From parkway to park
There’s a vest-pocket park at the corner of Hayes and Octavia that has become a beacon of sorts for the vibrant little neighborhood that surrounds it. Twenty-five years ago, however, this area was decidedly un-charming. It was riddled with crime and dominated by the hideous double decker Central Freeway, which fed and drained western parts of the city each day. Then on October 17, 1989, the 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake struck, collapsing roads and bridges all over the Bay Area, including sections of the Central Freeway.
In the decade that followed, a Hayes Valley activist named Patricia Walkup rallied supporters who went door-to-door convincing local residents to sign petitions to replace the freeway’s remains with a public green space and a more attractive access route through the neighborhood. Her hard work contributed to the creation of Octavia Boulevard, a major tree-lined roadway, and Patricia’s Green, an urban park named after Walkup, featuring picnic tables, benches, a playground, and a series of art installations that are curated by Burning Man artists. This little outdoor haven has become the center of one of the most revitalized and lively areas of San Francisco, which includes the War Memorial Opera House and Davies Hall just down the street.
Info
Address Hayes Street & Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102 | Public Transport Bus: 21 (Laguna St & Hayes St stop) | Tip After shopping for unique jewelry at Lava9 at 542 Hayes Street, beer and pretzels taste great in the outdoor patio at the Biergarten.
In addition, within a block or two in either direction from the park, you’ll find some of the city’s best restaurants and shops, along Hayes Street. Many of the retailers are high end, but these are not chain stores, and each offers unique products, such as custom handmade corsets and exquisite leather goods.
One of the coolest features of the neighborhood is an innovative development project called Proxy, which hosts a rotating roster of temporary shops and restaurants housed in renovated shipping containers. The project has expanded to include pop-up food trucks and, more recently, an outdoor movie theater.
Back
To the online map