Exploring the City by the Bay: Executive Edition

For many executives, traveling for business is just another day on the grind. Between flight schedules, important presentations and after-hours client meetings, it starts to take a toll on your mental health. To avoid getting burnt out on the road, discovering the hidden gems in the City by the Bay is a great way to take a breather, since common tourists attractions can be as chaotic and busy as a typical day in the office.

For the sake of keeping your sanity in check, we're revealing five of San Francisco's best kept secrets for a uniquely memorable experience outside of the business world:

The Institute of Illegal Images

2475 Mission Street

San Francisco, California 94110

Some art can be misconstrued as strange, but the art at the Institute of Illegal Images, also known as the "LSD Museum," is straight up weird, which makes it intriguing and a must-see attraction in San Francisco's Mission District. Located in the Victorian home of psychedelic art collector, Mark McCloud, you’ll find the planet’s largest collection of blotter art by private appointment only. The collection is comprised of more than 33,000 sheets of LSD that has been carefully curated into a post-modern art form.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

56 Ross Alley

San Francisco, California 94108

Tucked away on Ross Street in San Francisco’s Chinatown, trust your nose to lead the way. Since 1962, this tiny Chinese factory has been quietly luring people in with its fresh aroma of freshly baked fortune cookies. It’s mesmerizing to see this recognizable cookie made from scratch, fortunes inserted, and cookies folded by hand. Don’t miss out on this rarity, and witness the presence of an old school factory in our technologically advanced times.

Prelinger Library

301 8th St #215

San Francisco, California 94103

Book worms will appreciate this independently owned library. If you have an afternoon free during their limited hours, it will be easy for you to get lost in the sensational assortment of old magazines and books, because you’ll never know what delightful treasures you might discover. There’s a nostalgic charm about this hidden and quirky San Francisco’s library.

Seward Street Slides

Seward St & Douglass St

San Francisco, California, 94114

Dealing with business matters is such grownup thing to do, and sometimes, it’s nice to revisit the idea of being a kid again. These slides allow you to do just that; in fact, there’s even a sign that says, “No adults unless accompanied by children." Even if it’s just for 10 fun-filled minutes, it’s a simple form of juvenile San Francisco entertainment that’s not slammed by tourists.

Bourbon and Branch

501 Jones St

San Francisco, California 94102

A modern day San Francisco speakeasy? You should already be sold with just that! You’ll need to make a reservation at least a week in advance for dinner, and if you just want to access the bar, an online reservation is required before arrival to receive the password. Without it, you won’t even make it through the random and nondescript door. Once you make it through, you’ll enter through a revolving bookcase and can enjoy quality drinks made in their truest form from their amazingly large cocktail and hard liquor selection. The library is open to the public, but it’s a “standing only” area with a limited drink selection, so you won’t grasp the entire experience.