49-Mile Drive

49-Mile Drive Sign, The Presidio, 2010.

Raise your hand if you love this sign! If you're hand is up, keep it raised if you know what they mean. If not, read on. All may lower their hands now, and pat yourself on the back for already knowing the answer, if you did.

If you've lived here for more than a few months, chances are you're pretty familiar with this sign. It's all over the city. The charming gull design is by Rex May, who won a 1955 contest by the City. The 49-Mile Drive dates back to 1938, and was originally marked with a different sign, whose design I couldn't find.

I really like this design; it pleases the eye, and hence I enjoy seeing the signs. But what I find strange about these signs, when I encounter them, is that, first, they are spaced far enough apart that there's no continuity (probably due to theft). Second, there's no organization or online support materials (save for Wikipedia) that will give you an overview of the route and the things that you're supposed to see along it.*

Seeing this sign might just make you even more lost than you were.

The Bill Murray film Quick Change pays homage to these signs, or maybe to their lack of guidance. In this scene (cue to 8:45), the trio in the car has just robbed a Manhattan bank and desperately needs to get to Kennedy Airport.

By the way, keep watching, because one of the funniest things I have ever seen comes next, when they ask a silent and solemn stranger for assistance.

In case you can't find it, the next clip is here. If you keep watching, Phil Hartman appears! Then, all hands are raised. (Ahh, it's a dumb attempt at a riddle - you'll see what I mean.)

*However, there is a 2001 printed guidebook that is probably very helpful.