San Francisco, having been built on hills, has an abundance of views. Some you pay for, such as the top of Coit Tower or the bar at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. (The bar is named “Top of the Mark.” What it lacks in imagination makes up for in clarity. The bar itself is as underwhelming as the view is spectacular. But I digress….)
One of the best free views is a hidden gem that most San Franciscan’s don’t know about. And even though it is located behind a building at 400 Parnassus, on the UCSF Medical School Campus, most students and faculty don’t know about it either.
Since few people know about this panoramic view from the Pacific to downtown, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the middle distance, you will probably a choice of benches to yourself. The campus student union is close by, where you can get a snack to enjoy while you take in the view.
It is 3 blocks off of Golden Gate Park. If you don’t want to walk up steep 3rd Ave, or the slightly less steep Hillway, there is an elevator inside 35 Irving St to take you up. But I encourage you to walk if you can–that’s what the locals do.
Visit here, and you will have experienced a view 99.5% of visitors never see, and almost equal number of residents don’t know about either. Traveling, good traveling, is about getting off the usual path. And it will give you bragging rights for seeing something most people who come to San Francisco miss.
By the way, another free view close by is the DeYoung Museum Tower in Golden Gate Park.
Behind the Medical Building at 400 Parnassus is a little known view of San Francisco
Looking west toward the Pacific Ocean from behind 400 Parnassus.
Looking east toward downtown.
Benches and tables you will probably have all to yourself.
Benches to relax on while taking in the view. A quiet place away from crowds.