PM. For more information on this event, click HERE.

#7 Tree Lighting Celebration @ Pier 39

On November 21, Disney is taking over Pier 39! That’s right, Mickey and all of his friends are coming to San Francisco to celebrate the annual tree lighting event. There’s going to be plenty of activities for the family, such as face painting, games, crafting stations, music from local artists, and, of course, a meet and greet from all of your favorite Disney characters. It all begins on November 21 and continues on November 22 from 12PM-6PM at Pier 39! For more information, click HERE. 

#8 Santa Con

The Four1Five is the online resource for everything you want to know about San Francisco and how to properly enjoy its food, culture, activities, arts, and more!

If you like to see beautiful photos of San Francisco, then you should follow these Instagram accounts. 

To see the full Instagram accounts, click the usernames.

#1 OnlyInSF

#2 NoWrongWaySF

#3 SF_Insta

#4 AdrianSky

#5 SFStateOfMind24

#6 SanFrancitizens

#7 SBDunksCarl

Photo: Ben Chrisman 

San Francisco is considered to be the ‘City of Love’ of the west coast and for a very good reason, too. It’s the city where people can’t help but fall in love in and with. With all the bright lights, artistic culture, perfect scenery, and quiet city nights, it’s not hard for San Francisco to create the perfect romantic environment. It’s no wonder why hundreds of people choose San Francisco as their city to get married in. Here are the top places in San Francisco to get married. 

To see more information about weddings and events, click the titles.

#1 Palace of Fine Arts

Photo: JJ Chen

It’s probably the number one wedding location on this list and I think you can definitely see why. Located in the Marina district, the Palace of Fine Arts is everything romantic. From its roman architecture to the green grassy knoll filled with swans, the place is straight out of a fairy-tale. If you’re going to get married here, you should definitely wait until the sun goes down. The rotunda is beautifully lit gold and there isn’t anything better than getting married underneath the stars. 

#2 City Hall

Photo: Choco Studio

When you think of city hall, I’m sure you’d never imagine a big fancy wedding taking place at such a location. Sure, there are small civil ceremonies that take place, but a full on wedding? Definitely! It’s actually more popular than you might think and more couples are getting married at city hall than ever before. 

#3 Legion of Honor

Photo: Vivian Chen

Museums aren’t just for art anymore. They now hold weddings, receptions, and other big events. If there is any museum to get married at, it’s the Legion of Honor. The location has breathtaking views and it has the most elegant, classy atmosphere. There’s nothing better than saying ‘I do’ in front of some of the worlds greatest paintings and sculptures.

#4 De Young

Photo: Jesse Leake

The same goes for the De Young. The De Young is another museum. However, this one is a little bit different, but in a very good way. The obvious fact is that you can get married inside the art museum, but where are you going to have the reception? Oh, that’s right! In the view tower!! If you want to have the best wedding reception in town, it’s definitely up in the tower. With its 360 view of San Francisco, people will be talking about your wedding for days.

#5  Academy of Sciences

Photo: Melanie Duerkopp

If you’re a paleontologist, marine biologist, astronomer, or botanist, the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is the best place for a wedding. If you’re going to have a wedding reception it might as well be under a giant skeleton of a T-Rex, right? Depending on what you like, you can choose where you want to say your vows. In my opinion, I think it would be great to get married in front of the penguins in the Africa room, but some might choose in front of the rainforest exhibit or in the aquarium.

#6 Metreon

When you think of the Metreon, you might be thinking of Target or AMC Theaters. Though it is true that the Metreon is home to the two businesses, as well as Starbucks, Super Duper, and Chipotle, the location has a floor above the theater that is exclusively for events, such as weddings. If you want to have the San Francisco wedding, then this is it. In the heart of downtown at Yerba Buena Park, you become surrounded by the city skyline and all its glory. If you want, you can even catch a movie later.

#7 The Exploratorium

What used to be located at the Palace of Fine Arts is now located at the Embarcadero and this place is FANCY! During the day, the place is open for guests to, well, explore. It’s a hands on science and tech museum for the family, but at night, corporate events, parties, and weddings take place. The space is not only huge, it’s like Donald Trump “HUGE”. This is where you want to have a party!

#8 Queen Wilhelmina Garden

Photo: Jeannie Guzis

If you want something a little more fairytale-like, then this is the spot for you. You might not know the name, but you know the windmills. The location is small, but really peaceful and beautiful. This is one of the most serine and modest wedding locations on this list. Golden Gate Park is filled with similar places with the same feel with some even more simpler.

#9 Chinese Pavilion

The best part about Golden Gate Park is that each area is completely different from the next. One minutes you’re looking at buffalo and the next you’re at a lake with boats and ducks. In between all of that is the Chinese Pavilion located between Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill. The location is a bit smaller than all the other locations here on this list, but, again, it’s all about location. The pavilion is quite small as it can probably only fit the bride and groom with some bridesmaids and groomsmen, while everyone else sits outside. On one side is Stow Lake and on the other is a flowing waterfall.

#10 Shakespeare Garden 

Photo: Allegro Photography

#1 AT&T Park’s Free Standing Room

San Francisco’s AT&T Park offers a unique viewing area that most ballparks don’t; a free standing room. To the people of SF, this is no surprise, but to visitors, this is definitely a treat. To get into the area, you do not need to buy a ticket or a pass, you do not have be there at any specific time, and you don’t even need to be a Giants fan. Before you walk in, security will be there to check your bags for unwanted items. That takes just a few seconds and once that’s done, you’re on your way in. However, there are a few things to consider once you are in. 1) You have to stand 2) you may have to stand behind other people, and 3) your view is partially impaired due to watching the game from behind a chained fence. You don’t have to stay throughout the entire game. You can leave whenever you want. The best part is that you get to stand almost directly behind right fielder, Hunter Pence. If you’re familiar with the phrase, Pence on the fence, then you know what I’m talking about when I say, “It can be a pretty cool viewing area.” Just look at the photo above.

#2 Weekday Games

While games on the weekend a lot pricier ($50+ per ticket) the weekday games are always the best way to go. Typically, a weekday ticket goes for about $15, so that’s definitely a good deal. Of course, the seats aren’t going to be directly behind the batter’s box, but it’s a great price to watch a game with all of your friends.

#3 Gametime App

Gametime is a really cool sports app that’s perfect for bargain ticket hunters. Say you want to watch a game today, but some seats are a little too expensive for your taste. The Gametime app looks out for any empty available seats and cuts the seating price in half. Also, for new loyal members, the app will give you $10 credit free to use toward a ticket purchase. You can also set the app to provide you with notifications about upcoming games so you can check ticket prices. Generally, weekday tickets are cheaper and weekend tickets are a little more, but you still save money. The app is free and is available on IOS and Android. 

#4 Know Who’s Playing Who

Though games may be cheaper on the weekdays, when it comes to weekend games, it all depends on who is playing who. For example, it’ll cost more to watch the San Francisco Giants play against the Los Angeles Dodgers than it will to watch the Giants play against the Oakland A’s. This is not me showing discrimination toward a team, but usually a team that is really good will cost more to see than a team that is not.

#5 Go to a Sports Bar/Restaurant

If you and your friend don’t want to spend the money on game tickets, then go to either a bar or a restaurant that will show the game on their television set. One place I know that is great to watch a game is at Lucky Strike on Kings Street. Across from AT&T Park, the place is not only a bar and grill, but it’s also a bowling alley. Then, there are smaller bars, such as Hi Tops on Market Street, Score! on Broadway Street, Last Drop Tavern on Powell Street, and much more. 

#6 Stream2Watch

Live streaming is somewhat of a controversial issue with the media. Some companies will allow live streaming, while others won’t. More recently, Sky News live streamed FOX’s 2015 GOP Debate. Let’s just say, FOX wasn’t too pleased with that information. However, for people, like myself who have not sold their soul to cable, I have to watch my games elsewhere. Stream2Watch is a website that live streams various sports, such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, and baseball. You go onto the website, find a sport you want to watch, and then search for the team you want to view. The site provides 2 streaming options, so just find the best one. There are some minor pop ups, but nothing serious comes from it. Once the video plays, just hit full screen and you’re good to go.

#7 AtBat App

If you’re a die hard baseball fan, then the AtBatt app is for you. It allows you to keep watch of your favorite team(s) as they play. Throughout the game, frequent push notifications will alert you tell tell you the score or any big moment that occurred while you were away. The app is partnered with MLB.com, so it allows app users to purchase MLB TV, so people can watch games on their phones, tablets, and laptops. However, there is a cheaper way to go about this. Instead of buying the entire season package, the best thing to do is purchase it toward the end of the year. As the games come closer to the end season, the price of MLB TV goes down drastically. If you don’t want to pay for the MLB TV, you can pay $19.99 for its radio service, which is even cheaper and it feels nostalgic, like I even know what that feels like.

#8 StubHub

StubHub is one of those websites that we all thank God it exists. Whether you are going to a concert or sports game, StubHub has thousands of tickets that are a bit more affordable than regular ticket sites. 

I’m a huge movie buff and if there is anything I enjoy more than watching films, it’s knowing and visiting where they were filmed. Now, just because a film or television show took place in San Francisco doesn’t mean any of it was filmed ever in San Francisco. This is true in two of the locations that I will be discussing. Also, more recently, a lot of movies are being filmed in San Francisco, even cartoons, such as Disney and Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’, so I can’t name every film. These just happen to be 10 of my favorite: 

Note: Please remember that people live in the majority of these locations, so if you do decide to visit a film site, be respectful of the homeowners.

#1 ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ House (2640 Steiner Street)

If there was anything we can remember from that 90′s, it’s the vast variety of Robin Williams films. Everything from Aladdin to Jumanji, to Flubber and Hook, Robin Williams filled the 90′s with endless laughter and entertainment. One film in particular, Mrs. Doubtfire, has gained a lot of attention because of it being filmed in a variety of places in San Francisco. However, no film location has gained so much attention than the house the characters lived in. You won’t see a lot of tourists here, but perhaps only a few stopping by to take a photo in front of the classic and unforgettable home. The majority of Williams’ early films were mostly shot somewhere in SF. The man really loved his city.

#2 ‘Full House’ House (1709 Broderick Street)

About the majority of people believe that the ‘Full House’ house is one of the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square. That is incorrect. If you recall from the shows opening sequence, the family takes a trip to Alamo Square for a picnic. The house is located on Broderick street, about 1.2 miles away from the Painted Ladies. To all the people who wish to see the house, they might come up disappointed. Unlike the house you see on television, the current owner has completely changed the exterior of the home. For example, the front door is no longer red, but dark blue. There’s a small tree blocking the left corner of the house and the owner has put up a small gate in front of the houses steps since people were literally walking up to the house to take photos. Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll see Bob Saget or any one of the original cast members visit the house. Also, as I mentioned earlier, this house was only used as an establishing shot. The show was not filmed in this home and there’s only one episode that was filmed in San Francisco; “Comet’s Excellent Adventure”.

#3 San Francisco Chronicle ‘Zodiac’ (901 Mission Street)

The film ‘Zodiac’ revolves around the true killings that occurred throughout the San Francisco area by the Zodiac Killer in the 60s and 70s. Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays a political cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, becomes obsessed with the puzzles that the Zodiac Killer leaves behind after each murder. In one of the scenes, we see Gyllenhaal’s character run across Mission Street and into the San Francisco Chronicle. It’s a very short scene, but it’s definitely a memorable one, especially for me since I walk by it almost everyday.

#4 Basketball Court ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ (920 Sacramento St (Joice St))

We remember the scene. We remember the wise words spoken from Will Smith to his son Jaden Smith, but do we know where this scene was filmed? If you go onto Instagram and search ‘Pursuit of Happyness’, you’ll most likely see a bunch of photos taken from the famous basketball court with the Transamerica building in the background. The location is actually the Donaldina Cameron House located just on the border of China Town. The place is a recreation center for the youth. If you walk by the place and don’t see the court, that’s because you’re not looking high enough. You actually have to climb some stairs to reach the basketball court, but you’ll first have to gain permission from the center to see the court, since the court is not open to the public. Depending on who’s watching the front desk, they can say yes or no to your request. Hope for the best.

#5 Davies Symphony Hall ‘Steve Jobs’ (201 Van Ness Ave.)

Danny Boyle’s ‘Steve Jobs’, not to be confused with the awful Ashton Kutcher film ‘Jobs’, focuses more on the cynical and heartless side of the Apple entrepreneur. One scene in particular is set in the Davies Symphony Hall in which Steve Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender, is hosting his “NEXT” conference. In this scene, the audience is getting rallied up to see Jobs appear on stage to announce the next, no pun intended, big thing in Apple. I’m sure you’ve seen this scene many times in the trailer. I actually had the privilege to be an extra in this scene, so I’m somewhere in that crowd. I’ll have to pause during that scene when the film comes out on DVD. But next time you go see the symphony, just remember that a film was made there.

#6 Palace of Fine Arts ‘Big Eyes’ (3301 Lyon Street)

In 2014, director Tim Burton made a film about Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), a painter with an unusual characteristic. All of Keane’s paintings were of little kids with large cartoonish looking eyes. In the film, Keane and her husband, Walter (Christoph Waltz) go to the Palace of Fine Arts to discuss art and create a little art themselves. The scene opens up with a beautiful, bright, saturated wide shot of the two actors standing with their painting easels across the lagoon facing the famous rotunda that we all know and love. The film takes place in the 60′s and we see people walking around in such fashion attire and Burton really captures the beauty of the environment. On a side note, if you go down to the Aquatic Park, near Fishermans Wharf, you’ll see Ghirardelli Square. Across from the chocolate landmark is a small gallery filled with familiar looking paintings of little kids with big eyes. That’s the gallery of painter, Margaret Keane. If you ever visit the area, be sure to check it out.

#7 AT&T Park ‘San Andreas’ (24 Willie Mays Plaza)

Godzilla once destroyed the city in 2014′s ‘Godzilla’, intelligent apes took over SF in ‘Rise/Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, and genetically enhanced cyborgs from the future demolished the Golden Gate Bridge in ‘Terminator: Genysis’. San Francisco has currently been the go-to city to be destroyed by something devastating. Remember when it used to be New York? Those were the good days. In the disaster film, ‘San Andreas’, multiple giant earthquakes demolish southern and norther California. In one of the scenes, LAFD rescue pilot, Ray Gaines (Dwayne Johnson) and his ex-wife Emma (Carla Gugino) are forced to evacuate their damaged plane before it crashes. As they fly over San Francisco, they see only one possible place to safely land; AT&T Park. Of course for any baseball fan, that’s the home of the San Francisco Giants. The two jump out of the small plane and safely parachute down onto the stadium’s field. Just moments later, the park begins collapsing and crumbling to the ground before them.

#8 ‘That’s so Raven’ House (461 Ashbury Street)

If you grew up watching the Disney Channel in the early millennium, then you’re probably familiar with the show ‘That’s so Raven’. The show starred former ‘Cosby Show’ actress, Raven-Symonè as a teenager with abilities to foresee into the future. Though the show was filmed in a studio set, like ‘Full House’, the show did use an actual house for an establishing shot. The house is located on the corner of Page and Ashbury. Not too many people know about the show or the homes location, but true fans of the show will track it down for a good ol’ fashion photo opportunity.

#9 City Hall ‘Milk’ (1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place)

The film, ‘Milk’ follows the true story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), a gay rights activist, as he pushes toward a future where gays, lesbians, and others can be accepted by society. In one scene, Milk hosts a gay pride rally in Civic Center and, eventually, he walks up the steps of City Hall to give his grand speech to the crowd. It’s one of the films most powerful scenes as we see how big of a movement Milk was starting. The audience gets a lot of low power shots of Milk with City Hall in the background to signify the true essence of San Francisco’s pride.

#10 Scottie’s House from ‘Vertigo’ (900 Lombard Street)

San Francisco is known for it’s small, but beautiful skyline. During the day, it’s a concrete jungle, but at night, the U2 song “City of Blinding Lights” comes to mind. But if you’re in the middle of the Financial District, FiDi, then it’s a bit harder to really let SF’s true beauty sink in. For this, you need to reach higher grounds. The city of San Francisco may have a lot of buildings and houses, but it also has a lot of hills. I’m not talking about Powell Street hills or even the Hyde Street hills, which I will discuss in another blog for the steepest street hills in San Francisco. These are places outside of downtown, so this list will not include Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Rincon Hill or any other viewpoint in the main part of the city. Also, I am excluding Buena Vista Park and Mt. Sutro, due to both views being obstructed by trees and I’m also not including recreational parks, such as Dolores Park. If there are any summits that I missed, please feel free to comment and write your favorite viewpoint. For now, here are the top 7 summits to truly admire San Francisco (height included):

#1 Twin Peaks (922′)

This is no surprise that this is the number one lookout point in San Francisco. No matter where you are situated in SF, you can always see Twin Peaks in the distance. From atop, people really do have a front row seat to the City by the Bay. To the north is the Golden Gate Bridge, to the east is SOMA, FiDi, Castro, Russian Hill, and pretty much the entire heart and soul of SF. To the south is the Mission District, Bernal Heights, Bayview, the Dogpatch, and Hunter’s Point. If you’re going to Twin Peaks, be sure to bring a coat. It may be warm on the ground, but once you get to the top, that wind will be blowing all over the place.

#2 Bernal Heights (475′)

Just south of Twin Peaks is Bernal Heights, a great little hilltop for dog walkers and wildlife. A lot of people are familiar with Folsom Street, because it’s usually the exit you take immediately after you get off the Bay Bridge. However, if you decide to take Folsom road to the very end, the road will eventually turn into Bernal Heights Boulevard. When you reach the top, you will get to see a great view of the Inner Mission, SOMA, Glen Park, Portola, Hunter’s Point, and more. Similar to Twin Peaks’ Sutro Tower, Bernal Heights also has a communication tower. It doesn’t have an actual name, but standing at only 50′, the tower has been nicknamed Sutrito, meaning Little Sutro. However, what makes Bernal Heights so famous might not be its lookout point, but its single swing that hangs from a thick tree branch. Yes, people can actually sit on a functioning swing and oscillate over the hillside. It’s perhaps the most photographed activity on the hill. 

#3  Corona Heights (520′)

Located just outside of the Castro is Corona Heights. It’s a bit of a smaller summit, but it definitely has an amazing view of the city. It’s a great hill to go to before making your way to Twin Peaks. It’s rocky environment makes the hill even more interesting, because the rocks that you step on are typically from the Mesozoic era. That’s right! Dinosaurs! Sometimes, tiny fossils, known as micro-fossils “single cell creatures” can be found in such rocks, but think of the hill as a piece of history rather than a lookout spot.

#4 Mt. Davidson (928′)

It may not be as famous as Twin Peaks, but it certainly is a lot higher than the famous lookout point. In fact, it is the highest natural lookout out point in San Francisco making Mt. Davidson truly iconic. Two things make this place so memorable: 1) The Cross. The 103′ foot concrete cross rises through the trees and can be seen from the streets of West Portal. There has been much controversy over the cross, but regardless of the controversy, the cross is here to stay. It was built several times after being destroyed, but in 1935, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt had the concrete cross act as a permanent structure to honor the first pilgrims of San Francisco. 2) Clint Eastwood. A lot of people are familiar with Clint Eastwood’s films, such as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. One film in particular, Dirty Harry, was actually filmed on top of Mt. Davidson. Aside from the structure and movie location, the site does have a great view of San Francisco and should not be missed. 

#5 Tank Hill (587′)

Rumor has it that there used to be a tank on top of the hill, hence the name “Tank Hill”, but that’s just a rumor. In my opinion, Tank Hill is like a mix between Corona Hill and Bernal Heights. It’s a great place to have a picnic and see the city. It’s located just to the north of Twin Peaks. 

#6 Billy Goat Hill (Height Unknown)

Billy Goat Hill is definitely an interesting place. First of all, the name, “Billy Goat Hill”. Did the hill actually contain goats? Whether it did or not, the hill is a great place to see the city. At the end of Castro Street, you are greeted by a tall green grassy hill. Hike up half way and you’ll have a great view of Downtown SF and Bernal Heights across the way. Speaking of Bernal Heights, Billy Goat Hill has a familiar looking item; a swing. Yup, Billy Goat Hill also has a swing that actually gets altered from time to time. You might be swinging on a tire, a plank of wood, or even an orange traffic cone. It’s a great place for a photo with friends and once you are done with the swing, you can continue up the hill. 

#7 John McLaren Park (Height Unknown)