Native Daughters of the Golden West Home

03/29/2026

I need all Californians to check in ❤️

03/13/2026

Wow! I did not know that

Beneath the bustling streets of San Francisco lies a hidden fleet of 19th-century ships, remnants of the California Gold Rush era. As thousands traverse the city daily, few realize they are walking over the skeletal remains of vessels that once sailed with dreams of fortune.

During the Gold Rush of 1849, the San Francisco harbor became a "forest of masts," with over 500 ships arriving. Many of these vessels were abandoned as their crews deserted them for gold prospecting. Some ships, like the Niantic, were repurposed as warehouses or saloons, while others deteriorated, burned, or sank into the mud. To create more real estate, the city extended its shoreline by filling in Yerba Buena Cove with sand and debris, burying the ships beneath layers of landfill.

In recent years, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park has updated the original 1963 map of these buried vessels, incorporating findings from modern archaeology. Notable discoveries include the stern and rudder of the Niantic, unearthed in 1978 and now displayed in the Maritime Museum. Another significant find was made during the construction of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1993, where workers discovered the remains of the Euphemia, a ship used as a floating saloon during the Gold Rush.

These buried ships serve as tangible reminders of San Francisco's rich maritime history and the rapid development that transformed the city during the Gold Rush era.

03/13/2026

Grand Stairway, Sutro Baths, CA

The interior of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, specifically the grand stairway and vestibule area, in the late 19th or early 20th century. The Sutro Baths were a massive, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex that opened in 1896, built by entrepreneur and former mayor Adolph Sutro. After Sutro's death,in 1964, the property was sold to developers who planned to build high-rise apartments. While the building was in the process of demolition, a suspicious fire, determined to be arson, destroyed the remaining structure in June 1966. Today, only the concrete ruins of the foundation, walls, and blocked-off stairways remain. The site is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service, and is a popular spot for visitors to explore the ruins and enjoy the ocean views.

03/13/2026

Think Golden Gate Park is one of the best parks in the country? Now’s your chance to prove it. Cast your vote today for USA TODAY 10Best - Best City Park.

Spanning more than 1,000 acres of gardens, wooded trails, and open green space, this iconic San Francisco park is home to beloved attractions like the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and the serene Japanese Tea Garden.

From biking and boating to music festivals, peaceful strolls, and even a historic bison paddock, there’s something around every corner.

🔗 Help put San Francisco on top. Vote now for Golden Gate Park.
https://bit.ly/4loKcFm

03/13/2026

First trip to San Francisco? Start here 👀👇

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

There’s always a lot of love for the tulips, and the windmill, at Queen Wilhelmina’s Garden in Golden Gate Park.

03/13/2026

April Events is SF! Check it out!

April is the perfect month to visit San Francisco. Here are our top picks for festivals and events that should give you all the more reasons to visit.

03/13/2026

Fun!

03/07/2026

Great News for the NDGW Native Daughters of the Golden West Home

HOME / MEMBERSHIP Join the Victorian Alliance A Victorian Alliance of San Francisco (VASF) Membership is a rich and rewarding experience. As members, we are the stewards of the iconic San Francisco Victorians and other historical buildings throughout the Bay Area. We are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) a...