What we’re about
San Francisco Victorian Architecture and Mansion Tours, as well as Berkeley. Architectural and point of interest walks and hikes/walks on Mt.Tamalpais.
All photos are either taken by me, or members, or are paid for through Adobe Stock, on a monthly payment basis.
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A conversation is needed about Meetup "No Show" issues! The rule of thumb for most Meetup groups is a 50% rate of RSVP no shows. My goal is to handle the No Show issue in a positive way. And conversation is a positive way to find solutions.
There are many causes/reasons for no show behavior. Here are a couple.
Using Meetup RSVPs for shortlisting ones calendar down to a final choice? In other words RSVPing for several interesting Events for a given day. Then when the morning arrives picking the most interesting Event and blowing off the other RSVPs. (Please don't do that.)
There may be a need for Cognitive Behavior Therapy for last minute, "Emotional Reasoning" ie. I don't feel like it, therefore I shouldn't do it, or just going negative about the Event outcome. Seek specific therapy, for getting over ER and negativity, getting over these makes life better.
Here is an important request.
If you are not 100% sure you will attend, DON'T RSVP until you are sure. For those who are indecisive by nature, do the very best you can.
Lastly I think when members attend and are witness to an Event that had 28 RSVPs, that sees 10 actually show up is not a great way for the Event to get started. I know it is initially dis-heartening for me and not a very nice way to get started. Let's talk under the Discussions Tab and seek solutions together.
Note: Your Meetup name should have a least one character that makes it singular to you.
Note: You can control all the emails you receive from this group. Click "You're a Member", go to "Group Notifications", you can opt out of all emails or select types you want to receive. (Taking yourself out of the loop can have drawbacks. Especially when there are late changes to an Event.)
You can bring up a monthly calendar of all the Group's events by month. Go to the Events Tab and click Calendar.
We'll identify these basics about some of the houses; the architect, year built, name of first owner, builder's name, architectural style and maybe a human interest story from the house's history.
Videos of past hikes are available here, We'll be walking in very nice areas, 3 to 4 miles. We'll walk in the shade if too hot and in the sun if chilly. Try to find the fog when the temps rise. Have lunch with a spectacular view and out of the wind. Hopefully with picnic tables and restrooms.
Safety is always my #1 priority. I will be as aware as I can of any danger. But I can't be responsible for your safety. As adults you are responsible for your own personal safety and what you decide to do.
Liability Disclaimer: All participants agree to assume 100% responsibility for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and recognize that possible hazards exist while participating in outdoor activities, and agree to participate solely at their own risk. If you RSVP “Yes” and/or attend any event, it shall be conclusively presumed that you understand and agree to this policy.
Look at some of the over 6000 photos and picture yourself right there. Stay in shape and look ahead to fun days, sign-up for some hikes in the future while on-line here.
The group is for walkers and hikers who love to be immersed in the gorgeous, special places California offers. And while in that immersion, connect not only emotionally to these places, but learn about the natural science and human history of the locations. And to do this with kindness, patience and open heartedly. And best of all to make friends with those we get to know.
But the reality of managing a Meetup group is hard work. It has to be done carefully. Good judgement and basic people managing skills are needed. About roughly, 50% of those signing up for an Event, will actually show up.
I tell frequent no-showers to not bother to RSVP anymore and just show-up and surprise us! But some are RSVPing to whatever is interesting and then choose as the weekend approaches. I call it short-listing. I guess it's nice to make the short-lists.
When you compare Meetup to the social clubs of the past. Ski Clubs, Swim Clubs, Yachting Clubs, Country Clubs, Sierra Club, American Youth Hostels etc. Meetup is just Club Lite. Committing in a very personal relationship is a challenge for many. Is the same thing happening here in broader social relationships? Maybe keeping it lite is a way of compartmentalizing, keeping safe emotional boundaries. If friendships develop it will happen over the long term when an amount of certainty has developed?
If your work or life situation is totally stressing you out look for the Forest Bathing moments and Ocean Bathing (at Duxbury Reef) on the hikes that have as a goal reaching a meditative state of mind.
I love doing architectural tours of the Victorian and Mansion areas of San Francisco. Also Berkeley as fascinating residential architecture and the history to go with it as well.
These are very doable hikes for everyone who can hike. If you can manage walking up some very steep hills, can maintain your balance on very rocky, root covered uneven surfaces and have the stamina to walk about five miles you'll do fine. I think the best thing is to have a routine where you are walking everyday including going on these hikes. I've been leading hikes on Mt.Tam since 1995, less so now. So I know the areas very well. And also what to look for and when. let me know if I can answer any questions, as far as getting started?
If the above concerns you let me say this. You have to start somewhere. Walking is very gentle. Come do as much as you can and then come again and do a little more. If you have to stop and go back to your car, just be aware of the return route. There is so much to gain, don't let negative concerns stop you.
The cost of living in the Bay Area is very high. We all have to work, or have had to work, very hard, to afford to live here. One of the mitigating factors is the openness to diversity found here. One aspect of life here we can control is how we access one of the most beautiful outdoor recreation areas in the whole country. Not only the beautiful lands, the Bay and bio-diversity but the weather to allow us to get outside 24/365.
With the above said, utilize our amazing outdoors to forget about work and worries or the ravages of age and everyday cares and achieve a relaxed state of mind and body to the greatest extent you can. That's the goal of this Meetup and has been my personal goal for over twenty-seven years of spending as much time outdoors as I can. I'm never disappointed by this local outdoor experience. As well as the socializing, potential new friends met. Resulting in fulfillment of another vital need, maintaining our emotional well being and staying mentally healthy as well.
The bang for the effort put in, outweighs the driving time effort and the trade-offs, versus something else I could be doing.
It seems many have the impression that to have a fulfilling outdoor experience something very special must be experienced, via thrill seeking. The lure of a waterfall, spectacular views, sunsets, the full moonrise, the very peak of the wildflower bloom, some sort of special outdoor event, an unusual snowfall here, the height of fall foliage, mushrooms in profusion or some other unusual or rare occurrence must be sought to get the bang the effort requires.
Don't get me wrong the above are all fabulous. But they do not result in your having a sustainable, regular program for good health, well being, relaxation and fitness. And the great fallacy is, yes the above are great, but a plain, old regular hike or walk, once or twice a week is so fulfilling all by itself. Not just hit or miss thrill seeking, but a way of life that results in sustainable, ongoing happiness and health.
Liability Disclaimer:
By signing up for this event you agree to assume all responsibility for your own safety, health consequences, conduct and well-being, and you hereby release its organizers, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein. You are also acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with this type of outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Help Create an Architectural Walking Tour for the Southeast side of the MissionHaus Coffee, San Francisco, CA
Once the plan is finalized, the first Mission-Southeast, Meetup event, is scheduled for, Tues., June 3rd. :click for link:
Help create using the info gathered on this Event, a mainly Victorian, heritage, architectural walking tour of the Southeast Mission District.
We'll very much narrow down the exact location from, between 20th & 26th, from Shotwell to Vermont. (I especially like the tree lined streets.)This is a very interesting neighborhood that will be fun to explore and discover the ins and outs and architectural pathway.
Join me in reviewing the old and new maps and guidebooks to put together the architectural gems out there waiting to be discovered and organized into a comprehensive walking tour.
What do the Victorian houses look like out there. Will we find the remnants of an 06', "earthquake cottage" somewhere out there?
Let's meet a little ahead of time to review the maps and old and new guidebooks and plan a route. Then we'll give our new route a try and see what we find. The photo above is an Earthquake Cottage in Bernal Hts. Maybe we'll find one like it in the Mission. There is a photo below of how the cottages were used in Delores Park after the 06' Earthquake.The SF Planning Dept., has done extensive studies of the history, buildings and architecture of several City neighborhoods. For example, the Bayview Hunters Point Area B Historic Context statement is a 182 page study with many photographs and building listings documenting this area.
An excellent Historic Context statement exists for the Mission districts which will add greatly to knowledge of this area. For a deep dive into detailed SF neighborhood history click the link above.
In regard to all the very old SF photos and maps used here. Being well over 100 yrs. old there are no copyrights permitted on these photos.
I want to acknowledge the City of SF employees and consultants who put together the Historic Context Statements mentioned above, where all the old photos I've used here, came from.
As far as the recent photos: these came from an article in Mission Local, reporting on the 06' earthquake commemoration ceremonies. - - Grand Mansions in Pacific Heights - SF Tour - Alta Plaza to Lafayette Park -Gino's Grocery Company, San Francisco, CA
Meet outside Gino's Grocery at Jackson St & Fillmore. Diagonally across the street from Blue Bottle Coffee. Photo above is the Casebolt Mansion, oldest mansion in Pacific Hts, from 1865.
There is available free parking around the neighborhood and no restriction on weekends, but curb wheels and check for exceptions. Don't park at a meter. There is more parking around Alta Plaza Park between Steiner & Pierce, on Jackson St. There is always parking on the very steep streets.
My go to place if I can't find closer parking is on Pierce St. between Jackson St. and Pacific Ave. It's a very steep hill. But the parking is at ninety degrees.About midway through the tour we'll stop for a break atop Lafayette Park. See included photos for some history about the park. Restrooms and views and describe the surrounding houses.
Pacific Heights is best known for being one of the most affluent neighborhoods in San Francisco. This tour highlights the architecture, and the people who built, occupied and maintained these grandest of properties. About 30 of which will be on our tour with a few sentences of information about each property. This a little longer tour then the usual two hours, but a lot to see.
The walking tour is 2.5-3.5 miles, with some steep one block at a time climbs.
Described as the most magnificent residence in the country, the Flood Mansion at 2222 Broadway. See why in this video.
To check for a possible, for sale/open house tour, click this link.
If you would like a scholarly and detailed explanation with photos, click. For most of the architectural styles seen in San Francisco. Provided by the SF Planning Dept.
- In Tilden Park, Peak Wildflower Time, Especially in the Botanic GardenIsland Picnic Area, Berkeley, CA
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park has many blooming native Calif. wildflowers (with ID tags). We'll hike over to the Botanic Garden, a short distanc from our new meeting location. With all the flowers in bloom now, this has to be a wildflower walk.
Meet in the Parking Area for the Island Picnic Area, Tilden Park, 1147 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Berkeley, CA 94708. There is a restroom building, next to where we are meeting. The parking is along Wildcat Canyon Rd., a strip of diagonal spaces.
Please note most of Wildcat Canyon Rd. is closed between Grizzly Peak Blvd. and Lake Anza. For access get off Grizzly Peak Blvd., at Shasta Rd. and head straight through to a left turn at Wildcat Canyon Rd.
Overall between 1.5 to 2 miles today.
Because the hiking trails are very, very uneven. Making for unstable footing, caused by rocks underfoot, tree roots sometimes growing across and along the trails and in some cases trails that slant sideways instead of being level from side to side. All of these tripping hazards, require secure foot and ankle support.
Why risk a sprained ankle or worse? When wearing hiking boots or other proper footwear will greatly lessen the risk.Opportunity for lunch stop afterward at one of many nice Berkeley/Albany restaurants.
Here's a simple link that will allow you to support the Meetup and add a thank you.
The photo above was taken near Rock Spring on Mt.Tam. On our route today in Tilden we won't see fields of wildflowers like that. We will see smaller groups of WFs and in the Botanic Garden, WFs from all over the State of Calif. - Bernard Maybeck Tour - Rose Walk Area, and Architecture 1900 to 1950sRose Walk, Berkeley, CA
This tour is a combination of renown Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck's Berkeley sub-division, called "Maybeck Country", and the examples of the development of the Bay Area regional and traditional styles of architecture. We'll see wonderful examples of the first (Brown Shingle) and second (Mid-Century Modern) Bay Area, endemic, traditional styles. And one or two of the third tradition as pictured above (photo from Henry St. in Berkeley). The architecture at Sea Ranch is also considered the third tradition of Bay Area architecture.
"BAY AREA TRADITIONAL" (1880-1980) Coined in 1947 by architecture critic Lewis Mumford, the Bay Area Tradition is a regional vernacular architecture endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area Tradition evolved over nearly 100 years and has since been categorized into First, Second, and Third traditions, spanning from the 1880s to the 1980s. We'll see the most authentic examples in Berkeley on this tour.
Additionally for a fascinating insight into the lives of the Maybecks click this link.
"Blooming in Winter", a biography of Jacomena Maybeck.
On the tour see the house that B.Maybeck built for Jacomena and Wallen Maybeck and now the author's home.
Meet at the intersection of Rose Walk and Euclid Ave. The parking enforcement signs I've seen on streets near Rose Walk indicate there is no time limit for parking here on the weekends. But be sure to check the signs where you park. If event is during the week we'll be sure to return to the cars within the parking time limits.Here's a simple link that will allow you to support the Meetup and add a thank you.
The walk is about 2.0 miles and up some steep streets.
Information comes from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association publications and web site. Also from the City of San Francisco Historical Preservation Bulletin. (source for photo above)The Hillside Club founded in Berkeley in 1898 proposed building houses in the hills that fit into the natural landscape to preserve the beauty of the hills. Houses that nestled into the hillside, built with a redwood and having an unpainted look. Influenced by the Arts & Crafts back to nature movement popular at the time. Architects Bernard Maybeck, Julia Morgan and John Gaylord Howard built houses in keeping with these ideals, becoming the, "First Bay Tradition". We'll see many of these today. As well as other houses built from 1900 to the 50s.
Modernist architects were influential in the development of Greenwood Common and the modernist design of houses there, "Second Bay Tradition" also known as Mid-Century Modern. William Wurster, first Dean of UC School of Environmental Design, 1950-1963. He owned and developed Greenwood Common. Choosing to collaborate with other prominent, Mid-Century Modern Architects.
In the middle of the period, 1920s & 30 the storybook and particularly the highly embellished period revival styles gained great popularity. The stucco facades and red clay tile roofs provided fire resistance in the aftermath of the North Berkeley Hills fire of 1923. Popular were Spanish/Mediterranean Revival. We'll see examples of thls architecture in the aftermath of the fire as we finish the walk on Le Roy Ave., a street that was devastated in the 1923 fire.
Itinerary:
Rose Walk
Pete Seegar's family home
The Sack House
Check the restoration progress on 2733 Buena Vista. (It's finished.)
Walk to the top of Maybeck Twin Dr.
Temple of Wings (A home/dance school for modern dancers, the Boytons and Isadora Duncan)
Historic Maybeck family house (& the dueling historic markers!)
Greenwood Common (Modern Second Bay Traditional Regional style.)
For after the tour: the walk is near two of the nicest shopping and restaurant districts in the East Bay. Combined, having over a hundred places to eat and drink. As well as some of the most unique shops to be found in the Bay Area. Below are links to directories for these.
Shattuck Ave. from Rose St. to University Ave. aka "The Gourmet Ghetto".https://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/eb/gourmetghetto/
Solano Ave. from San Pablo Ave. to the Alameda.
https://www.solanoavenueassn.org/solano-avenue-directory
Those taking advantage of public transportation, the meeting location is a great, no more than two mile uphill walk, from the downtown Berkeley BART station.( I suggest walk as diagonally as possible through the grid of streets. Leave extra time. A great alternative for those wishing a longer walk.)
