Barbary Coast Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barbary Coast Trail |
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Special markers implanted in the sidewalk trace the path of the trail
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| Length | 3.8 mi (6.1 km) |
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Established | 2000 |
| Trailheads | Old Mint to Fisherman's Wharf |
| Use | Walking, History |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Sights | 20 historical sites |
| Surface | Concrete |
The Barbary Coast Trail is a special walking path in San Francisco, California. It connects many important historical places and museums. You can follow the trail by looking for about 180 bronze markers and arrows. These are set right into the sidewalk! The trail is about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long.
The trail helps you learn about San Francisco's past. It focuses on the time from the California Gold Rush in 1849 to the big Earthquake and Fire of 1906. During this time, San Francisco grew from a small village into a very important port city.
You can find many cool spots along the trail. These include the Old Mint, which is a national landmark. You'll also see Union Square, Maiden Lane, and Old St. Mary's Cathedral, a very old church. The T'ien Hou temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in the United States that is still in use.
Other stops include the Wells Fargo History Museum and the place where the Pony Express once had its main office. You can also explore Jackson Square Historic District. This area has the last buildings left from the Gold Rush and Barbary Coast times. The trail also leads to The Old Ship Saloon, Coit Tower, and Fisherman's Wharf. Don't miss the SF Maritime National Historical Park, which has many old ships. Finally, you'll reach Ghirardelli Square, famous for chocolate!
At both ends of the Barbary Coast Trail, you can catch the Hyde-Powell cable car. The cable car system itself is a national historic landmark.
History of the Trail
The Barbary Coast Trail was created by a historian named Daniel Bacon. He worked with the San Francisco Historical Society to make it happen. The trail first opened in May 1998.
When it first started, the trail used painted pictures on the ground as markers. Over time, these painted markers were replaced. Daniel Bacon and an artist named Jim Blair designed new bronze medallions. By 2015, about 180 of these special bronze markers had been placed along the trail.
Exploring Major Trail Sites
The trail has many interesting stops. Here are some of the main places you can visit, starting from the southern end:
- San Francisco Mint: This historic building once made money for the United States.
- Market Street: A busy main street in San Francisco.
- Union Square: A popular public plaza, great for people-watching and shopping.
- Maiden Lane: A charming street with shops and cafes.
- The Dragon Gate: The grand entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown.
- Tin How Temple: A beautiful and historic Chinese temple.
- Wells Fargo History Museum: Learn about the history of banking, transportation, and the Gold Rush.
- Hotaling Building: A historic building that survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.
- Vesuvio Cafe: A famous cafe known for its connection to writers and artists.
- City Lights Bookstore: A legendary independent bookstore.
- Washington Square: A lovely park in the North Beach neighborhood.
- Coit Tower: A tall tower offering amazing views of the city and the bay.
- Fisherman's Wharf: A lively area with seafood restaurants, shops, and sea lions.
- Hyde Street Pier: Home to historic ships that you can explore.
- Buena Vista Cafe: Famous for popularizing Irish Coffee in the United States.
- San Francisco cable car system: Ride one of the city's iconic cable cars.
