[San Francisco, CA] Shakespeare Garden (located in Golden Gate Park)

Secluded and tucked away behind a fence of foliage, it is easy to pass over this little garden amongst the loud, exciting more popular attractions of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. It is located right around the corner of the amazing Academy of Sciences! Who can compare to that. 

But Shakespeare Garden has its own little charm that keeps visitors coming back for more.

[San Francisco, CA] Hamon Observation Tower, aka "De Young's View Tower"

If you haven't noticed the tower attached to the M.H de Young Memorial Museum yet, notice it now because you are missing out on an incredible view of not only the Golden Gate Park, but a good portion of the City of San Francisco.

View of Academy of Sciences and Music Concourse

RELATED POST: [San Francisco, CA] The Twin Peaks 

At the top of the tower is an observation room where the walls are made up entirely of glass, giving the viewer a clear, 360 spectacular view. The best part? Although you have to pay in order to see the museum, Hamon Observation Tower is free to visit. The elevator to the tower is located at the right of the building's entry way, while the museum is to the left. So make sure to head right upon entering, unless you need to use the restrooms, then go left. But after the washroom, just turn back and head right. You will love the view.

Happy Wandering, Alice.

[San Francisco, CA] Hidden Garden Steps (16th Ave, between Kirkham & Lawton)

Why settle for one remarkable mosaic stairway when you can have two? In 2010, project Hidden Garden Steps began in the same fashion the first mosaic stairway, 16th Avenue, was created. The project team also consist of Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, the two ladies that started the first mosaic stairway along 16th Avenue and Moraga Ave. It is also a symbol for strengthening the community.

RELATED POST: San Francisco Golden Gate Height's 16th Avenue Mosaic Stairway

The difference between this ceramic mosaic stairway to the one along Moraga Ave is that each flight of stairs has a backstory to it, and there are nine different back stories. So there are nine flights of stairs, each with a different design. You can read about each story on the Hidden Garden Steps website.

Along each side of the stairs consist of different plants, as well as, trees. You will find this stairway is a lot more shaded than the 16th Avenue stairway. With the immense amount of trees hanging over the steps...Hidden Garden Steps is the perfect name for this masterpiece.

Happy Wandering, Alice.

[San Francisco, CA] Twin Peaks (501 Twin Peaks Blvd)

It's hard not to see the Twin Peaks when they are 925ft tall. They are the second tallest hills in San Francisco, second to Mount Davidson that reaches up to 928 ft, but the twin peaks are double the fun.

[San Francisco] Golden Gate Height's 16th Avenue Mosaic Stairway

The 16th Avenue Mosaic Stairway is a pure representation of a community coming together, and creating something worthwhile, positive, and beautiful. Today, in modern day society, it feels like close knit communities are a rare find especially when it comes to metropolitan cities like San Francisco. People are not as friendly to their neighbors as they once were. I mean, when I run out of sugar, I would rather put on my coat and drive to the store in the middle of the night, than knock on my neighbor's door to ask for a cup of sugar.

However, the residents of the Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood proved that community still exists by coming together to create this wonderful mosaic masterpiece between 16th and Moraga Avenue.

This project was tarted by neighborhood residents, Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier in 2003, in hopes to connect the neighbors in a community project too beautify the neighborhood. It worked. Over 300 neighbors participated in creating the handmade animal, bird and fish tiles with names embedded in them. The overall design was created by Artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. In September 2005, the masterpiece was finished.



What a sight it is. The mosaic has an Earth and Element Theme. At the base, it starts with water, than as you make your way up, the water turns to earth, then rises to the sky where the Moon and Sun sits at the top.

RELATED POST: [San Francisco] Grand View Park, aka, "Turtle Hill"

If you think it's beautiful in the daytime, wait until night, especially during the full moon. The mirror mosaic pieces scattered throughout the art piece catches the moonlight and gives off a magical glistening glow. I hear that it also looks spectacular during sunrise and sundown.

This is a beautiful creation and the perfect representation of community hands working together.

Happy Wandering, Alice.

[San Francisco] Grand View Park, aka "Turtle Hill"

The Grand View Park, had long been nicknamed "Turtle Hill" by the folks of San Francisco. As I made my way up to the top, I couldn't figure out why it had such an odd nickname...until I went online to do some research and came upon a photo in Wikipedia that made it quite obvious on why people had nicknamed the hill "Turtle Hill". In order to understand the Turtle reference, you need to be at a good distance away to see that the hill with its trees does looks like a giant turtle. Amazing isn't it!

That's not the only amazingness Grand View Park has to offer. There is also the "Grand View". You can see all of San Francisco's best features! You get an incredible new of the Golden Gate Park, the skyscrapers of Downtown, and the Pacific Ocean. You can also see as far as Marin County, which is pass the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay!

If you are into geology, get excited because the Grand View Park sits on top of a 140 Million-Old Rock called the Franciscan Chert, that used to sit at the bottom of the ocean. You are able to see a lot of the exposed rock at the very top of the hill. Watch your footing because between the sand and uneven rocks, it's easy to trip, especially when most of your attention will be taken by Turtle Hill's incredible 360 view.

Happy Wandering, Alice.

[Dear Travel Diary #3] Old Quarry turned Hiking Park

Dear Travel Diary,

Today I went on a little trip to the City of Saratoga. It is slowly becoming one of my favorite small cities in the Bay Area. It is a city where I see myself living in the near future...however cost of living here is insanely high where houses are in the million dollar range! With such a high cost of living, it is not surprising that this area is a huge supporter of beautiful luxury, such as the Arts. To see what I am talking about, Montalvo Arts Center is the perfect example of that.

Old Mining Equipment besides Picnic Area.

The reason why I am visiting today, is that I heard of a new park that has recently opened, (in October 2015, to be exact). After some research and learning about the history of the place, I know I had to check it out.

The park is called Saratoga Quarry Park. Back in the 1800's, the hills of the park were mined for copper, limestone, and gravel all the way up until the 1950s. If you would like more information and history of the park, here is a link to another blogpost, Saratoga Quarry Park, I had written earlier.

Mining Entrance

I like that Saratoga kept a few of the old mining relics and features in the park. They made the history of these hills the main focus with signs all along the lower levels of the park. I have to admit, the old mining equipment and tunnels is the most interesting part of the park. Everything else, from the hiking trails to the scenic viewpoint to the pond are very lack luster. At least the views on the hike up to the view point are pretty.

Views of Vineyards can be seen on the trail.

The park as a whole seems very unfinished. There are closed off paths that go further up the hills, but are deemed too hazardous to explore, but seeing these paths, I get the feeling that there are plans on expanding the trails in the future. If expansion is in the works, then I am excited about what this park will look like in the next five or six years. It will be cool to view and compare old footage with new footage, just to see the changes.

Happy Wandering, Alice.

To watch my day, here is a link to: "Travel Vlog: #3 Old Quarry turned Hiking Park"

[Saratoga, CA] Quarry Park

Not too long ago, around the late 1990s, hidden in the lush hills of Saratoga, there lies an abandoned quarry only known to the residents of its small town. County employees will use this site for family and friends get togethers even though it was a restricted area. These first rebels helped shape the park to what it is today. They installed and maintained picnic tables, barbecue pits, and cleared out the area for seating. In 2011, the City of Saratoga acquired the property and in 2014, the master plan for the park was approved. Saratoga Quarry Park opened its doors to the public in October 2015.

The park is considered a baby compared to the history within these hills. This 64-acre area has been an active part of the city since the 1850s. The hills were first mined for copper then limestone, and finally gravel, sand and rocks into the early 1900s. Mining ceased in 1967, and slowly but surely became a popular spot for recreational activities.

The City of Saratoga was careful to keep its history remembered throughout the park. Signs and pieces of mining equipment can be found throughout the grounds, starting from the entrance all the way to the second levels of the hiking trails, where visitors can view and admire remnants of the past.

The old barbecue fire pits, as well as, the sitting areas created by the County Employees are still there. Sadly the barbecue pits are not in use anymore. The area is nicely shaded and quiet due to the surrounding trees. There is a great sense of privacy here which is most likely why the residence of Saratoga find this area to be a great small event spot before it was even open to the public.

At the very top of the hiking trails is a lookout point where you can get a "glimpse" of the city below. I wrote "glimpse" in quotations because you can hardly see anything due to the massive trees blocking the view. Don't let this discourage you from taking the trip up. The hike is not strenuous and along the way you get a beautiful view of Saratoga's Vineyards across the ways.

There is also a small pond a little into the hike, but in the summer season the pond can be dried up and become overgrown with bamboo and other plants. I happened to walk right past it on my visit because it didn't look like a pond at all. It was overgrown and unkept despite the park being opened only a little over a year ago.

RELATED POST: [Saratoga, CA] Montalvo "Villa of the Arts" Center

The Quarry in all sense has great history rooted in it, but the park itself feels unfinished. There are many closed off paths leading higher up the hill, most likely left by miners, but it is a clear sign that this little park has the potential of expanding and becoming a real hiking ground in the near future. At the moment, it only offers a nice little stroll and a nice little history lesson. All it needs is 45 minutes of your time.

Happy Wandering, Alice.