As my daughter was driving down the Embarcadero on our way to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf I saw this huge arrow in the ground. I didn’t know what it was but I knew I wanted to use it for the A to Z somewhere!
It turns out that this arrow is in an area called Rincon Park! The arrow is called “Cupid’s Span” and it was installed in 2002. The husband and wife team who designed it said it was based on San Francisco’s reputation for being the home port of “Eros,” so the trademark of love fit right in. Since the park is right on the Embarcadero with no parking, another excursion with the hubby was called for and he dropped me off so I could take some pictures.
Around the perimeter of the park is a wall with various sea creatures attached. There is another beautiful sighting of the Bay Bridge from one side and the city skyline on the other.
There were metal tiles with words along the walkway but some of the words were missing. The ones that were left said, “You Are” and “Witness.” It makes perfect sense to have that phrase in that spot. There were a few people sitting on the lawn and around the sea creature wall enjoying the view.
I needed another “R” and once again Google maps helped me out. There was a Rainbow Crosswalk!
The crosswalk is in the middle of the Castro District, which is one of the first gay neighborhoods in the United States. The streets are lined with rainbow flags.
There is a huge flag flying above the whole area and a mural of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the State of California. Milk was often called the “Mayor of Castro Street” because of his work there.
Sadly, he was only in office for nine months before he was assassinated along with then mayor George Moscone, by Dan White, another one of the city supervisors in 1978. I remember that well. There was a movie made with Sean Penn in the starring role, “Milk,” which is currently running on Netflix if you’d like to see it. It was really good.
Okay only about a week left of our travels through San Francisco. Hope you can make it to the end with me!
Disclaimer notice. The coloring book pages are from the inserts the San Francisco Chronicle put out and I mentioned them in my theme reveal so you can go to that to get the info about the artists if you are interested. I did the coloring and took the pictures. Thanks to my daughter and husband who took me around the city so I could get out and be a touristy photographer!
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I love the wall with the sea creatures… wish there were more pics of that. The rainbow walk made me think I was in an updated version of the Wizard of Oz… ♫”Follow the Rainbow Brick Road”♪
Cheers
Crackerberries
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Yes, as I was posting it I was wishing I had gotten more close ups of the sea wall but you know my hubby was driving around the block and I didn’t know how much time I would have. LOL
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Rincon Park goes on my “places to visit list”!
A series about SF would not be complete without a rainbow location! I heard about the crosswalk. A few years ago when we celebrated a gay parade anniversary here in Zurich, Switzerland, an entire neighborhood was turned into a rainbow paradise! Street symbols, pictograms, even street names, would be adapted for the duration of a week or so. Great initiative!
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-z-2021-rome-wasnt-built-in-day.html
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It really is amazing to see all the rainbows all over the place. The whole area down by the Embarcadero is fun to visit.
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I definitely would also have checked out that huge Arrow
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Right?
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That arrow is so big. I’m always impressed with large art installations. It must be so challenging to set them up. Weekends In Maine
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Yes! There are several huge pieces of artwork that make me think the same thing.
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Cupid’s arrow is fabulous. Love the rainbow crosswalk as well. Castro District always has interesting things happening there, and the mural is great.
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It was definitely a fun find. Yes, the Castro is quite a place.
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Deborah, I’ve been trying to comment on your blog and my comments just disappear. If I knew how to fix it, I would. No big deal, but I am enjoying what I read.
Thank you Janet for allowing me to say this here.
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Any time, Ally. As per your post the other day, friendship in the comments section is totally allowed!
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😎
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Twenty years ago I saw a film about Pablo Picasso at The Castro. It was preceded by an organ recital. It’s still one of the most fantastic movie-going experiences I’ve ever had.
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Interesting. I’ve never been except for taking these pictures.
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I highly recommend taking in a film when it’s safe to do so!
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The Castro theater marquee is gorgeous! The death of Harvey Milk was a great loss — so wonderful that he is remembered in mural and film and in the struggle for LGBTQ rights. https://mollyscanopy.com/2021/04/rock-n-roll-djs-my-brief-crush-on-jack-rose/
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Even in its closed state there is something impressive about it, isn’t there. Harvey Milk was definitely a pioneer in Gay Rights.
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That arrow is huge! Another nice trip you’ve taken me on
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Thanks Jill!
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That is one doozy of an arrow. I am without words. I remember seeing the movie Milk, but don’t remember much about it. Isn’t that weird? Or maybe I should say, isn’t that the way it goes as you get older?
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Yes, sadly, I think it is an “older” issue. Just saw “Jobs” on TV yesterday and I know we rented it when it first came out but there were definitely parts I didn’t remember. Isn’t that arrow cool?
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Wow! Cupid’s Span is amazing! 😉👍
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Yes it is. Even more impressive in person.
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