7 Buildings That Define San Francisco's Architectural Landscape

Get familiar with the rich architecture of San Francisco.

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So much of what makes San Francisco distinct comes back to architecture. This is the city, after all, where you can still see Victorian-style apartments with quirky features painted in outlandish colors. It’s also the city defined by two bridges, the silver Bay Bridge and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge (which to most tourists’ disappointment is actually red). San Francisco also has an incredible ability to rebuild itself after catastrophic events like the 1906 earthquake. Many of its most important buildings have survived a few traumatic events of their own, making them even more valuable. Whether motivated by a classical style or an environmentally friendly goal, San Francisco’s most notable structures make the city’s architectural style diverse and exciting. These are just a few of the buildings in the city you should know.

City Hall

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Palace of Fine Arts

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Transamerica Pyramid

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Coit Tower

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Conservatory of Flowers

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California Academy of Sciences

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Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

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