So far we’ve explored Lily, Linden, and Rose. Join us for part four in our series traversing the many alleys of Hayes Valley.
Hickory Street, just north of Oak, is one of the most quaint and residential strips in the neighborhood.
While many of our alleys bustle with retail, restaurants, and the like, Hickory remains one of the rare quiet thoroughfares packed with pure San Francisco charm. From Webster in the West to Van Ness in the East, Hickory is a Perry Como street nestled in the heart of the city.
Hickory features unique architecture with every step — no two homes are the same, and structures boast everything from scalloped wood siding to sharp post-modern angles.
We found a Saint Bernard enthusiast, and a gorgeous green Laundromat.
Plenty of sweetly trimmed residences outfitted with adorable stoops run the full length of the street, along with ivy arches, picket fences, and classic bay windows.
We run into the lots that used to house Hayes Valley Farm. It won’t be long before the space is divided and Hickory runs the whole way through.
A small yard sits on the other side of Octavia hosting a thick patch of greenery.
A few doors down, we found a good luck charm housed above a private garage. Seemingly fossilized ivy climbs the walls, and we finally hit businesses with a hair salon and art community at Gough Street.
The next block reflects the neighborhood’s educational priorities – we find space occupied by the Chinese and French international schools, as well as a rectory trimmed in blue with tall hedges.
Industry becomes apparent after we cross Franklin. A smorgasbord of overgrown potted plants line a sweet windowsill, and we hit Hickory’s first and only taste of street art.
As we’ve seen on our previous alley excursions, we also find some pearls of wisdom scrawled on the facades.
Our sweet walk ends with the harsh realities of downtown San Francisco – a Subway, a Walgreens, and the traffic of Van Ness bring this tour to an abrupt conclusion.
