Living in the urban maze of downtown can sometimes leave you longing to be fully immersed in nature. When this feeling hits and I’m short on time, I escape to the canyons in nearby North Park and South Park.
After a recent nature escape into South Park’s Switzer Canyon, my husband and I emerged onto Burlingame Drive within the Burlingame neighborhood. I was immediately intrigued by the pink sidewalks lining the street, so we strolled this historic district before heading south on 30th Street for our post-walk lunch.
Speaking of food, the Taste of South Park event is coming up on September 13, and on September 20, there’s the Taste of Gaslamp. Both are conveniently timed for the afternoon so you can enjoy a late morning walk followed by scrumptious bites.
The Sidewalks. Walk – or roll – on these rosy-hued sidewalks. They’re paved, flat and well-maintained, so it’s the perfect place for a peaceful, mobility-friendly adventure.
Why are the sidewalks pink? It was simply a desire to make the community unique while it was being developed, according to About San Diego by Ken Kramer. Interestingly, I also read that the pink sidewalks near the Marston House near Balboa Park were tinted at the recommendation of Kate Sessions, who found concrete too glaring. Perhaps the Burlingame developers were inspired by the visionary Sessions…or vice-versa.
The Houses. Although it was the sidewalks that first caught my attention in Burlingame, the houses were what made me stay and tour every street in this historic district. You can admire an eclectic mix of styles including Craftsman Bungalow, Art Deco, California Ranch, Tudor Revival and more.
According to the North Park Historical Society, approximately 90% of Burlingame’s homes were built between 1912 and 1952. Some of the neighborhood’s early residents were famed San Diegans, including San Diego Zoo founder Dr. Harry Wegeforth. Some homes were designed by famous people, such as architect William Wheeler, known for his work in Balboa Park during the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
The Walk. The east-west boundaries of this district are 30th and 32nd streets, while the north-south boundaries are San Marcos Avenue and Kalmia Street. My husband and I looped up, down, and all around within these boundaries for about 1.5 miles of walking. If you added a jaunt down into the eastern section of Switzer Canyon, you’d surpass 2 miles in distance for this adventure (note: a detour into the canyon is not suitable for those with mobility issues).
If you want a guided tour of the neighborhood (external only – no entrance inside homes), you can request one from the NPHS. Learn more at NorthParkHistory.org. SDSun
East Village resident Deanna Ratnikova is the creator of The GO Deck – grab a deck today and be inspired to Get Outdoors and GO on new adventures.
