|
Despite its proximity to the
Haight, anyone who has spent
time in this small community
knows Cole Valley has a
distinct character all its
own. "Community" is the
operative word in this thin
slice of San Francisco real
estate, bordered on the west
by Stanyan Street and the
Sutro Forest, on the south
by Tank Hill and on the east
by Clayton Street. Residents
are largely families and
young professionals, though
there is no trace of the
snootiness that has affected
other parts of the city.
Most of the businesses in
Cole Valley are of the
mom-and-pop variety, in lieu
of chain stores or
franchises, and shop owners
are outwardly supportive of
each other. Boulange de Cole
Valley
Food and coffee are the
specialties in Cole Valley.
In the three-block
commercial strip along Cole
Street and part of Carl
Street, there are more than
a dozen restaurants and
cafés, some of which draw
visitors from around the Bay
Area. EOS, for instance, is
considered one of the city's
top dining spots, while
Zazie is a magnet for locals
on weekends for brunch. For
historians and old-timers,
traces of Cole Valley's past
are still visible. Above the
Crepes on Cole awning, along
the Carl Street side,
remains the old sign for the
Other Café, a comedy spot
where Robin Williams and
Dana Carvey performed before
they hit the big time. Even
more historic are the photos
in the Kezar Bar and
Restaurant dating from the
early 1900s, when the region
was home to dairy farms.
Though most visitors never
make it past the restaurants
and shops, Cole Valley does
offer dramatic views of the
city. The best spot is atop
600-foot-high Tank Hill,
named for an old water tank
stationed there in the late
1800s. The eucalyptus trees
there were planted after the
attack on Pearl Harbor to
hide the water tank from
bombers. To get to the
hill's summit and panoramic
viewpoint, walk up Shrader
Street to Belgrave Street
and turn left, taking it to
the end.
Cole Valley may not be one
of the city's most bustling
tourist destinations, but it
makes for a relaxing respite
from the Haight, and there
are enough attractions for a
day's outing.
|
