Around San Francisco April 2011
Posted by Carl from Chicago on April 23rd, 2011 (All posts by Carl from Chicago)
Recently Dan and I took a trip to San Francisco to run in the Presidio 10 across the Golden Gate bridge (they don’t close the bridge to car traffic like they do for the “Bay to Breakers” race but there is plenty of room to run on the sidewalk). Unfortunately I was unable to run but went anyways and Dan did well and was happy with his time.
Upper left – the ubiquitous Powell street cable cars. I don’t know if this is classified more as a “tourist attraction” or as a means of public transport. The sign shows all the “don’ts” especially for out-of-towners. Upper mid-left – we were at the Owl Tree bar which had great drinks on tap and the Ukrainian waitress made very strong drinks; this glass was pure alcohol and destined to be two martinis. Upper mid-right – there was an amazing shopping mall near the Powell street transit station which was packed to the rafters; it was as if the recession had never occurred. Dan and I were joking that everyone buying there came from a country with a positive trade balance. Upper right – a happy newlywed couple in a Powell street cable car. Lower left – Dan doing his version of the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. Lower mid – someone is drawing on the sidewalk with Koi fish as well as a playful cat. Middle right – Alcatraz Island. Lower right – stretching before the race in front of the Golden Gate bridge.
Cross posted at LITGM
April 23rd, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Beautiful city. Lots of fun to visit. Bu, the people are not fit for self-government.
April 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
I used to go to San Francisco five or six times a year just to wander around and enjoy the city. I haven’t been there in a year even though my son lives in the Bay Area. Tourism is way down and a lot of the old tourist attractions like Ghiradelli Square and that area near Fisherman’s Wharf are closed or much diminished. I’m not sure why but the city doesn’t seem as friendly as it used to.
April 24th, 2011 at 11:23 am
I lived in Palo Alto for a year and used to take the train into San Francisco to walk around and look at things.
Such a beautiful city (at least, a decade ago. I’d go explore hidden corners, meet friends at little wine bars, and take in the views from the tops of hills and the like. Tended to stay away from the touristy stuff except for Chinatown because of what Michael says above. It seemed a bit sad and seedy in those parts sometimes.)
– Madhu
April 24th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Such perfect climate and a wonderful setting trumped by a swinish political class. That class din’t get establihed without a feckless public to enable them.
April 25th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Yes, love the Owl Tree.
April 26th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Don’t know if you meant to imply such, but the “Bay to Breakers” does not involve any bridge, but is crosstown east to west form the Bay side to Oceanside.
When I moved to SF in the ’70’s, one cold ride the cable cars as normal transit and normal fairs. I frequently tool one home, but that is not possible any longer. The have become a tourist amusement ride at a higher fare, and always too jammed with tourists for a city citizen to ride.
Your “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is what a wag used to call the “Border Loin” or “Tenderloin Heights” as it on the bench of Nob Hill above the Tenderloin. (FYI: The cleaners in the photo is efficient and prompt if you need the service while visiting.)
Such perfect climate and a wonderful setting trumped by a swinish political class. That class din’t get established without a feckless public to enable them.
Yes indeed, Renminbi. Feckless and “incestuous” – not the “six degrees of separation” but just two here. I’ve lived half my life in “The City”, and my caution is always “Yes the views are marelous, and don’t turn your back on the Bay.”
April 26th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Journey – When The Lights Go Down In The City lyrics
When the lights go down in the city,
and the sun shines on the bay,
do I want to be there, in my city,
ohoh ohohoh ohoh
May 1st, 2011 at 10:03 am
Oh I thought they closed the bridge for Bay to Breakers. Someone told me that and if I am wrong than probably I should have done a bit more research :)