The 2016 BSFBB Awards - Billy's Cities

Presenting…the 2016 Best of San Francisco By Billy Awards! (Yeah, they’re a little late. But I’m sure you don’t mind. And after this, it’s finally on to India!)

Obviously I liked San Francisco enough to move here. But I always thought it was overrated as a sightseeing destination. Starting right away with Day 1 of my official sightseeing in San Francisco last April, I realized just how wrong I was.

Best Day

After my first day out in San Francisco, following the Barbary Coast Trail, I didn’t think any future day could beat it. San Francisco totally enthralled me on Day 1. And it didn’t hurt that the weather was uncharacteristically perfect. But once again I was wrong. One day was able to beat out Day 1.

Runner-Up: Day 1. But yup, Day 1 was pretty great. A day along the Barbary Coast Trail, featuring Nob Hill. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Day 1. But yup, Day 1 was pretty great. A day along the Barbary Coast Trail, featuring Nob Hill.

Honorable Mention: Day 5. The Richmond and the Presidio. Any day prominently featuring the Golden Gate Bridge has got to be a pretty good day! Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Day 5. The Richmond and the Presidio. Any day prominently featuring the Golden Gate Bridge has got to be a pretty good day!

Best Attraction

San Francisco has world-famous attractions like the cable cars and Fisherman’s Wharf. But setting renown aside, what really is the best take-in in San Francisco?

Runner-Up: The Golden Gate Bridge. I've been under the spell of the Golden Gate Bridge for over 30 years. So why is it only the runner-up? Maybe because I just saw the Mission's murals for the 1st time in 2016, whereas the GGB is old news for me now. Nonetheless, do not visit San Francisco without visiting the bridge like no other. (Day 5) Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: The Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve been under the spell of the Golden Gate Bridge for over 30 years. So why is it only the runner-up? Maybe because I just saw the Mission’s murals for the 1st time in 2016, whereas the GGB is old news for me now. Nonetheless, do not visit San Francisco without visiting the bridge like no other. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's most popular tourist sites. But it's no tourist trap. It's fantastic! (Day 6) Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist sites. But it’s no tourist trap. It’s fantastic! (Day 6)

Best Museum

As my hometown of Boston is quite the museum town, San Francisco has a lot to live up to. But sure enough, it’s up to the task! (San Francisco has plenty great museums. Like with every other category here, these are just the best from my 2016 sightseeing. There are more very good museums coming up that I saw in 2017.)

Runner-Up: The Beat Museum. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: The Beat Museum. (Day 2)

Honorable Mention: Chinese Historical Society of America. (Chinatown Revisited) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Chinese Historical Society of America. (Chinatown Revisited)

Honorable Mention: The GLBT History Museum. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: The GLBT History Museum. (Day 4)

Best Art

There’s one thing I learned above all else in my first season of sightseeing in San Francisco. The best art in San Francisco is free.

Runner-Up: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It's art you have to pay for, but it's worth it. (Day 3) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It’s art you have to pay for, but it’s worth it. (Day 3)

Honorable Mention: WPA murals at Coit Tower. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: WPA murals at Coit Tower. (Day 2)

Honorable Mention: "History of California" mural at the Rincon Center. (Weekday Edition) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: “History of California” mural at the Rincon Center. (Weekday Edition)

Best Architecture

The architecture that San Francisco is probably most known for is the brightly painted Victorian houses all over town. But there’s so much more than that to architecture in San Francisco.

Runner-Up: Mission Dolores. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Mission Dolores. (Day 4)

Honorable Mention: Palace of Fine Arts. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Palace of Fine Arts. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Gold Rush-era buildings of Jackson Square. (Day 1) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Gold Rush-era buildings of Jackson Square. (Day 1)

Best Historical Site

Coming from Boston, I’ve always looked down on California when it comes to sites of historical significance. In 2016, San Francisco set me straight. There’s plenty of history here.

Runner-Up: Alcatraz Island. (Day 6) Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Alcatraz Island. (Day 6)

Honorable Mention: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. (Days 1 and 6) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. (Days 1 and 6)

Best Memorial

There’s plenty worth remembering in San Francisco. Here are the best remembrances.

Runner-Up: "California Volunteers", Spanish-American War memorial. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: “California Volunteers”, Spanish-American War memorial. (Day 4)

Honorable Mention: Volunteer Firemen Memorial on Washington Square. (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Volunteer Firemen Memorial on Washington Square. (Day 2)

Honorable Mention: Pink Triangle Park. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Pink Triangle Park. (Day 4)

Best House of Worship

Here are some of San Francisco’s most inspirational places.

Runner-Up: Holy Virgin Cathedral. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Holy Virgin Cathedral. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Mission Dolores and Mission Dolores Basilica. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Mission Dolores and Mission Dolores Basilica. (Day 4)

Honorable Mention: Temple Emanu-El. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Temple Emanu-El. (Day 5)

Best Cemetery

Boston has so many great historic cemeteries. I was surprised to find out that wasn’t the case in San Francisco. Due to population growth during the late 19th century and into the 20th century, almost all of San Francisco’s dead bodies were moved outside the city. Just 2 cemeteries remain in the city. One is the San Francisco National Cemetery on the grounds of the Presidio. I only briefly saw that one from the bus as I got shuttled across the Presidio on Day 5. The other one, which I visited on Day 4, is prominently featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo”.

Runner-Up: The San Francisco Columbarium. Not what we usually think of as a cemetery as all of the remains are above ground (and cremated). (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: The San Francisco Columbarium. Not what we usually think of as a cemetery as all of the remains are above ground (and cremated). (Day 5)

Best Park (that isn’t Golden Gate Park)

I wouldn’t be hitting up Golden Gate Park until 2017. And I knew it would be ludicrous to name any other park San Francisco’s best. Hence the very specific category.

Best Park: Dolores Park. Nothing else (that isn't Golden Gate Park) comes close. (Day 4) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Best Park: Dolores Park. Nothing else (that isn’t Golden Gate Park) comes close. (Day 4)

Runner-Up: The Presidio. (Day 5) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: The Presidio. (Day 5)

Honorable Mention: Washington Square. (Days 1 and 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Washington Square. (Days 1 and 2)

Best Walk

Like Boston, San Francisco is a supremely walkable city.

Runner-Up: Barbary Coast Trail, San Francisco's answer to Boston's Freedom Trail. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Runner-Up: Barbary Coast Trail, San Francisco’s answer to Boston’s Freedom Trail.

Honorable Mention: Telegraph Hill walk (featuring the Filbert Steps). (Day 2) San Francisco, United States, North America. — Honorable Mention: Telegraph Hill walk (featuring the Filbert Steps). (Day 2)

But Wait, There’s More…

San Francisco just has too much going on. I need to spread the 2016 BSFBB Awards over 2 posts. There’s just too much! Part 2 will include (among other categories) San Francisco’s best surprises and hidden spots, the best in dining (including, of course, San Francisco’s best ice cream!), and alas, San Francisco’s biggest tourist traps.