Broadway, San Francisco — 1970

A ride down Broadway in San Francisco in 1970 was beyond explanation and it was a trip I often made. Exiting the tunnel from Van Ness Avenue the Broadway strip opened up in front of a rider. Giant neon signs depicting topless dancers filled the entire view. It was truly overwhelming.

Half way down the strip up Romolo Street was the Basque Hotel. I would usually park the bike and have dinner there. It was like no restaurant I had ever been in. You didn’t order food from a menu. Diners sat down at long tables with folks from around the world and ate what was served that day. It cost almost nothing and the food was great.

The barkers were a tough bunch, more akin to carnies than barkeeps. Each club had one standing in front of an open door. A closed curtain hung a few feet behind it with the smell of stale tobacco and sweat locked in its fabric.