San Francisco is a town with a truly dynamic history. We all know our cable cars from our streetcars, but did you know these 10 San Francisco fun facts? Play along and see how your San Francisco knowledge stacks up!

1. San Francisco reportedly has more dogs than children.
CristinaPessini/Flickr
Several years ago the Census and Animal Care and Control department data reflected that San Francisco had around 10,000 more dogs than children. That figure has not doubt increased since then, since the folk here just love their pooches!
2. The bear used for the image on the California State flag lived in Golden Gate Park.
Håkan Dahlström/Flickr
The bear, named Monarch, was one of the last wild grizzly bears in California. How’s that for interesting trivia about San Francisco?.
3. Alcatraz was the only federal prison to offer hot water.
David Yu/Flickr
Why? This was a strategy to prevent prisoners from trying to escape from this infamous prison into the cold San Francisco Bay.
4. Irish Coffee was popularized in Fog City.
Steve McClanahan/Flickr
In 1952, Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, brought Irish coffee to the United States after drinking it at Shannon Airport in Ireland. At the time, he worked with the Buena Vista café, which perfected the delicious drink. And of course, you can find great Irish coffee at any of the wonderful bars in the city!
5. In 1859, San Francisco citizen Joshua Abraham Norton self-declared himself the Emperor of the United States.
Tom Hilton/Skype
At Norton’s funeral, 10,000 people turned up to pay their respects. Note the picture below is not of the *actual* Emperor Norton, rather a reenactor. Nevertheless, he was one of the most famous San Franciscans back in the day.

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6. The square mileage of San Francisco varies depending on what you include.
David/Flickr
So that means it will vary whether you include Alcatraz or Treasure Island - or both! The US Census Bureau estimates San Francisco to be 46.87 square miles, while the SF Department of Public Works estimates the size to be 47.355 square miles.
7. Denim jeans were invented in San Francisco by Levi Strauss.
Wikipedia Commons
The were created for the Gold Rush miners who needed tough, comfortable clothing. For once San Francisco and not New York took the lead in fashion! Wow, there really are so many fun facts about San Francisco!
8. The Beatles performed their final concert in San Francisco.
givingnot@rocketmail.com/Flickr
This historic concert took place on August 29, 1966 at Candlestick Park, one of many iconic places that are no longer.
9. The Chinese fortune cookie was invented by a Japanese resident of San Francisco.
Wikimedia Commons
Today, you can find them all over the city's iconic Chinatown neighborhood, as well as all over the world.
Matthew Falk/Google Maps
San Franciscans absolutely LOVE their coffee houses, and you can find them almost everywhere you look. The sheer number really is remarkable for a city of this size.

How many of these fun facts about San Francisco did you already know? Did any of them really surprise you? Did we miss an interesting fun fact about San Francisco? Please let us know in the comments section below.

You can learn more about the City by the Bay on the official San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau website, as well as on the city’s Facebook page.

If you’re curious, then check out these 10 Surprising Things You Never Thought About Doing In San Francisco.

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What are some other interesting facts about San Francisco?

There are so many interesting facts about San Francisco that it will just about make your head spin! How about the fact that the cable cars here are considered a National Historical Monument? Another not so prideful fact is that the Bubonic plague epidemic in the USA occurred here in 1900.

We’re looking for San Francisco area day trips.

San Francisco area day trips and plentiful and amazing. This part of the state is so incredibly beautiful, historic, and diverse, that you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy. Among the most popular day trips are going to Napa wine country, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Bodega Bay, just to name a few.

What are some of the best restaurants in San Francisco?

We could just go on, and on and on with the longest list you can imagine, there are so many amazing restaurants in San Francisco! Whether you’re looking for the best brunch places, family-owned restaurants, the most amazing chicken wings, outstanding seafood, or more, your palate will be a happy camper here!

 

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