Behold! Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop awaits. It is a natural wonder nestled within San Francisco.
Welcome to Lakeview and Ashton Mini Park. It is also known as Orizaba Shields Rock Outcrop Park. This small park is a natural area. It sits atop a Franciscan sandstone knob.
The Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop may only rise 25 feet above the neighborhood. Yet, it offers impressive panoramic views.
From here, look north. You can see Mt. Davidson. You can also see Sutro Tower and Mt. Tam. Now, turn south. San Bruno Mountain is visible.
To the east, you can see as far as Mt. Diablo. Finally, gaze west. You might spot the Farallon Islands. The Pacific Ocean stretches endlessly.
Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop park spans only half an acre. Despite its size, it’s home to various native plants. Buckwheat thrives here. Dudleya adds color. Farewell-to-spring blooms elegantly. Coast onion grows wild. Soap plant dots the landscape.
These plants create a haven for local butterflies and insects. They ensure a long-term food source. Flowers bloom here through spring and summer.
To visit Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop, enter from Orizaba Avenue. Shields Street and Lakeview Avenue also provide access.
Once you’ve explored this rocky outcrop, consider visiting Brooks Park. It is nearby. Jesse and Helen Brooks bought the land in 1936. The park now spans 3.77 acres. It features a community garden. Enjoy the shaded picnic area. Relax on the grassy hillside with western views. Enter Brooks Park from Shields Street.
Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock. It allows observation of geological history. It’s important for understanding the geologic time scale.
Geologists study outcrops. They gather information about structural geology. They analyze depositional features. They also examine paleomagnetic orientations. Outcrops provide records of changes within geologic strata.
Remember the names Lakeview and Ashton Mini Park and Orizaba Shields Rock Outcrop Park. They both refer to this special place. Shields Orizaba Rocky Outcrop reveals nature’s beauty. It offers stunning views. It also connects us to the area’s history.