What’s your favorite discovery on the Roundabout? After we unveiled our 38-mile route around San Francisco’s outer edge in October, we heard from dozens of you, all offering suggestions for what to see and do. Here are some highlights.
Big Art Loop: This open-air sculpture gallery across San Francisco features a variety of eye-catching installations, many of them previously displayed at Burning Man. You’ll encounter several pieces from the Embarcadero to Pier 70 and along Sunset Dunes.
Dogpatch Paddle: The next time you’re at Crane Cove Park, combine your Roundabouting with a paddleboard or kayak adventure out on the Bay.
The Box Shop: What’s this collection of brightly painted shipping containers outside India Basin Waterfront Park? Turns out it’s a collaborative studio space for artists, and they’re happy to show you around. They host a monthly open house every second Saturday. From the outside, you can view more than 100 murals by local artists.
The Roof Cow: Just off Geneva Avenue on Southern Hills, you can’t help but notice the house with a cow on the roof. Her name is Ruth, and she loves to dress up for special occasions. Ruth made frequent appearances in the SF Chronicle columns of the late Kevin Fisher-Paulson.
Broderick-Terry Duel Site: Tucked into a small ravine near Lake Merced is the site of California’s last duel, fought between U.S. Senator David Broderick, an abolitionist, and former California Supreme Court Chief Justice David Terry, who was pro-slavery.
Sutro Historic District: Below Lands End is San Francisco’s most alluring ruin: Sutro Baths. Once a lavish swimming palace and amusement park built by tycoon Adolph Sutro, it burned down in 1966. Hear more about Sutro Baths’ hold on our imagination in Young Ruin, an episode of 99% Invisible – mandatory listening for urban explorers.
Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel: Built as a memorial to those who lost their lives at sea, this modest chapel at Fisherman’s Wharf features a stained glass window depicting a ship’s wheel, a carillon, and altars fashioned from crab boxes. It’s open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The chapel hosts the annual Blessing of the Fleet on the first Saturday of October each year.
SF Chronicle writer Peter Hartlaub, another big fan of the Roundabout, has his own list of must-see stops. What would you add? Let us know at crosstowntrail@gmail.com.