November 11, 2005
Ask anyone, the twins are just “The Twins”. They walk alike. They talk alike. But most of all, they look and dress exactly alike, and would not have it any other way. Vivian and Marian Brown are always ready to stop and chat, always ready with a pair of matching smiles and wrist-up hand-waves worthy of a pair of queens … whether you find them cute or creepy, they are among the most photographed icons in all of San Francisco, and have developed an almost cult-like following.
It’s somewhat ironic that almost forty years ago these two journeyed all the way across a continent to San Francisco, the ultimate destination for those seeking to express their own snowflake-like individuality, only to make a mark on the town by being … identical.
Thanks to Retail for the use of the track “Lipstick”, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.
42 responses to “#34: The San Francisco Twins”
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Sparkletack was the blog and podcast of a guy obsessed with diggin' up San Francisco history. The site is on permanent hiatus.
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November 13, 2005 at 1:10 pm
I visit San Francisco annually but i’ve never encountered the twins, i’ll certainly look out for them on my next visit!
I listen to Sparkletack (via my iPod) in England, keep up the good work!
Alan Clements
November 13, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Yet another excellent cast. Next time I’m in San Francisco I’ll be keeping an eye out for these two!
November 14, 2006 at 1:11 pm
I am relieved to hear the twins are still around. I haven’t seen them in over two years and was beginning to wonder.
Thanks for producing such a great show about the city I know and love.
December 13, 2005 at 1:11 pm
When I was working as a bank teller at the Bank of America on Powell and Market in the late 70s (now it’s a clothing store!), the Twins were frequent visitors. They were always delightful!
December 26, 2005 at 1:12 pm
I used to work at 101 California street (we called it the giant beer can) and saw the twins a few twins a fewtimes a week, to be honest I didn’t think they were still here…
I found your site listed in Budget Travel Glad I checked it out. i love San Francisco history — it’s one of the reasons I came to visit and ended up moving!
June 1, 2007 at 9:37 pm
The twins can be found around Union Square frequently. Apparently on Fridays, they eat at Scala’s Bistro on Powell LSLtreet.
September 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I just discovered your podcast a few weeks ago and am staying up late listening. I can’t thank you enough for the work you do. The subject matter is my favorite (this City), the writing is superb; on a par with your voice work. I will support you with a donation and ideas. I’m on the Board of Directors of the California Historical Radio Society and the SF Bay has a long history in radio broadcasting, with Doc Herrold in San Jose and all the many national celebrities who got their starts here. There’s also possibly a story about Remler radio, the one manufacturer of radio sets during the ‘Golden Age’ (the Remler factory over on Bryant Street is just now being converted to modern use). Please, please keep up the wonderful work.
March 1, 2008 at 8:35 pm
It was on my last day in San Francisco and just when I thought I had seen ever sight the city had to offer I encounter the fantastic twin sisters all in red and leapord! I felt I had just seen an living icon. Madonna who? Paris who? Britney is what?
It is all about Marian and Vivian Brown. Those ladies show how to really work it and work it with class!
May 12, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Hi, Saw the twins at Vito’s Pizza, corner of Bush and Powell. Dressed in matching outfits with the leopard hats and coats and blue rhinestones, they were sitting at the window drawing quite a few looks from the onlookers. They eat there each Monday night we hear. What a treat for us to meet them.
June 17, 2008 at 5:27 am
I saw the twins while having dinner in Uncle Vito’s Restaurant in May. I have a photo of them with myself which I would like to pass on to them. Is there an email address which I could attached the picture. Thanks Belinda
June 17, 2008 at 10:04 am
@Belinda: I’m afraid I don’t have an email address for the Brown twins!
I’d suggest contacting Dave Dubiner (the owner of Uncle Vito’s) and emailing the photo to the Browns c/o his restaurant.
You could also email the photo to me, and I’ll post it with your comment above. Can’t say for sure that they’ll see it, but the rest of us would enjoy it!
richard (at) sparkletack.com
July 5, 2008 at 8:36 am
Hi:
I ran into the Brown twins at the Nob Hill Cafe on June 27, 2008. Apparently, every Tuesday and Friday evening they have dinner there at a window table. The twins posed for a picture but they asked that I mail a copy to them. They said they don’t have an e-mail account but gave me their ‘card’ with their picture and address on it. I am not sure I should post their address here. Richard if you contact me directly, I can provide it and then you can pass it on to Belinda. I can also e-mail you the picture I took if you would like to post it.
July 6, 2008 at 1:29 am
@Karolee:
I’d be happy to pass that address on to Belinda — just send it to me at richard(at)sparkletack.com.
—
Here’s Karolee’s photo … thanks for sharing!
July 6, 2008 at 10:06 am
@ Belinda:
Send me an email and — thanks to Karolee — I’ll happily send you their mailing address.
August 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi! I am hosting a dinner in SF for about 40 people from out-of-town and would love to have the Twins make and appearance at the party. I want to give my guests a REAL SF experience. Dinner will be in a restaurant in North Beach. I would love to get their contact information or you can give them mine. You can email me theirs or send me an email and I will send you my contact information to give to them. Thanks very much!! I think they are adorable. Laura-Jean
August 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm
@ Laura-Jean:
Sounds like quite a project, but since (as I understand it) the Twins don’t make appearances without going through their agent, it may be an expensive proposition.
I’ll send you their mailing address, but people! Let’s not make a habit of this.
September 7, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I saw the Brown Twin’s at Walgreens last night near Union Square. They looked so dapper in their leopard skin coats and cowboy hats. They looked so cute walking arm and arm together. It’s nice to see that…
September 27, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Just got back from San Francisco yesterday and met the twins having dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. They were so fascinating and so personable and all decked out in their leopard skin coats and hats. We spent a lot of time with them listening to the story of their interesing lifes. They also gave us their card so we could send them the photo we took.
February 18, 2009 at 11:26 am
Just got back from San Fran yesterday and had the pleasure of seeing the twins on Monday night at Uncle Vitos! At the time I didn’t realize how lucky we were to have seen them!
They are too cute!
June 29, 2009 at 9:17 am
I had the pleasure of meeting the twins just this Saturday night while me and a few coworkers were eating at Scala’s in Union Square. We took pics with them and chatted for a while. They were very happy to share their stories with us. What a “spunky” pair. ~Julie
July 10, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Did the twins have red wigs? If so, they were begging on Spear Street.
July 11, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I have met the pair a couple of times in San Francisco, my dad adored them (George Young).
What a pleasure it was to meet them. I hope they
are doing well, they remind me of growning up
in San Francisco and seeing ladies dress with such class.
December 13, 2009 at 5:49 pm
My birthday is the same as theirs. We were having dinner in Farallon on theirs and my birthday. I sang happy birthday to them and they gave me an autographed Farallon cookbook. We were total strangers and I thought that was so sweet. Haven’t seen them since.
March 21, 2010 at 2:21 pm
We were eating at Vito’s Pizza when the twins arrived . . . we were visiting SF and had not heard of them. We talked to them and were excited to learn of their history. THEY ARE AMAZING!!!! Think they usually eat there on Sundays and Wednesday or Thursdays.
March 25, 2010 at 11:33 am
I live in San Francisco, on the same block as the twins. Vivian & Mariame. They are such cute old ladies. They keep in shape by walking up these steep hills. If they can do it anyone can do it :) The often eat dinner at Uncle Vitos on corner of Powell/Bush.
May 19, 2010 at 12:42 pm
In 2001, I was walking down Powell and these amazing ladies were walking up toward me. I had just earlier that day found out that my wife was pregnant with twin boys. I had no prior experience with twins. Well, I just had to stop these two ladies and talk. They both gave me a great big hug and a little peck on the cheek and told me that everything would be OK and that we would enjoy these 2 babies…. Well, they were right. We had healthy identical twin boys. Meeting them on the street on the night of the day we found out we were having twins was just incredible.
August 19, 2010 at 4:53 pm
First time in SF(visiting from Nash., Tn)and ran into the Browns on our last nite at Uncle Vito’s. They were charming and adorable. Talked to them for a long time. We had no idea who they were until they told us! ha ha We loved every minute with these 2 lovely ladies. Felt like we were talking to family. SF is blessed to have these “bright spots” to make life so rich. Thanks Vivian and Marion for a lovely dinner. Will send your pictures soon! love ya
August 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I WAS IN SAN FRANCISCO, IN UNION SQUARE, THE 2ND WEEK OF AUGUST AND MET THE TWINS IN A CVS PHARMACY. MY FAMILY GOT A REAL KICK OUT OF THEM–WE HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE LOCAL CELEBS UNTIL WE GOT HOME AND GOOGLED THEM. THEY WERE VERY DEAR AND GAVE US THEIR CARD AND ALLOWED US TO TAKE THEIR PHOTO. SAN FRANCISCO WAS GOOD TO US–WE WILL BE BACK!
October 7, 2010 at 8:52 am
My Sister, Mom and Daughter ate at Scala’s on Powell last year and were lucky enough to sit directly across from them. They eat there every week without fail and we sat and chatted for quite some time! They are just adorable and a kick to chat with! Hope they are well!
April 25, 2011 at 10:53 am
Yes, when I worked in SF many years ago, I saw the twins several times downtown in the financial district. They are as distinctive as the Transamerica building and seem to enjoy themselves as much as onlookers do. They are part of San Francisco’s treasures.
June 14, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Just saw the twins for the 1st time – decked out in darling leopard jackets and cowboy hats. They were dining at Uncle Vito’s in a corner window table. When asked if we could take a photo – they nudged each other and gave us a great smile. You can sure see that they are enjoying life!!
June 27, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Another “San Francisco Twins” sighting on a chilly summer night in the city….and we didn’t even know that they were San Francisco icons! They we dressed in their famous faux leopard skin
coats and matching cowboy hats as they crossed Sutter Street in perfect step. We were on our way to Uncle Vito’s Pizza, and we knew right away that they were something special! A walking tour of Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiradelli’s and then back to
the corner of Sutter and Powell and the “Twins Sighting” before our Uncle Vito’s pizza. It was the most perfect day in San Francisco!!!!!
July 19, 2011 at 4:54 pm
I have taken a picture of them yesterday ( 18th July, 2011) on the Powell Street of San Francisco.. Great to see them…
November 6, 2011 at 9:10 pm
My husband “saved”one of them from falling while walking into their building, where we were staying. It was pouring rain. We had no idea who who they were. This occurred last night 11/5/11
November 8, 2011 at 5:53 pm
I sat down with my son’s @ Uncle Vito’s and noticed these two very special ladies sitting right next to me. I didn’t know who they were until we were leaving and I overheard someone say “Those are the S.F. Twins”. They are very charming, sweet and friendly ladies. If everyone from Kalamazoo Mi. is as nice as those two remarkable ladies, I would certainly like to visit there also.
December 21, 2011 at 9:42 am
We ran into the these beauties last night on Union Square. The were so gracious and allowed us to take a picture with them, I was so excited that when I got my phone ( camera) back I forgot to save the picture before I turned it off! I am so bummed. But just seeing them was a Christmas joy!
May 21, 2012 at 11:20 pm
I initially stayed at a place called Grosvenor Suites, when i shifted to SF. The Twin sisters used to stay there and i would often meet and exchange pleasantaries…never knew they were so famous till i came across this link!! Once i climbed the steep road with them and they chatted with me about the weather etc…they were so dignified, and so beautiful…it was a pleasure to have met them!!
January 15, 2013 at 9:30 am
I enjoyed reading the various comments here. Met them a few years ago at the Nob Hill Cafe. Wonderful experience. Sorry to see one of them pass away.
May 10, 2020 at 11:56 pm
Well, it’s years later, and these beauties are gone, but we got to know them when we stayed at the Grosvenor at least once a year with our young boys. They ladies always remembered our names! On a trip to SF for our anniversary in 1993, we ran into them at Uncle Vito’s (GREAT place!), and they invited us to their apartment for cocktails. It was a fantastic experience. Thanks for the memories!