until suburbia!

Walk into History, Pacifica

May 20, 2022Silvia

Last week’s post was about a self-guided historic walking tour in Redwood City. Usually I shake things up a bit, but this week there will be a follow-up of some sort. The history walking tour of Pacifica takes about an hour and starts near the pier.

The historical society of Pacifica that compiled the walking tour suggests starting about one hour before sunset, in order to enjoy the sunset at the end of the tour. When we did it we started in the morning devouring treats from Rosalind’s Bakery on a bench near the ocean for breakfast.

The first of eleven stops on the tour is the Spanish inspired old water treatment building and wall. The second one, Sam’s Castle, you’re not too near to, but worth a separate tour if you get a chance. The Salada Hotel (3) and the two beach bungalows (4) tell more of a story, as Pacifica was built as a resort community enticing rich San Franciscan to establish second homes here.

Next stop, the ‘Little Brown Church’ is a must-see for any history buff. Nowadays known as the Coastside Museum, it opens its doors for visitors Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Many of the following buildings have a connection with the Little Brown Church. (6) Former Pedro school expanded their classrooms into it, (7) Mr Anderson from the Anderson’s store did all the woodwork, (11) and the pier is named after Rev. Hershel Harkins, a former priest at the Little Brown Church.

The most intriguing stop was number 10 on the list, a house on 2 Carmel Avenue. The self- guided sheet reveals juicy details about a former resident, Madam Dolly Fine. “She was arrested and forced out of business in 1938, having attracted too much attention when she claimed police bribes as business expenses.”

To hear more details about the history of Pacifica I highly recommend visiting the Coastside Museum.

Where do you walk on historic grounds?

Walk into History, Redwood City

May 13, 2022Silvia

May is National Historic Preservation Month. What better way to celebrate history than to walk a self-guided tour of the oldest city in San Mateo County, Redwood City.

One of the most interesting facts while I walked along Redwood City’s historic path was a green paving, marking the previous waterfront. I was never aware of this but you are actually walking on water! Well, “the tidal basins have since been filled, channeled and culverted” the information signage says.

But I’m walking backwards. To see the buildings that had an impact at the time Redwood City was an up and coming logger town, you can check out the map for the self-guided walking tour from the Historic Resources Society. Or as I did, stumble upon it.

The information kiosk for the ‘Path of History’ is on the north-east corner of Broadway and Main. With four major buildings from the time period on each corner: the Diller-Chamberlain general store, the American Hotel, the Sequoia Hotel, and the Bank of San Mateo County. It is a great place to start your exploration into history. I love that the rotunda holds four signs that let you read the historic significance and then look up towards that specific building.

When you walk down Broadway to go to the Courthouse Square make sure to look down and see the green pavement marking the former waterfront. Of course the San Mateo County History Museum, the old court house, is part of the tour. But did you know that this is the second court house they built? Behind it on Hamilton is the Lathrop House, a large residence even for 1863.

The Fox Theater used to be the Grammar School and the movie theater across the street was occupied by high schoolers. If you stroll down Theater Way, and no one will blame you if you stop and have a bite at the many offerings, the historic path leads you down Middlefield to the library. The library used to be Fire Station No. 1.

If you take a left on Main Street, you walk by the Odd Fellow House. This used to be the Alhambra Theater and with 1500 seats was a major destination between San Francisco and San Jose.

You can download the PDF for the Path of History walk here.

Or watch the YouTube video here.

Have you ever walked a historic route?

Peek Inside the Art Kiosk, Redwood City

May 6, 2022Silvia

Whenever I visit Redwood City I make sure I press my nose and camera to the glass of the art kiosk on Courthouse Square. This tiny public exhibition space, a cube whose ground measures 152 by 166 feet and a height of 153 feet, gives (local) artists a space to express their connection to Redwood City.

First installed in 2019, this was only meant to be a 10 month collaboration between the FUNG Collaboratives and the Redwood City Improvement Association. I could not find an end date to this exceptional art display.

The kiosk has glass on all four sides, and artists usually use the space with full efficiency.

The latest installment, Blue Night by Kiki Smith, also incorporates the light that shines in through the windows. Blue and translucent acrylic sheets represent 18 animal constellations. Each animal happily deflects the sunlight, or at night spotlights help to set the tone reflecting blue lights and shadows.

Blue Night will be on display until May 15th, 2022.

The Art Kiosk is on 2208 Broadway, Redwood City.

Next installments for the Art Kiosk are:

Homero Carrillo-Leon Not Defined May 21 – June 26

Jennifer Cannon The Gown July 02– Aug 07

Valerie Mendoza The Destination Cafe Aug 13 – Sept 25

Ilya & Emilia Kabakov They Are Flying Oct 1 – Nov 13

Wendy Wischer In Search of New Growth Nov 19 – Jan 02

(dates are for 2022)

Have you peeked inside the art kiosk?

Have a swimmingly good time at the Rotary PlayGarden, San Jose

April 29, 2022Silvia

As I said before, when my child was younger we searched out interesting playgrounds. I am a big fan of the all-inclusive playgrounds here in the Bay Area. There is usually a lot of thought that goes into the design of these playing areas. One of these all-ability playgrounds is the Rotary PlayGarden in San Jose. A fun place to climb, swing, ride, and run around.

When you enter the PlayGarden the theme is clear, you are ‘swimming’ in an imagined river with fishes. The beige and blue foam ground reflects the beach and water features remarkably well. Fishes are objects to touch everywhere.

The Rotary PlayGarden is part of the Guadalupe Gardens, a collection of ‘gardens’ that also include the Heritage Rose Garden, the historic orchard, and the community gardens. Adjacent to the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Visitor & Education Center, it has ample parking in front.

As the playground is gated you have to adhere to the opening hours, which are Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

Where do you go and play?

Other all-ability playgrounds are the Magical Bridge playgrounds and Walnut Creek near Heather’s Farm.

Experience 50 things to do in Mountain View, CA

April 23, 2022April 25, 2022Silvia

In 2017 I started my series of 50 things, a challenge to find 50 interesting things to explore in one city. Mountain View, CA was the first city I chose and it was about time to update it.

Many attractions I had previously mentioned changed. Places closed down, Android figures disappeared, and new gardens came to my attention. It’s clear that this project is constantly in motion and I will do my very best to keep everything up to date.

Luckily some of my favorite things are still around, like relaxing at Shoreline Park, the in-person festivals, and the farmers’ market on Sundays.

What are your highlights in Mountain View, CA?

Please let me know if there are any places you would like to see on this list, or have any comments.

Watch the YouTube video of 50 things to do in Mountain View!

Search out a Little Free Art Gallery, San Jose

April 15, 2022Silvia

Little free libraries are present in a lot of neighborhoods and worth seeking out. Not only do they offer free reading materials, but some extended their selection during the pandemic with canned foods or seeds. I also admire the creativity people invest in making these small cabinets.

The little free art galleries are an extension of this genre. The principle is the same as the little free libraries, come to see some art, grab something that catches your eye, or contribute to the fun. As far as I know San Jose now has two of these neighborhood gems. One of the galleries is stocked by Jennifer Hart, a local artist, who enjoyed the challenge of creating small art. The gallery is located on Booksin Avenue in Willow Glen. You can also see the current inventory at her Instagram account “Hart Little Free Gallery”.

The second gallery is nearby, in the Reed Elementary School area. SJFLAG is also on Instagram, but it asks that if you want to know the exact address you should PM them. I did not realize this on my quest, so it took me a little while to find the SFMOMA inspired box.

Smooth Ray of Trumansburg, NY created a directory for free little art galleries.

Have you been to a little free art gallery?

Resources:

https://sjctoday.6amcity.com/free-little-galleries-san-jose-ca/

Slide with Airport View, Junipero Serra Park

April 8, 2022Silvia

Junipero Serra Park is a 108 acres of trails and other outdoor enjoyments, like two playgrounds and picnic tables. Its hilly location leads you to an impressive view over the Bay right in view of the San Francisco airport. The Meadow View playground is near its highest point. There are some climbing structures, but the two parallel 54-feet metal slides are the focal point of this playground.

Imagine a speedy slide while watching planes land and take off. The playground is in the middle of a woody area and has plenty of shade. Parking is $6 and you can pay right next to the playground.

I also hiked part of the 1.2 mile Quail Loop Trail which starts next to the playground. On my visit I saw some wildflowers, but not the Douglas Iris that an information sign talked about. Overall it was a pleasant hike with some elevation and a spectacular view!

Junipero Serra Park is just east of 280 at 1801 Crystal Springs Rd, San Bruno, CA 94066. Parking is $6, dogs are allowed on leash.

Are you a slide enthusiast? If so, you should also try the Magic Mountain slide in San Mateo. At 55-feet this is the metal longest slide in Northern California!

Pay Respect at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno

April 1, 2022Silvia

If you ever entered San Francisco from the 280 you probably noticed the national cemetery in San Bruno, the Golden Gate National Cemetery. When the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio reached capacity and San Franciscans voted to bar cemeteries in the city’s vicinity, San Bruno was chosen. The San Francisco misnomer has created frequent confusions.

The first interment was in June 1942. Ironically interment can be easily confused with the Internment, which was arranged at the same time a mile below the cemetery at the Tanforan Assembly Center.

The monumental entry gate sets the tone for the memorial park. Signs explain the etiquette to fit the tone, no sports activities, dogs, etc. By 1966, veterans from World War II and Korea and later Vietnam filled the grounds to capacity. You can circle the round drive. If you are looking for someone in particular you can use the grave locator from the US Department of Veteran Affairs.

It is overwhelming to see the rows and rows of white tombstones; you really feel the impact of wars.

The Golden Gate National Cemetery is open 7 days a week from 8 am – 5 pm. It is closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

If you are fascinated by gravesites you should visit Colma, the town with almost 1000 times more dead people than living.

They wore their best... photo exhibit inside the San Bruno BART station

Revisit the Exclusion of the Japanese-American, San Bruno BART

March 25, 2022March 25, 2022Silvia

Last week I wrote about the Peninsula Museum of Art and the history of the mall where it is located. The Shops of Tanforan in San Bruno was built on the grounds of a former racetrack used as the assembly center for almost 8,000 mostly Japanese-Americans during World War II.

To remember this injustice the Tanforan Assembly Center Memorial Committee (TACMC) is in the midst of building the Tanforan Memorial, located just outside the San Bruno BART station. The bronze sculpture will picture two of the children that were detained at Tanforan based on a photograph by Dorethea Lange.

Already available is the photo exhibit: They wore their best… Inside the BART station. Photos by Dorothea Lange inspired Paul Kitagaki Jr. to search out survivors and relatives of previously detained Japanese-American. Pictures of Lange and Kitagaki Jr are side-by-side with explanations of their origins and current life. There are also photographs of historic documents and five information panels condensing the history.

While Dorothea Lange is now widely recognized for her striking images of the people in the Dust Bowl and the Internment camps, many of her photographs were deemed too honest and therefore impounded by the federal government.

If you are not a BART rider you can either ask the BART attendant to let you in or you can go to the virtual exhibit, plus additional materials, on the Tanforan Memorial website.

If you’d like to learn more about the Japanese-American internment you can visit the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.

Entrance of the Peninsula Museum of Art, San Bruno

Track down the Peninsula Museum of Art, San Bruno

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022Silvia

Inside the Peninsula Museum of Art, San Bruno.

The Peninsula Museum of Art used to be in Burlingame. These days you can find it in a mall in San Bruno. The museum is located at the Shops of Tanforan above the food court, near the movie theater. I personally found the parking lot confusing; I followed signs to the food court that disappeared and I ended up parking near Barnes & Noble. This choice turned out to be wrong and far from the Museum at the opposite end of the mall. If you happen to come by BART, you’ll be dropped off close to the entrance to the food court. Otherwise use the mall/Century Theater parking ramp, accessible off of Sneath Lane (not the BART ramp), and park on the 3rd/top level.

Regina Kong, Self portrait with lamb at the Peninsula Museum of Art.

The current exhibit at the Peninsula Museum of Art is New Voices: Art from Bay Area Universities. This is an interesting collection by ten art students from Stanford, San Jose, Berkeley, and more.This exhibit gives insight into how the pandemic affected each student, showing themes such as personal tragedies and cultural challenges.

Even with a limited showroom, the museum manages to exhibit multiple mediums: paintings, pottery, mixed media, and digital works.

New Voices can be seen until May 1st, 2022. Admission to the museum is free, but they request a donation to help fund the exhibits. Currently their hours vary due to a small volunteer staff. You should email peninsulamuseum@gmail.com and ask about their weekly hours.

Tanforan History

Statue of Seabiscuit in front of the Shops at Tanforan.

The Shops of Tanforan used to be a race track, hence the Seabiscuit sculpture on the entrance by Barnes & Noble. During World War II the Army used these stables to gather and house almost 8,000 American Japanese in order to deport them to concentration camps fulfilling Roosevelt’s executive order 9066. A memorial to remember this injustice is planned for spring 2022.

And once again Tanforan is about to transition. The property has been sold and is said to become a “megacampus” of biotech and technology firms. I will do my best to follow up on the whereabouts of the Peninsula Museum of Art.

Other ways to see art created by students in the Bay Area are the galleries at the San Jose State University and the Euphrat Museum at the DeAnza College in Cupertino.