Today’s Walk: San Francisco Wake up Call

I’m back in the city for a few days so I spent four hours on foot today walking Crissy Field, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Alamo Park to see the infamous Painted Ladies and fnnch’s latest curation of a multi-artist, pro-vaccination street exhibit. (I walked a good 6+ miles but took an Uber up Steiner Street to make this doable.)

While bird/people watching at the Palace of Fine Arts I was witness to a car vandalism crime spree that almost included the hit & run of a Mom pushing two small children in a stroller. A couple of thugs raced their car thru this popular residential area, doing a brazen smash and grab style, break into cars. The woman pushing the stroller was in the cross walk when they swerved and just barely missed her. A nearby construction worker threw his hammer at their car as they sped by. The thieves did not seem to be phased by any of this, and actually continued to stop their car about a half block away looking into additional cars to break into, before speeding around the next corner. It happened in a matter of seconds with those of us standing nearby shocked, and jaws dropped open. The construction worker told me the same thugs had been there yesterday; he threw a brick at their car in hopes of scaring them off.

I purposely went up to Alamo Park because I wanted to see graphic artist fnnch’s latest curated display. It’s a cool public art installation focused on encouraging people to get their Covid vaccines. The panels are colorful and fun. Definitely making art accessible which is one of the goals. Sadly, two of the panels have been vandalized. Nevertheless the message is clear: please get vaccinated.

Today’s walk came with not so subtle reminders about life in the big city. San Francisco is a beautiful city filled with a lot of public art and interesting architecture. It also has its criminal elements which are easy to forget about while enjoying all the city has to offer. Unless you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…Be smart. Stay safe. Remember to never leave anything of value in your parked car. Enjoy my pics! #iluvtowalk #sanfrancisco #publicart #architecture #crissyfield #palaceoffinearts #alamopark #paintedladies #fnnch