Before the Richmond District was all fog and quiet streets, it had something unexpected: a raucous seaside amusement park called Playland-at-the-Beach. From 1920 to 1972, the oceanfront buzzed with roller coasters, carnival games, and San Francisco’s most terrifying attraction—Laffing Sal, a cackling animatronic witch that still haunts old photos.

The real star was the Big Dipper, a wooden rollercoaster that shook the neighborhood with its rickety turns. Kids would beg for rides while parents lost money at the Fun House’s spinning floors. The whole place smelled like popcorn, saltwater taffy, and just a hint of car exhaust from the Geary streetcars that brought crowds.

Then it vanished. By the 1970s, the land became more valuable than the park. The Big Dipper was torn down (though some claim you can still find pieces in Richmond garages), and apartments replaced the arcades. Today, all that’s left is Pacific Ocean front housing (some of which have amazing views), a Muni bus lot, Safeway, and parking where screams from the rollercoaster once mixed with the crash of waves. (There are, of course, other things there, but we stuck to the big ones).

Playland wasn’t just rides – it had Topsy’s Roost, a fried chicken joint with singing waitresses on roller skates that became just as legendary as the attractions. The restaurant served up equal parts crispy chicken and dinner theater to generations of San Franciscans.

So next time you’re waiting for the 38-Geary at La Playa, picture the neon lights and carnival barkers that used to define this stretch of neighborhood. The Richmond has always been full of surprises—even when they get paved over.

You probably already knew this, but if not, now you know.

ALEXANDER CLARK

Founder | theFrontSteps Real Estate

DRE# 01339386
415-254-5351
alex@thefrontsteps.com
www.thefrontsteps.com

Richmond Resident & Local Real Estate Expert