Fits and starts

Street:
Melrose Avenue

Intersection of Foerster and Foerster, pointing the way to a segment of Melrose. Almost as confusing in person.

Neighborhoods:
Sunnyside, Miraloma Park, and Westwood Highlands
Length:
From Congo-Sunnyside Rec Center steps (at Teresita): 0.25 mile; from Foerster-Mangels: 0.24 mile; from Sunnyside Playground-west: 0.07 mile
From:
Congo to Mangels, with an extra stub off Foerster (interrupted at Teresita)
Character:
Residential
Curious bits:
Melrose is unremarkable between Congo and Teresita. At Teresita it is effectively interrupted and doesn't regain its name again until the end of a spur of Foerster. Additionally, there is a separate two block segment of Melrose that runs from Sunnyside Playground, across Foerster and uphill in a short balloon cul de sac. I always wondered about this odd arraignment; maybe prior to the Sunnyside Playground the street was contiguous? With modern technology it's easy to navigate this street, but in the past Melrose must have bewitched delivery services.
Starting coordinates:
37°44'1.63"N 122°26'31.48"W (Melrose at Congo)

From the intersection of Foerster and Melrose, looking downhill to the balloon-shaped spur of Melrose. In the distance to the east views to the Sunnyside Rec Center and Teresita (on the left).

Walk it:
Parking is often scarce on Melrose at Congo; use patience to find a spot close by. From Congo, walk up Melrose, enjoying the views south. At the intersection with Teresita, bear left. After about 150 feet turn left again, and walk down the steps into the Sunnyside Recreation Center. Continue downhill on the paved path through the playground, then pick up Melrose again at the gate. After one short block, turn right onto Foerster. Another short stub of Melrose staggers up the hillside to the west, cross the street and walk up and back down if you like. Continue north on Foerster, one block past Teresita. Turn left onto a spur of Foerster. The narrow street ascends steeply. At a bend, the street morphs into Melrose. Look downhill here for a view of the balloon spur part of Melrose. Push on uphill, past the intersection with Stanford Heights. At Gennessee there are sweeping views south, past City College. Keep going on a relatively flat stretch of Melrose to end of the street at Mangels. Retrace your steps, or turn left onto Mangels and walk back to the intersection with Congo.