And of course my friends:
In addition, we spent some quarters at the Musee Mecanique, featuring antique mechanical toys and contraptions. So fun!
Monday, February 2, 2009
City Walks SF #11: Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
Ah, the tourist center of San Francisco. Having already been here, we didn't find too much new and exciting, although the sunset made for some pretty sights.
And of course my friends:
In addition, we spent some quarters at the Musee Mecanique, featuring antique mechanical toys and contraptions. So fun!
And of course my friends:
In addition, we spent some quarters at the Musee Mecanique, featuring antique mechanical toys and contraptions. So fun!
City Walks SF #10: Telegraph Hill
This walk was a treasure-trove a cute, hidden places.
Jack Early Park, not even on our card, featured great views and more greenery amid the city.
Coit Tower, which we'd been to before, but the murals are great, and this time we paid to go to the top where we could see the whole city including our little peak.
The Filbert Street Steps, heading from Coit Tower down toward the Embarcadero provided another little paradise. Lucky people who live here! Little sidewalk-sized lanes, fully named, abound.
And finally, Levi Plaza, home of course to the Levi Strauss Company. I loved the fountain with the Asian-style walking pads. There was also another great little park across the street. Both places were inexplicably empty. A hidden gem!
Jack Early Park, not even on our card, featured great views and more greenery amid the city.
Coit Tower, which we'd been to before, but the murals are great, and this time we paid to go to the top where we could see the whole city including our little peak.
The Filbert Street Steps, heading from Coit Tower down toward the Embarcadero provided another little paradise. Lucky people who live here! Little sidewalk-sized lanes, fully named, abound.
And finally, Levi Plaza, home of course to the Levi Strauss Company. I loved the fountain with the Asian-style walking pads. There was also another great little park across the street. Both places were inexplicably empty. A hidden gem!
City Walks SF #9: The Jackson Square Historic District and the Embarcadero
Well, this walk was less than exciting. The Jackson Square Historical District was filled with old brick buildings. The Transamerica Pyramid was large. Its redwood grove was less than exciting. And we're not much for shopping at the Embarcadero.
There were some historical plaques, so Matt enjoyed those.
There were some historical plaques, so Matt enjoyed those.
City Walks SF #8: North Beach
North Beach features lots of Italian cafes and the history of the Beat Generation, including City Lights Bookstore, which we visited on our honeymoon. For me, the highlight is Washington Square and the imposing Saints Peter and Paul Church.
Incidentally, we stayed at the cute Washington Square Inn for a few days of our honeymoon.
Verdict: nice little neighborhood; nothing too exciting.
Incidentally, we stayed at the cute Washington Square Inn for a few days of our honeymoon.
Verdict: nice little neighborhood; nothing too exciting.
City Walks SF #7: Polk Gulch and Russian Hill
Polk Gulch is full of little, unique eateries and stores. We greatly enjoyed Cheese Plus, carting home focaccia bread, containers of reasonably priced treats, and cheese sandwiches for lunch. I highly recommend it and would love to go back one day, although it is a bit far from our neighborhood. And I wouldn't mind living in the Polk Gulch neighborhood either.
We then proceeded to the famously curvy Lombard Street, although I will not ply you with ubiquitous pictures here. I think we ran into all of the tourists in the city at the top of this hill.
We found a fabulous little park that wasn't even on the City Walks card. It would be great for a picnic - or even a small wedding. (Or as Matt suggested, competing weddings, one in each of the gazebos.)
The San Francisco Art Institute featured a Diego Rivera mural and some great architecture.
And finally, Macondry Lane, apparently the setting for Barbary Lane in the Armistead Maupin book I reviewed earlier.
The description does it justice:
I would love to live on Macondry Lane amongst the greens and shrubs.
In fact, somewhere on Russian Hill I remarked to Matt that one could live in San Francisco for years, and if you got bored of it, just move to a different neighborhood.
We then proceeded to the famously curvy Lombard Street, although I will not ply you with ubiquitous pictures here. I think we ran into all of the tourists in the city at the top of this hill.
We found a fabulous little park that wasn't even on the City Walks card. It would be great for a picnic - or even a small wedding. (Or as Matt suggested, competing weddings, one in each of the gazebos.)
The San Francisco Art Institute featured a Diego Rivera mural and some great architecture.
And finally, Macondry Lane, apparently the setting for Barbary Lane in the Armistead Maupin book I reviewed earlier.
The description does it justice:
"The house was on Barbary Lane, a narrow, wooded walk-way off Leavenworth between Union and Filbert. It was a well-weather, three-story structure made of brown shingles. It made Mary Ann think of an old bear with bits of foliage caught in its fur. She liked it instantly."
I would love to live on Macondry Lane amongst the greens and shrubs.
In fact, somewhere on Russian Hill I remarked to Matt that one could live in San Francisco for years, and if you got bored of it, just move to a different neighborhood.
City Walks SF #6: Russian Hill to Nob Hill
Ah, the snooty part of town. One must get to know how the other half lives.
Among the ridiculously expensive and fancy homes, we checked out the views and greenery in Ina Coolbrith Park.
We visited the inner workings of the cable car system at the Cable Car Museum. Neat if you're a geek interested in mechanics or a nerd interested in history.
And we checked out the Grace Cathedral. It featured a stunning interior with exquisite stained glass and fabulous murals on the walls. Although I haven't been to a European church in awhile, I really think it rivals them for grandeur. It also featured an exhibit on gun violence, put on by a group supporting the Brady Bill.
Across the way was the concrete-laden Huntington Park, filled with people reading on benches in the sun. A pleasant but steep stroll.
Among the ridiculously expensive and fancy homes, we checked out the views and greenery in Ina Coolbrith Park.
We visited the inner workings of the cable car system at the Cable Car Museum. Neat if you're a geek interested in mechanics or a nerd interested in history.
And we checked out the Grace Cathedral. It featured a stunning interior with exquisite stained glass and fabulous murals on the walls. Although I haven't been to a European church in awhile, I really think it rivals them for grandeur. It also featured an exhibit on gun violence, put on by a group supporting the Brady Bill.
Across the way was the concrete-laden Huntington Park, filled with people reading on benches in the sun. A pleasant but steep stroll.
Hell Hath (Almost) Frozen Over
Happy February!
In case anyone was unaware, the Arizona Cardinals nearly pulled off a Super Bowl victory last night. So while hell was busy freezing over, spring was springing here in San Francisco, with more warm temps, bright sun, and beautiful blossoms on the trees.
I have many more City Walks to report on, but first I must do some real work. So you can build your excitement, because we saw many fabulous things!
In case anyone was unaware, the Arizona Cardinals nearly pulled off a Super Bowl victory last night. So while hell was busy freezing over, spring was springing here in San Francisco, with more warm temps, bright sun, and beautiful blossoms on the trees.
I have many more City Walks to report on, but first I must do some real work. So you can build your excitement, because we saw many fabulous things!
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