Greetings from San Leandro

I had to head out to San Leandro today for work. I got off the BART train to walk to my meeting and was greeted by this wonderful painting on the side of a school.

Red

Stopped at a red light I looked over and saw this bold building. I have no idea how I missed it- I have driven down the street I saw it on many, many times, but despite the bright red paint I never noticed it. Really made me realize that when I am in a hurry or headed somewhere with purpose I rarely look around and notice sometimes the most obvious of things. This bright red color begs for attention, especially against the usual white buildings all around it.

SOMA

I have been making a lot of trip to South of Market (SOMA) for work, and there is the most awesome graffiti on so many of the buildings. So as not to make too many people stare at me, I have been taking one photo at a time rather than stopping at every corner to take another photo. Usually graffiti in SF is covered over pretty quickly if it is low to the ground by white paint, or by other taggers, but I was surprised to see that this one still looked great. I love the light blue background with the bold white lettering.

50

Most people who wander down the Embarcadero usually stop once they get to AT&T, but if you keep going past the stadium you hit a bunch of piers that are still working. They have the most awesome signage at all of the piers- I love the font of this bold Pier 50 sign.

Shall We?

I had completely forgotten about this photo, and only remembered even seeing it when I found this after trying to clear some space on my phone. I pretty much always take photos of any street graffiti I see, but I was particularly amused by the question mark at the end of this one. This was snapped outside of Trouble Coffee- which is the best coffee spot in the city in my opinion. It is overrun with hipsters, but it is the best latte ever.

Static

This is just a small part of a larger stenciled graffiti scene, but this is the part I liked the best. This was on the sidewalk next to a tiny little parklet by Ocean Beach. This is what you see all over San Francisco when you look up, it was somewhat comforting to see it looking down as well.

Champion

This is another one where LBQ rolled his eyes at me while I was taking another photo. I am not sure what it is about this sign but I love it. Great colors with solid old school lettering up against the yellow pole- nothing gets me going like a well done sign.

Bird on a Wire

Spotted this bird on Judah Street near 38th Avenue. I almost missed it- as did LBQ; it took him a couple of minutes to figure out what I was taking a photo of. This reminds me a bit of some of Banksy's work- small, discreet, stenciled graffiti.

Vacancy at the Beach Motel

It's been over a month since I posted anything but I am committed to getting back into this.

Last week we went for a long walk to the beach. I have walked past this motel so many times, and I always love the sign. On our Saturday walk the sun was shinning, and despite it being November, it was shorts and t-shirt weather. This retro sign against the blue sky was such a welcoming sight.

Down with the internet!

Seen at 5th and Bryant- death to Twitter! I'm clearly missing the point by posting this to social media. 

Hard Hitting Questions

This may be one of the stranger things I have seen wandering San Francisco (which says a lot)- these conversation starting post-it notes were on the lamp post at a cross-walk. Hard hitting topics to casually discuss while waiting to cross the street.

Healdsburg

This past weekend Liam and I headed up to Healdsburg to visit my cousin who has been living there for the summer while she works at the di Rosa Preserve. She took us out to the local dive bar which had this amazing sign out front. Of course I had to take a photo!

Signs from the Mission

Two buildings caught my eye recently while wandering around the Mission. I have spent a lot of time in the Mission, I finally pulled out my phone to snap a couple of photos of two buildings I particularly love. The California Savings building is a former bank that has been turned into apartment buildings. I love that they kept the original sign, and the palm tree next to it almost makes it feel very SoCal. The second building is a kung fu academy- just love the painted on letters and old feel of the place, especially next to the deep red brick.

Wonder Who Lives Here

Strolled past this apartment building this weekend in the Inner Sunset. Liam and I both had a good laugh- the placement of the sign and the possessive "s" makes it sound like St. Anne herself lives in the apartment. 

Blue Door

I love everything about this blue door in the Lower Haight- fabulous light blue color, terrific font choice for the numbering and the reflection of the gorgeous Victorian across the street in the glass. 

Friday Inspiration

Seen on Balboa at 6th avenue. 

Seattle Highlights

Spent this past weekend in Seattle and had a blast. I only took a couple of photos because my phone kept telling me that I didn't have enough space which was a total downer- Seattle is a dream for someone who loves bright colors and marquee lighting!

Dance instructions on the sidewalk while wandering around Capitol Hill. 

Fanciest Rite Aid sign I have ever seen! I am usually not a Rite Aid fan (Walgreens for life), but I love that they matched their sign to the old movie marquee style when they took over the building. 

Sign on the front door of a bar/restaurant in Capitol Hill. Love the saturated colors (of course), and the script used for "Unicorn". A peek through the door showed that the inside was just as brightly decorated. 

It's a Cinderella story*

Bill Murray spotted in Soma!

*Please tell me you have seen Caddy Shack...

Peace Out

Spotted this mural in the Tenderloin while running errands. Gorgeous bright colors up against the beautiful blue sky!

Dewey Decimal

A while back the San Francisco library system moved from the usual card catalog to an online system. While the benefits of a comprehensive online system clearly outweighs the paper card catalog, once the switch was made I really missed shifting through the card catalog when I went to the library (and as a kid I spent A LOT of time in library). The main branch kept a lot of the paper cards, and had people write a memory of the book on the catalog card. They then pasted them as mural throughout the library- a small memory of the original catalog system. I love the old cards up on the wall so much- one of my favorite parts of the library.

Innercity

This is one if my all time favorite pieces if street art in San Francisco. Modeled after California highway signs, there is a simple beauty to the message it has about all of us who make our home here.

Beer Rainbow

I am a big fan of beer, and always enjoy trying new brews. Whenever we take a trip we make a point to drink some local draft beer, and it rarely disappoints. This beautiful beer rainbow was at Great Divide, where we stopped in for a tasting. Sometimes the simple things really do make you the happiest!

Michael Jackson Lives On

A few photos from a recent trip to Colorado. I of course loved all the brick buildings throughout the state- something we earthquake-prone west coasters do not have the luxury of having. This great old theater was right off of the downtown main drag; terrific faded colors, and wonderful marquee lettering!

World Cup Fever

Spotted this on a walk around Twin Peaks late yesterday. It was in a glass enclosure at the front of a very modern looking house- looks like SF has World Cup fever as well! The lighting isn't great, but it was so delightfully strange I had to snap a photo. 

You Work Out Bro?

Spotted this dude hanging out outside the Stud bar in SOMA. Must be grabbing a beer between reps at the gym. 

Harsh Words Haight Street

More street graffiti headed to watch the Yankees, Giants and Stanley Cup Final tonight on Haight Street. Seems fitting. 

Comic-Con in SF

A friend of mine sent this to me over the weekend after she spotted it in Nob Hill. Love it! 

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

How perfect is this bathtub full of succulents? Saw this on the sidewalk near Ocean Beach. 

Vote early, vote often

Election Day in California! 

One Love

Bob Marley was cheering us on tonight on our run. 

Tip Your Server

Wise words on my walk to dinner.

Batter Up

Serious batting practice going on with these old trophies. 

Welcome to Florence Y'All

Saw this as we were driving through Florence, Kentucky. Love the red stripes and attitude on the usually boring water towers.

Bright Colors in NYC

A while back we took a trip to NYC, and spent the day wandering around Coney Island. The signs were out of control awesome- I love the super saturated reds, yellows and blues.

Edison Lights

I have always been drawn to Edison lights- you see them all the time in marquee lettering. Spotted these beauties at the First City Music Festival in Monterey, California.

Landing Back at SFO

Saw this out the window as we were landing back in San Francisco from Boston. Couldn't believe all the gorgeous colors right outside my window!

Gas Station in Sheep Ranch, California

Passed by this old refurbished gas station while visiting Sheep Ranch, California. Outside appeared to have the original wood- inside had been done with gorgeous old wood beams. I love the blue door next to the red Coca-Cola sign.