Join us for part three in our series exploring the many alleys of Hayes Valley. In part one, we explored Lily. In part two, Linden. Today, it's Rose Street's turn in the spotlight.

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Rose is the last alley in the neighborhood, before Hayes Valley melds into the traffic on Market Street, and seamlessly fades into the Mission. These quiet three blocks are quirky, colorful, and surprisingly profound. Join us as we appreciate the easily overlooked beauty of our neighborhood in this week's featured alley: Rose Street. The western end of Rose is a full block of public housing, and serves as the unofficial border between Hayes Valley and Lower Haight. At Buchanan, Rose breaks for a block, allowing space for the first of two beautiful parks. This hilltop oasis, Koshland Park, offers a half basketball court, children's playground, and labyrinth of winding sidewalks to move you down the hill. Don't forget to take in the secluded view of City Hall, and the hopeful tiles at the entrance. We find the alley begins again at Laguna, in the shadow of some classic San Francisco Victorians. Hidden behind a building, we found a multicolored flock of urban birds – and a strange thought-provoking message scrawled on a garage door. On the north side, we stumble upon the Page and Laguna Mini Park, this time tiny and hidden like our own secret garden. Rose is home to some of the most subtly intriguing doors, garages, steps, and walls in Hayes Valley. We found some French Quarter themed planters that pair nicely with a friendly neighbor’s reminder of Beer Week events at The Page. Thanks! At the end of the block, we found a modern spin on the Mystery Machine. We cross the bustling madness of Octavia, and find ourselves on the business end of Rose (interesting sidenote: every single block is One Way, in alternating directions). The Western two blocks are filled with schools, bars, restaurants – even a piano salesman. A large, Addams Family-reminiscent Victorian home looms over the street, and the side yard promotes a decidedly good-natured solution to barbed wire. We find a school wheelchair ramp inscribed with a magnanimous message, as well as a few sidewalk mementos that are fitting for Valentine’s week. On the final stretch of our journey, we find ourselves on one of the most delectable blocks (it’s actually shaped closer to a triangle) in San Francisco. You’ll find Hotel Biron, Pause Wine Bar, and Espetus – whose entrance is around the corner on Market. The triangle is capped by the terrific Zuni Café, which owns the welcoming reclaimed-material style bench open to those who find themselves at the end of Rose. Rose Street is a vibrant example of the diversity Hayes Valley offers – from law school to art openings, special education to fine cuisine, we are proud to find a little beauty, flavor, and culture on yet another unassuming side street.