10 Of The Most Enchanting Man Made Wonders in San Francisco
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Julian Garr
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San Francisco is a city full of rolling hills, beautiful beaches, and awesome nature. But Mother Nature isn’t the only one making this city so wonderful. There are many man-made wonders in this quirky town that showcase innovative, iconic architecture. Here are 10 of those jaw-dropping wonders.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
A worldwide icon, the Golden Gate Bridge is considered one of the top 10 construction achievements of the 20th century. The bridge opened in 1937 and was, until 1964, the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 4,200 feet.
Stow Lake is a man-made lake in Golden Gate Park with a rich history that dates back to 1893. Stow Lake surrounds the prominent Strawberry Hill, now an island with an electrically pumped waterfall.
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The Transamerica Pyramid has become one of the many symbols of the city. The Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest skyscraper west of Chicago from 1972 to 1974.
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A standout architectural gem atop Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral features beautiful stained glass, two labyrinths, three organs, a 44 bell carillon, and a grand mural depicting San Francisco’s history.
To build the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, there needed to be a 76-foot wide, 56-foot high bore tunnel, the largest in the world, dug through a shale hill on Yerba Buena and connected the East and West bridge sections. The idea of a bridge was conceived during the Gold Rush, but construction did not start until 1933.
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Located atop the California Academy of Sciences building, this man-made wonder features millions of plants that help regulate the temperature and light in the building below, catch excess rainwater, and serves as an oasis for birds and insects.
One of the unforgettable symbols of the city of San Francisco, Coit Tower offers a breathtaking view of San Francisco and the Bay. Coit Tower was built in 1933 on top of Telegraph Hill. Within its walls are a series of murals created by 26 different artists during the 1930s.
Often referred to as The Rock, Alcatraz has served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963. Alcatraz was home to the Pacific Coast’s first lighthouse, too. Now it's one of San Francisco's most popular tourist attractions.
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Cable cars were the answer to transporting most residents around town through an innovative series of underground grips and pulls. The cable cars are the world’s last hand-operated public transit. In 1964, they were named the first moving National Historic Landmark.
The Palace of Fine Arts is a celebrated and distinct structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Built around a small artificial lagoon, the Palace of Fine Arts features a central rotunda reminiscent of classical settings in Europe.
Did we miss a spot? Let us know. Also, if you’re interested check out 11 Reasons Why San Francisco Is The Best City.
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