What is this?
In 2025 we buried a 22 pound treasure chest worth $10,000. It was brimming with gleaming ingots, currency, and San Francisco artifacts. About half the value was in gold. It was in the news. People were excited. Maybe you heard about it. But, it was found… quickly. In just eleven hours.
Anyway, we did it again.
Why again?
Same reasons as the first go... We love the lore of treasure. Pirate booty, sunken galleons, the mysteries and stories and movies… all of it. And we always hoped treasure hunting would feature more heavily in life, alongside quicksand and tattered rope bridges.
Sadly, the science seems to be out on quicksand and, thanks to modern building standards, rope bridges are stronger than ever.
Buried treasure (and the romance of real-world adventure) seems equally rare. We realized we could do something about that.
And so we did. And after last year’s quick find, we couldn’t resist one more round.
Any clues beyond the poem?
No.
Know that the treasure is within 7 miles of San Francisco’s city hall, but otherwise the words of the poem are the only clues and all you need to find the treasure. There are no additional hidden secrets, nothing to decipher in the photos, nor any secret code on this website.
Any additional guidance?
No technical equipment is required to locate the treasure, but you’ll probably want a shovel.
We have a wonderful city and the privilege to explore it. If you go out hunting with friends, and we suggest you do, please treat this land with as much reverence as we do. Fill in any holes and pick up all trash you come across. Tread lightly.
Is that the same box as the last hunt?
Keen eye. It's literally the same box. The troupe that found our first treasure chest back in May 2025 took it upon themselves to fill it with gift cards and San Francisco themed trinkets and reburied their own love-letter-to-the-city scavenger hunt. We reached out to the finders of that loot and asked if they wouldn't mind donating the box for one more round of treasure burying.
Is it heavy?
Certainly. More than 150lbs. Many of you wished that the previous treasure, which weighed 22lbs, was heavier. Presumably to weed out the weak and the young. Message received. With this one, you’ll definitely want to bring a friend. Many hands make light work.
Is it really $10,000?
Some of you questioned the value of the gold and other metals in the previous treasure chest—ie. did we use the melt value of copper or the retail value? This time it’s 100% cold hard cash.
In truth, it’s technically $10,001. We really wanted to up the stakes, but could barely afford to. (If you choose to round this number in a periodical or text message, you might consider the phrase, “More than $10,000.”)
Is this an annual tradition?
Not unless a deep-pocketed collaborator reaches out (please send this to your wealthy friends). It was a questionable financial decision the first time and downright idiotic the second. There truly can’t be a third.
Why 7 miles?
San Francisco is famously 7x7 miles. San Francisco’s seven hills. Its seven painted ladies. The seven circles of hell. The seven pyramids of Giza. Pressing seven to hear this menu again.
Are those miles regular or nautical?
Regular miles. And we feel like we shouldn’t have to say this, but just to cover our bases: the treasure is NOT underwater.
What do I do if I find it?
Congratulations! Spend it wisely and please send us an email. We’d love to hear the story. buriedtreasure2025@proton.me
