San Francisco architecture does not refer to a particular
architectural styleArchitectural styles classify architecture in terms of form, techniques, materials, time period, region, etc. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture. In architectural history, the study of Gothic architecture, for instance, would include all...
but to San Francisco's unique status as a major architectural landmark and epicenter. With its interesting and challenging variations in geography and topology and
tumultuous historyThe history of San Francisco, California, has been greatly influenced by its coastal location, which has made it a natural center for maritime trade and military activity...
, San Francisco is known worldwide for its particularly eclectic mix of historic,
VictorianThe term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. As with the latter, the period of building that it covers may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria after whom it is...
and
modern architectureModern architecture is art with similar characteristics, primarily the simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. The first variants were conceived early in the 20th century...
.
Icons of San Francisco architecture include the
Golden Gate BridgeThe Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S...
,
Alcatraz IslandAlcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963...
,
Coit TowerCoit Tower was built in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill in 1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the City of San Francisco; Lillie bequeathed one-third of her estate to the City of San Francisco "to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of...
, the
Palace of Fine ArtsThe Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco, California is a building originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.-History:thumb|left|260px|Painting of the Palace of Fine Arts by [[Colin Campbell Cooper]] c. 1915...
,
Lombard StreetThere are at least three famous Lombard Streets* Lombard Street , famed for its twists and turns* Lombard Street, London, leading from the Bank of England to Gracechurch Street...
,
Alamo SquareAlamo Square is a residential neighborhood and park in San Francisco, California. Both are located in the Western Addition, a part of the city's fifth Supervisorial district, and are served by several Muni bus lines including the 5, 21, 22, and 24....
, and
ChinatownSan Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in North America and one of "the largest Chinese communities outside Asia". Established in the 1840s, it is a center of Chinese culture and activity in North America, offering many venues for the arts, film, music, photography and literature...
.
- History of San Francisco, California
The history of San Francisco, California, has been greatly influenced by its coastal location, which has made it a natural center for maritime trade and military activity...
- Neighborhoods in San Francisco, California
Counting both major, well-known neighborhoods as well as smaller, specific subsections and developments, there are over 100 neighborhoods in San Francisco, California, USA.-Ashbury Heights:...
- List of tallest buildings in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area
- Painted Ladies
Painted Ladies is a term used for Victorian and Edwardian houses and buildings painted in three or more colors that embellish or enhance their architectural details. The term was first used for San Francisco Victorian houses by writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen in their 1978 book Painted...
San Francisco architecture does not refer to a particular
architectural styleArchitectural styles classify architecture in terms of form, techniques, materials, time period, region, etc. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture. In architectural history, the study of Gothic architecture, for instance, would include all...
but to San Francisco's unique status as a major architectural landmark and epicenter. With its interesting and challenging variations in geography and topology and
tumultuous historyThe history of San Francisco, California, has been greatly influenced by its coastal location, which has made it a natural center for maritime trade and military activity...
, San Francisco is known worldwide for its particularly eclectic mix of historic,
VictorianThe term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. As with the latter, the period of building that it covers may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria after whom it is...
and
modern architectureModern architecture is art with similar characteristics, primarily the simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. The first variants were conceived early in the 20th century...
.
Icons of San Francisco architecture include the
Golden Gate BridgeThe Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S...
,
Alcatraz IslandAlcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963...
,
Coit TowerCoit Tower was built in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill in 1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the City of San Francisco; Lillie bequeathed one-third of her estate to the City of San Francisco "to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of...
, the
Palace of Fine ArtsThe Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco, California is a building originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.-History:thumb|left|260px|Painting of the Palace of Fine Arts by [[Colin Campbell Cooper]] c. 1915...
,
Lombard StreetThere are at least three famous Lombard Streets* Lombard Street , famed for its twists and turns* Lombard Street, London, leading from the Bank of England to Gracechurch Street...
,
Alamo SquareAlamo Square is a residential neighborhood and park in San Francisco, California. Both are located in the Western Addition, a part of the city's fifth Supervisorial district, and are served by several Muni bus lines including the 5, 21, 22, and 24....
, and
ChinatownSan Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in North America and one of "the largest Chinese communities outside Asia". Established in the 1840s, it is a center of Chinese culture and activity in North America, offering many venues for the arts, film, music, photography and literature...
.
See also
- History of San Francisco, California
The history of San Francisco, California, has been greatly influenced by its coastal location, which has made it a natural center for maritime trade and military activity...
- Neighborhoods in San Francisco, California
Counting both major, well-known neighborhoods as well as smaller, specific subsections and developments, there are over 100 neighborhoods in San Francisco, California, USA.-Ashbury Heights:...
- List of tallest buildings in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area
- Painted Ladies
Painted Ladies is a term used for Victorian and Edwardian houses and buildings painted in three or more colors that embellish or enhance their architectural details. The term was first used for San Francisco Victorian houses by writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen in their 1978 book Painted...
External links