Top Five Street Corners in San Francisco!
Number Five. 9th Avenue and Irving. The Sunset district, located west of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is a much maligned part of town. Known for its fog and single-family homes, the Sunset is referred to as “suburban San Francisco” by many locals. Despite the shots it takes, the Sunset can be quite vibrant if you are in the right spot. The corner of 9th and Irving might just be one of the city’s liveliest. Between the roar of the N-Judah street car and the rows of shops and restaurants in every direction, this Innet Sunset hangout is a great perch to watch the people come and go.
Number Four. 24th Street and Mission. Overwhelming is one way to put it. The corner of 24th and Mission has surely seen it all. Home to donut shop on one corner, a McDonald’s on another, and entrances to the BART subway system on the other two, overstimulation of the senses can easily occur within seconds of hanging here. In addition, the sound of bass booming from the speakers of cars crusing by and locals chattering in Spanish as they scurry by adds to the local flavor that is the Mission district. You are certain to see a drug deal go down at the same time as a man in a white suit hands you a flyer praising the Lord while at this curious corner in San Francisco. At least you are not far from one of the city’s many fine Taquerias.
Number Three. Haight and Ashbury. How could a list of the best intersections in San Francisco be complete without the obligatory Haight/Ashbury mention? Well, the corner actually deserves inclusion. Throngs and throngs of tourists for one’s viewing pleasure, not to mention young punks and long-haired hippie wanna-bes smoking the funny stuff right in broad daylight on the one of the nation’s, let along this city’s, most famous corners.
Number Two. California and Montgomery. In order to get the full experience at this Financial District intersection, one must experience it by day during the work week. For a city lover such as myself, the intense activity and the high density is exhilarating. Men and women cross the street from every side, even diagnolly, as San Francisco shows off its one small part of town that resembles Midtown Manhattan. The vistas are amazing as well. Look towards the bay down California and you get a splendid shot of the Bay Bridge sparkling over the water. Look the othey way up California and follow the Cable Car tracks to the top of Nob Hill and the grand Fairmont hotel. Ideal on a sunny day and within a walk to numerous pubs offering overpriced, but cold beer.
Number One. California and anything in Nob Hill ! Despite its drawbacks (“Snob Hill”), this neighborhood is San Francisco. If you are at corner number two on the list, head up the big hill that is California Street through Chinatown and up to Nob Hill to truly experience what this city is all about. At every corner along California high atop Nob Hill, the urbanity that defines San Francisco is on display. From grand architecture to the rich hotels to the views downhill towards downtown and Market Street, I cannot find a better way to spend a day than a few hundred feet high in one of the nation’s most memorable cities.
