Mar 21, 2025

Stanyan Tree San Francisco

Unexpected and wonderful

"This beautiful strong tree between two apartment buildings in San Francisco just stopped me in my tracks when I saw it. It's beauty in the little things..."

In San Francisco, you could have these fleeting experiences that maybe some would recognize as either delightful or simply innocuous. I walk around all the time and am blown away by the little things. You know when some things just seem too perfect, like they could be in a movie? I had that moment when I discovered a tree in an apartment courtyard that halted me in my tracks. It may seem uninteresting to most, but I found this tree so fascinating and beautiful. Looking at how healthy it was even while being bookended by two buildings.  It had just enough space to exist.

It reminded me of a children’s book I once had. The name escapes me now. Basically, it was about a neighborhood in a city that was growing rapidly and the older cute houses were being demolished and replaced by apartment buildings. In the middle of all these high-rise buildings, one charming little old house remained. This tree reminds me of that house in the book. It’s not so much what it is, but what it represents. In this case, a bit of nature can still have such a strong presence, and I find that notion beautiful. Let this be a friendly reminder to look for the beauty in the little things.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

650 Stanyan St

US$

no-price

Find your way with 156 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Coffee in the Park

Coffee and park goers

I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

The Spire

The Presidio’s natural skyscraper

"The Spire" in The Presidio in San Francisco is one of the many reasons to come visit. A natural skyscraper, it reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Stable Cafe

SF or Italian Countryside?

I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Saint Frank Coffee

Modern coffee vibes

"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

The Mill SF

Coffee and toast, oh my!

"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Presidio Pet Cemetery

Military pets live on

TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

SPRO Coffee Lab

Coffee magic

What makes "SPRO Coffee Lab" in San Francisco and its food truck special is their specialty crafted coffee drinks & artisanal goods. It's a gem of a spot!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Pearl 6101

California Mediterranean dining

"Pearl 6161" is a restaurant in San Francisco in an old laundromat. Its Mediterranean-meets-California vibe, the high ceiling and the tiles... I'm in love!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Park Life

Fun gallery and unique store

"Park Life" in San Francisco is an art gallery space with fun arts & crafts supplies and home décor that will jazz up your home! So much to enjoy here...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Brooke

Ekdahl

May 2, 2025

Free Gold Watch

Honest old school pinball palace

When I can hear the sound of spare coins jingling, I get an itch for a real pinball fix and head to the Haight and Free Gold Watch in San Francisco...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Byron

Beach

May 1, 2025

View Deck at UCSF

Best view in Western SF

When I want to know if the fog is coming in under the GG bridge in SF, I walk over to the public deck at UCSF's Helen Diller Medical Center...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Byron

Beach

May 1, 2025

6th Ave Skate Park

Daily free roller skate party

When I am in Golden Gate Park in SF, I almost always stop for a few minutes at the 6th avenue skate park to watch the skaters dance to the music...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Byron

Beach

May 1, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to San Francisco?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

156 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Relaxing

Our team loves San Francisco

Get to know our other Spotters from San Francisco

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
64
Filters