San Francisco's Inner Sunset District; a ramble on the residential hills of Golden Gate Heights: 17 December 2016

This was a beautiful day for a ramble through Golden Gate Heights, a neighborhood located in the Inner Sunset District of San Francisco.

Here is a five image panoramic photo of the Sunset District. Abraham Lincoln High School and Sunset Reservoir are both identifiable in the photo. On the horizon, 25 miles in the distance, and at the center of the image, is a barely visible view of the Farallon Islands. The picture was taken from within Sunset Heights Park, and just below the summit of Larsen Peak, 761 feet (232 meters). Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Thanks to Brian Stokle for publishing this excellent topographic map of the hilliest area in San Francisco. The peaks comprising Golden Gate Heights are a part of this ramble. San Francisco is said to have 47 hills located within its boundary. Go here for more information about San Francisco's 47 hills. Click on the image to see the full-size map.

A tip of the hat to Brian Stokle for publishing this informative photograph which shows some of the hills that were traversed during this ramble. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

The distance traveled was approximately 9.0 miles (14.5 kilometers). Mile markers are displayed on the GPS generated track. The cumulative elevation gain was about 1,575 feet (480 meters). Click on the image to see the full-size map.

This is Rustic Bridge; it is located in Golden Gate Park. The bridge was erected in 1893; it spans Stow Lake and connects Strawberry Hill with the rest of Golden Gate Park. Stow Lake is a man-made lake that was constructed in 1893. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

Here is a view from near the summit of Strawberry Hill, 404 feet (123 meters); the hill is surrounded by Stow Lake. A portion of the Outer Sunset District is visible in the distance. This view is looking southwest. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Collis P. Huntington, a railroad tycoon, was persuaded In 1893 to pay for the construction of Huntington Falls, a man-made 110-foot cascading waterfall on the east side of  Strawberry Hill. The waterfall emptied into Stow Lake and cost Mr. Huntington $25,000. The above rock has the following statement chiseled on its face: "Huntington Falls, a gift of Collis P. Huntington, 1893."

This photo was taken from the intersection of Kirkham Street and 15th Avenue. This is the bottom of the 15th Avenue Steps. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

A view from the top of the 15th Avenue Steps. Ahead are Golden Gate Park, the Outer Richmond District, and Lands End. In the far distance, across San Francisco Bay, are the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. Strawberry Hill which is located in Golden Gate Park, is visible on the right side of the photograph. The view is looking north. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

After ascending 15th Avenue Steps, it is a short walk to the top of the Hidden Garden Steps, and we then descended the stairway. The steps are located between Lawton Street and 16th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

The Hidden Garden Steps. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

The Hidden Garden Steps. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

The Hidden Garden Steps. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

These are some of the people who made the Hidden Garden Steps a reality. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

After the descent of the Hidden Garden Steps, it is a short distance to the intersection of Moraga Street and 16th Avenue, the location of the lower portion of the Golden Gate Heights Mosaic Stairway. This delightful work of art has received worldwide publicity since the mosaic tile work was completed in 2005. There are many people walking on the stairway and taking photographs, and for a good reason: this mosaic tile stairway is a beautiful sight to see. This view is looking east. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

After ascending Golden Gate Heights Mosaic Stairway, we continued uphill to Grand View Park which is located at the summit of Grand View Hill, 666 feet (203 meters). The next four photographs were taken from the summit of Grand View Hill. 

 Sited on a high plateau at Lands End is the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The medical center hospital building was completed in 1934, and the VA Medical Center is located on the site of the Fort Miley Military Reservation. The view is looking northwest. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

 Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District, the Presidio, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais are all visible in this photo. This view is looking north. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

 Mount Sutro, Sutro Tower, and Twin Peaks are visible in this photo. The view is looking east. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

 Downtown San Francisco is visible in the distance. In the far distance across San Francisco Bay are the Berkeley Hills. The view is looking east. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

This is West Portal Elementary School. The school accepted its first students in 1926. The site of the school is located about 200 feet north of the West Portal entryway to Twin Peaks Tunnel. The tunnel became operational on 3 February 1918. Ninety-nine years later it is still providing excellent streetcar access between Market Street and the residential areas southwest of Twin Peaks. Click on the image to see the full-size picture.

A graph of the elevation changes encountered during the walk. Click on the image to see the full-size chart.

Thanks again to Brian Stokle. He published this excellent topographic map of San Francisco. Click on the image to see the full-size map.

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The initial publication of San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view the 2002 to 2011 photo galleries.

A Panasonic GX7 camera body mounted with an Olympus 17mm lens was used to take these photographs.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com

Fort Miley, San Francisco: 2 December 2016

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view these photo galleries.

A Panasonic GX7 camera body mounted with an Olympus 17mm lens was used to take these photographs.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com

San Francisco's Outside Lands: 22 and 25 November 2016

A ramble through the Outside Lands of San Francisco.

This N-Judah streetcar is on its way to downtown San Francisco. Mount Sutro is visible on the left. The view is looking south. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Grand View Park is visible in the distance; it is located in the Inner Sunset District. The view is looking south. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

This is the Sunset Branch of the San Francisco Public Library; it was built in 1918. The Sunset Branch of the library system was built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie; it is one of seven public libraries constructed in San Francisco due to the financial contributions made by Mr. Carnegie. Thank you, Andrew Carnegie! The library is located on 18th Avenue at Irving Street. The view is looking southwest. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Arsicault Bakery <Two> <Three> is located on Arguello Street in the Richmond District of San Francisco. It was recently named "Bakery of the Year" by Bon Appétit magazine. To quote Bon Appétit: "What does it take to stand out in a city of sourdough savants? One, and only one, thing: a croissant that’s simultaneously so preposterously flaky it leaves you covered in crumbs, so impossibly tender and buttery on the inside that it tastes like brioche, and so deeply golden that the underside is nearly caramelized." I could not have said it any better. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

These croissants are fresh from the oven are they are now ready to do their duty! Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

This pleasant woman is bringing warm, fresh from the oven croissants to the customer area. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

A view from Clement Street looking west. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

This street art is painted on the exterior of a building located on 3rd Avenue at Clement Street. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

A grocery store located on Clement Street at 5th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

A mother and her two daughters are purposefully walking along Clement Street. Here is a picture of the mother and her oldest daughter taken on Clement Street on 7 January 2017. The view is looking west. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

Apple Land Produce market is located on Clement Street at 10th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Green Apple Books is an excellent bookstore. It is located on Clement Street at 6th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

Tong Palace Restaurant and the House of Banquet restaurant are located on Clement Street at 11th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Mainland Market is located on Geary Boulevard at 20th Avenue. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

The distance traveled on 25 November was approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers). Mile markers are displayed on the GPS generated track. On 22 November the distance traveled was approximately 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers). The route map for 22 November has not been posted. Click on the image to see the full-size map.

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

My first San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that I posted between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view the 2002 to 2011 photo galleries.

A Panasonic GX7 camera body mounted with an Olympus 17mm lens was used to take these photographs.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com

From Daly City to San Francisco's Bernal Heights Park: 13 November 2016

Daly City is contiguous with the southwestern boundary of San Francisco. This ramble began at the Daly City BART Station and traveled 8.5 miles northeast through Daly City and San Francisco to Bernal Heights Hill. The route went through the Outer Mission District, the Excelsior District, the College Hill Area, and the Bernal Heights neighborhood.

A view of San Francisco as seen from Bernal Heights Park. In the distance is Angel Island; the scene is looking north. 

The distance traveled was approximately 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometers). Mile markers are displayed on the GPS-generated track. The cumulative elevation gain was about 987 feet (300 meters). 

On Mission Street in Daly City. 

Guadalupe Canyon Parkway traverses San Bruno Mountain. The view is looking east. 

This view is looking south. Ahead is Colma and Daly City. The Pacific Ocean is to the West, beneath the fog bank. 

This building was constructed in 1928, and it was built as a branch of the Hibernia Bank, founded in 1859. It is now the home to El Chico Produce Store #2. The building is located in the Outer Mission on Mission Street.

A view looking north from Mission Street. The cross street is Theresa Street. 

Five of San Francisco's firefighters take a coffee break at Cumaica Coffee, located on Mission Street in the Outer Mission District. The view is looking northwest. 

Dragon House Mixed Martial Arts facility is located on Mission Street in the Excelsior District. 

A view from Mission Street looking north, down Admiral Avenue. A portion of Interstate 280 is visible. The large blue building in Glen Park Elementry School. The hilly area in the rear is a part of the Diamond Heights neighborhood. 

A view of Mission Street at 26th Street in the Mission District. This view is looking West. 

 This is a view of the southern side of Bernal Heights Park. The photo was taken from Holly Park. 

This is a scene of Cortland Avenue, the main shopping area in the Bernal Heights neighborhood. The view is looking east. 

Downtown San Francisco. This view is from the west side of Bernal Heights Hill. 

This is a scene of Noe Valley from Bernal Heights Hill. The view is looking West. On the left side of the image is Mount Davidson, and on the right are Twin Peaks. 

Noe Valley, the Mission District, the Castro District, and Pacific Heights. Angel Island is visible, as is the Golden Gate Bridge, but only barely. 

This photo was taken near the summit, 475 feet (145 meters), of Bernal Heights Hill. The view is looking north. Potrero Hill is visible, as are both the western and eastern spans of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. 

A graph of the elevation changes encountered during the walk. 

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera." Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

My first San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs I posted between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view the 2002 to 2011 photo galleries.

A Panasonic GX7 camera body mounted with an Olympus 17mm lens was used to take these photographs.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com