Polk Street, San Francisco

Polk Street is a prominent thoroughfare in San Francisco, stretching from Market Street to Beach Street. It weaves its way through several neighborhoods, including Polk Gulch, Tenderloin, Nob Hill, and Russian Hill.

In 2002, the addition of bike lanes was approved, making it a significant route for cyclists in the city. Specifically, San Francisco bike route 25 follows Polk Street, offering a convenient North-South option for casual bicycle travel within a mile radius. Over time, residents have discussed various changes and improvements to the street, some of which were implemented under the Polk Streetscape Project and Shared Spaces program.

The street's name honors James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States, who held office from 1845 to 1849. During his tenure, Polk focused on securing California from Mexico after the Texas annexation. San Francisco Bay, in particular, held great strategic value as a gateway for trade with Asia.

Polk Gulch, a neighborhood humorously named, centers around a section of Polk Street and its surrounding areas. The street's path follows an old stream through a gently sloping valley, passing through the neighborhoods of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, from approximately Geary Street to Union Street.

During the period spanning from the 1950s to the early 1980s, Polk Gulch served as San Francisco's primary gay neighborhood. However, approximately by 1970, a considerable number of the LGBTQ+ community started migrating to The Castro and SOMA areas. At present, the area retains only one gay bar, known as the Cinch.