Bamboo Forest

The new Mixt Greens has this little spot packed with people now but the real reason for the drop of one star is the building that went up across the street. It does a great job of blocking the sun but a not so great job of blocking the wind. At just the right time you can have a sunny seat but show up just a bit too early or too late and you’ll just be in a dark wind tunnel. It’s still a nice change visually from the rest of the FiDi.

I’ve always noticed this space riding by on Mission with its rotating circular sculpture in a pool of water, but never had the opportunity to stop until recently. Friends and I came here to enjoy the hot weather over lunch. The space is laid out nicely with concrete steps to sit on and bamboo plants providing some greenery and shade. However, being between two tall buildings means that the square doesn’t get much natural light or shade. You can sit between the buildings where it’s cool, or sit facing Mission St where it’s blazing hot in the sun. With a new branch of Mixt Greens opened here, the place is now packed.
Minus one point because even though the grass looks very green and inviting, it’s plastic (is this what astroturf is like?). I guess due to the lighting natural grass doesn’t grow well. Plastic is not the best seating on a sweaty day.
Tips for location: Main entrance on Mission St between 1^st and 2^nd St right across from the Salt House. You can also get to this from the backside if you can find the alley.