RON HENGGELER |
March 6, 2008
International Orange and Corona Heights
The red-orange color of the Golden Gate Bridge is somewhat of an accident. When the towers were constructed, they were coated in the red-orange primer, which was extended to the rest of the bridge as the work continued. Designers of the bridge liked the way the distinctive color complimented the hills of Marin County and provided a contrast to the fog that swirled through the towers, so the bridge remained International Orange. It also increases the visibility of the bridge in fog. The top coat of orange is replaced constantly because the auto exhaust and chilly, salty air eats away at the finish . A team is employed fulltime to apply about two tons of the coloring per week to keep the paintwork in good condition and prevent the bridge from rusting. It takes four years to apply one coat. The job is not for the faint-hearted. Painters have to be able to climb to the top of the bridge’s 746- foot towers and routinely brave 30-mile-per-hour winds. Respectfully taken from SAN FRANCISCO SECRETS by John Snyder 1999 Chronicle Books
Oculus |
Corona Heights, also known as Red Rock Hill Corona Heights Park is a park in the Castro and Corona Heights neighborhoods of San Francisco. It is situated immediately to the south of Buena Vista Park. Corona Heights is bounded in part by Flint Street on the east, Roosevelt Way to the north, and 16th Street to the south. Corona Heights Playground and the Randall Museum are located within the Corona Heights Park. The whole area is underlain by Franciscan chert bedrock, and a large percentage of the hill is barren. At the hilltop, the chert bedrock in terra cotta red is clearly visible. The steps leading up to the peak are not supported by handrails. The peak of the hill is windy, but it offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the city of San Francisco from downtown to the Twin Peaks. Portions of Corona Heights park are made up of native plant communities protected under the natural areas program as well as non-local plants. The park is home to native reptiles including northern and southern alligator lizards and garter snakes. Butterflies like the anise swallowtail, red admiral and cabbage white can be seen flying in the park. Red-tailed hawks and common ravens can be seen over the park on most days. Western scrub jays, mourning doves, downy woodpeckers, chestnut-backed chickadees, pygmy nuthatches, bushtits, American robins, California towhees, white-crowned sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinches and house finches nest in or near the park. |
Baker Beach |
San Francisco Opera House |
Twin Peaks |
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