Views From The Top

Some shots just speak for themselves.

Almost There

OK, we're almost there. Just a huge flight of stairs to walk up, and we'll be at the base of Coit Tower.

You can just barely see the outline of the Golden Gate Bridge in this shot.

I Think I Can...I Think I Can...

I think this was taken about halfway up the hill.

One of the greatest things about San Francisco is how you can take pictures of the same thing, but from a different angle, and when you see the end result you think that you're in a completely different city.

Of course, having an elevation change like the one that San Francisco has helps a lot in this regard. And as far as I know, there aren't many - if any - other American cities with elevation changes like the ones you see in the city.

Taking Coit Tower By Strategy

[Bonus points to anyone who gets the obscure homage in the title of this post.]

Much to our surprise during the Friday afternoon walk, the kids decided as soon as they saw Coit Tower from this angle that we needed to make the walk up to the base of the tower.

Trust me, this hill is a lot steeper than it looks in this photo. But begin the trek we did. I'd say that I'm in good shape from all the running that I do, but my shins definitely paid the price for this conquest.

More Middle of the Street Photos

In the first shot, we look down California Street, towards the Bay Bridge. If you look closely between the buildings, you can see part of the suspension section of the bridge.

The California Street Cable Car line is probably less well known than the Hyde-Powell line, but in a way is more fun because - depending on which way you're going - you find yourselves in the middle of a rousing downhill or uphill ride with terrific views. And because it's less well known, it's also a lot easier to get on than the more famous route.





The second shot was taken while standing on the waiting station for the vintage streetcars which now travel the length of Market Street, up to the Embarcadero, and along the Pier to Fisherman's Wharf.

In the distance you can see the Ferry building. This shot would not have been possible from 1958-1991, because the late and unlamented Embarcadero Freeway would have blocked the view of the building. As aficionados of the city are well aware, the much-hated freeway was torn down after suffering severe damage during the Loma Prieta earthquake in October 1989.

Hold Your Horses, I'm Trying To Take A Photo Here

A view of the Transamerica Pyramid, taken from the middle of an intersection on Columbus Avenue.

Don't worry - the light was red, and I was never in danger (not as if that's a concern of anyone, but still...).

This seemed like such a bizarre structure when it was built in the late 1960s (I remember that my parents absolutely hated it, and they were long-time lovers of the city), but you hardly hear anyone even mention it anymore. It's just there, and it fits in with the surroundings.

Pub

Some of the best restaurants and bars in San Francisco can be found in the alleys. Hard to find, unless you know where to look.

This is not one that I'm familiar with, but as we were heading back to the hotel after a long day's walk, it caught my eye as we were walking down Sutter Street. Based on how well it's hidden, you can almost be certain that it would be worth the trip.

Vesuvio

Vesuvio, on Columbus Street at Jack Kerouac Alley, is full of history and great martinis.

And this mural, on the side of the building, contains some of the best advice you'll ever receive.

I've been in this bar, but not on this trip...again, those pesky kids getting in the way. But it is well worth the trip.

The full transcription, in case it is too difficult to read:




When the shadow the of the grasshopper
Falls across the trail of the field mouse
On green and slimey grass as a red sun rises
Above the western horizon silhouetting
A gaunt and tautly muscled Indian warrior
Perched with bow and arrow cocked and aimed
Straight at you it's time for another martini

...indeed.

The Bars of San Francisco

Like most great cities of a certain size, San Francisco has its share of great bars. Therefore, the theme of today's posts is "The Bars of San Francisco," which is probably where Karl Malden and Michael Douglas spent a lot of time after long days filming on location.

First up, the Buddha Bar on Grant Avenue, in Chinatown. I really wanted to run in and have a quick one, but alas, we were on a walk with the kids, and a good martini should be savored - not quaffed as if it were a boilermaker.

Views of Chinatown

Gateway to Chinatown

I've been to San Francisco countless times in my life. When I was growing up, a trip to the city was a special occasion, and usually meant a trip to the Zoo, a walk through Chinatown, and then over to Fisherman's Wharf, for dinner at Fisherman's Grotto No. 9.

Debra and I spent part of our honeymoon in the city in 1987, and then took an annual trip up until the time that Son #1 was born in 1990. After that the trips became a little more intermittent, but we still tried to get there as often as we could.


When I started to work at my present job in 2004, that meant more trips to the city, because of its popularity as a conference site and its designation as a part of the annual conference rota for the Association where I work.

This trip was a lot of fun, and armed with my new Blackberry, I probably took more pictures than I had during the previous trips combined. Because we were there for just a couple of days, we didn't have time to hit every part of the city, but we managed to cover a lot of ground.

It's a great city. And it has a ton of character, but sometimes the character is lurking in the shadows of the places that you're focused on instead, because someone has told you that's what you need (or want) to see. This shot, I think, qualifies as both. I'm sure that millions of photos of this spot have been taken over the years, but it's still a great one (not my photo specifically, but the subject generally). It is the gateway to another world. And in the shots to follow, I tried to capture a bit of that atmosphere.

Stockton Tunnel

A view of the Stockton Tunnel, walking towards Chinatown.

Union Square

Walking towards Union Square, on Geary Street.















Macy's is celebrating a birthday - its 150th.















Did I mention that Macy's was celebrating a birthday?















Oh, it was 8-8-08. There was a Burma Day Celebration taking place in the square.

San Francisco Trip

The family just returned from a whirlwind trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, and many pictures are forthcoming.

You have been warned.