The Albany Bulb

Bruce McL

Regular
The Bulb - Arrival

The Bulb is a jumble of dirt, rubble, and debris that sticks out into San Francisco Bay, from the eastern shore of the bay. By land it is inconvenient to get to. It has long been neglected. Parts of it are being turned into a park. I took these photos from 2006 to 2017 with a variety of cameras.

Upon arriving, you will see a beach, which is usually occupied by dogs and people. The Bulb is a popular spot for people walking their dogs.

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This shelter thing is near the entrance. Like a lot of things at the Bulb, it’s origin and purpose are not obvious.

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The entrance has been landscaped in the past few years. The entrance looks like a real park, unlike the rest of the Bulb.

Before,

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during,

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and after landscaping.

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The Bulb - Around the Corner

Walking near sea level to the west and then north, the landscaping gives way to a rougher character.

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The bulb is a popular spot for spray painting. I could smell fresh spray paint when I took this photograph of an old building.

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You may see dogs and people out on the breakwater.

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Sometimes there is an inviting path to the breakwater.

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And sometimes, when the tide is high, the path is not so inviting.

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The Bulb - Up on Top

Back at the entrance, there is an option to take the high road, away from the shore and towards the middle of the Bulb. Nice views of the bay await

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along with the usual jumbled terrain

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and the occasional mysterious structure.

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There are two labyrinths up on top. They aren’t easy to find, but are worth looking for.

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There are no guarantees about the condition or even the existence of anything at the Bulb.

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The Bulb - Art

Heading down from the top to the North edge of the Bulb, a figure awaits.

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A left turn brings more figures.

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Back past the outstretched arms

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and to the right are other kinds of artwork.

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The Bulb - Leaving

One route back to the entrance is to climb up out of this little bay.

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There are views and perspective to be gained after the climb.

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There was a clue about the origin of the Bulb back in the Art area. This looks like it was a landing or pier at one time, for loading and unloading boats.

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As you think over your visit, leave some room in your conclusions for things to be different next time. Note the blue Post Office building on the left and the elevated freeway on the right.

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The same blue building, and the same freeway, at low tide.

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The Bulb - Black and White

I once read that it’s not good to mix color and black and white images in a presentation, so here are my black and whites:

Improving the entrance.

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View of San Francisco from up top.

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People on the breakwater.

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View of San Francisco from the breakwater.

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Birds and cranes, looking north to Richmond.

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Shoreline and breakwater.

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I revisited The Bulb yesterday. Here are a few photos.

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