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.
19 responses to “#34: the san francisco twins”
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July 2, 2008 at 8:54 am[...] article, and not just because of that little quote — Lauren hits the high spots from the Brown Twins (who refused to be interviewed by the Weekly without cash on the barrelhead) to Frank Chu (who [...]
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
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!
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.
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.
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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.