Walking San Francisco: October 2010

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Sunset District

Riptide Bar at Taraval and 47th Ave.

Today I walked through the Sunset District again, down Sunset Ave. and then back on 47th, and up Judah St. Today being the first day of the World Series, I saw Giants clothing, signs and flags everywhere. Go Giants!

I've thankfully almost finished walking the Outer Sunset - Not the most exciting neighborhood in San Francisco!

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House covered with Bougainvillea on 47th Ave.

Getting Ready for Halloween on 47th

Row of Houses near Moraga and 47th Ave.

Pittsburgh Pub at 47th and Judah

Cajun Pacific Restaurant at 47th and Irving

Sea View Restaurant at Lincoln and Great Highway

Crepe Temptations at Judah and 31st

Mural at Irving and 19th Ave.

Go Giants!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Foggy Day in the Sunset

On the Roof with Jon and Chloe

Today was as foggy as could be, and even more so in the Sunset - I guess we're back to foggy Summer weather. The picture above is from last night, when it was still Indian Summer conditions, which is more typical for this time of year.

Today I walked through Golden Gate Park, down the Great Highway to Sloat, and then back on 45th, covering about 10 miles. The Great Highway runs adjacent to the Beach, and consequently, it's a surfer's hangout. Today, I saw lots of surfers, and was reminded of the whole surfer sub-culture (surf stores, surfer coffee shops, etc.).

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Archery Range in Golden Gate Park

Golf Course in Golden Gate Park

Apartment Building at Irving and La Playa

Foggy Day at the Beach (Sloat and Great Highway)

Muni Train near Sloat and 47th

Aqua Surf Shop Near Sloat and 45th

Java Beach Cafe near Sloat and 45th

United Irish Cultural Center at Wawona and 45th

Getting Ready for Halloween on 45th

Outerlands Restaurant at Judah and 45th

Re-sodding the Polo Field, Golden Gate Park

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Beautiful October Day!

Baker Beach

Today, Rachele and I walked through the Presidio and then through Pacific Heights. It was a gorgeous day, up in the 90's, and it felt good to be out in the sun. October has the nicest weather of the year in San Francisco.

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Baker Street Bistro at Baker and Greenwich

Baker Street Stairs between Broadway and Vallejo
Rachele as Vanna White

Looking down the stairs from Broadway

Mansion at Baker and Pacific

Friday, October 8, 2010

The Sunset

Red-Tailed Hawk in Golden Gate Park

As I was heading over to the Sunset today, I noticed this Red-tailed Hawk just sitting out in the middle of Speedway Meadow looking around and relaxing on the grass. I was able to get about 10 feet away from it, until it fixed me with a stony glare and flew away. It flew up to a perch in a nearby tree and stared at me from a safe distance.

The Sunset (35th and 42nd Avenues and Pacheco and Quintara Streets) was just as monotonous as ever, but the ocean was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

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Man Feeding Ducks at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park

Apartment Building at Vicente and 42nd Ave. (My Friend Madeleine lived here for several years)

Surfers at the Beach at the end of Pacheco St.

Row of Houses near Pacheco and 42nd Ave.

The Sunset Church near Lawton and 42nd Ave.

Lime Green House on 42nd Ave.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Presidio and Pacific Heights

Baker Beach

Today Rachele and I walked through the Presidio and then walked up Broderick St. in Pacific Heights. One very steep section of Broderick is closed off to vehicles, but pedestrians are able to make their way up it, if they're able. It was so steep we practically needed to crawl up it on our hands and knees.

We passed by two landmarks on Washington Street. The Firehouse, Engine Company #23, located at 3022 Washington St., was built in 1893. It was one of three that were designed by Henriksen and Mahoney, and was used as a firehouse until 1963. The building was then purchased by famous interior decorator, John Dickenson, and converted into a design studio and residence. (SF Landmark #93)

The Koshland House (3800 Washington St.) was built for Marcus Koshlands in 1902, and patterned after the south face of the Petit Trianon at Versailles by architect Frank S. Van Trees. The building features a three story high central atrium which allows light into most of the interior rooms. The basement of this mansion is an elaborate French-styled mirrored ballroom that can accommodate sit-down dinners for more than 100 guests. (SF Landmark #95)

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Naked and Semi-Naked on Baker Beach

Very Steep Alley Way in Pacific Heights

Mansion at Broadway and Broderick

3022 Washington St., Firehouse, Engine Company #23

Victorian Cottage on Washington St.

Koshland House, 3800 Washington St.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Awesomely Dressed Man

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass happened this past weekend in the Park, about 5 blocks from where we live, and so we joined the party with about 750,000 other people. We saw Patty Griffin, 7 Walkers, Ralph Stanley, Hot Tuna Electric, Joan Baez, David Grisman, Gillian Welch, The Indigo Girls, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and the Del McCoury Band (and more!). And all for free, thanks to Warren Hellman, who puts this show on every year.