Spur's origins can be tracked down to 1906 San Francisco earthquake when city leaders came together…read moreto improve housing quality. Today, Spur serves as a nonprofit public policy organization that focuses on regional planning, transportation, sustainability and resilience, transportation, regional planning, economic justic and good government practices. The main reason I love attending Spur events is the exchange of ideas between some of the brightest local Bay Area minds. From talks about commercial real estate conversion to much- needed public transportation innovation (e.g. BART work commute with 90 dB loud noise) and San Francisco downtown revitalization incentives. I love SPUR.

Today is PARK(ing) Day, when certain parking spaces around the world are reclaimed and transformed…read moreinto temporary parks. You can find such a spot right in front of SPUR today as well as scattered around the city (http://parkingday.org). SPUR, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, is a public-policy think tank that promotes good government, urban planning and design. PARK(ing) Day (conceived in 2005 by REBAR in SF) is one of the many projects that is featured in SPUR's DIY Urbanism exhibit (http://www.spur.org/events/exhibits) which is on view at the Urban Center now through the end of October. There's even a Greenaid seedbomb vending machine (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/BDSx4Y5fYzQ_sjsq6EgBPw?userid=4FcfCT4WFGdNI_E09htphQ) installed if you want to partake in guerrilla gardening. Drop by, check out the events, read the Urbanist, be informed, and be inspired.

If you want to learn the history of Martinez (1800-1909s) this is the place. The museum is small…read morebut has so much to share! They've done a great job in their set up and displays. Very easy to follow. The museum has two floors packed with past and current Martinez information. I like how they break it by subject making it easy to follow.

This museum is small, but mighty, and is chock full of local history!…read more Located in the historic two-story 1890 Borland home on the corner of Escobar Street and Court Street, it's a must-visit if you're a resident of CoCo County. Thanks to the Martinez Historical Society -- plus volunteers -- they saved the building from being demolished! The museum is staffed by volunteers who grew up in Martinez, saw it change and grow throughout the decades, and can give you an "old-timer's" first-person account of where and how things used to be : ) For example, did you know that Martinez was THE place to go for shopping and people watching? Or that numerous historic buildings and historic building elements were torn down in the name of modernity? Check out the old photos and memorabilia forever immortalizing past Martinez residents and enjoy local found items from the Ohlone and Bay Miwok. You can tour the small museum with the volunteers as your guide, or simply walk through on your own. But you'd be missing out on the best part of the visit : ) *Note: Make sure you sign in, in the guest book, pick up a few brochures for local historic sites, and contribute a donation in an envelope.

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this location. I helped organize an event who needed…read morean event space for 200 people. My objections were overcome when the likeable staff, the flexible meeting space and the free parking on the weekend changed my mind. The space offers a scenic view to the courtyard fountain that featured blue tiles and splashing water. This is a lovely setting with windows and skylights all around. We did a site inspection and the contact person bent over backwards to assist us. He answered our questions and let us poke around behind the stage. We went into the full kitchen and inspected for cleanliness. It looked good. The restrooms were clean but a little dated. There are plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate weddings, or conferences. On event day, we were able to enter a bit earlier and leave a little later. As we left we observed the staff mopping and washing the tabletops. The space if very clean, spacious and has friendly, low key staff.

The views are fabulous, the succulent gardens sensational located in a beautiful neighborhood…read more It was once considered to mark the geological center of the city.

I found Mount Olympus on Atlas Obscura, it's a nice place to go to look out at a view of SF (city…read moreand bay to the east and Mount Sutro to the west). Sometimes it's really foggy and you can't see much. There are better viewpoints in SF, but worth it for someone who's been everywhere and wanting to find something new. The parking up here is very limited, I've never driven up here but used it more as an add-on to a walk in the neighborhood. It can be accessed by stairs on 17th and Clayton or Upper Terrace. From Corona Heights Park to here incorporating the Vulcan, Saturn, and other staircases is around 1.2 miles.

Fellow Yelper Terry T. very thoughtfully picked up on my fondness for mosaic tiled stairs and…read morerecommended I take a look at this particular flight. Vallejo?? Well, I immediately filed it into the cobwebs of what's left of my brain thinking it would be hidden in my subconscious. Sure enough I was recently driving on Route 37 and decided to stop in Vallejo. I'm not sure why, but I suddenly remembered those stairs were somewhere in town. Found 'em. They're in a relatively inconspicuous spot off the main thoroughfare, Sonoma Blvd. it took local neighborhood activists to get them renovated after they fell into a state of disrepair since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Inspired by the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in San Francisco's Inner Sunset (review: https://bit.ly/3rRhxgn), they were able to recruit Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, the artists behind that masterwork as well as others in the city. Now I know nothing about Vallejo's history, so I couldn't appreciate a lot of the details of the imagery. Starting with the giant compass on top, it's pretty clear there was a lot of shipbuilding and other maritime activities like the ferry service to and from San Francisco. Obviously it's best to appreciate the two flights of stairs up close for all the trivia, but the best vantage point is actually across the street where the stairs look like a cascading waterfall. So if you're ever in Vallejo... RELATED - Exploring north of San Francisco? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2tIHlkV

Did some sight seeing in the home town today. A project the city had been trying to finish for a…read morewhile now got finished and dedicated at the end of 2021. I've finally made my way down town to see these beautiful steps. These centrally located, yet tucked away treasure can be found of the main road of Sonoma Blvd and Capitol street in downtown Vallejo. Visit for a breathtaking views of the city, walks for pets exercise, or just great photo opps. Whatever may be the case you are sure to enjoy some time enjoying this historical sweet space!

the Redwood Trees are an exhibit within the confines of Marin Country Mart. MCM's owners…read morecommissioned S. & S. to create same. the exhibit is part playground, part education, part exhibit, part preservation. the 3 large sections of a redwood tree lying flat, standing up are testimony to the immense size of redwood trees in their native habitats. some children enjoy playing around them. per Linkedin website re: J.S. Rosenfeld & Co. ..."is a privately-held real estate company driven by the art of preservation, modernization, and community building in order to create open-air, unanchored villages characteristic of the original California country mart phenomenon of the past". creator: Smith & Smith sponsor: J. S. Rosenfeld & Co.

Created in 1901, the city of San Francisco commissioned Douglas Tilden for a beautification…read moreproject, this public art work was one of them. This bronze statue sits atop a granite base, that was previously a fountain. The installation sits in an open air public plaza with tables, chairs and shops. There are several gatherings, meetings and rally's here. The I've is dedicated to workers labor and the economic means created

I really liked visiting the mechanics statue yesterday ..there was a new or newer plaza activity…read moreand display with downtown SF partnership ..it was my lucky day ..there was a chess session at noon ...and free ice cream for one hundred people at 3pm and music ..near flywheel ..near one sansome ..historic info near this statue ...I could do other activities using bus ..nice out ...near Montgomery station ..did u know ??

One of the most beautiful and desirable neighborhoods in Hercules/Pinole! Location is near the bay…read moreand it's a wonderful place to walk, bike, play sports, picnic, relax. Homes in the area are pretty big, neighbors are nice, area is relatively safe/quiet, and there's a park/bay trail nearby for recreation and relaxation. I also appreciate the diversity in the neighborhood- you'll find almost every race in this community. I love the heart of the neighborhood, which is a staircase that leads to a beautiful walkway to a garden of roses, Japanese maples, pine trees, noble firs, etc. that leads to a white pergola. It's a great place to exercise, stroll through to take pics, sit and enjoy nature, walk dogs, etc. A few cons are the railroad track is by the bay but the occasional noise doesn't affect me, it's close to an oil refinery, and there's an HOA that you have to officially ask permission to add major changes to the visible areas of your home. Lastly, home values in this area have considerably spiked, which sucks for homebuyers but current owners are loving it!