I walk the neighborhood almost every day. Most of the Sunset District has the same sidewalk layout: two squares wide, with one square between sidewalk and curb. Each square is three feet. That curb strip? Usually paved. It used to be planted, but keeping such a small area watered and tidy is a hassle. Over time, most folks gave up and paved it over.

But there’s an area that’s different—the Rousseaus’ Boulevard Tract Landmark District. There, the curb area is two squares wide. And that small shift changes everything.

Walk south on 36th toward Kirkham and you’ll notice the sidewalk jogs left. That’s the clue. The houses are set back just one square more than usual. Just three feet. That extra space lets the curb strip bloom. Trees. Plants. Real landscaping. Almost none of it is paved over.

It makes the whole block feel lush and alive. All because someone moved the house line back a single sidewalk square. Makes you wish the whole Sunset had done the same.