San Francisco Civic Center
I'm an English and social studies middle school and high school teacher who loves sharing true stories about San Francisco. In fact, I've been leading walking tours in San Francisco since 1998!
Pickup
I will be standing near the black obelisk near the fountain in UN Plaza, across the street from 1127 Market Street, The Strand Theater. I will be wearing a California Republic bicycle cap.
Description
San Francisco features the USA's most architecturally unified Civic Center. The devastating 1906 earthquake and fire meant the city had to rebuild, and it did, choosing a Beaux Arts theme.
Come along on a thematic tour exploring the significance of culture and public policy in feeding a population. On this hour and a half walk we'll start at United Nations Plaza (bet you didn't know the UN came into existence in San Francisco!), then recount the story of cities and food as we amble through a farmers market, identify the statues and named buildings ringing Civic Center Plaza, and conclude by picnicking with our farmers market purchases near City Hall.
The statues and named buildings carry such stories as of liberation (Simon Bolivar), of colonization (the Pioneer Monument), while the Earl Warren Federal Office Building speaks of the USA's racially-sculpted history. There's plenty more, and all of it lends itself to addressing the food and dignity question, "Whose land is this?"
Your guide, David, a high school history teacher, invites you to feed body and mind, giving names and stories to the granite forms of Civic Center.