google street view is cool!

i just learned about google maps' newest feature: street view. basically, in selected cities, including san francisco, you can get a 360 view from the street level, just like you were standing in the middle of the street, and dizzying yourself turning in circles, admiring all the buildings. you can also follow a "walking route" of the street you're on.

to get an idea, here are a couple of links to spots in the city i mapped out. i first thought about mapping some of my fave sf spots: union square, palace of fine arts, the big phone. but then i changed my mind and decided to map out my wife's two favorite san francisco sites: the del taco on market and the coffee bean at the bottom of ghirardelli square.

here's del taco. i don't recommend this view in real life unless you have a death wish to be plastered on the front of a muni bus or taxi cab.

and here's the coffee bean & tea leaf. this view is OK. rarely ever fast-moving cars at this intersection. the red and white striped awning is the bean.

google has a really funny intro video to help you learn how to use the map. it's worth a watch.

so yeah, street view is really cool! it's just like walking through the city. only without the biting wind, the constant din of traffic as locals vie with tourists for supremacy of the road, and of course the oppressive stench of urban filth. give it a go!