Joseph Conrad Square

This is one of those cool little spots that is nice to know about. It’s hidden in plain-​sight. Right at the end of Columbus Avenue (aka One of the Coolest Streets in America) and next door to the venerable Cannery. Sadly, it’s actually mis-​named — It should be called Joseph Conrad Triangle. Squares have four sides. … just saying.
I like Joseph Conrad Square (Triangle) for two main reasons:
1. In general, it’s just a nice place to chill. In the morning, the light comes down Columbus just right and the sunbeams stream through the trees. There are three little benches, and this is a legit seat to have a coffee and read the paper. It’s actually very pretty and remarkably secluded given how much it’s in the middle of everything.
2. From a strictly personal standpoint, I came here in the very first night I moved to SF. My job was officed in The Cannery, and I walked over after dinner to see my new digs. 11pm at night, maybe (ha!) a drink or several under my belt, and I stood in Joseph Conrad Square gazing across the street. It was a dizzying moment of «am I REALLY here!!!» I will never forget that.
Oh sure, there are literally thousands of little gems in SF that should be higher on the average list of places to visit. And, oh sure, the benches are usually occupied with someone sleeping in the afternoon. But, this is a spot that’s worth a reminder of how special The City really is and how special Day 1 living here really was. I’m a rank sentimentalist. This place hits me right in the gut.

JCS is just a hair off the path less taken compared to Jefferson, and a one of the few places to grab a seat in the shade. It’s a bit of an unpolished gem, half a diamond actually, and therein lies the charm. Here’s a quiz to get acquainted:
1. 1979 — A. The year of Conrad’s death B. The year the park was named.
2. 15+ — A. Number of books written by Conrad B. # of people I witnessed smoking pot
3. Lord Jim — A. Conrad novel B. Name of pugel-​wielding homeless man in the street*
4. 1 Gallon — A. Amount of blood lost by the captain in Heart of Darkness
B. amount of urine witnessed on a non-​homeless guy passed out on the steps.
5. Pole — A. What connects the north to the south B. Something to keep your daughter off C. Conrad’s heritage D. All of the above
Answers: B, A&B, A*, B, D
*the guy was busy fending off cars, seemed rude to ask

i stumbled upon this park on my way to the aquarium of the bay and had lunch here. its tiny, but a nice little respite from all the touristy surroundings. a guy was smoking a bowl upwind from me. didnt anyone ever teach him that that is rude?

Oh, hi there, Mr. homeless man. Good to see you’ve found your own little patch of sunlight to sleep in all day. I sure hope those 4 other homeless dudes doing the same thing in this park that’s about 500 sq. ft. aren’t bothering you.

Sign reads: «No sleeping from 7PM to 7AM»
So I can sleep there in the middle of the day?