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Walk SF Tour: Explore the Living Spaces of the Market & Octavia Plan

From Walk SF:

From Walk SF:

Discover the heart of the city when you join veteran Peak2Peak and monthly members walk leader Eric Chase, and special guest architect David Winslow, who now heads the San Francisco Planning Department’s design review program.

In 2008, with strong support from the Hayes Valley community, the City passed the Market & Octavia Neighborhood Plan to encourage growth with transit-first, pedestrian-friendly urban design — all for a neighborhood once shadowed by the Central Freeway.

See firsthand the rapid changes in Hayes Valley since the plan was first developed. There are thriving stores around a beloved and constantly bustling park, with many new buildings under construction. It’s definitely better for walking… though a number of pedestrian-unfriendly spots remain.

Make your way through the plan’s neighborhoods to check out the latest developments, and take advantage of an up-close view of a major urban planning effort coming to life. Learn about a ‘woonerf’, which transformed what was once an unremarkable back street into a unique, welcoming and bustling “living alley” for people.

As you end the tour on this wonderful walk, enjoy an optional coffee at Blue Bottle or Ritual (Walk to Work Day’s most popular hub), an ice cream at Smitten, or brat at Suppenküche’s Biergarten.

Explore Market & Octavia Plan’s Living Spaces Saturday, August 23 10 a.m. – noon

Review these tips before you RSVP

  • Two mile, two hour walk; all flat/paved terrain (no stairs)
  • Wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes
  • Carry rain gear and sunhat as needed – we’ll go ahead rain or shine, barring high winds or dangerous weather
  • Bring sunblock, water, and personal snacks

Please arrive promptly by 10 a.m. to sign in. NOTE: Walks are limited in size and typically sell out; RSVPs required. This walk is free for Walk SF members; $10 for non-members.

Photo of Aaron Bialick
Aaron was the editor of Streetsblog San Francisco from January 2012 until October 2015. He joined Streetsblog in 2010 after studying rhetoric and political communication at SF State University and spending a semester in Denmark.

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