San Francisco
Book Review
Book Review
Secret San Francisco: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
by Ruth Carlson; Reedy Press |
| cover of Secret San Francisco book with colorful page markers |
Every book shelf needs a good guide to the local area that stimulates outings and adventures. Secret San Francisco fills that bill with intriguing and informative descriptions and is packed with plenty of pictures as well.
Among my favorite factoids discovered in this well-researched guide to San Francisco gems are:
●Peephole Cinema
Hidden in an alley in the Mission District, Peephole Cinema plays an ongoing series of silent films for those who want to sit and watch through a hole in a fence.
●Mechanics’ Institute
Located downtown on Post Street, the beautiful classic building that is the Mechanics’ Institute is one of the oldest libraries in the west. The oldest continuously operating chess club in the U. S. holds meetings here, and club tournaments have hosted Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.
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| Chess Club set up at Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco |
●In 1990 the accordion was declared San Francisco’s official musical instrument. This seems appropriate since accordions were first manufactured here in 1907, and in 1915 there were no less that eight Bay area businesses producing accordions.
After years of writing about San Francisco for an assortment of publications, I know the city very well. But it seems I have still more to learn. Here are some places I discovered in this book that I will be checking out myself:
●Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel
This small Roman Catholic church built in 1981 displays more than 200 plaques memorializing local fishermen who died at sea.
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| exterior of Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel in San Francisco |
●Marrakech Magic Theater
Jay Alexander's intriguing magic performance is presented in a former speakeasy near Union Square. He’s done stints as a cruise ship performer and has entertained the likes of the Rolling Stones and the late Robin Williams. But be warned: he does consider the audience to be part of the show.
●Black Horse London Pub
Holding just 9 stools, this is the smallest bar in town. Only cash is accepted, and only beer is served (the bottles and cans are stored in a bathtub filled with ice). And some women are moved to leave their bras behind as decoration for the walls.
More ideas for exploring San Francisco and Northern California.
images ©2020: Mechanics' Institute, courtesy of venue
images ©2020: Mechanics' Institute, courtesy of venue
Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel, courtesy of Ruth Carlson
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