At the edge of McLaren Park on the southern end of San Francisco, hikers may stumble upon one of the most underrated landmarks in the city: an aquamarine water tank. The tank holds more than 300,000 gallons of water for local neighborhoods, but it also provides sweeping panoramas of the landscape. On a clear day, Sutro Tower, the skyline, Salesforce Tower, the bay and the ocean are all visible from the base of the water tower.

This fantastic street-level city view is accessible via a trip on one of SFMTA’s oldest existing transit lines: the California Street cable car. Heading east on California Street, the cable car takes passengers downhill for a view of the Bay Bridge framed on either side by high-rise buildings.

A one-way hike from the Legion of Honor museum toward Lands End is rewarded with a gorgeous view down at the secluded Mile Rock Beach. The area boasts a beautiful vista of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Plus, there’s a nearby labyrinth that heightens the sense of having escaped San Francisco.

Twin Peaks can be found in virtually all San Francisco guidebooks, but locals know that Mt. Davidson is the best, most laid-back spot to see a grand panorama of downtown and beyond. This underrated vista, the tallest natural point in San Francisco, provides a wider view of the city and shows off more of its southern end.

The Mosaic Stairway (also called the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps) combines three things San Francisco is best known for: art, urban staircases and stunning views. The steps are located to the east of Grandview Park in Golden Gate Heights and look out over the Sunset District toward the Pacific Ocean. The climb to the top is peppered with beautiful mosaic flowers, making the journey up almost as rewarding as the view itself.

For a less strenuous adventure with equally enchanting views, try the San Francisco Bay Ferry going from Alameda into the city. As the boat pulls into the Ferry Building from underneath the Bay Bridge, leaving a white wake behind it, you’re treated to a classic photo op that never gets old.