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Front and back Cover by Aliana Urdaneta-Rodas ’25 & Taylor Tran ’25
Aliana Urdaneta-Rodas ’25 Editor-In-Chief
Nick Nye ’25
Taylor Tran ’25
Helena Kai Murguz ’25 Layout Editor
‘I
KNOW
“There’s
-Riley
Alfonso ’25
Photos By Aliana Urdaneta-Rodas ’25 and Taylor Tran ’25
A SPOT!’
By Liam O’Connor ’25
San Francisco’s skate culture is deeply embedded in the city's identity, dating back to the 1980s when skaters transformed iconic landmarks like Embarcadero Plaza into locally popular skate spots. The city’s mix of steep hills, hard streets, and urban architecture has made it a great place for skaters seeking challenges and a good time.
In the city lies a hidden network of skate parks quietly becoming known among some of the city’s skaters.
These underground spots, known only to very few, offer a sanctuary for skateboarders seeking time away from crowded public parks and unwanted attention.
By Paul Ha ’25
One of these is a lesser-known spot that exists on a middle school tennis court in the Sunset District. "It's small, but it's a great spot to relax with friends," said Caden Campbell ’25.
Spots like China Banks, with its iconic slanted brick ledges near the Financial District, and 3rd and Army, an open concrete area near Islais Creek, have built a following among skaters. More recently, parks like Bayshore have come out as spots where skaters can construct ramps, ledges, and rails from unique materials.
Another popular spot in the city’s skate scene is Waller Street Skatepark, located near Golden Gate Park. Known for its smooth surfaces and ledges, Waller Street attracts skaters of all skill levels.
Alexander Leff of Sutro Lands End Partners, which signed a lease for the landmark site last year, told the Chronicle “that major infrastructure issues were discovered after they started demolition work on the aging cliffside building several months ago. There are issues with waterproofing, the HVAC system, electrical and roofing, among others.”
Liza Johnson with Postcard Communications, said in regards to an interview on the status of the legendary restaurant, “Unfortunately, we will have to decline this opportunity as we do not have updates to share about the Cliff House.”
After many years of being closed, three well-known restaurants–Julius’ Castle, Equinox, and the Cliff House–are poised for a rebirth, seeking to resume the city’s bright dining scene. These famous Bay Area restaurants are known for their amazing food, beautiful views of the city, and their special dining experience.
For many, the Cliff House was a go-to checkpoint for amazing food. Violet Losilevsky ’25 said, “I always loved driving by the Cliff House. I went as a kid before it was shut down.”
Established in 1863, the Cliff House has been one of the many restaurants in San Francisco that shut down due to the pandemic in 2020 because of financial challenges and not enough customers.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, in September of 2023, “The National Park Service announced that Sutro Lands End Partners, LLC, has signed a 20-year lease to operate the famous property, set on a rugged cliff with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Alexander Leff, a San Francisco native and attorney who grew up in the Richmond District, is leading the operation. He brought in a popular San Francisco restaurant group, Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group, to consult on the upcoming Cliff House project.”
The restaurant was projected to open in late 2024, but did not.
The Chronicle also reported that the opening “has been delayed from this year until 2025 due to extensive, unanticipated repairs that will cost more than $10 million, according to the site’s new operator.”
By Julian Amann ’26 and Staff Photos by Vincent Douglas
Virginia Casey, who worked there from 1987 until its closing, said, “It was a beautiful place to work with the ocean - Lands End view. Just a stunning spot that was different every day. I loved being out there for the beauty of it all. But, the staff and owners and our neighbors up the hill at Louie's were the best part of it all. We were all like family.”
In regards to its closure, Casey said, “Our lease with the National Park Service had been in negotiation for a few years and the owners wanted to sign for another term, but the Park Service kept us on a year to year basis for a short time. As far as I could tell it was just a matter of time before the paperwork would be signed but then COVID hit and the lease issue became a problem. We had to shut down and with no lease signed, everything was up in the air.”
With no official reopening date, Casey noted that the condition of the building is a concern. “What I have seen over the past few years, while the building sits empty, is the deterioration of the property. The windows are salt stained and the stainless steel railings are rusted out,” she said.
“Driving up or down Point Lobos is such a sad sight now. It's all empty and memories are all we have. I am hopeful that the new restaurant group that holds the lease can create some magic and get it open and ready to welcome guests again. They are talented enough to do so but the building is a bear and I am sure they are doing their best.”
She added, “It’s time for a rebirth and not everyone will be happy (as I learned working there for so many years) but let's get it open and support the business that takes on this behemoth that is so hard to keep up. They deserve support for taking this on and I, for one, am excited to see what they create.”
Sitting on Telegraph Hill, Julius’ Castle is another iconic landmark that is seeking revival. First opened in 1922, the castle is a neighborhood favorite for its unique architecture. Not only locals, but celebrities dined at Julius’ Castle. In 2007, it closed due to permit problems, leaving a known building in the city stoically silent ever since.
Spanish teacher Armando Castillo said, “Julius’ Castle was special because it had Victorian ambiance and character - just getting to it was a challenge as it clung to the side of a cliff on Telegraph Hill. It felt like you were going back in time when you went there. It was classy and historic.”
The building sits just below Coit Tower, and a recent visit revealed caution tape surrounding outdoor stairways and plastic covering a few windows on the Montgomery Street entrance. Visible from a few streets below, although still challenging, the once striking facade is partially obstructed from view because of overgrown foliage.
Castillo added, “The food was excellent. It was a combination of an Italian restaurant with a classic American chop house - pastas, steaks, seafood. They had a famous Cherries Jubilee for two that was especially popular. I loved the steaks and pasta and the abalone appetizer.”
The building is designated San Francisco Landmark 121, and according to the San Francisco Standard, attorney Paul Scott bought the decaying building in 2012 and has been working ever since on trying to reopen it.
Castillo said, “I would love to eat there again if they could get it going again. It was very popular during prom season. They need to hire a top notch chef and recreate the original menu.”
Math teacher Ken Harrington dined there in the 1980s and remembers it as being “incredible at night. It was a fantastic place, fun and cozy, super elegant... you felt like royalty.”
Zach Olsen was a bartender at Julius’ Castle in 2006. He said, “Challenges came along with working in such an old space. The equipment was quite dated and that presented some challenges.”
Like many architectural wonders, “Working at JC was like stepping back in time,” he said. “You really felt like you were part of history when you were there and I think that was a lot of the appeal for both employees and patrons. It was a portal back to old San Francisco.”
The email for Julius’ Castle did not respond to requests for an interview as of publication time.
Equinox, known for its rooftop dining, let customers enjoy a full view of spots in the city. This restaurant was shut down in 2007 because of financial issues, disappointing lots of customers and tourists. But many years later, in May 2024, news spread that the rotating restaurant that offers diners a panoramic view of the skyline, different neighborhoods, and the Bay Bridge, while enjoying their meal would once again be open.
A call to the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero revealed that the Equinox is now called the Regency Club, and is only open to hotel guests. “It is not open to the public,” a hotel employee said. The employee confirmed that it does rotate “in the afternoons,” but again, only for those staying in the hotel.
According to Elizabeth Lazzari, Executive Assistant Marketing Director, it is now “a lounge for our guests that you can upgrade to access it or if you are a World of Hyatt Globalist, you have complimentary access. You can enjoy continental breakfast, mid day snack and evening hors d'oeuvres, drinks and dessert.”
SFGate reported in May of 2024, “Engineers repaired the floor of [the] former revolving rooftop restaurant, the Equinox, to once again rotate. The restaurant, which shuttered in 2007, was known for making a slow, 56-minute turn.”
According to KRON 4 News, the hotel “opened in 1973, [and] was designed by renowned brutalist architect John Portman.”
Lazzari added, “The best part is the incredible view and it now rotates again like it did when it was the restaurant. It started rotating just last year.”
Science teacher Michael O’Brien said, “The rotating Equinox was futuristic and fascinating–a great place for dining, or just beverages, to take in breathtaking, panoramic, 360 views of the bay and city (when you could still see them from that height).”
He added, “I went there numerous times with my family over the years after spending the day on the Bay in a ferry listening to my grandfather sing tenor for the San Francisco Cable Car Chorus under brilliant Conductor Bill McKenna.”
The hotel was featured in a few movies from the 1970s including science fiction thriller “Time After Time” and the lobby in the star-studded disaster movie “Towering Inferno.”
RSP Aide Marcus Escobar ’18 visited there as a child. “I remember how mesmerized I was to see waiters blazing through the restaurant while the entire space rotated around the city skyline, offering us its 360 degree view of the city and bay.
I am not aware of any other rotating restaurants, which made my experiences at the Equinox special.”
Reserving it as only open to hotel guests, O’Brien said, “certainly evokes anticipation, mystique, and nostalgia.” However, “If it stays that way much longer, the Equinox will simply become a relic, an arthritic appendage.”
Escobar agrees. “Leaving the restaurant open to hotel guests only caters to a privileged few,” he said. “To relive a childhood memory, I called to see if there was any way I could reserve a table for an evening. Unfortunately, I was let down as they informed me I needed to book a room at the hotel in order to dine at the restaurant, which would run me more than $375 a night.”
“While the restaurant's exclusivity builds to its mystique, it also limits a treasure to what the city has to offer to its own residents. I recall many not knowing of the restaurant's existence, and others that claim the rotating floor was a myth to fool people,” Escobar said.
The possible reopening of these historic establishments to the public has created excitement in San Francisco. Whether it's coming back to those memories from the Cliff House, watching the cars pass on the Bay Bridge in Equinox (Regency Club), or looking out at San Francisco's vibrant view at Julius’ Castle with family or friends, the resurgence of these locations is what many are hoping for in the future. These restaurants offer a unique view into the city’s past, and the impending reopenings are a sign of the city’s love for keeping history alive for future generations.
CELEBRATING SATIRE
SNL at 50
By Ishaan Gupta ’26
“Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” This phrase has headlined one of the most wellknown shows that just aired its 50th season, celebrating its golden anniversary.
Created by Lorne Micheals, this late-night comedy show airs on NBC. The original cast, featuring Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Dan Aykroyd, built up SNL’s foundation of satire, comedy, and icons.
This revolutionized comedy, especially with the show's usage of political satire ranging from impressions and critiques of political figures and events throughout the years from Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon to Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Kevin Estrada ’00, who lived and worked in New York, said, “The fact that SNL has been able to comedically criticize the chaotic atmosphere of American politics is incredible considering the treatment of similar actions abroad.”
As the years passed by, the show continued to evolve with notable cast members like Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wig, and Andy Samberg, each leaving a memorable mark on the show.
Beyond its cast, SNL is known for its guest hosts and musicians who have made their appearances over the years, including Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Prince, David Bowie, and Taylor Swift.
In the early 1980s, SNL faced a sharp decline in viewers and the show was almost canceled in 1986. Almost everyone was fired and the cast was rebuilt with Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, and Kevin Nealon. This move saved SNL and the show went on strong throughout the rest of the 1980s and 1990s.
generations, especially if they are not familiar with satire or lack critical thinking skills.”
The 50th anniversary was celebrated with various events throughout the season and included a three hour special: SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.
In the special, previous cast members, hosts and guest celebrities appeared to celebrate this milestone. Additionally, the show revisited its most memorable skits such as The Coneheads, The Blues Brothers, and Matt Foley.
SNL has been one of the most iconic shows ever made and a staple among many people’s Saturday nights,
The show continued its evolution into the 2000s, transitioning into a new era filled with the digital world.
On the current cultural significance of SNL, Estrada said, “With the rise of instant clips on Tik Tok or Snapchat, SNL might be lost to future
Photo by Joseph Zuloaga ’23
Crusader cultures Converge
By Eva Bennett ’25
The inaugural Riordan Cultural Night was held on March 6 and celebrated the diverse backgrounds of the student body, featuring music, dance, clothing styles, and food from around the world.
In total, more than 15 cultures were represented, including those from Latin America, Asia, Armenia, Greece, India, Polynesia, Ireland, Spain, South Pacific Islands, and the Philippines.
The night buzzed prepared by students and faculty. It began with two Armenian piano pieces composed by musician Arno Babajanian and performed with emotion and dedication by Jeremy Ombrek ’27, setting an upbeat and strong tone for the evening.
Next was a zumba dance, a style with origins in Puerto Rico, performed by math teacher Karina Mathisen and chemistry teacher Dr. Caroline Gochoco-Tsuyuki. Their high-energy moves and infectious rhythm had the audience up on their feet, clapping and cheering along with the beat.
To close off act 1, Riordan’s Latinos Unidos presented “A Quineañera To Remember,” a heartfelt reenactment of the classic tradition by Beatriz Taylor ’26 and other members to celebrate the event through the symbolic changing of the shoe, the father daughter dance, and the baile sorpresa.
After the performance, Latinos Unidos president Alyssa Abaunza ’26 said, “Being able to represent my Latino culture alongside my friends during Cultural Night was such an honor and a privilege that I will always cherish.”
Photos by Ella Torrea ’25, Eva Bennett ’25, Vincent Douglas ’25, Malcolm Jones-Smith ’25
“Apart from highlighting traditional performances of Ireland, from this event I learned a lot about different art styles and gained a new interest in other cultures' traditional arts,” Devlin said.
To conclude the night, the Pasifika Club performed captivating dances on a journey through the islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, and Samoa.
Pasifika Club moderator Coach Lee Mauga said, “Sharing my culture means a lot to me but I think it meant more to our students. We have a lot of Pasifika students on campus and it was great seeing them represent their families and culture on stage.”
“Cultural appreciation is so important because every culture’s traditions have a history that has been passed down for generations, so taking the time and effort to appreciate and learn about other cultures helps everyone understand the past and how it plays a role in our future,” Nori concluded.
Photos by Vincent Douglas ’25, Liz Novoa
By Aiden Pavon ’25
Blanketed by the fog, hidden in plain sight, and infused into the hills and streets of San Francisco, are 900 plus public staircases found all over the city— among the most in a metropolitan area in America. Every one of these staircases holds a unique story. Whether it's through vibrant artwork, lush greenery, or retold history, each finds their own way to tell their tales.
One of the most famous of these staircases is the Lincoln Park Steps. No–not the popular 90s band–but the entrance to one of San Francisco’s most alluring areas by the same name. The staircase features a vibrant beaux-art inspired tile artwork that complements the greenery around it.
“The last time I went [to Lincoln Park] was about a year ago..it was a nice sight to see, and it makes one feel peaceful,” commented Lilah Callahan ’26.
The steps were not always this appealing, though. Because the stairs were built in the early 1900s, they went through a lot of wear and tear throughout the years. But, in 2007, community project builders and founders of “Friends of Lincoln Park” Anna Yatroussis and Meg Autry wanted to restore and improve the steps for the public.
They teamed up with tile-artist Aileen Barr, San Francisco Parks Alliance as well as additional architects to work on the project. The final product was a sevenyear endeavor that in addition to structural repairs, added life and color to the dull and grey steps that came before it.
“When I see the stairs I think of my childhood cause I grew up with Lincoln Park and for me it feels nostalgic,” reflected Elena Navarro ’26.
In the present day, the steps serve as a testament to public efforts and the local artists of San Francisco, symbolizing the city’s ever changing and improving landscape.
Liz Novoa, known as the Staircase Queen, became a fan of staircases when she picked up the book "Stairway Walks in San Francisco" by Adah Bakalinsky.
“I would follow her stairway walk routes and check off the staircases as I climbed them. It not only was a hobby, but a goal to walk every staircase in San Francisco.”
“During the pandemic, I actually had the time to accomplish that goal. Although I walked almost all of them, I still have a handful of staircases I have yet to step.”
After having traversed dozens of staircases, she does have a few favorites. “I love the staircases of SF, so it is really hard to pick favorites but here are a few: Oakhurst and Blairwood Lane in the Forest Knolls Neighborhood. All the stairs in Ina Coolbirth Park (between Taylor and Mason). Best views there, too.”
She added, “Of course, the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are great, but once you get to the top of those and continue on the stairs leading up to Grandview Park, they are unique in their own way, too. But my most favorite is the Harry Street Stairs in Glen Park. I think they were my first staircase that I really liked.”
One of San Francisco’s most underappreciated staircases is Telegraph Hill’s steps up Filbert Street. What at first glance seems like just a way to get to Coit Tower, the stairway is much more than that.
Starting as a dump, the steps turned into a gorgeous, lush garden from the care of Grace Marchant, a San Francisco local who began the project in 1949 and continued for over three decades until she died in 1982.
Now, the garden is maintained completely through volunteer service, ensuring that locals and tourists alike are able to enjoy what Marchant started for a long time after she has passed.
Novoa created an Instagram page, SFStaircaseQueen, during the COVID pandemic where she started documenting her staircase loving stories.
Some time after that, she “virtually met the author, Alexandra Kenin, who wrote ”Urban Trails, San Francisco” and made the most amazing Google map of every staircase in the city (bit.ly/sfstairmap).”
She continued, “We met for a staircase walk and met 98 year old Rudy on the 21st Street stairs in Noe Valley. He said the stairs kept him young.”
SFStairways.com maps put more than 300 of the 700 plus stairways in San Francisco, which include those that are tiled or painted, made of brick, stones, concrete or dirt, and even those that are under construction.
Although known for its hilly topography, San Francisco comes in second to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in regards to the number of stairways in the city limits, with Steel City boasting more than 800 sets of steps.
According to biophiliccities.org, (“Biophilic means “the inherent human inclination to connect with nature and other forms of life”), this was to “provide a way for workers to walk to the steel mills from their hillside homes.”
While city stairways connect humans to nature, humans also enhance nature with art work.
Novoa said, “The art is unbelievably important and impactful to the city. It brings foot traffic to neighborhoods and businesses. It beautifies concrete steps into magical gardens. It brings the community together to celebrate the identity of a neighborhood or vision. It also gives all the great muralists and artists in SF a canvas to shine on.”
3420 18th St. #001, San Francisco, CA 94110
Spillin’ The Tea Spillin’ The Tea Spillin’ The Tea Brew Cha
By Taylor Tran ’25
In SF, there are at least 136 boba places around the city. Its growth as an amazingly popular beverage has truly become a staple of the Bay Area, where you can grab a quick cup of boba anywhere. However, deep in the Mission District is a quaint boba restaurant, Brew Cha, which does things a little differently.
Their claim to fame shines in how they make their drinks: using espresso machines to maximize the flavor and freshness. As the first boba shop in California to use this alternate method, they freshly brew every cup of tea, extracting the natural flavors and making the teas healthier than most.
Upon walking into Brew Cha, I was already impressed with the adorable aesthetics and the variety of entertainment. Not only were there huge claw machines filled with vibrant plushies, but an assortment of board games that made this experience reminiscent of a fun afterschool program. While waiting for drinks, I was able to get in one round of Connect Four, which I narrowly lost.
The menu itself was a mix of classic boba drinks and unique flavors I’d never heard of before. I’m sure that everybody could enjoy at least one of Brew Cha’s many options. I ordered a taro ube drink, a customer favorite, and a matcha oreo drink. It only took about five minutes for them to be ready, served in uniquely geometric cups.
My first impression was how pretty they looked, with vibrant colors and contrasting toppings. At $6.90 for the taro ube, it seemed a little on the pricey side, though the intricacy of their process may have added to the price. I’d ordered the standard sweetness at 100%. The taste was pretty good, with strong ube flavoring and the right amount of sweetness. The boba was a free add-on to this drink, and was just the right chewiness. Even though I don’t usually get these types of drinks, I really enjoyed it. It got a little sweeter with every taste, and I would recommend it to anyone who typically enjoys ube.
The matcha oreo drink was a really interesting idea. I was skeptical about the $6.65 combination, but it ended up blowing me away. The flavors went so well together, with the matcha’s subtle taste and the oreo’s loud sweetness mixing amazingly. I’d never seen the two together before, and I’m surprised that it isn’t more popular. As someone who doesn’t enjoy matcha, and frequently tries to avoid it, I’m glad I tried this. The taste and texture is all there, so if you love matcha, this is definitely for you. And even if you don’t, the matcha oreo drink is worth a try.
From the boardgames to the unique sweet treats, Brew Cha is a must-try experience for every San Franciscan.
Urban Ritual
488 Fell St., San Francisco, CA 94102
By Nick Nye ’25
At dusk on a Thursday evening, I strolled into a cafe called Urban Ritual, located in the Civic Center. I was surprised to find the door propped open in the chilly 40-degree weather, and it felt as if beckoning locals into a warmer place. Designed with a rustic interior, the warm lights and open spaces to sit and wait created an inviting atmosphere. It was pretty crowded and loud, with the music volume so high I had to shout towards my friend to communicate. We found a padded ledge next to the front window, where we placed our orders through an iPad kiosk.
We ordered the toffee matcha tea, mango sticky rice tea, and the Baby Brulee. As a mango sticky rice enthusiast, I was excited to try its tea inspiration. However, the diluted flavor and block-like texture contrasted poorly, leaving a slightly bland aftertaste. I enjoyed the toffee matcha tea much more. It was classic matcha tea with small, sweet toffee chips that made it feel like a dessert. The toffee flavor complemented well with the tea, and I would recommend it to matcha lovers looking for a fun twist.
Photos by Taylor Tran ’25
Lastly, the Baby Brulee drink looked mouth watering. It featured a sweet, creamy base with a crispy, torched layer of sugar on the top. The tea tasted delicious, and even better when I was greeted with the sweet honey boba ball topping. This combination created a unique cross between sweet pudding and the soft boba–and it was irresistible. If you find yourself at Urban Ritual I’d absolutely recommend the Baby Brulee at any time of day.
In the end, I found Urban Ritual pretty hit or miss. The prices are standard, and they’re not afraid to experiment with uncommon flavors and combinations. Overall, I’d give Urban Ritual a three-star rating in light of both its menu and environment.
