Step into the rich history of San Francisco’s architecture with expert James Dixon, a renowned Nob Hill architect and former project lead for Aaron Green, the last professional link to Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic school. In this episode of The Bay Insider, we explore how San Francisco’s iconic neighborhoods have developed over time, from the Victorian and Edwardian eras to modern developments in the Eastern Neighborhoods of Mission Bay and South Beach.
James leads us on a tour of the city’s historic evolution, explaining the influence of the Gold Rush, the 1906 earthquake, and the architectural styles that define neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Russian Hill, the Mission District, and the Western Addition. Find out why Queen Anne, Stick-Eastlake, and Arts & Crafts homes continue to shape San Francisco’s charm, and how influential architects like Bernard Maybeck and Willis Polk left their mark.
Whether you're a real estate investor, history lover, or architecture enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on how San Francisco’s neighborhoods have evolved, and where we’re headed next. Don’t forget to check out James Dixon’s guided walking tour on YouTube—link in the show notes!
Architecture Chapters:
Chapter 1: Intro - 0:35
Chapter 2: De Portola Discovery - 2:40
Chapter 3: De Anza Expedition - 4:37
Chapter 4: Yerba Buena - 6:27
Chapter 5: Mission Dolores History - 8:03
Chapter 6: San Francisco Survey - 10:24
Chapter 7: Gold Mine Fields - 13:07
Chapter 8: Victorian-Edwardian History - 16:34
Chapter 9: 1890 Pivot of Architecture - 20:42
Chapter 10: Mission District - 23:53
Chapter 11: Stick Style - 27:02
Chapter 12: Queen Anne - 29:28
Chapter 13: San Francisco Hills - 31:54
Chapter 14: Telegraph Hill - 34:00
Chapter 15: Russian Hill - 35:06
Chapter 16: Nob Hill - 40:19
Chapter 17: Western Addition - 43:31
Chapter 18: Pacific Heights - 45:19
Chapter 19: Jordan Park - 47:44
Chapter 20: Presidio Terrace - 49:14
Chapter 21: Richmond Area - 51:09
Chapter 22: Sea Cliff - 51:57
Chapter 23: Haight Ashbury - 53:47
Chapter 24: 3200 Block Of Pacific Heights - 57:46
Chapter 25: Haight Shingle Style - 1:00:52
Chapter 26: Sunset - 1:04:05
Chapter 27: Twin Peaks Tunnel - 1:07:44
Chapter 28: Henry Doelger - 1:10:43
Chapter 29: Marina - 1:12:54
Chapter 30: West Portal - 1:16:38
Chapter 31: Balboa Terrace - 1:20:12
Chapter 32: Eastern Neighborhoods - 1:21:54
James Dixon Bibliography for Episode 17: Exploring San Francisco
Guest Contact Information:
James Dixon
https://www.jdarchitect.com/Site/Home.html
James Dixon Walking Tour: Architect Explores San Francisco's Distinctive Styles | Walking Tour | Architectural Digest
Media Sources for Episode 17
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Amanda Martin | Lic #01386284
Ying He | Lic #01964556
BarbCo Real Estate Group
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