Winter Walk SF

This is definitely going to be something. I mean, right now it’s *something* but not that kind of something you shout to tell all of your friends about. But the idea and the future of this are definitely something.
What it is today, is a couple of blocks of traffic shut off, a whole lot of astro turf laid down, and a bunch of people wandering the area wondering exactly what’s going on. Were there food trucks and things for people to eat, with some seating for people to sit at? You bet. Were there also a bunch of unlicensed people selling all kinds of cheap stuff? Yep. But unmistakably, you could tell that in a few years, with more planning and momentum, this will really be something.
For now, it’s worth the eerie novelty of walking up the road and being in the middle of where a normal road is and having the fake grass beneath you. And of course, a nice place for the food trucks to gather. In the future, though, it would be great to see this as a true winter walk. Maybe a winter market for local people to sell local gifts? Or more holiday stuff? I mean, look at Union Street and their holiday kickoff for shoppping – there were elves to hunt for, entertainers on the street, carriage rides, balloons and sweater parties and all kinds of revelers.
You’re on to something here. We’ll see what it evolves into in the coming years.

I took some friends out here over the weekend. There was nothing remarkable to see. No extremely wonderful holiday lights… The only interesting bits of the winter walk were all the cute puppies and kitties displayed in the windows to encourage people to adopt them.

Last year, the Central Subway construction shut down and astroturf was laid down to create this little holiday gem called Winter Walk. To not have the Central Subway madness, however temporary, is an unbelievable relief. But to transform the space into one of the better local uses of open space is even better.
Stockton Street between Ellis and Geary makes up the Winter Walk. It’s got astroturf, benches, food trucks, coffee, buskers and the Macy’s SPCA kittens and puppies for adoption. They usually have some sort of entertainment every day. I enjoyed the carolers as they made me feel like it really was the holidays. Lots of weary holiday shoppers, tourist families and even locals on lunch breaks lounge around and are able to relax. They also have security to shoo out the bad behaviors and concierge people with British accents dressed in some sort of Tiny Tim/​A Christmas Carol homage, to help guide lost tourists.
There’s nothing to criticize about this use of public space, except that it’s temporary. Here’s hoping the Winter Walk stays permanently.

The designers really disappointed us with this one.
Good thing it was temporary.

A lot like my high school dorm room: glowing furniture, astro turf, starry sky #vangogh… pretty much all this esplanade is missing is the electric ramen hot pot and CD changer stereo #yesijustsaidthat waking you up with 70s/​80s guitar solos. And like a textbook or two.