Kathleen from San Francisco

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it o...

Jun 5, 2025

The Golden Fire Hydrant San Francisco

Small but mighty

""The Golden Fire Hydrant" is literally what saved the Mission District from total destruction in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake..."

Imagine it’s April 18, 1906. There are virtually no conveniences like today. Most communications are community-based. San Francisco is rocked by an earthquake causing the city to become engulfed in flames. But that isn’t the least of your worries. There’s virtually no water in a city surrounded by it.

Fast forward to today… ninety percent of the damage to the city in 1906 was due to fires caused by ruptured gas lines and broken water mains. The Mission Dolores Park is literally across the street from the one thing that saved the Mission District from total destruction; the Golden Fire Hydrant.

Sitting on the corner of Church and 20th Streets, it was the sole operating hydrant in the area. All others were bone dry and it took neighborhood residents, exhausted firefighters, and fire engines to get enough water to fight the massive fires and save the neighborhood.

In spite of the fact that a fire hydrant is not a sentient entity, it is honored every April 18th, at 5:21 am, with a fresh coat of gold paint for accomplishing that colossal task. And it stands proudly exhibiting its very golden finish.

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years and never heard of this small, but mighty, fire hydrant. Amazing what you can find when you wander about the place you live with eyes wide open. It gives a very literal meaning to “stop and smell the roses”…er...fire hydrants.

Amsterdam

Antwerp

Art & culture

About this spot

3899 20th Street

US$

free

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

The Crab House

So much food!

"The Crab House" in San Francisco makes some of the best seafood around - and presented beautifully. It's like Fantasia, but for food!

Restaurants

Kathleen

Messmer

Jun 23, 2025

Graffiti Murals

Unbelievable

The Graffiti Murals in San Francisco, close to the Steiner end of Haight street, have been created by artists that are talented beyond imagination...

Art & culture

Music

Relaxing

Kathleen

Messmer

Jun 22, 2025

Ingleside Terraces Sundial

Largest in the US

The "Ingleside Terraces Sundial" in San Francisco is the largest sundial in the US. It's more than 100 years old & still tells the time very accurately...

Art & culture

Kathleen

Messmer

Jun 21, 2025

Church of 8 Wheels

Holy rollers unite!

This San Francisco church has a rich history... today, the "Church of 8 Wheels", created by the Godfather of Skating, is the epicenter of the SF scene...

Art & culture

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Jun 20, 2025

Talk About Stairs!

Neighborhood steps up

You might notice that each brick on this staircase at San Francisco's Coit Tower has a name written on it. Here's the forgotten story behind those names.

Art & culture

Kathleen

Messmer

Jun 18, 2025

CA Coastal Trail

Walk along the Pacific

"CA Coastal Trail" in Francisco is a calm, easy and beautiful hike that includes quite a few Bay Area landmarks - and all next to the ocean...

Relaxing

Kathleen

Messmer

Jun 17, 2025

Critical Mass

Better together

"Critical Mass" San Francisco is lots of fun and serious for some. Everyone is invited! No one is in charge! Body paint, optional.

Art & culture

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Jun 13, 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

.single-jet-popup{--wpr-bg-8222afdb-3fcf-452f-910c-47d2623eda3e: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-popup/assets/image/transparent.jpg');}.elementor-widget-jet-map .jet-map-message .jet-map-message__dammy-map{--wpr-bg-552e5334-a7dd-442b-bdf2-0d42feb01569: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-elements/assets/images/dummy-map.png');}.jet-image-accordion__item-loader span{--wpr-bg-d45bf771-b00c-47ef-b5d7-587abbe98454: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-tabs/assets/images/spinner-32.svg');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr{--wpr-bg-2197390c-b947-4a08-af8a-e0700cef82b3: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b{--wpr-bg-b37eafb9-5247-40fd-90cb-60a58ef79634: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-7ee3c3b2-d499-42df-a96f-ac7af2aaf7a8: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices li.search-choice .search-choice-close{--wpr-bg-2c69697a-926d-4376-b07d-e7e3abc6e93d: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-6fc2b966-cf24-4279-b06e-9b08263ea833: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-down span,.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-up span,.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices .search-choice .search-choice-close,.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text],.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr,.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b,.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-cb103452-7c2e-4499-93b9-eae0301b8a71: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite@2x.png');}.elementor-710 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5db2dae:after{--wpr-bg-c54f0337-7eb2-4e2d-ab4f-8312f6f3577d: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-1569b493-5401-4d59-80cb-ddb274814d6a: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-204addac-3d82-495c-b74f-b3562060dfc1: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.rll-youtube-player .play{--wpr-bg-79cb45d6-7d51-4674-8284-980a0f1bd430: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-rocket/assets/img/youtube.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-27c4d2fb-ac05-4434-8e47-f8a8fc684d46: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-a86100b4-b052-430b-8076-19d6deca3c68: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724-1024x1024.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-04ddb074-e863-48d9-a5ea-cb7dd70a86bf: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-c71db6a5-f304-4aa9-8ed6-fb5d7d68ea91: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/restaurant.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-b919c42a-a2f4-45cc-8bb9-d07df5404af3: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Man-met-Bril-3-scaled.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-1a367a23-fcb8-4260-ae12-e481c10a7a62: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/O-Ciclo-4.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-6ef785e9-4527-48bc-9f80-71d9385a6e9e: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hot-Dog-Soup-scaled.jpeg');}

Download our app