On the very top of Potrero Hill sits a garden unlike any other I have visited.
Located directly above Highway 101 on the cliff-like peak of the hill on 20th Street and San Bruno, wind from the traffic below blows plants, hair and small children alike as you venture through the garden. The wind also contributes an almost haunting noise to the garden, making the experience of walking around that much more exciting.
Photo by Anna Hochman
The Potrero Hill Community Garden sits on a plot of land once commanded by Mrs. Estelle West, more well-known as the Goat Lady of Potrero Hill. In 1955, as the highway was being built, West was arrested for refusing to comply with her eviction notice and leave the property with her 18 goats. “I’m not religious but some spirit told me years ago that this was the place,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1951. “Now too many materialistic things are involved — this old freeway, I mean — I can’t hear the spirit too well.”
It’s no wonder that West was unwilling to give up the property: The Goat Lady and her goats had a terrific view of the San Francisco skyline. Nowadays, community gardeners get to enjoy the sweeping scenes of the city, from the Mission to Twin Peaks to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Photo by Anna Hochman
I recommend visiting right before the sun sets — first, look around as gardeners carefully tend to their miniature plots of land, harvesting fresh produce to bring home and watering a colorful assortment of flowers. Dahlias, the official flower of San Francisco, and California poppies, the state flower, are especially popular. As the sun slowly starts to dip down and gardeners pack up and head home, enjoy the tranquility of the now-empty space. The wind will die down a little bit, making way for the sounds of insects entering the night.
Photo by Anna Hochman
As the sky turns from blue to a collage of pastels, head to the northwest end of the garden and watch the incoming darkness transform the city. On your way home, stop for outdoor dining at one of the small restaurants on bustling 18th Street, or pick up something to go from the Good Life Grocery on 20th. You may even feel inspired to grow and eat some of your own freshly grown produce, but that will have to be from home — this garden already has 242 people on the waitlist to start their own plot.
