As a life-long San Franciscan, I enjoy finding out little tid bits about the "City That Knows How". I found this book, and thought it would make a nice Christmas gift. The varied goodies found within are interesting, and well researched. It is an entertaining way to learn some history about San Francisco. Here is the catch: When the book arrived, the box was a normal sized one, no surprize here. I opened it up to find this dinky little book, more pamphlet than book actually; the size of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Now, perhaps in my quest for cool Christmas gifts, I didn't read the fine print on the Amazon page. Anyway, if you are not a "size king or queen", get this book. You will enjoy the (here is a dead word from about 2 years ago) many factoids about Baghdad By the Bay (hey, I used "Baghdad" in a sentence that does not contain any reference to war! Neat!). Heab Caen would be happy about that.

As a life-long San Franciscan, I enjoy finding out little tid bits about the "City That Knows How". I found this book, and thought it would make a nice Christmas gift. The varied goodies found within are interesting, and well researched. It is an entertaining way to learn some history about San Francisco. Here is the catch: When the book arrived, the box was a normal sized one, no surprize here. I opened it up to find this dinky little book, more pamphlet than book actually; the size of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Now, perhaps in my quest for cool Christmas gifts, I didn't read the fine print on the Amazon page. Anyway, if you are not a "size king or queen", get this book. You will enjoy the (here is a dead word from about 2 years ago) many factoids about Baghdad By the Bay (hey, I used "Baghdad" in a sentence that does not contain any reference to war! Neat!). Heab Caen would be happy about that.

This book helped me find a lot of little known places to photograph in S.F. with stories about their backgrounds.

I finally have my heart and body in San Francisco ... and this is one book that explains why many who love the Bay can love no other city like San Francisco. A must read for those who are traveling to the Bay Area and wonder why it is the most beautiful city in the world.

I'd signed up to take a History of San Francisco class as an elective during my first two years of college. It was cancelled because there were only three students signed up that were interested and a class had to have at least 11 students in order to happen -- unbelievable!! I was deeply disappointed. Well, I think this little book covers more than I would have learned in that class, if it had taken place, a little more than 20 years ago. Next time I go home to see friends & family, I'm going to conduct my own history walking tour with this book in my pack!

I bought this little collection of fun facts about the city in the airport on my way home. I wish I had it when I was walking around SF - it makes me want to return ASAP. An excellent compilation of history and trivia that brings the place to life.