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Image 2 of 18 What you find inside is a small grotto-like space with ferns, moss and for colorful counterpoint, a jaunty Benbow Bullock sculpture. Demerit: when I stopped by this week, the small fountain wasn't working. It adds the essential element of intimate sound, and let's hope the building owners fix it soon. less What you find inside is a small grotto-like space with ferns, moss and for colorful counterpoint, a jaunty Benbow Bullock sculpture. Demerit: when I stopped by this week, the small fountain wasn't working. It ... more

Image 3 of 18 If ever a "public" space deserves persistence on the public's part, it's the 11th floor terrace of One Kearny. The lobby is off Geary, for starters, and the sign announcing it is etched in glass at knee-level. The guard makes you sign in and sometimes -- what the what? -- asks to see your driver's license. But once there, the payoff is one of the most intoxicating concentrated views of San Francisco. less If ever a "public" space deserves persistence on the public's part, it's the 11th floor terrace of One Kearny. The lobby is off Geary, for starters, and the sign announcing it is etched in glass at knee-level. ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 4 of 18 Here's the view from the One Kearny roof terrace: a visual march up Market Street that no other public space offers. Stop by and see for yourself. Here's the view from the One Kearny roof terrace: a visual march up Market Street that no other public space offers. Stop by and see for yourself. Photo: John King

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Image 6 of 18 As rooftop spaces go, the 15th floor at 343 Sansome is well-known and at lunchtime, well-used. It also is announced with (relatively) easy-to-spot signs on the street. Still, if you've haven't been you probably aren't in the loop, so head to the elevator lobby off Sacramento Street. less As rooftop spaces go, the 15th floor at 343 Sansome is well-known and at lunchtime, well-used. It also is announced with (relatively) easy-to-spot signs on the street. Still, if you've haven't been you ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 7 of 18 The semi-outdoor "conservatory" at One Sansome (shown here) is highly visible, slathered in white marble under glass. But there's also a public space INSIDE -- just the place to meet someone for an off-the-record conservation. (Don't stop now!) less The semi-outdoor "conservatory" at One Sansome (shown here) is highly visible, slathered in white marble under glass. But there's also a public space INSIDE -- just the place to meet someone for an ... more

Image 8 of 18 Step inside One Sansome and inside is more white marble -- the tower is from the opulent '80s and proud of the fact -- but also an atrium beyond the coffee bar with soft light and comfortable tables. Step inside One Sansome and inside is more white marble -- the tower is from the opulent '80s and proud of the fact -- but also an atrium beyond the coffee bar with soft light and comfortable tables.

Image 9 of 18 The orchids are real. And the arches attached to the rear wall, bosomy maidens and all, are restored remnants of the structure that once stood on the site. The orchids are real. And the arches attached to the rear wall, bosomy maidens and all, are restored remnants of the structure that once stood on the site.

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Image 11 of 18 Another space you might not find is tucked behind the 55 2nd St. tower, inside the shell of a 1908 post office designed by Willis Polk. Another space you might not find is tucked behind the 55 2nd St. tower, inside the shell of a 1908 post office designed by Willis Polk.

Image 12 of 18 The interior of the public room at 55 2nd looks nothing like the historic exterior. But it has the most comfortable chairs of any downtown space, and the sense of detachment encourages relaxation. Good tables for lunch, as well. less The interior of the public room at 55 2nd looks nothing like the historic exterior. But it has the most comfortable chairs of any downtown space, and the sense of detachment encourages relaxation. Good tables ... more

Image 13 of 18 Beale Street south of Mission is a construction zone these days, which makes the lush procession of triangular courtyards at 201 Mission all the more surprising. There's a wide entrance from the sidewalk, and once inside its like you've been swallowed up by an overgrown 1970s resort hotel. less Beale Street south of Mission is a construction zone these days, which makes the lush procession of triangular courtyards at 201 Mission all the more surprising. There's a wide entrance from the sidewalk, and ... more

Image 14 of 18 If it's an elegant landscape you want, the central court of the Infinity condo towers between Spear and Main streets is hard to beat. Designed by Hargreaves Associates, the sculptural mounds and terraced granite seating walls are earthy counterpoints to the surrounding walls of curved glass. less If it's an elegant landscape you want, the central court of the Infinity condo towers between Spear and Main streets is hard to beat. Designed by Hargreaves Associates, the sculptural mounds and terraced ... more Photo: The Chronicle

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Image 16 of 18 The problem is that few people do anything but pass through, perhaps because they don't realize this space behind Hills Plaza is open to folks like you and me who don't live upstairs. Too bad. It's the coziest spot in this part of town, perfect for a bag lunch or coffee with a friend -- a social outing in the cause of promoting public access. (Note: can be windy, but there's lots of sun. When two more condo towers of similar size go up on the block to the west, the equation will be reversed.) less The problem is that few people do anything but pass through, perhaps because they don't realize this space behind Hills Plaza is open to folks like you and me who don't live upstairs. Too bad. It's the coziest ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 17 of 18 A good public space can be nothing more than a broad ledge with midday sun. The Sansome Street edge of 1 Bush St. routinely gets more patronage than the handsome but overly artful sunken plaza on the other side of the ledge. You've got trees, motorcycles, tall buildings of multiple styles and all those FiDi people to watch -- what's not to like? less A good public space can be nothing more than a broad ledge with midday sun. The Sansome Street edge of 1 Bush St. routinely gets more patronage than the handsome but overly artful sunken plaza on the other ... more