Streetwise: Summertime in the Western Neighborhoods
by Frank Dunnigan
July 2025
Frank Dunnigan, WNP member and columnist. - Summertime is upon us once again. While some families used to escape to places such as the Russian River, Santa Cruz, or Lake Tahoe, many of us remained closer to home, surrounded by the fog and the intermittent sunshine of the Western Neighborhoods. Fortunately, there were plenty of recreational activities—both indoors and outdoors—to keep everyone occupied. Here are some that were popular all year long, but especially during the summer months.
Fleishhacker Pool Jun 29, 1928 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.SWIMMING AT FLEISHHACKER POOL—From the time of its opening in the 1920s, Fleishhacker Pool drew crowds of both swimmers and spectators. Although the seawater passed through a heating plant, it did not feel considerably warmer than the ocean itself. These two swimmers are pictured in the summer of 1928.
Ocean Beach circa 1940 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.A DAY AT THE BEACH AND MORE—By 1940, when these children were enjoying time on the sands of Ocean Beach, the sights and sounds of Playland offered additional entertainment possibilities just across the Great Highway.
Campfire Girls Cooking at 325 Arguello Blvd; Mrs Patricia Thomas, Patsy Mahan, Patsy Ann Cleary, Callie Tilden. - Courtesy of a Private CollectorSCOUTING—Activities with Boy and Girl Scout Troops, plus Camp Fire Girls—shown here at their Arguello Boulevard clubhouse in July of 1942—were popular pastimes for thousands of San Francisco youngsters in days gone by.
Strohmaier Family (Strohmaier Family Collection - Courtesy of a Private Collector)BICYCLES—Bike riding was a popular recreational activity, as shown by these two youngsters on Monterey Boulevard between Ridgewood Avenue and Genesee Street in the Sunnyside neighborhood back in 1953.
Schwartz family/116 Chaves/Miraloma Park Seven kids on Lawn - Courtesy of a Private CollectorHANGING OUT CLOSE TO HOME—Many Moms in the 1950s regarded the front lawn as the ideal place for neighborhood kids to gather, play, and perhaps enjoy a shared picnic lunch. This group of seven youngsters is shown at 116 Chaves Avenue in the Miraloma Park neighborhood in 1953.
Children sliding down triple slides in playground section of Fleishhacker Zoo - Courtesy of a Private CollectorTHE ZOO—Visits to the Zoo in the 1950s involved more than just seeing the Lion House, Monkey Island, or the Polar Bear Grotto. The playground there included a variety of equipment, including swings, slides, and sandboxes, plus an old locomotive and a salvaged cable car for climbing. Access to the Zoo remained free until the Fall of 1970.
Certificate issued by Skateland in 1956 to complete a girl scout badge - Courtesy of Jo Anne QuinnROLLER SKATING—Skateland, just north of Playland along Great Highway, offered indoor activities—including training classes back in 1956—in case things were a bit too cold and foggy outdoors.
Girl Scouts at Lake Merced - Examiner Negative Collection / Courtesy of a Private CollectorBOATING—Older children could often be seen boating on Lake Merced, such as this group of 3 Girl Scouts in the summer of 1958.
Kids inside Barrel of Fun at Fun House - Courtesy of a Private CollectorPLAYLAND—One of Playland’s many entertainment options was the Fun House, including the rotating Barrel of Fun that challenged visitors to walk all the way through without falling down while the barrel was in motion. This scene is from the 1960s.
Willie McCovey and 'Bobo' Olson with Corpus Christi Little League kids - Courtesy of a Private CollectorSPENDING TIME WITH STARS—This group of Little Leaguers looks happy to be hanging out on Lower Great Highway at Pacheco Street in the 1960s. They’re with Carl “Bobo” Olson (1928-2002), World Middleweight Boxing Champion from 1953-55, who is putting on a sparring demo with Wille McCovey (1938-2018), first baseman for the San Francisco Giants from 1959-1980. Both men were west side residents at the time.
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