We at Bay Curious often focus on the lesser-known corners of the Bay Area when we answer your questions about the region.
Yet for those who grew up here, it’s often the most famous attractions — the ones tourists travel continents to see — that for whatever reason, people have just never visited.
What do you wonder about the Bay Area, its culture or people that you want KQED to investigate? Ask Bay Curious.
So we asked locals on social media, “What ‘iconic’ Bay Area destination/landmark have you never set foot in?” and hundreds of you responded across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Reddit.
Read on for the local attractions that many Bay Area born-and-bred folks simply don’t go to. And, if this inspires you to finally take the plunge and check them out, we’ve got tips on making your first visit to these places.
The Winner: Alcatraz
Why would anyone want to visit a federal prison? (Tylerjswenson/Flickr)
Hands down, Alcatraz Island and its infamous former federal penitentiary was the answer we heard most.
NICO on Twitter @KQED Seriously, Alcatraz! Born & raised in SF, lived in Oakland, and Daly City. Not once in the thirty six years I spent in the bay have I ever visited Alcatraz.
Some people said they’d visited Alcatraz as a child with their school but hadn’t returned as adults. Several commenters also wondered why anyone would want to visit a prison, even a decommissioned one.
Whatever the reason, based on the overwhelming response, “never visiting Alcatraz” might have to join saying “hella” as indisputable proof of ones Bay Area credentials.
Finally tempted to try it? Be sure to plan ahead. Tickets to Alcatraz go on sale 90 days ahead of time, and they often sell out weeks in advance.
Riding a Cable Car
Cable cars have been roaming San Francisco streets for more than a century, but a lot of locals have never taken a ride. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ann whidden on Twitter @KQED @KQEDForum 13 years in SF and I’ve never been on a cable car.
Finally tempted to try it? You can use your Clipper card or the MuniMobile app to take your inaugural ride. Otherwise be sure you have the single-ride fare of $7 in exact change.
Another tip: if you’re at a super busy stop with a long line — like the Powell Street turnaround — try walking up a stop or two for a much better chance of climbing aboard.
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge
Check the weather before you head out or you might end up taking a foggy, misty walk across the bridge. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
tiffanyblu on Twitter @KQED Born here, never walked the Golden Gate and in fact never even occurred to me till a friend asked from out of town.
Finally tempted to try it? It may sound obvious, but check the weather on the bridge before you depart to avoid walking 1.7 miles (each way) in a sea of view-less fog. To be totally sure, try consulting a live bridge traffic cam.
The Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is such a mystery that plenty of locals have never been. (Gentgeen via Wikimedia Commons)
Jay Pee on Twitter @KQED Grew up in Berkeley, and have never been to the Winchester Mystery House. Didn’t hit Alcatraz until my 40th bday. I’d love to check out the Farallon Islands.
Finally tempted to try it? On Reddit, user leicanthrope offers this advice for visiting San Jose’s notorious “haunted” mansion: “Former guide here… I highly recommend going during the off-season. If you show up during spring break or the summer, they’re likely going to be absolutely slammed…During the off season, it’s much more comfortable inside the house, the tour guides aren’t as fried from giving a ton of tours back-to-back, and you’ll likely have a smaller tour group.”
The Santa Cruz Mystery Spot
It’s a mystery why so many locals have never been to the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. (Tshrinivasan via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)
wags on Twitter @KQED Though I’ve seen the bumper stickers every day, I’ve never been to The Mystery Spot.
Finally tempted to try it? As noted on Reddit, the wait times to buy tickets to Santa Cruz’s self-described “gravitational anomaly” (and premier purveyor of bumper stickers) could potentially be long on arrival or even sell out. So consider buying your tickets online beforehand.
Coit Tower
You can see it from all over the Bay Area, but how many people who live here have actually been inside Coit Tower? (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Christine Ericksson on Twitter @KQED Born and raised in San Francisco and have never been inside Coit Tower.
Finally tempted to try it? You can buy your tickets for the elevator ride to the top ahead of time, and San Francisco residents get a discount. But you don’t even need to pay to check out the 1934 murals inside the tower’s base.
The Great Depression-era murals might be even more impressive than the view from the top. (Peter Roome/Flickr)
Honorable Mentions…
Angel Island, Grace Cathedral, the Transamerica Pyramid and the Palace of Fine Arts.
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