Road Trip USA 2023 - Part 2 (page 3 of 7)

ALAMO SQUARE & PAINTED LADIES - WESTERN ADDITION - SAN FRANCISCO

37.77630, -122.43467 Alamo Square 37.77626, -122.43275 Painted Ladies

Walking tour:

- Grove Street, between Steiner (37.77655, -122.43302) and Webster Streets (37.77697, -122.42987) - McAllister Street, between Steiner (37.77843, -122.43342) and Scott Streets (37.77799, -122.43670) - Scott Street, between McAllister (37.77799, -122.43670) and Hayes Streets (37.77524, -122.43606)

Western Addition is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of San Francisco. It’s famous for its collection of Victorian and Edwardian houses.

Alamo Square offers a stunning view of the famous Painted Ladies, a row of seven photogenic Victorian houses, with downtown San Francisco as the backdrop.

Built in the late 19th century, they’re among the oldest houses in the city.

I also encourage you to stroll through the nearby streets, as they’re filled with beautiful houses in this style.

https://youtu.be/RoQfxzCfN70

PALACE OF FINE ARTS - MARINA DISTRICT - SAN FRANCISCO

37.80282, -122.44683 Parking on Baker Street 37.80292, -122.44840 Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is located in the Marina District of San Francisco. It was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

Architect Bernard Maybeck drew inspiration from Greek and Roman architecture to design this majestic structure.

It features a stunning dome supported by massive columns and is adorned with sculpted friezes and allegorical figures representing contemplation, wonder, and meditation.

The site is set in a charming environment with beautiful gardens and a lake where you can spot turtles.

https://youtu.be/H_sVWKG2mqk

PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO

37.79878, -122.45079 Lucas Film 37.79879, -122.45049 Yoda Fountain 37.80032, -122.44862 Park

37.79218, -122.44862 Wood Line Trail - Parking 37.79292, -122.44840 Wood Line Trail - Start of the trail 37.79518, -122.45147 Return via Lover's Lane

37.79065, -122.45925 Parking at the Golf Club to see Spire 37.79190, -122.46002 Spire

The Presidio of San Francisco is a former military base located in the northwest part of the city. Today, it’s a huge green park that offers a relaxing spot for locals.

This is where Lucasfilm’s headquarters is located. You can even see Yoda perched atop a fountain in front of the main building’s lobby.

It’s also possible to enter the building’s lobby, where you’ll find several statues and objects commemorating many of the company’s films, especially those from the *Star Wars* series.

The park behind the Lucasfilm building is really lovely. It features beautiful gardens with monuments, a small stream, and a pond where you can spot plenty of ducks and geese.

Wood Line is an iconic work by Andy Goldsworthy nestled in the heart of a grove. It’s made from eucalyptus branches that were salvaged during the Presidio’s forest regeneration program.

These tree branches were laid out on a forest trail, and visitors are invited to walk alongside them, seeing art as a living, evolving path.

Spire is another piece created by artist Andy Goldsworthy. It’s a sculpture about 30 meters tall, made from 37 Monterey cypress trunks assembled to form a natural skyscraper.

https://youtu.be/S4st3yxbb1k

CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL - LINCOLN PARK - SAN FRANCISCO - CALIFORNIA

37.78654, -122.49342 Street parking 37.78644, -122.49391 Trailhead 37.78673, -122.49484 Viewpoint 1 37.78730, -122.49826 Viewpoint 2 37.78785, -122.49968 Viewpoint 3 37.78768, -122.50218 Viewpoint 4 37.78772, -122.50567 Viewpoint 5

Lincoln Park, located in the northwest part of the San Francisco peninsula, is a large green space overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The California Coastal Trail is a path that runs through the northern section of this park. It follows the coast and offers stunning views of the shoreline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mile Rock Beach.

We only walked a portion of this trail, completing a loop of about 3 kilometers. The trail is easy to walk, but there are a lot of steps to go down and up.

https://youtu.be/fRUnrHKqCpQ

CALIFORNIA PALACE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR - LINCOLN PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.78472, -122.50050 California Palace of the Legion of Honor 37.78563, -122.49998 The Holocaust Memorial

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is a museum located in Lincoln Park, in the western part of San Francisco.

This building, whose architecture is inspired by the Hôtel de Salm in Paris, houses a diverse collection as well as temporary exhibitions.

It was built to honor the 3,600 Californian soldiers who died in France during World War I.

We didn’t go inside the museum but instead explored the area around the building to admire the sculptures and artworks surrounding it, including statues of Joan of Arc and El Cid on horseback.

You can also see *The Thinker* statue located in the outdoor entrance hall of the building.

The Holocaust Memorial is a sculptural installation created by artist George Segal. This memorial is located near the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

It consists of white bronze sculptures depicting bodies lying on the ground and a figure of a man standing behind a barbed-wire fence, commemorating the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

https://youtu.be/h14PJyW6sSM

SUTRO BATHS - LINCOLN PARK - SAN FRANCISCO - SAN FRANCISCO

37.78045, -122.51149 Parking 37.78098, -122.51173 Trailhead 37.78102, -122.51331 Viewpoint 37.78105, -122.51442 Point Lobos 37.78032, -122.51381 Sutro Baths 37.77880, -122.51407 Viewpoint 37.77826, -122.51423 Camera Obscura 37.77797, -122.51369 View of Ocean Beach

Sutro Baths is located north of Ocean Beach in San Francisco. This former aquatic complex was built in the mid-1890s by Adolph Sutro, a former mayor of San Francisco.

Built by the sea, this facility was intended for the city’s working class because the mayor wanted this health-focused attraction to be accessible to everyone.

The glass-roofed structure housed several saltwater and freshwater pools. It also included an amphitheater for concerts and art galleries. An ice-skating rink was even added in the 1930s.

Unfortunately, the economic crisis of the 1920s and the Great Depression led to a drop in attendance, resulting in the facility’s closure in 1965.

In 1966, a fire destroyed the building, and it was never rebuilt.

Trails of varying lengths start from the parking lot and lead to the ruins of Sutro Baths.

For our part, we did a loop hike of about 1.7 kilometers. We first went to the Point Lobos viewpoint, which offers a great view of the ruins and the coastline.

We continued our hike to Cliff House, which has amazing views of Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach.

Camera Obscura is behind Cliff House. It’s a dark room that produces spectacular 360° images of the Seal Rock area.

We returned to the parking lot via the main road.

https://youtu.be/fla6J-Dt3fY

QUEEN WILHELMINA GARDEN - GOLDEN GATE PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.77042, -122.50942 Dutch Windmill 37.76490, -122.50870 Murphy Windmill

Golden Gate Park, located in the heart of San Francisco, is a huge green space that’s home to numerous museums, lakes, and lovely gardens.

Queen Wilhelmina Garden is a garden situated at the northwest end of the park. Here, you’ll find an authentic Dutch windmill surrounded by a multitude of vibrant tulips and other pretty flowers.

This spot is super photogenic, by the way!

The best time to see them is usually in March, at the start of spring.

Murphy Windmill is another functional and historic windmill you can see in the park.

It’s located near Queen Wilhelmina Garden. It was built in 1908 to pump water for irrigation.

https://youtu.be/n0lOncZ2X04

BISON PADDOCK - GOLDEN GATE PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.76970, -122.49822 Bison enclosure by the roadside 37.76958, -122.50013 Another spot to see them

The bison paddock is located in a small meadow at the western end of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

This area is home to a small herd of American bison, open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

The story goes that the city of San Francisco introduced its first bison herd in 1892 to help save the species from near extinction. At that time, fewer than 1,000 bison remained in North America.

Over the years, the park’s enclosure has enabled the reintroduction of over 100 calves into the wild and contributed to the recovery of the continental population, which now numbers several hundred thousand.

https://youtu.be/EItUwFiUstA

PORTALS OF THE PAST - GOLDEN GATE PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.77014, -122.48177 Parking 37.77072, -122.48248 Portals of the Past 37.76217, -122.47081 St. Ann of the Sunset Church

Portals of the Past is a small monument made up of white marble columns. It’s located on the shores of Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

Its Greco-Roman style gives it a serene and timeless atmosphere.

The story goes that much of the Nob Hill neighborhood was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake and the fire that followed.

However, the entrance to railroad magnate A.N. Towne’s mansion managed to remain standing.

It was salvaged from the rubble and moved to Golden Gate Park as a symbol of San Francisco’s perseverance—working toward an optimistic future, no matter the tragedy of the past.

This site is accessible via the trail that circles Lloyd Lake. Entry is free.

St. Ann of the Sunset Church is a church located near Golden Gate Park. It was built in the early 1930s.

With its neo-Romanesque style, it stands out thanks to its massive central dome, twin towers, large rose windows, and the beautiful sculpted friezes adorning the church’s main façade.

Its striking beauty really catches your eye!

https://youtu.be/GH0tJ4FtxkQ

STRAWBERRY HILL - GOLDEN GATE PARK – SAN FRANCISCO

37.76965, -122.47456 Parking and trailhead to the right (loop) 37.76793, -122.47646 Stow Lake Bridge 37.76838, -122.47363 Chinese Pavilion 37.76888, -122.47400 Huntington Falls 37.76874, -122.47460 Small lake

37.76965, -122.47456 Parking and trailhead to the right (loop) 37.76793, -122.47646 Blue Heron Lake Bridge 37.76838, -122.47363 Chinese Pavilion 37.76888, -122.47400 Huntington Falls 37.76874, -122.47460 Small lake

Strawberry Hill is a small island located near the center of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

It’s only accessible on foot, which is why we left our vehicle on the main road, Blue Heron Lake Drive, and crossed onto the island via one of the two century-old pedestrian bridges.

A trail loops around the artificial Blue Heron Lake, allowing us to discover some truly interesting sights.

The Blue Heron Lake Bridge, built in 1893, is a very photogenic stone bridge that overlooks the emerald-green waters of the lake.

The Golden Gate Chinese Pavilion is a beautiful Chinese pagoda gifted by Taipei, San Francisco’s sister city. It’s magnificently decorated with sculptures and an ornate roof.

Huntington Falls is a 33-meter artificial waterfall that cascades into the lake below. It’s named in honor of railroad magnate Collis Potter Huntington, who donated $25,000 for its construction.

If you make it to the top of the island, you’ll find another small lake.

During our hike, we spotted several species of seabirds as well as turtles.

The area is perfect for walking, jogging, or having a picnic in a charming and peaceful setting.

You can also rent paddleboats and rowboats near the boathouse.

https://youtu.be/ALS6nG7u4Tc

PRAYERBOOK CROSS & ROBIN WILLIAMS MEADOW - GOLDEN GATE PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.77156, -122.47803 Rainbow Falls flowing into a basin 37.77158, -122.47718 Start of the 110 m trail (one way) 37.77171, -122.47833 Prayerbook Cross (elevated) 37.76789, -122.45803 Carousel

Rainbow Falls is an artificial waterfall located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in California. At certain times of the year, the water takes on a striking green hue due to algae.

Unfortunately, when we went, the waterfall was dry.

Prayerbook Cross, also known as Sir Francis Drake’s Cross, is an 18-meter-tall Celtic stone cross located at the top of Rainbow Falls.

Its construction began in November 1892, and it was officially inaugurated on January 1, 1894, during San Francisco’s Winter Fair.

This monument commemorates the first Anglican service held on the West Coast by Francis Fletcher and the inaugural use of the Book of Common Prayer in North America.

Originally, the cross was meant to be visible from the Pacific Ocean to guide sailors to shore. However, trees have grown, and their dense foliage now blocks the view.

Robin Williams Meadow is a large meadow located at the southeast end of Golden Gate Park. It features a big playground for kids, picnic areas, and the Sharon Art Studio, which offers visual arts classes.

Nearby is a beautiful historic carousel that first opened in 1914. This 62-animal merry-go-round was part of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1939.

https://youtu.be/kRh-e_yCdVU

HIDDEN GARDEN STEPS & 16TH AVENUE TILED STEPS - SAN FRANCISCO

37.75988, -122.47366 Hidden Garden Steps 37.75624, -122.47365 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (bottom) 37.75627, -122.47276 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (top)

The Hidden Garden Steps are located at the corner of 16th Avenue and Kirkham Street in the Inner Sunset neighborhood, while the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are at the corner of 16th Avenue and Moraga Street in the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California.

These are two staircases whose risers have been decorated with stunning mosaics.

The Hidden Garden Steps consist of 148 steps divided into nine sections, each featuring a unique mosaic on the theme of nature (flowers, plants, insects, and creatures).

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps have 163 steps made with nearly 75,000 ceramic and glass tiles, depicting a scene that stretches from the sea to the sky.

You can take a short hike by climbing the Hidden Garden Steps first. At the top of this staircase, just follow 16th Avenue down to the base of the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps.

Climbing this second staircase will take you to the top of Grandview Park, which offers a 360° panoramic view of San Francisco.

As you’ve probably guessed, this route involves quite a few steps to climb up and down. However, it lets you admire the different mosaic sections, which are truly amazing.

https://youtu.be/CESlEbAZusQ

GRANDVIEW PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.75636, -122.47106 Encinal Walk 37.75634, -122.47184 Grandview Park Summit

Grandview Park, also known as Turtle Hill, is a park located west of Twin Peaks in San Francisco, California.

You reach the summit via a long and steep staircase called Encinal Walk.

From up there, you get a 360° panoramic view of various San Francisco neighborhoods, the downtown skyline, Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean.

https://youtu.be/rGRNqp3E7oY

HIKE - THREE SUMMITS OF TWIN PEAKS - SAN FRANCISCO

37.75088, -122.44852 Roadside parking and trailhead - Noe Peak 37.75153, -122.44774 Noe Peak Summit

37.75266, -122.44755 Roadside parking and trailhead - Eureka Peak 37.75336, -122.44737 Eureka Peak Summit

37.75453, -122.44625 Christmas Tree Point - Christmas Tree Point & Viewpoint 1 37.75492, -122.44666 Christmas Tree Point - Viewpoint 2

Despite its name, Twin Peaks actually consists of three summits: Noe Peak, Eureka Peak, and Christmas Tree Point.

Located over 280 meters above sea level, these summits offer a breathtaking panorama of downtown San Francisco and its bay.

There are parking spaces near all three sites. However, the largest parking lot is at Christmas Tree Point.

As for us, we parked our car near Noe Peak and took a short hike to reach the summits of these small hills.

The summits are close together, and a well-maintained trail with steps makes it easy to get there.

https://youtu.be/0iY8lbRKsnI

LONGBOARD DESCENT ON TWIN PEAKS BLVD IN SAN FRANCISCO

Location: 37.75305, -122.44791

After finishing our hike at Twin Peaks, we headed back to our car and took Twin Peaks Boulevard to return to downtown San Francisco.

We were surprised to see three young people having fun longboarding down the long, winding slope of the boulevard.

We stayed behind them the whole way, and I took the opportunity to film a short video of their descent.

https://youtu.be/qt4ASQQS630

HAIGHT-ASHBURY - SAN FRANCISCO

37.77018, -122.44537 Intersection of Haight Street & Masonic Ave 37.77017, -122.44628 Piedmont Boutique - Famous legs above the shop 37.76946, -122.44695 Janis Joplin House (635 Ashbury Street) 37.76867, -122.44651 Grateful Dead House (710 Ashbury Street) 37.76925, -122.44537 Four Seasons Houses 1315 Waller Street 37.77005, -122.44748 Jimi Hendrix House (1524A Haight Street) 37.76939, -122.45070 Mural of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jerry Garcia (614 Cole Street) 37.76902, -122.45046 Charles Manson Residence (636 Cole Street) 37.76922, -122.45267 Amoeba Records - Just before the intersection of Haight Street & Stanyan Street 37.77116, -122.44734 That's So Raven House (461 Ashbury Street) 37.77107, -122.44702 Hippie Temptation House (1550 Page Street) 37.77081, -122.44372 Haight Ashbury Painted Ladies (144 Central Ave) 37.77041, -122.44377 Bob Marley Mural (Intersection of Haight Street & Central Ave) 37.76685, -122.44417 Ant Man: Pym's House (601 Buena Vista Ave)

Haight-Ashbury is a famous neighborhood in San Francisco, California. It’s known as the birthplace of the Hippie movement in the 1960s.

Today, the legacy of that era is still alive through psychedelic art, colorful Victorian houses, and stunning murals that adorn its streets.

Some of the neighborhood’s Victorian houses have even become legendary thanks to the celebrities who once lived in them.

https://youtu.be/Dz2FpuK4Z9M

CORONA HEIGHTS PARK - SAN FRANCISCO

37.76545, -122.44098 Street parking 37.76527, -122.44094 Trailhead - 182 m one way - Steep slope - Stairs 37.76503, -122.43934 Summit

Corona Heights Park is a small park that offers stunning views of San Francisco, California.

The climb to the summit is steep (there are also stairs to climb), but once you reach the top, the view of downtown and the San Francisco Bay is absolutely amazing.

https://youtu.be/9Zkrvu-g-LE

MISSION DOLORES - SAN FRANCISCO

37.76135, -122.42725 Mission High School 37.75980, -122.42628 Mexico's Liberty Bell 37.75973, -122.42767 Miguel Hidalgo Memorial Statue 37.75816, -122.42805 Great viewpoint over Mission Dolores Park and San Francisco 37.76450, -122.42664 Mission Dolores Basilica 37.76196, -122.43497 Castro Theatre

Mission Dolores Park is a lovely urban park connecting the Mission and Castro neighborhoods in San Francisco, California.

It’s the perfect spot to soak up the sun or have a picnic. Plus, it offers a stunning view of downtown and San Francisco Bay.

The historic Mission Dolores is located near the park. You’ll find beautiful historic buildings there, including a basilica, a small chapel turned into a museum, and a cemetery.

While strolling through this area, you’ll also come across the Castro Theatre, a Spanish Baroque-style theater right in the heart of the Castro district.

Built in 1922, this magnificent theater was designated a historic landmark in September 1976.

https://youtu.be/x4fsL1DvQ-M

MURALS (PART 1) - MISSION DISTRICT - SAN FRANCISCO

37.75236, -122.41628 A - South Van Ness Ave & 24th Street 37.75252, -122.41250 B - Start of 24th Street & Balmy Street 37.75100, -122.41232 B - End of Balmy Street & 25th Street Back to 24th Street 37.75270, -122.41013 C - 24th Street & Florida Street - Turn left 37.75432, -122.41026 Turn left onto 23rd Street 37.75423, -122.41208 D - 23rd Street & Harrison - Turn right 37.75582, -122.41222 Turn left onto 22nd Street 37.75555, -122.41657 E - 22nd Street & South Van Ness Ave 37.75541, -122.41874 Turn left onto Mission Street 37.75384, -122.41858 F - Mission Street & 23rd Street - Turn right 37.75369, -122.42080 23rd Street & Valencia Street Back to point A

“The Mission” is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California. It’s known for being the artists’ district.

Artists express themselves through murals, which make this neighborhood incredibly colorful.

There are over 600 murals here, most of which are located on Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley.

The walls in this neighborhood allow artists to express their feelings and viewpoints on various topics.

If you love urban art, this is the perfect place to discover the talent of all these artists who’ve contributed to making this neighborhood a vibrant hub of art, pride, and community.

https://youtu.be/oFz362ToGM8

MURALS (PART 2) - MISSION DISTRICT - SAN FRANCISCO

37.76255, -122.42162 Sycamore Street - Start 37.76266, -122.41961 Sycamore Street - End 37.76292, -122.42168 Clarion Alley - Start 37.76301, -122.41962 Clarion Alley - End 37.76155, -122.42265 Women's Building

https://youtu.be/U-zD9tNgaKo