The island prison, Alcatraz. The free love revolution. The Gold Rush. The windy and steep Lombard Street. San Francisco is known for many things, all of which help make this city so unique.

But, beyond its infamous landmarks, there are stories the city tells. Stories that most people visiting the City By the Bay don’t know or simply haven't heard just yet.

Aside from the givens, like a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge or a boat ride to the infamous Alcatraz, or even snacking on chocolates from Ghirardelli, there are some places worth a visit to get a greater appreciation for the city’s colorful past.

Here are just a few of our picks for places in San Francisco to celebrate the past while enjoying the present:

Fairmont San Francisco: This palatial hotel is so much  more than just a place to gorgeous and luxurious place to tuck in at night. The entire property is full of history, much of which is actually on display in one of the hallways just off of the stunning lobby. The history of the hotel dates back to 1890 when James Graham purchased the real estate at the top of Nob Hill. When he passed away, his daughters inherited it, erecting the hotel as a monument. For just under a decade, the hotel stood proud…it survived the 1906 quake but was nearly destroyed by the subsequent fires that swept through the city.

A year after it nearly burned down entirely, the hotel was reopened. The opening is attributed to signifying the rebirth of San Francisco following the previous year’s mass devastation. In its time, many US Presidents have slept there, including Presidents Kennedy and Clinton. The site marked the first time Tony Bennett crooned to a crowd his now infamous song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Today, The Tonga Room (which was one of the first Polynesian-themed restaurants in America) is built over what used to be an Olympic training pool. It’s even been the backdrop for Hollywood films, including Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.”

Fisherman’s Wharf: A popular tourist attraction today, Fisherman’s Wharf has been popular since the Gold Rush. In its early days, Italian fisherman took their boats out here to go and catch Dungeness Crabs. For three generations, this served as the main interest of the Wharf. Now, it brings people down not only for the fresh seafood, but for other San Francisco staple experiences, like the cable cars and Ghirardelli Square.

Coit Tower: Perched atop Telegraph Hill, the art deco Coit Tower has been attracting people since it was built in the 1930s. Lillie Hitchcock, a well-known San Franciscan who worked closely with the fire fighters, wanted to make San Francisco a more beautiful city and requested its construction. The tower, which was made as a monument to firefighters, features old fresco murals, many of which depict what life used to be like in the city in its earlier days.

Haight-Ashbury: Made popular in the 1960s, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood has a very modest beginning as farms and sand dunes. With the advent of the cable car and more sound building methods, the neighborhood began to flourish in the early 20th century. When the fires swept through the city in 1906, it was one of the only areas which remained untouched. Then, in 1967, the neighborhood took on an important role in American history. It was where free love and the psychedelic scene took root. Rockers such as Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane took up residence in the old Victorian homes, and college and high school kids from across the country flocked to the neighborhood. Dubbed “The Summer of Love,” 1967 brought attention to a formerly unassuming area of San Francisco. Today, the bohemian subculture is still present.

The Cliff House: This restaurant has gone through many re-births. Built atop a cliff in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, The Cliff House was first constructed in 1863. In 1887, it was damaged when a boat ran aground on the rocks below, igniting its load of dynamite. Then, in 1894, a chimney fire once again destroyed the property. The second Cliff House was built in 1896 in the French chateau style and featured eight stories, 20 private dining rooms and plenty of space for entertaining. In 1907, it burned down again. Two years later, the neoclassical Cliff House was born of steel reinforced bars and poured concrete, helping to ensure it would not succumb again. Today, it has a popular two-story restaurant that attracts locals and visitors alike.

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Flickr: crazbabe21