San Francisco would have to be one of my favorite cities to visit. I’m running a bit short of time today so I thought I’d post a few photos from our recent trip. I think I like San Francisco so much because of its situation on the sea. The hills are killers to walk up and down. Believe me, I know because Mr. Munro made me walk up and down several!
The Golden Gate Bridge is an icon and known worldwide. During the summer months it’s also often shrouded in fog.
Pier 39 is a fun place to wander. Lots of great ways to empty the wallet here! This is a shot of the merry-go-round. A shot of the resident sealions follows. You can smell them before you see them.
Coit Tower is another icon. It’s fun to climb to the top and see the views of the city.
This is a shot of Lombard Street. This end of Lombard Street is known as the crookedest street. It’s also very steep. There are traffic jams here as tourists queue to drive down the crooked street and grab a photo or two.
Alcatraz Island is known worldwide. A trip out to the island jail is fascinating, although you need to book well ahead. This is a very popular trip.
Cops on the beat.
Here’s a statue of The Thinker. It’s at the Legion of Honor, a fine-art museum.
Have you visited San Francisco? If so, what’s your favorite place to visit in the city? If not, which place or thing in the city would you most like to see in person?
I’d totally MOVE to San Francisco. That city is awesome.
Gizmo Guy and I visited SF way back in the early 80s. We loved wandering down on the Pier and around Ghirardelli Square. And we also wandered around Golden Gate Park – or whatever that park was called. All I remember is that we were amazed when a few years later, Star Trek IV was shot there and we stared, open mouthed at the screen and said “Hey, we were just there.” And then we wished we could wander around the streets asking people about the nuclear ‘wessels’, LOL.
One of my favorite cities and considering I live rather close, I should visit more often…
Lovely photos Shelley!
I booked Alcatraz two months before going, believe me it is well worth it. I love Alcatraz. The other thing I enjoyed about San Francisco was meeting all my Aussie and Kiwi friends … specially you! :)
You want steep and crooked? I know several villages in the Harz that can compete with San Francisco for that, only the houses are smaller. :mrgreen:
I haven’t ever been there but you hear so much about the Golden Gate Bridge. The pictures don’t give the whole picture but it looked great in the Star trek movie
Susan – it is, isn’t it? Actually, in a way, it reminds me of Auckland. we have the harbor thing going on with lots of boats etc.
Leah – I must have missed the whole Star Trek thing. Golden Gat park is huge. I know because I’ve walked a large portion of it. :eek:
Karen – it’s a beautiful city. If I lived closer I’d visit lots. :grin:
Amy – I liked Alcatraz too. It was really interesting. We didn’t go this time but went on a previous visit. I loved meeting all my Canadian and American friends. We’ll have to do it again soon!
Gabriele – I think Dunedin and Wellington would also give San Francisco a run for steep. Crooked might be a different story.
Patricia – it’s a wonderful city to visit if you have a chance. It’s very easy to get around and tourist friendly.
I LOVE San Francisco! We’ve been twice – the first time for our honeymoon. The second time for my mother’s funeral.
I fell in love with Chinatown but also with Fisherman’s Wharf. The entire city is lovely. I would so love to go back.
Mom died 20 years ago so that’s the last time I visited. I guess it’s about time I go again.
Shelly, you have to see Star Trek IV, set in San Francisco, about the whales and the nuclear “wessels”. It’s the best of the Star Trek movies (IMHO anyway). It had a lot of humor and I love comedy, time travel, and Star Trek so it had it all.
Looks like an absolutely gorgeous city Shelley. Thanks for sharing the photos. It’s made me want to visit SF. But before that :wink: I think a city I’ve always wanted to visit is Paris – like so many other artists.
Ashley – I remember vaguely the movie about whales but I don’t remember SF being in it. I’ll have to find it and watch the movie again. Twenty years is way too long to wait for a return visit. :grin:
Eleni – I visited Paris many, many years ago. I’d love to visit again. One day!
Love love love SF!!! I think it is my favorite city on earth. (Not that I’ve been to all of them – but still!).
What is my favorite part? I can’t really tell you, but the Park is right up there. I love everything in the surrounding vicinities. . . Just being there, driving, walking – all the way from Sonoma to Monterey – I’m in heaven. *happysighs*
Okay, where to start? As I grew up just north of San Fran my list is long. The Exploratorium and Academy of Science were favorites as a kid. The newly redesigned Academy looks neat too. I love Pier 39 but the Hyde Street pier with the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park are wonderful! A great way to venture off to a different time and place, all you readers out there know what I mean. Also Ghirardelli Square is wonderful for the chocolate lover in us all. And always stop in Chinatown for some yummy, yummy Dim Sum!
Okay those are my can’t miss spots but there are so many more!
Cheers!
Leah- I always thought ST IV was funny because the “whale tank” was added on to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, it’s really a cliff to the sea. Also sadly Mare Island closed when I was in HS and so there are no more nuclear ‘wessels in the area except during fleet week. The Navy school I went to used to be stationed there and I was excited to be able to come back close after boot camp then they close it, big meanies!
Gwen – I have to agree with you. The next time I visit I’m going to hire a bike and go over the Golden Gate bridge to Sasulito (spelling?) It’s on my to-do list.
Amy – hubby and I enjoyed the Maritine Park and spent quite a while exploring the old ships. I love the old sailing ships. And yes, we did the China town thing. I munched on fortune cookies for a lot of our trip around the States. :grin: