An hour south of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury, away from remnants of tie-dye and peace signs, lies a different chapter of countercultural history — one that is still being written.
In Los Altos Hills, Calif., 10 adults and five children live in an intentional community called Struggle Mountain, which is now more than 50 years old. It was once home to legendary musician Joan Baez and over the years has hosted guests like Allen Ginsberg. On the day that I visited the 10-acre property on the lip of Adobe Canyon, clear skies gave panoramic views of San Francisco and Berkeley. “The big house” stands as the center, an old red structure with communal living spaces adorned with music festival posters and stained glass lamps. A piano sits in the foyer between the kitchen and one bathroom. The living room is the primary gathering spot — a cozy wood-paneled room with a skylight and a stone fireplace where furniture has often been moved to make room for dancing.
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