Have you ever been strangely attracted to a place for no apparent reason? Somewhere that feels like home even though you’ve never been there before, except perhaps in a previous life? For Dick, that place is Alviso, a community that rises out of the mudflats at the bottom of San Francisco Bay.
Between its mobile home parks and abandoned buildings, Alviso doesn’t look like much today. But in the 1800s its port was the hub for the Santa Clara Valley, with steamboats bringing passengers and goods on daily trips from San Francisco. Alviso was first home to a mill that produced up to 300 barrels of flour a day, then a fruit cannery after the valley filled with orchards. During the depression, what was once the US’s 3rd largest cannery closed, the salt pond operations expanded, the port silted up and the town’s regional economic role declined.
What’s left of Alviso is ordinary–even ugly–to most people, but intriguing to my husband, who rides out to Alviso almost every week. I recently joined him and brought along a new camera to see if I could capture the charm of Alviso, Silicon Valley’s most neglected historic town.
Is there a place that is special to you in a way that is hard to explain, even to people who know you well?
Rachel Unger
January 27, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I love the houseboat pic. :) Seems like a good ride!
I always have to stop at the ghost bike on the way up to the Stevens Creek reservoir. I didn’t know either of them, but I always have to stop, touch the bike, and tell them about how the riding is that day.
Lorri Lee Lown -- Savvy Bike
January 28, 2012 at 9:30 am
very cool, Janet!
Brian
January 29, 2012 at 11:16 pm
I need to join one of those Alviso rides!
Stephen Dill
February 20, 2012 at 9:29 am
Alviso is directly adjacent to the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. Docent lead tours starting in April. 9 Mile ride starting at the Alviso Marina.
http://events.sfgate.com/alviso-ca/events/show/240328264-levee-bike-tour
ladyfleur
February 20, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for the heads up, Stephen. I know a few people who would be interested in a tour.