The Temple Vanishes and Santa Arrives

The new block-long park at Hayes and Octavia Streets is suddenly looking a bit empty.



This is the spot where David Best's Pagoda Temple stood from June through November, a six-month stay that was quite a bit longer than the initially proposed three months.



The structure was probably one of the best-loved buildings in San Francisco to go up since the Giants new waterfront baseball stadium.



The combination of whimsy and elaborate detailing proved hard for anyone to resist.



It was time for it to come down, though.



The graffiti went from homemade and heartfelt...



...to crass tagging...



...which didn't show much imagination.



Plus, the recent rains were making sections of the roof seriously funky.



Still, if you're looking for something beautiful to look at in the park...



...the row of yellow leaved trees will do...



...particularly framed by their red cross-the-street companions.



For a truly crazed art experience, not to mention a cocktail, you should walk across Hayes Street to Marlena's saloon...



...a great neighborhood dive...



...where drag queens often perform on a makeshift stage above the pool table.



This is Christmas time, however, and the emphasis is on Santa.



Out on the smoking patio...



...there were additional glass cases to hold even more of the thousands of Santas...



...of every description...



...being festively displayed throughout the large space.



Do be sure to check it out...



...and tell Marlena Merry Christmas.