A pair of mutilated bronze octopuses slump at the base of the monument honoring California's admission to the U.S.

Alleyway plaque commemorating the death of a fictional character in The Maltese Falcon, not far from the author's home.

In this century-old literary safehouse, print is alive and well.

A library built during San Francisco's pioneer times is a student's retreat, bibliophile's sanctuary, and chess player's delight.

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling Financial District stands a unique homage to the Mayan and Beaux Arts.

Art from the latest counter-culture; kids who dye their hair blue and believe the future will be a post-apocalyptic water world.

A former hardware store near Yerba Buena is the official home of California's history.

San Francisco's oldest surviving monument and meeting place for 1906 survivors.

Early prototype for Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim.

The second building of its name to occupy this location might be the finest flatiron building in San Francisco.

Created in 1972, the famous sculptor's intricately detailed monument to San Francisco is overflowing with city landmarks.

This antique shop specializes in the history of print and design.

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.

The longest continuously operating Elk's Lodge in the country.

A mysterious painting of the self-declared Emperor of the United States watches over a local hof-brau.

This contorting sculpture is the tallest in San Francisco.

This giant head is all that remains of a once proud statue that survived an earthquake but not a fall off of a wagon.

Longtime headquarters of controversial boys' club for the world's wealthiest and most powerful.

A historic hotel that made a cameo in Hitchcock's classic film has no intention of letting guests forget its fame.

A speck of nature and art in one of San Francisco’s most notorious neighborhoods.

A nondescript building that's been functioning as a speakeasy for nearly a century and a half.

Museum on French naval history, with magnificent figureheads, a historic diving suit, and a boat used by Napoleon.

High atop the Eiffel Tower is a small apartment built exclusively to entertain the science elite and make the rest of Paris jealous.

The curious underground history of keeping Paris clean.