Chinatown alleyways

Speaking of Chinatown, there's this whole dimension of Chinatown we just discovered! Suzanne had the opportunity to go on a tour of Chinatown's alleyways, with a little bonus tour of an SRO (Single Room Occupancy) apartment - the SRO isn't on the regular alleyway tour.

Chinatown is the 2nd most densely populated neighborhood in the U.S., Manhattan being the most densely populated, but Chinatown doesn't have high-rise buildings like Manhattan does. A key contributor to Chinatown's density is that a majority of its population lives in SRO's. Occupants of an SRO rent a single room, usually less than 100 sq ft in size, and share bathrooms and kitchens, usually 1 per floor... now that's compact living! Consequently, outdoor public spaces are the "living room" of the neighborhood. There are a couple large public squares and parks that are well used, but in addition to those spaces, the alleyways have become essential community spaces.



This map is in the middle of Waverly Alley. There are 41 alleys, and recently there has been an effort to enhance the usability of those alleys through lighting, seating, plantings, re-paving, etc. It's a fascinating, San Francisco original experience, complete with a stop at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

In with 2011

2011 started with a birthday celebration for our friend Adrian - it was also his baby daughter's 1 month birthday!



A couple days later, Ma & Pa came for a visit. In 2 days we gave them the grand, whirlwind tour of the San Francisco highlights including a short walk on Golden Gate Bridge,



...the classic SF view from Alamo Square of the "Painted Ladies",



...an exciting walk around Chinatown including some Chinese food and of course, a stop at a Chinese bakery for some red bean curd buns,





...and some spectacular sunset views of GG Park and GG Bridge.