San Francisco & Golden Gate Bridge

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there

We have heard the song when in school, we have know San Francisco from the song. The city also make popular by Hong Kong movie. The Chinese call the city chiu-chin-san(旧金山/舊金山), which literally means old golden hill. This name is derived from the old gold mining days in California, which means the place of old mine. Most of the Chinese in San Francisco are Chinese from Taishan(台山), Guangdong Province, China. The name in Taishan is "kau-kam-san". The migration of Taishanese to North American started with the Gold Rush. Many Taishanese came to California as contract labors. Later, another peak happened during the construction of the transcontinental railways in the United States and Canada. In 1870, there were 63,000 Chinese in the United States, almost all in California. Due to discrimination and language barriers, the first Chinatown formed to allowed Taishanese (or Chinese) to live along and help each other. Hong Kong movie portrait the American Toisan(Taishan) Chinese as rich oversea Chinese, Uncle Kam Shan(kam-shan-ah-pak). That is San Francisco to me....


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History of San Francisco

People of the Ohlone language group occupied Northern California from at least the 6th century. Though their territory had been claimed by Spain since the early 16th century, they would have relatively little contact with Europeans until 1769, when, as part of an effort to colonize Alta California, an exploration party led by Don Gaspar de Portola learned of the existence of San Francisco Bay

In 1776, an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza selected the site for the Presidio of San Francisco, which Jose Joaquin Moraga would soon establish. Later the same year, the Franciscan missionary Francisco Palóu founded the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores).The Yelamu tribal group of the Ohlone, who had had several villages in the area, were among the enslaved at the mission and would convert to the Catholic faith.

Upon independence from Spain in 1821, the area became part of Mexico. Under Mexican rule, the mission system gradually ended and its lands began to be privatized. In 1835, Englishman William Richardson erected the first independent homestead, near a boat anchorage around what is today Portsmouth Square. Together with Alcalde Francisco de Haro, he laid out a street plan for the expanded settlement, and the town, named Yerba Buena, began to attract American settlers. Commodore John D. Sloat claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American War, and Captain John B. Montgomery arrived to claim Yerba Buena two days later. Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco the next year, and Mexico officially ceded the territory to the United States at the end of the war. Despite its attractive location as a port and naval base, San Francisco was still a small settlement with inhospitable geography.

The California Gold Rush brought a flood of treasure seekers. With their sourdough bread in tow, prospectors accumulated in San Francisco over rival Benicia, raising the population from 1,000 in 1848 to 25,000 by December 1849. The promise of fabulous riches was so strong that crews on arriving vessels deserted and rushed off to the gold fields, leaving behind a forest of masts in San Francisco harbor. California was quickly granted statehood, and the U.S. military built Fort Point at the Golden Gate and a fort on Alcatraz Island to secure the San Francisco Bay. Silver discoveries, including the Comstock Lode in 1859, further drove rapid population growth. With hordes of fortune seekers streaming through the city, lawlessness was common, and the Barbary Coast section of town gained notoriety as a haven for criminals, prostitution, and gambling.

Many San Francisco entrepreneurs sought to capitalize on the wealth generated by the Gold Rush. Among the winners were the banking industry which saw the founding of Wells Fargo in 1852 and the Bank of California in 1864. The development of the Port of San Francisco established the city as a center of trade. Catering to the needs and tastes of the growing population, Levi Strauss opened a dry goods business and Domingo Ghirardelli began manufacturing chocolate. Immigrant laborers made the city a polyglot culture, with Chinese railroad workers creating the city's Chinatown quarter. The first cable cars carried San Franciscans up Clay Street in 1873. The city's sea of Victorian houses began to take shape, and civic leaders campaigned for a spacious public park, resulting in plans for Golden Gate Park. San Franciscans built schools, churches, theaters, and all the hallmarks of civic life. The Presidio developed into the most important American military installation on the Pacific coast. By the turn of the century, San Francisco was a major city known for its flamboyant style, stately hotels, ostentatious mansions on Nob Hill, and a thriving arts scene. The Bank of Italy was founded in San Francisco, California, USA, in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini.

At 5:12 am on April 18, 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco and northern California. As buildings collapsed from the shaking, ruptured gas lines ignited fires that would spread across the city and burn out of control for several days. With water mains out of service, the Presidio Artillery Corps attempted to contain the inferno by dynamiting blocks of buildings to create firebreaks. More than three-quarters of the city lay in ruins, including almost all of the downtown core. Contemporary accounts reported that 498 people lost their lives, though modern estimates put the number in the several thousands. More than half the city's population of 400,000 were left homeless. Refugees settled temporarily in makeshift tent villages in Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, on the beaches, and elsewhere. Many fled permanently to the East Bay.

Amadeo Giannini's Bank of Italy, later to become Bank of America, provided loans for many of those whose livelihoods had been devastated. The destroyed mansions of Nob Hill became grand hotels. City Hall rose again in splendorous Beaux Arts style, and the city celebrated its rebirth at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915.

In ensuing years, the city solidified its standing as a financial capital; in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, not a single San Francisco-based bank failed. Indeed, it was at the height of the Great Depression that San Francisco undertook two great civil engineering projects, simultaneously constructing the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, completing them in 1936 and 1937 respectively. It was in this period that the island of Alcatraz, a former military stockade, began its service as a federal maximum security prison, housing notorious inmates such as Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert Franklin Stroud, The Birdman of Alcatraz. San Francisco later celebrated its regained grandeur with a World's Fair, the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939–40, creating Treasure Island in the middle of the bay to house it.

The rest is the history of modern San Francisco.

San Francisco
San Francisco is a major city in California, the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world.

San Francisco is located on a small seven-by-seven mile (11x11km) square of land at the tip of a peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific coast. It has a population of almost 800,000, but is the center of a metropolitan area of millions. San Francisco is just one of the cities which makes up the entire San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco's neighbors, cities and towns to the east of the Bay Bridge, north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and south of the city are all in separate counties, each with their own city government and local public transportation systems.
Summer days usually start out under fog, slowly burning off towards the ocean into a sunny albeit windy afternoon. Precipitation during the summer months is so rare that it's a news event when it happens and humidity is also very low, making for very comfortable daytime weather. At night, however, the fog and wind returns and people generally find themselves needing a jacket.

San Francisco is famous for its hills. There are more than 50 hills within city limits. Some neighborhoods are named after the hill on which they are situated, including Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, and Russian Hill. Near the geographic center of the city, southwest of the downtown area, are a series of less densely populated hills. Twin Peaks, a pair of hills resting at one of the city's highest points, forms a popular overlook spot. San Francisco's tallest hill, Mount Davidson, is 925 feet (282 m) high and is capped with a 103 foot (31 m) tall cross built in 1934. Dominating this area is Sutro Tower, a large red and white radio and television transmission tower

The 11 official governmental districts of San Francisco are as follows:-

(i) Downtown- Financial District
(ii) Chinatown & North Bridge
(iii) Nob Hill-Russian Hill
(iv) Fisherman's Wharf
(v) Civic Center-Tenderloin
(vi) SoMa (South of Market)
(v) Western Addition
(vi) Haight
(v) The Avenues
(vi) Twin Peaks-Lake Merced
(vii) Castro-Noe Valley
(viii) Mission-Bernal Heights
(x) Southeast San Francisco

But some tour guide divided San Francisco into 6 areas:-
(i) Downtown- Financial District
(ii) Chinatown & NOB Hill
(iii) Fisherman’s Wharf & North Beach
(iv) Pacific Height & Civic Center
(v) Haight Ashbury & The Mission
(vi) Golden Gate Park & The Presidio

9-6-2010(Wednesday) Arrived at San Francisco

We arrived at San Francisco in the morning. The San Francisco Bus station, looked very worn down and dark, like a deserted place. It need to be careful if arrive at night. San Francisco Transbay Terminal, or simply Transbay Terminal, is a transportation complex in San Francisco, California, USA, located roughly in the center of the rectangle bounded by Mission Street and Fremont Street, Natoma Street and 1st Street. Currently, it serves long-distance buses and transbay buses from San Francisco north to Marin County, east to the East Bay, and south to San Mateo County. A new Transbay Terminal building at roughly the same location is planned to be built to replace the existing structure. During construction, a temporary facility on the corner of Main, Folsom, Beale, and Howard Streets would be used. The existing terminal is scheduled to close on August 7, 2010. When you come out from the bus terminal, facing the T junction of Mission Street and 1st Street. You can see the morning rush of the office workers going to their offices.

From Mission Street, going to 3rd Street and turned left to Market Street, you arrived at Powell Street station, near Foreever 21 corner shop where you need to buy the pass for the city transportation. The cable car station is there, where the cable car or tram will make a 360 degree turn. We took the cable car to the Chinatown. It was cool....

San Francisco Cable Cars

The world-famous Cable Cars run on three lines in the steep streets between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf: the north-south Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines and the east-west California Street line. These cars are a fun ride, especially if you get to stand on the running board, if a bit impractical for everyday use (though residents of Nob and Russian Hills do, in fact, use them on a daily basis). The cable car is such an attraction that, especially on weekends, it takes longer to wait in line to ride up Powell Street than it does to walk the short but sloping distance. If you want to save yourself time standing in line at the turnaround, just walk up a couple of blocks to the next stop — the conductors save a few spaces for people boarding along the way; you won't get first choice of seats, but you'll save yourself a long time standing in line. Board through any door or just grab a pole on the running boards; tickets are checked and sold by a uniformed conductor. Do not buy tickets from anyone off the car except for clearly marked ticket booths — scam artists are common. The cable cars are the icon of San Francisco, if you are in San Francisco, you must take the ride of cable car - a unique experience.

Castro Hotel

We checked into an old Italian residential hotel, Castro Hotel at 705, Vallejo Street, at the junction of Stockton Street. The hotel is close to Little Italy, at the heart of North Beach and border of Chinatown. A room given to us is a corner room with one bed, US$50 per night. Not very clean, seems like nobody have been staying for sometime, no bathroom attached. The hotel normally rent their rooms on weekly basis, S.R.O (Single Room Occcupancy) variety. The facilities are simple, and the common room had some lovely plants and decorations that made it feel home. I peek into the other rooms, which is much cleaner than our room. Our room has good view of the street, direct opposite is Lee Supermarket, at the end of the view of Vallejo Street is St Francis of Assisi Church. The view at Stockton Street toward Little Italy are the cafe, and toward Chinatown are the bakery shop. What I like most about the hotel is the common room, small but cozy. But family members did not like the hotel.

Chinatown-North Beach
Chinatown- star sight are Chinatown Alleys, Chinatown Gateway & Grant Avenue, Telegraph Hill,( http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Francisco/Chinatown-North_Beach)
Chinatown(唐人街)


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After that we walk around the Chinatown. The largest Chinatown outside Asia, it must also be the largest in USA. It is the oldest Chinatown in North America, then it is the oldest in USA. It was established in 1840s. Chinatown has been traditionally defined by the neighborhoods of North Beach, and Telegraph Hill areas as bound by Bush Street, Taylor Street, Bay Street, and the water. The current boundary is roughly Montgomery Street, Columbus Avenue and The City's Financial District in the East, Union Street and North Beach in the North all the way to its Northernmost point from the intersection of Jones Street and Lombard Street in Russian Hill to Lombard Street and Grant Avenue (都板街) in Telegraph Hill. The Southeast is bounded by Bush Street with Union Square.

The star sight of Chinatown are Chinatown Alleys, Chinatown Gateway & Grant Avenue. The tourist section of Chinatown is mainly along Grant Avenue, from Bush to Broadway. Grant Avenue was made famous by Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song. The Chinatown market area is mainly along Stockton Street, one block above (west of) Grant Avenue, and the east-west streets crossing Stockton. Other San Francisco concentrations of Chinese shops and restaurants are located in the Inner Richmond District, mainly along Clement Street, and the Outer Sunset District, mainly along Irving Street.

There are two major thoroughfares. One is Grant Avenue (都板街), formerly Dupont Street, with the Dragon Gate (aka "Chinatown Gate" on some maps) on the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue; St. Mary's Square with a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen; a war memorial to Chinese war veterans; and stores, restaurants and mini-malls that cater mainly to tourists. The other, Stockton Street (市德頓街), is frequented less often by tourists, and it presents an authentic Chinese look and feel, reminiscent of Hong Kong, with its produce and fish markets, stores, and restaurants. The other main streets of Chinatown are Washington(華盛頓街), Jackson(昃臣街), Pine(板街), Sacramento(唐人街), Clay(企李街)and Commercial(襟美慎街)

Chinatown Alleys. Though Grant Avenue has a lot to offer, it is quite touristy; thus, it is essential that you examine the more authentic areas in the alleys, such as Waverly Place, Pagoda Place, Spofford Lane, and Ross Alley, between Grant and Stockton. Ross Alley(舊呂宋巷)is the oldest alley in the city and many movies have had scenes shot here including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. These alleys have got a real old-world feel and you will hear Cantonese conversations and the clicking sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled.

* 白話轉街（Beckett Street）
* 香亞街（Hang Ah Street）、又稱寶塔巷（Pagoda Alley）
* 舊華埠巷（Old Chinatown Lane）
* 舊呂宋巷（Ross Alley）
* 新呂宋巷（Spofford Street）
* 聖路易巷（St. Louis Place）
* 林華耀街（Walter U. Lum Place）
* 天后廟街（Waverly Place）
* 德和街（Wentworth Street）

Chinatown Gate(中华门”牌坊), Grant Ave (Grant Ave and Bush St布什街). Erected in 1970, this ornate dragon-crested gate, marks the southern entrance to Chinatown. The Gateway is inscribed with the saying "All under heaven is for the good of the people," by Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Portsmouth Square (花園角廣場), (bordered by Kearny St, Washington St, Clay St, and Walter Lum Pl). This is the largest area of open space in Chinatown. It is known as the "Heart of Chinatown" because the neighborhood began along one of its sides and extended from there to become what is known as Chinatown today. The square bristles with activity, and here you find local residents playing cards or Chinese chess, and practicing Tai Chi. The square contains several memorials, statues, and plaques — including a bronze replica of the Goddess of Democracy statue and a marker commemorating Robert Louis Stevenson

A major focal point in Chinatown is Portsmouth Square. Due to its being one of the few open spaces in Chinatown, Portsmouth Square bustles with activity such as Tai Chi and old men playing Chinese chess. A replica of the Goddess of Democracy used in the Tiananmen Square protest was built in 1999 by Thomas Marsh, and stands in the square. It is made of bronze and weighs approximately 600 lb (270 kg).

St. Mary's Park (聖瑪利公園), (south side of California St, opposite Old St. Mary's Church). 6AM-10PM. This park boasts an Art Deco statue of Sun Yat-Sen, created by sculptor Benny Bufano in the 1930s. It also has a plaque commemorating those soldiers of Chinese ancestry that died in both World Wars

Stockton Street Produce Markets, Stockton St (runs parallel to Grant Ave, one block west — between Sacramento St and Vallejo St). The fruit, vegetable, and live produce markets on Stockton Street are a must for any adventurous traveler. The greatest concentration of Chinese shops and Chinese shoppers can be found in the three blocks from Washington to Broadway. They are notoriously busy, and not for the faint of heart as locals deftly paw over each and every piece of fruit... you have to be quick! Tangerines are important during Chinese New Years. You may need a gut check as well in the live produce markets — there are all kinds of live fauna flapping about from frogs and turtles to chickens and ducks. The best time to explore Stockton Street is on weekdays; weekends are even more crowded, when Chinese families that have moved up to the suburbs return for shopping on Stockton Street. To avoid the crowds, explore the area in the morning or late afternoon. Many of the shops close around 6pm, but the eateries will remain open into the evening hours

Old St. Mary's Church, 660 California St (at Grant Ave). This is a Chinatown landmark. A beautiful brick building, it is the oldest Roman Catholic church in San Francisco.

First Chinese Baptist Church, 15 Waverly Pl (at Sacramento St, between Stockton St and Grant Ave)

Chinatown. Grant from Bush to Broadway takes you through the heart of the famous district. Returning by the parallel Stockton or Powell will give you a better feeling of the day to day life of the residents, and are both good for those looking for imported commodities such as tea or herbs. The area runs from roughly Bay Street to the north, Columbus Avenue and Powell Street on the west, San Francisco Bay on the east, and Washington Street on the south with an extension to Sutter Street between Kearny and Powell Streets to encompass the rest of Chinatown.
Chinatown is also an easy walk from Union Square (walk north on Stockton through the tunnel or north on Grant through the Chinatown Gate at Grant and Bush). Similarly, North Beach can be easily accessed by walking northbound from Market Street, straight through the Financial District. Both neighborhoods can also be easily reached from Market Street by simply walking northbound on Grant Avenue. To get to the area from Fisherman's Wharf, walk southbound straight down Columbus Avenue.
Chinatown Alleys. Though Grant Avenue has a lot to offer, it is quite touristy; thus, it is essential that you examine the more authentic areas in the alleys, such as Waverly Place, Pagoda Place, Spofford Lane, and Ross Alley, between Grant and Stockton. Ross Alley is the oldest alley in the city and many movies have had scenes shot here including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. These alleys have got a real old-world feel and you will hear Cantonese conversations and the clicking sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled

Note: In addition, do not miss Chinatown and Japantown, particularly for the restaurants. My favorite Chinese restaurant is Jade. My favorite place to walk and check out shops and restaurants is Clement Street from 6th on...at 11th is a Korean BBQ that is great, but you will find everything on that street.

http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/

We have lunch at Chinatown, Stockton Street. If you expected a Hong Kong style Chinese food, you will be disappointed. The food is not at par with Hong Kong, come with big portion. If you are not a good eater, better to share instead of wasting you food. A take away of left over may be an alternative. Most of the daily activities were in Stockton, that is the heart of Chinatown.

North Bridge

Columbus runs from North Point in Fisherman's Wharf, through the grand church and famous cafés at the heart of North Beach to the landmark Transamerica pyramid, accessible to transit on nearby Market. North Beach remains one of the most popular and beloved neighborhoods in San Francisco. Nestled between Chinatown to the south and Fisherman's Wharf to the north, North Beach is the Italian part of town and is known by the moniker "Little Italy."

Telegraph Hill
Telegraph Hill. Greenwich and Filbert Steps on the east side of Telegraph Hill, both strenuous and unforgettably beautiful, offer cottages and a flock of wild parrots to enjoy on the way up to the Coit Tower.

Coit Tower
Coit Tower, 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd (limited parking; or take #39 Muni bus from Washington Square). 10AM-5PM daily. Visible from all parts of San Francisco and the Bay Area, Coit Tower stands atop Telegraph Hill and gives an excellent view of the bay and the rest of the city.

Note: Fisherman's Wharf, but avoid the big tourist section, which is not a real S.F. thing....Pier 39 et al. Only thing I like in that area is the Maritime Museum over near Ghirdelli Square (well the ice cream store there is good)...and the old ships are fun to see. PIER 39's famous sea lions have been in the media first for their departure, and now for their possible return.

North Beach, is "Little Italy," with its cafes and alfresco dining, has a real European charm and flavor reminiscent of the romance of Europe and Italy. The area runs from roughly Bay Street to the north, Columbus Avenue and Powell Street on the west, San Francisco Bay on the east, and Washington Street on the south with an extension to Sutter Street between Kearny and Powell Streets to encompass the rest of Chinatown. Telegraph poles, painted in the colors of the Italian flag (green, white, and red), delineate the boundaries between these two neighbors.

The neighborhood derived its name as the bay shoreline originally reached as far as Taylor and Francisco streets, and the area was indeed a real beach until the city subsequently filled it in. The portion of Grant Avenue that runs straight through North Beach is the oldest street in San Francisco. Authentic old-world Italian cafes, restaurants, delicatessens and bakeries line the steep streets. North Beach was also the West Coast's capital for the Beatnik movement in the 1950s — you can still see many of the places where Jack Kerouac and the "Dharma Bums" hung out and wrote their dark poetry. Other literati celebrities that hung out there were; Alan Ginsberg, Neal Cassidy (Dean Moriarity in Kerouac's On The Road), and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Alan Ginsberg wrote his most famous poem 'Howl' while living at 1010 Montgomery Street. Today, the neighborhood is also very well known for its happening nightlife scene. Nightclubs and bars abound — particularly at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Grant Avenue. At its base, Broadway is a mini red-light district, made famous in the 1960s by Carol Doda with her "twin 44s." The area is still full of adult bookstores and strip clubs; despite this, strangely, like everything in San Francisco, it retains a certain charm. Washington Square (another old Beat hangout), in front of the Saints Peter and Paul Church, is a very popular hangout with locals, and a great place to relax.

Telegraph Hill
Telegraph Hill earned its name in the days of the Gold Rush when it was used as a signaling post to relay messages about incoming ships to the bay. Coit Tower was erected at its peak in 1933 and rewards a weary traveler with some wonderful views over the city. Over time a quiet residential neighborhood built up along the hillside, and their magnificent flowing gardens have always been something to admire on your way up or down. Other neighbors include a colony of colorful feral parrots, predominantly red-masked parakeets, which grew up as descendants of escaped domesticated pets. One can drive to the top, but it's better to take one of the narrow steps leading up and down the sides of the hill (including the Greenwich and Filbert Steps), as they offer better views over the Bay.

Coit Tower, 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd (limited parking; or take #39 Muni bus from Washington Square). 10AM-5PM daily. Visible from all parts of San Francisco and the Bay Area, Coit Tower stands atop Telegraph Hill and gives an excellent view of the bay and the rest of the city. The tower was built by the Federal Works Projects Administration in 1933 with money bequeathed by eccentric San Franciscan Lillie Coit. Coit was said to have chased after firefighters as a young girl, and as an older woman sponsored her favorite fire company. A fan of the volunteer city firefighters, and local legend has it that the shape of the tower is supposed to simulate the end of a fire hose — although the architects denied this claim. The first and second floors house beautiful examples of New Deal-era idealist murals, and the top floor (reached by elevator) has featured paintings or other art. Artists put in their own signatures and messages in the murals, which interpretive plaques point out. $5 (elevator to top floor; the rest is free).

Filbert Steps. The Filbert Steps are the part of Filbert Street that runs between Battery Street and Telegraph Hill Boulevard in North Beach. The steps end next to Coit Tower, and offer a scenic — though some what strenuous — route for visitors of the tower. In fact, following the steps is at times faster than driving to Coit Tower due to the high demand for relatively few parking spots near the site. Visitors of the steps will see public gardens, stylish homes and views of North Beach and the bay; if a path is not gated or specifically signed with "No Trespassing," then it is most likely public. Also, it pays to be adventurous: some of the best gardens and views are off the stairs. Finally, there is more than one way up and down; if you make a round trip you should find a new route for the return leg. Just avoid private property.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 610 Vallejo St (at Columbus Ave) 11AM-5PM daily. Established during the days of the Gold Rush, this church does not host an active parish, however it still functions as a national shrine and tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. It also has a gift shop where you can purchase crosses, frescoes, rosaries, holy cards, as well as many other trinkets. Free. edit

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St (overlooking Washington Square), Su Services: 7:30AM, 9AM, 10:15AM, 11:30AM, 12:45AM, 5:30PM M-F Services: 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, 12:15PM. A white statuesque, neo-Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral situated directly in front of Washington Square. After Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe wed at City Hall in 1954, they were famously photographed afterward at the this church

Washington Square, (at Union St and Powell St). Every day at around 8AM-10AM, locals practice tai-chi, the martial art and meditation practice. Different sections of the park will host everything from jazzercise to sword-play. Sunny days will bring out locals lounging on their blankets. Art fairs are frequent, and the oyster-beer fair in March is very popular. Note the sculpture to volunteer firefighters on the Columbus Ave side. The Sts. Peter and Paul church of the Salesians borders the northern side. Joe Dimaggio and Marilyn Monroe were photographed outside of the church, but they could not be married inside because she was divorced. Monroe and Dimaggio had their reception around the corner at a place which is now called "Pena Pacha Mama" (Powell St between Union & Green). The park used to be a favorite among the Beat poets as well — Jack Kerouac used to hang out here frequently enjoying the sunshine with a bottle of port.

Walk to North Bridge, along Columbus Avenue, passes Washington Square, St Peter and Paul Church is there. We continue the walk along Columbus Avenue, until half way we took the tram to Fisherman Wharf. The tram move from Columbus Avenue to Taylor Street and stopped at Bay Street. The experience of travel by tram is interesting, after watching it from the Hollywood movie, when you personally experienced it, you feel like your dream come true. You are finally at San Francisco....

You still need to walk along Taylor Street for 3 block to reach Fisherman Wharf. Along the road, there are souvenir stall and shops, especially after the Beach Street junction. From Beach Street to Jefferson Street are the seafood stalls, the famous crabs are there.

But if you go up Broadway to North Beach/Chinatown -- I really like to spend time there. There's a neat bar called "Vesuvio's" that I enjoy and a pizza place that is open till 2 on the adjacent corner. Over by the Marina District is fun to look at nice houses and you can head over to the Palace of Fine Arts on the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Also go to the old Italian section of town, surrounding St.Peter & Paul church and the park in front of it.

Fisherman Wharf
Fisherman Wharf - Star sight are Pier 39, USS Pampanito (http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Francisco/Fisherman%27s_Wharf)


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Fisherman Wharf is actually the stretch of the wharf where the U.S.S. Pampanito Submarine Museum is located. The main attraction in Fisherman Wharf is Pier 39. Pier 39 is a tourist complex, a typical tourist place.

It is located at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, along the San Francisco Bay. It runs all the way from Pier 39 through to Municipal Pier at the end of Aquatic Park. It is bordered by Van Ness Ave to the east and Bay St to the south. Due to its proximity to the Downtown area, one of the best ways to get to the Wharf is simply to walk! Due to its proximity to the Downtown area, one of the best ways to get to the Wharf is simply to walk! Eastbound through Fort Mason from the Marina (15 mins), northbound along Columbus Ave from North Beach and Chinatown (25 mins), or from either the the Ferry Building or the Financial District, walk northbound along the Embarcadero promenades (25 mins). Fisherman's Wharf is best seen on foot, but there are also pedicabs, horse-drawn carriages, and of course the F-Line streetcar, all of which will take you up and down the Wharf. There are also several companies in the district that rent bikes out to tourists by the hour or for the day, including Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals. The California Welcome Center is located on the second level of PIER 39, and they offer visitor maps and information on Fisherman's Wharf which will help you navigate your way around.Eastbound through Fort Mason from the Marina (15 mins), northbound along Columbus Ave from North Beach and Chinatown (25 mins), or from either the the Ferry Building or the Financial District, walk northbound along the Embarcadero promenades (25 mins).
With a historic waterfront, streets filled with shopping, and the scent of seafood wafting on every corner, the options here are never-ending. There’s the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, the National Maritime Museum , the U.S.S. Pampanito Submarine Museum , and chocolates at Ghirardelli Square . A touristy waterfront neighborhood which encompasses Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and the ferry launch to Alcatraz Island, as well as a plethora of seafood restaurants and souvenir stores.

Pop in for a famed Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe . Lou’s on Pier 47 is a gathering spot for tops blues musicians; elsewhere there’s comedy and jazz (Bimbo’s 365 Club on Columbus). There’s also the relocated Musée Mécanique at Pier 45 (at the foot of Taylor Street), filled with antique mechanical toys that provide a charming look at how our country has amused itself from the 1800s on.

Last but not least is the blubbery, cacophonous conglomeration of barking sea lions that have made certain docks their prisoner (the best viewing is from the Pier 39 perimeter road). With Alcatraz , Coit Tower, and the cable cars all within minutes of here, consider this your San Francisco base of operations.

The sea lions, Pier 39's West Marina, (admin@tmmc.org),. A short time after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake struck, these sea lions moved bag-and-baggage into the west marina at Pier 39. There can be as many as 900 sea lions there during the winter months. In the summertime many of them migrate but there is always a steady population at Pier 39's K-Dock all year round. The Marine Mammal Center’s Kiosk is located next to the sea lions where volunteers are happy to answer questions about the mammals.

Beware of pickpocketing, it is a common occurrence at Fisherman's Wharf. Follow the usual steps for avoiding being pickpocketed, such as keeping your wallet inside your front pocket or an inside jacket pocket.

http://www.fishermanswharf.org

We met a couple from England, who are Malaysian form Kuala Lumpur. We have a nice conversation.

The Oakland Bay Bridge connects downtown San Francisco with Yerba Buena Island and the East Bay.



AT&T Park
AT&T Park is an open-air baseball park and home to the San Francisco Giants, of Major League Baseball.

Originally named Pacific Bell Park, then renamed SBC Park in 2003, as a result of the SBC acquisition of Pacific Bell, the stadium was ultimately christened AT&T Park on March 3, 2006, just two years after it had adopted the SBC Park name. SBC Communications, the flagship sponsor of the park, merged with AT&T Corp. in 2005 and the new AT&T Inc. took the more iconic name for its company. This marked the third official name for the park since its opening in 2000.

The park is located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of 3rd Street and King Street, in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California.

Behind the left field bleachers is "The Coca-Cola Fan Lot". The ballpark features an 80-foot (24 m) long Coca-Cola bottle with playground slides that will blow bubbles and light up with every Giants home run, and a miniature version of the stadium. "The Coca-Cola Superslide" is popular with children as is with adults, and the terraced levels of the slides is a fun way to catch the game. If one were viewing the outfield promenade from home plate, directly to the bottle's right is another oversized representation of a ballpark stalwart, the "Giant 1927 Old-Time Four-Fingered Baseball Glove" — this particular one is made of steel and fibreglass. Behind and further to the left is "The Little Giants Park" - a miniature baseball diamond — sort of a minor league tryout for Pee-Wee Ball

Outside the ballpark are five statues, four of which are dedicated to San Francisco Giants all-time greats.The Willie Mays Statue is located in front of the ballpark entrance at 24 Willie Mays Plaza and is surrounded with 24 palm trees, in honor of his number 24 uniform, retired by the Giants. It was dedicated at noon on March 31, 2000 prior to the opening of the ballpark and was commissioned by Giants Managing Partner Peter Magowan and his wife Debby

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_Park

Union Square: Shopping at Market Street

Union Square is the heartbeat of San Francisco...

Union Square is a plaza of 2.6 acres (11,000 m2) bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets in San Francisco, California. But the Union Square today is much more than the Union Square Plaza, "Union Square" now also refers to the central shopping, hotel, and theater district that surrounds the plaza for several blocks.

The name "Union Square" stems from the fact that the area was once used for rallies and support for the Union Army during the Civil War. Today, this one-block plaza and nearby area is one of the largest collections of department stores, upscale boutiques, tourist trinket shops, art galleries, and salons in the Western United States, which continue to make Union Square a major tourist draw, a vital, cosmopolitan place in downtown San Francisco, and one of the world's premier shopping districts. Grand hotels and small inns, as well as repertory, off-Broadway, and single-act theaters also contribute to the area's dynamic, 24-hour character.

http://www.unionsquareshop.com/History.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/07/26/BA82511.DTL&type=travelbayarea

After a lot of walking in the Union Square area, we called it a day. It was also mainly the Chinatown at night was very quiet. Especially near the Stockton St, the produce market and shops are all closed. While we were walking back, we saw some teenagers gathered in the street, but they are not the rough type. The corner hotel room was not the best resting place for us, there is no bathroom attached, as the rest room/bathroom need to be shared with other hotel guests.

10-6-2010 San Francisco(2nd day)

Moved to Park Hotel

Since the family members are not happy with the Castro Hotel, we looked for another hotel. Park Hotel at 325, Sutter Street(info@parkhotelsf.com) provided us a better offer by the friendly counter staff. His name is Rodel Saldfleza, a Filipino. The hotel is also located at good location at Union Square and adjacent to Chinatown. At first the hotel was fully booked, and not able to provide any room; but after checking the record, he offered us a conditional offer, provided the guest check out today. We are willing to accept the offer. We went for a stroll in Union Square and come back, and a room was offered to us. We did not ask for any specific room, and he helped us to get a nice room with a city view. We were lucky enough to get a large room with big sash windows which opened onto the street, and we loved it. If he is able to walk extra miles for the would be customers, he will surely able to serve his customer better. We are very thankful for his super customer service. The hotel has a large, clean, modern looking kitchen, and a laundry centre, internet access. The office downstairs however closes from 10PM-8AM, and the elevator at the Park Hotel is historic. It break down early in the morning when we check out from hotel. .....but it is OK when you are without heavy luggage. For us it is not a problem, we have experienced it in Asian countries without elevator, in Vietnam they used trolley to take up the bags, a historical way for heritage building!..... We still strongly recommend the hotel.

SoMa(South of Market)

SoMa, short for South of Market, is an area of downtown San Francisco south of Market Street and northeast of the Mission District. It is San Francisco's urban renewal district, bordered roughly by Market Street on the northwest, the 101 Freeway (from Market Street to I-80) and 16th Street (from 101 to the San Francisco Bay) on the south, and the San Francisco Bay on the east.

Yerba Buena Gardens, Daily 6AM-10PM. The Yerba Buena Gardens, above the Moscone Convention Center, provide a nice urban oasis. A large grassy meadow, a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., play places for kids, fountains and gardens make this a great place to come, play and relax

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 3rd Street (across the street from the Yerba Buena Gardens). F-Tu 11AM-5:45PM, Th 11AM-8:45PM. An innovative art museum with five floors of galleries featuring changing exhibitions as well as permanent displays featuring the works of some very famous 20th century artists, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and many others. Be sure to see the unique glass bridge on the 5th floor, perched high above the main lobby. $12.50 adults, $8 seniors, $7 students, free for children 12 and under

San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza (at Third and King Streets). One of the building projects that revitalized this area, the stadium is an imposing brick edifice that has all the necessary modern amenities, such as beer and Wi-Fi. It looks out upon San Francisco Bay, which makes a fine backdrop for those home runs that splash into McCovey Cove. On days where there are no Giants home games, public tours of the ballpark are available at 10:30AM and 12:30PM. Giants tickets range from $10 to over $100, depending on section and date of game. Ballpark tours $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children

Oakland Bay Bridge

Treasure Island
Treasure Island, an artificial island half-way between San Francisco and Oakland connected to the Bay Bridge, has excellent views of the San Francisco and Oakland skylines and quirky structures from the international fairground-turned-navy base-turned-neighborhood. Accessible by Muni bus #108 from the Transbay Terminal in SoMa.

Mission-Bernal Heights (http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Francisco/Haight

The Mission District, also commonly called "The Mission", is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California, USA, named after the sixth Alta California mission, Mission San Francisco de Asis, San Francisco's oldest building, which is located in the neighborhood. The Mission District surrounds the oldest building in San Francisco, Mission Dolores. The area was the site of the Spanish mission that was the kernel of the city San Francisco is today.

The Inner Mission is only about 20 blocks by 10 blocks, and is easily navigated by foot. The Mission is generally safe for walking (even though 16th and Mission remains a major drug dealing corner). It's not dangerous, but one should expect a certain amount of urban grittiness at night up and down Mission street near 16th. Valencia Street, just one block over, is much more gentrified and is filled with bars and eateries.

Mission Dolores, 3321 16th Street (at Dolores). The oldest building in San Francisco and one of the many Spanish missions in California, the white, intricately decorated towers of Mission Dolores tower over the neighborhood

Bernal Heights, just south of the Mission District, is a cute, eclectic neighborhood that was once very working class, but is becoming quickly gentrified. Sister to the Castro, this neighborhood is very popular with the lesbian community. The main commercial drag of the neighborhood is located along Cortland Avenue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_District,_San_Francisco,_California

Haight
The Haight (pronounced like "hate") is a district of San Francisco, running along Haight Street. The district is bounded roughly by the Panhandle and Fell/Oak Streets on the north, Market Street on the east, Duboce Avenue and Buena Vista Park on the south, and Stanyan Street (and Golden Gate Park) on the west, with a small extension west to include the University of California, San Francisco Parnassus campus just to the west. The Haight is made up of two neighborhoods: Haight-Fillmore, usually called the Lower Haight, and Haight-Ashbury, also known as the Upper Haight. The two neighborhoods are separated by a large hill and are bisected by Divisadero Street.
Mission-Bernal Heights is a district of San Francisco, composed of the historic Mission and Bernal Heights neighborhoods. It is bounded roughly by the 101 freeway on the east and north, Dolores Street on the west, and I-280 on the south. The Mission District surrounds the oldest building in San Francisco, Mission Dolores. The area was the site of the Spanish mission that was the kernel of the city San Francisco is today. The Inner Mission is only about 20 blocks by 10 blocks, and is easily navigated by foot. The Mission is generally safe for walking (even though 16th and Mission remains a major drug dealing corner). It's not dangerous, but one should expect a certain amount of urban grittiness at night up and down Mission street near 16th. Valencia Street, just one block over, is much more gentrified and is filled with bars and eateries.

Both areas of the Haight can be dangerous late at night after the bars close. Travel smart when on foot at night. There are always other people walking up and down Haight Street so you won't be alone.

Visit Castro

Historical Muni Streetcar
The K, L, or M MUNI Metro underground lines at the Church Street station at Market and Church and the Castro Street station at Market and Castro. The J Church line can also get you to the Castro, although it comes above ground and turns south on Church Street, which runs along the eastern edge of the district. For a more scenic ride, take the historic F Market streetcar line from Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero and Downtown down Market to Castro Street. We took F Market street car, which are heritage. The Historic Streetcar F Line uses historic streetcars, in original colors from several cities in the US and Milan, Italy. The line runs from Fisherman's Wharf south along the waterfront Embarcadero to the ferry building at the foot of Market Street, then up Market Street on the surface to the Castro district. Board through the front door and buy tickets from the driver if you do not already have a transfer or pass.

MUNI bus lines which serve the area include 24-Divisadero, which runs along Castro Street through most of the district, heading north to Pacific Heights and southeast to Bayview-Hunters Point, the 33-Stanyan, which runs east-west along 18th Street, the 48-Quintara/24th Street, which runs east-west along 24th Street, continuing east to Potrero Hill and west past Twin Peaks, West Portal and into Sunset, and the 35 and 37 neighborhood lines.

Originally an Irish working class neighborhood of San Francisco, the Castro has been transformed for the past 35 years and recognized by many as the gay mecca of the world. Filled with bookstores, clothing outlets, video stores and bars (and practically anything else you can think of) that cater towards the GLBT community, the Castro is a REQUIRED VISIT for anyone even slightly interested in gay lifestyle and culture.

Castro is within Castro-Noe Valley area, which consists of two neighborhood, the other is Noe Valley. The area is bounded roughly by the Twin Peaks on the west, Dolores Street on the east, Duboce Avenue on the north and San Jose Avenue on the south.

The Castro District, commonly known as The Castro (coined by gay activist speaker Neil Davendra Vyas), within Eureka Valley in San Francisco, California, is widely considered America's first, currently largest, and best-known gay neighborhood. Having transformed from a working-class neighborhood through the 1960s and 1970s, the Castro remains a symbol and source of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) activism and events.

San Francisco's gay village is mostly concentrated in the business district that is located on Castro Street from Market Street to 19th Street. It extends down Market Street toward Church Street and on both sides of the Castro neighborhood from Church Street to Eureka Street. Although the greater gay community was, and is, concentrated in the Castro, many gay people live in the surrounding residential areas bordered by Corona Heights, the Mission District, Noe Valley, Twin Peaks, and Haight-Ashbury neighborhoods. Some consider it to include Duboce Triangle and Dolores Heights, which both have a strong LGBT presence.

Castro Street itself, which originates a few blocks north at the intersection of Divisadero and Waller Streets, runs south through Noe Valley, crossing the 24th Street business district and ending as a continuous street a few blocks farther south as it moves toward the Glen Park neighborhood. It reappears in several discontinuous sections before ultimately terminating at Chenery Street, in the heart of Glen Park.

http://castrotheatre.com/history.html

Rainbow Flags

In San Francisco, you can see Rainbow flags along the Market Street until Castro. Rainbow flags, which are commonly associated with gay pride, are hung as banners on streetlights along the road. There is a big flag at the corner of Market, Castro, and 17th Street

Castro Theatre

One of the more notable features of the neighborhood is Castro Theatre, a movie palace and one of San Francisco's premier movie houses. 18th and Castro- San Francisco, a major intersection in the Castro where many historic events, marches, protests have taken and continue to take place. The Castro Theatre was built in 1922 by pioneer San Francisco theatre entrepreneurs, the Nasser brothers, who started with a nickelodeon in 1908 in the Castro neighborhood. In 1977, the Castro was designated City of San Francisco registered landmark number 100. It is one of the few remaining movie palaces in the nation from the 1920s that is still in operation.

We did not go to Noe Valley; just strolling around Castro.

Casto- Noe Valley
Castro-Noe Valley is an area of San Francisco made up the two neighborhoods: Castro and Noe Valley. The area is bounded roughly by the Twin Peaks on the west, Dolores Street on the east, Duboce Avenue on the north and San Jose Avenue on the south.
a. Haight Ashbury. Haight from Divisadero to Stanyan covers the shopping district famous for hippie culture; at Stanyan the street becomes a path through Golden Gate Park to a popular site (then and now) for relaxing and concerts.
b. Mission. Mission between 15th and Cesar Chavez streets provides a look at a neighborhood famous for its Latino food and culture, as well as occasional gang activity; women alone should be careful here at night. Parallel to Mission, Valencia Street is the artery of the many higher end boutiques and offbeat cafés starting to characterize the neighborhood, and has little of the grit of Mission St.
c. Castro and Noe Valley. Market from Church to Castro St. and a left down Castro St to 19th takes you through the center of the city's famous gay mecca. Continuing up Castro St over the hill from there takes you to 24th St, the main drag of bohemian Noe Valley.

Civic Center-Tenderloin, (http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Francisco/Civic_Center-Tenderloin)

Civic Center-Tenderloin is an area of Downtown San Francisco. As the name implies, the Civic Center is the primary center of government within the city and many important civic institutions are housed here. The Tenderloin is one of San Francisco's lowest income neighborhoods. It has a rich history and eclectic community, but unfortunately it also has a reputation for poverty, drugs, and crime, particularly violent street crime. The Civic Center-Tenderloin area is bounded roughly by Market St to the southeast, Mason St to the east, Franklin St to the west, and Sutter St to the north.

Civic Center(city Hall)
The Civic Center is on Van Ness Ave, north of its intersection with Market St. The city began developing the area in 1913, and most of the buildings there are of a "Classical Style", with their development being heavily influenced by the "City Beautiful Movement".
Many guidebooks will tell you to avoid a large part of downtown — the Tenderloin. It's true that this "bad neighborhood" is rife with panhandlers, adult bookstores, and massage parlors, but it's also full of good, cheap ethnic restaurants and colorful dive bars.
Given that the area is centrally located downtown, it is extremely accessible on foot. From the SoMa area walk northbound on anywhere from Fifth St to 11th St. Market St forms its broad southern boundary and makes the area easily accessible from either the east (Union Square-Financial District) or west (The Castro), and from the north (Nob Hill-Russian Hill) it's just a 10-20 minute walk directly due south. To help you navigate around there is a Visitor Information Center located at 900 Market St on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza, next door to the cable car turntable at Powell and Market streets. The V.I.C. is open M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa, Su, and holidays 9AM-3PM, PST. Telephone inquiries may be made M-F from 8:30AM to 5PM

Civic Center Plaza, (between Polk St and McAllister St). This grassy plaza is situated at the heart of the Civic Center and its tree-lined central avenue visually draws the eye to the imposing structure of City Hall. Protests and demonstrations of all political persuasions are frequently staged here. There is a parking lot underneath the plaza

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (between Van Ness Ave, McAllister St, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, and Grove St). Brochures are available for visitors to take a self-guided tour: M-F 8AM-8PM Docent led tours: M–F 10AM, noon, 2PM. Designed by Arthur Brown Jr., and opened in 1915, the architecture of the building was heavily influenced by the "City Beautiful Movement," which in turn reflected the American Renaissance style of the time. Its "Beaux-Arts" dome (the fifth largest in the world) was modeled after that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. The building itself is huge, 393 feet long, by 273 feet wide, and 307 feet high — occupying a full two blocks of San Francisco's downtown real estate. It is considered by many admirers to be the most impressive building in the city. Inside, it features a large rotunda with a grandiose staircase leading up to the second floor. The walls are adorned with oak paneling and the ceilings with crystal chandeliers. City Hall is the site of much history — In 1954 Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe wed here. In 1978, Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated here. Tours: Self guided and docent led tours are free unless you're a private group of eight or more persons.

Tenderloin
The name "Tenderloin" comes from the overall shape of the area's boundaries: triangular, like the cross-section of a tenderloin steak. There are many different ways to define its boundaries; the official and original three corners (making a Tenderloin shape) may be delineated by Market St and Larkin St to the south, Geary St and Larkin St to the northwest, and Market St by Geary St to the northeast. Today the area would be more better defined between Polk St, Sutter St, Mason St, Market St, and Golden Gate Ave.
Much of the area on the east side of Mason St (above O'Farrell St) is high-rent and more properly considered part of downtown Union Square. The western area around Hyde and Larkin Street, from Turk St to O'Farrell St, is a colorful Vietnamese neighborhood known as "Little Saigon". A tiny three block strip of Larkin St houses an active Vietnamese American community where the vast majority of shops and restaurants are Vietnamese owned and operated. Little Saigon functions as a both a Vietnamese commercial and cultural center, and there are some excellent restaurants and stores here
Geary St, Post St, and Sutter St, especially the blocks west of Jones St, are part of the so-called "Tendernob" or "Tenderloin Heights" bordering Nob Hill; sometimes this definition also includes southern Nob Hill as far north as California St or Sacramento St (especially the western blocks around Polk St). The Tendernob (at least on the 'Loin side) is considered a nightlife hotspot by some folks who like their drinking milieu a bit rough around the edges. It connects with Polk St on the western edge of the Tenderloin. Known variously as "Polk Gulch", "Polk Village", or the "Outer Tenderloin", this very lively area of Polk St, from Geary St to Union St, is populated with all types of restaurants, cafes, bars, venues, bookstores, and other shops. Given the areas long and storied association with the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community (the "Polk Gulch" was the city's first openly Gay neighborhood, before the emergence of the Castro in the 1970s), many of the bars, clubs, and entertainment are geared toward this crowd, although typically everyone is welcome.

Finally, an area bordered by O'Farrell, Geary, Leavenworth, and Taylor Sts, is sometimes called the "Tandoor-loin" because of the high concentration of excellent and affordable Indian restaurants.

Visitor Information Center located at 900 Market St on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza, next door to the cable car turntable at Powell and Market streets. The V.I.C. is open M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa, Su, and holidays 9AM-3PM, Pacific Standard Time (PST).

The Tenderloin is one of San Francisco's lowest income neighborhoods and has all the socio-economic problems that stem from this including crime, homelessness, and drug addiction. In particular there is a lot of violent street crime like assault and theft. Parts of the Tenderloin are considered the most dangerous areas in San Francisco, with the exception of Hunter's Point and possibly a few areas in the Mission (such as Mission between 16th and 17th Sts). Turk St and Taylor St might be considered the heart of the "true" Tenderloin; the sidewalks teem at all hours with the homeless, people openly selling crack or heroin, derelicts, hustlers, and the mentally ill. This area spills directly into Mission St on the other side of Market St; Mission St between 8th and 5th St may be considered part of this truly seedy "core Tenderloin" area. Travelers should be aware of their environment and take an appropriate amount of care. The area is lively and safe until about 2AM (when the bars close); after that, it does get sketchy, and is best avoided by travelers walking alone.

Travel Safety
The Tenderloin is one of San Francisco's lowest income neighborhoods and has all the socio-economic problems that stem from this including crime, homelessness, and drug addiction. In particular there is a lot of violent street crime like assault and theft. Parts of the Tenderloin are considered the most dangerous areas in San Francisco, with the exception of Hunter's Point and possibly a few areas in the Mission (such as Mission between 16th and 17th Sts). Turk St and Taylor St might be considered the heart of the "true" Tenderloin; the sidewalks teem at all hours with the homeless, people openly selling crack or heroin, derelicts, hustlers, and the mentally ill. This area spills directly into Mission St on the other side of Market St; Mission St between 8th and 5th St may be considered part of this truly seedy "core Tenderloin" area. Travelers should be aware of their environment and take an appropriate amount of care. The area is lively and safe until about 2AM (when the bars close); after that, it does get sketchy, and is best avoided by travelers walking alone.

Civic Center
The Civic Center is on Van Ness Ave, north of its intersection with Market St. The city began developing the area in 1913, and most of the buildings there are of a "Classical Style", with their development being heavily influenced by the "City Beautiful Movement". Most of the city's integral governmental institutions are located here; like City Hall which dominates the Civic Center with it's impressive "Beaux-Arts" style dome. There are two main plazas in the area; Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza. The Civic Center Plaza (in front of City Hall) has been a popular place for holding rallies, protests, and festivals. As well as being a hub for city government, the area is also a serious cultural center. "Culture vultures" flock here at night to see performances of the San Francsico opera, symphony, and ballet, as well as to attend theater, galas, concerts, plays, and special events. During the day you can get your "culture fix" by visiting one of the many excellent museums and galleries such as the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum, and the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery. There are also several other smaller private galleries in the area.

Architecture aficionados will be happy to know that some of the most beautiful buildings in the city are cloistered within a few square blocks here. Examples include the War Memorial Opera House, the Asian Art Museum, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, and the War Memorial Veterans building with the Herbst Theater (where the U.N. charter was signed in 1945).

United Nations Plaza, (at Market St and Hyde St).
The UN Charter was signed in the Civic Center in 1945, and this plaza was constructed in honor of its ideology and is ironically over the site of the original San Francisco City Cemetery. Designed by architect Lawrence Halprin, and completed in 1975, this is a three acre red-bricked pedestrian plaza. Brick columns inscribed with UN members country names line the plaza, and the UN Fountain sits at its center. Intended to be a visual gateway to the Civic Center, it is often habituated by the city's homeless, but has a compact and diverse Farmers' Market on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St (between McAllister St and Fulton St). Tu-Su 10AM-5PM (with extended evening hours every Th until 9PM) Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Built in 1917, and formerly the old library building, this building is a fantastic blend of "Beaux Arts" and modern design elements. It was designed by renowned architect Gae Aulenti (architect of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris). Inside, you'll find many interesting architectural details including the grand staircase, loggia, vaulted ceilings, the great hall, stone floors, period light fixtures, and inscriptions. The museum is one of the largest and newest museums of Oriental art. It has circa 15,000 artifacts covering 6,000 years of Asian history. The Asian Art Museum hosts many special exhibits as well. First Sunday of every month: Free, Adults: $12, Seniors 65 and older with ID: $8, College students with ID and youths ages 13 through 17: $7, Children 12 and under and SFUSD students with ID: Free, Th evenings at a reduced rate ($5) after 5PM.

San Francisco Public Library - Main Library, 100 Larkin St (at Grove St). Su noon-5PM, M 10AM-6PM T-Th 9AM-8PM, F noon-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM; Tour Hours: Offered on the first Tuesday of every month at noon. Completed in 1995 at a cost of $109 million, the main library branch is over 375,000 square feet of modern architecture. It has seven floors, over 2,000 seats, and an impressive foyer that has a five story high atrium. At the top of the atrium is a bright sky-light and a roof terrace.

The New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Ave (half a block from Market St and the Van Ness MUNI station). Box Office Hours: W-Sa 1:30PM-7PM, Su-Tu noon-3PM Show Times: Performances are typically W-Sa 8PM, Su 2PM, year round. The three small New Conservatory theaters present novel, musical, comic, and educational plays. Tickets generally cost $18-$40.
http://www.nctcsf.org/about.html

Today we also met a good police Sergeant from Southern Station who are willing to provide us the transport to hotel, when we were at the place where it is difficult to get a taxi and public transport. His name is long, and I was not able to remember his name. Thank you for the friendly police. I hope I can remember his name.

11-6-2010 San Francisco(3rd day)

Downtown(Union Square & financial district)- star sight are Embarcadero Center & Transamerica Pyramid (http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Francisco/Union_Square-Financial_District)

Downtown is bounded by Market Street to the southeast, the San Francisco Bay to the east, Mason Street to the west, and Sutter Street (between Mason and Kearny) and Washington Street (between Kearny and the bay) to the north. From Fisherman's Wharf, take a 25 minute walk down the Emabarcadero, which will take you all the way down to the Ferry Building, at the edge of the Financial District. From west of the area, it is also easily accessible by getting first to Market Street and then walking eastbound.

(i) Union Square is one of the largest shopping areas in the U.S. and is home to some of the nation's finest department stores, malls and specialty stores.

(ii) The Financial District is among the top financial centers in the United States and its many skyscrapers add a very impressive skyline to the city. It is home to the headquarters of the 12th District of the United States Federal Reserve, as well as the iconic Transamerica Pyramid building. It also houses the corporate headquarters of many financial giants such as Visa, Wells Fargo Bank, Mckeeson Corporation and Charles Schwab Corporation, historical building Merchant and Exchange building, the Bank of America building and the Russ building. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities in the area with centers such as the Embarcadero Center, the Ferry Building, and the Rincon Center. It begins at Montgomery, which was once known as the "Wall Street of the West," and ends at the Embarcadero.

Then there is 'the other side of town' over in the Avenues, The Richmond, The Sunset, The Inner Richmond, The Embarcadero, etc. Again, all very interesting, USF is there, again, lots of little shopping areas, but mostly residential. Of course, Clement St. is there, don't miss that

Golden Gate

Golden Gate Park & Presidio – Golden Gate Bridge & Presido visitor center,

The Golden Gate area is in the northern section of San Francisco. It is made up of two National Historic Landmarks — The Presidio and Fort Mason — as well as several upscale neighborhoods including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. It has some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city. It is roughly bounded by the San Francisco Bay to the north and west, Lake St and California St to the south, and Van Ness Ave to the east. The Golden Gate Bridge connects this district with Marin County across the Bay to the north.
Fashionable neighborhoods, e.g., the Marina District, Cow Hollow, and Pacific Heights, with extensive views and historical landmarks — Fort Mason, The Presidio, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Pacific Heights



The Pacific Heights Residents Association defines the neighborhood as inside Bush Street, Presidio Avenue, Union Street, and Van Ness Avenue

Pacific Heights is situated on a primarily east-west oriented ridge that rises sharply from the Marina District and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, to the north, to a maximum height of 370 feet above sea level. The streets of Jackson, Pacific, and Broadway extend along some of the most scenic areas along the hill's crest. The section of Broadway Street extending from Divisadero to Lyon Street is known as the "Gold Coast." Pacific Heights features two parks, Lafayette and Alta Plaza, each with spectacular views of the city and the bay. Easily visible to the north, for example, are the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, and Alcatraz Island.

Lower Pacific Heights refers to the area located south of California Street down to Post Street. Though previously simply considered part of the Western Addition, this new neighborhood designation became popularized by real estate agents in the early 1990s.

Pacific Heights is located in one of the most scenic and park-like settings in Northern California, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Presidio. Its idyllic location provides a temperate micro-climate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than many other areas in San Francisco.
Pacific Heights, located 370 feet above sea-level and overlooking the Bay, was little more than a sandy hill until 1870, when the Cable Car line was extended and connected the area to downtown. Today, it's favored by visitors for its impressive panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the Presidio, its abundance of opulent Victorian mansions, historic chateaus, foreign consulates, and finally its many upscale restaurants. The three blocks on Broadway St between Lyon St and Divisadero St have particularly good vistas and are known as the "Gold Coast." Some of the buildings date back as far as 1853, with the majority being constructed after the 1906 earthquake. Considered today to be the home of "old money" families and young urban professionals, it was first settled by the "nouveau riche" of the late 1800s. The neighborhood is predominantly peaceful and residential with most of its activities centered around Fillmore St. It was also the backdrop for the 1990 movie "Pacific Heights" starring Melanie Griffith.

Pacific Heights Residents Association, http://www.phra-sf.org/

Cow Hollow - Union Street
Cow Hollow derived its name from the many dairy farms that were established there in the mid-1800s. However, with the advent of the Gold Rush, the neighborhood flourished. Prominent San Franciscans began to settle the area and erected grandiose well-appointed Victorian, and then later Edwardian mansions. By 1891, the area had become so popular that all the dairy farms were closed down. Today, this once luscious grazing land is more renowned for its impressive mansions and its eclectic mix of antique stores, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Union St is the main drag, where the Union St. Festival is held annually.

The Octagon House, 2645 Gough St (at Union St). Open to the public on the second Sunday of every month, and the second and fourth Thursday of every month, from noon-3PM. Dating from 1861, this eight-sided house with its cupola top, dormer windows, and roof lanterns was built in the belief that such octagonally shaped houses promote healthier living. Today, the building is a American Colonial museum. It has many artifacts on display including antique furniture and historical documents. It is run by the National Society of the Colonial Dames.

Lombard St
Lombard Street is an east-west street in San Francisco, California. It is famous for having a steep, one-block section that consists of tight hairpin turns. Lombard Street begins at Presidio Boulevard inside The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow neighborhood. For 12 blocks between Broderick Street and Van Ness Avenue, it is a principal arterial road that is co-signed as U.S. Route 101. Lombard Street then continues through the Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill neighborhoods, breaks off at a point becoming Telegraph Hill Boulevard. That leads to Pioneer Park and Coit Tower. Lombard Street starts again at Winthrop Street and finally terminates at The Embarcadero as a collector road.

Lombard Street is best known for the one-way section on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, in which the roadway has eight sharp turns (or switchbacks) that have earned the street the distinction of being the crookedest [most winding] street in the world. Often billed as the "crookedest street," San Francisco's Lombard Street is, in fact, neither the crookedest nor the steepest street in the city, let alone the world. The switchback's design, first suggested by property owner Carl Henry and instituted in 1922, was born out of necessity in order to reduce the hill's natural 27% grade,[citation needed] which was too steep for most vehicles to climb. It is also a serious hazard to pedestrians, who are accustomed to a more reasonable sixteen-degree incline. The crooked section of the street, which is about 1/4 mile (400 m) long, is reserved for one-way traffic traveling east (downhill) and is paved with red bricks. The speed limit in this section is a mere 5 mph (8 km/h).

If you enjoy walking, you can take the Historic F-line streetcar from downtown along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, and walk along San Francisco Bay past Fort Mason — it's a bit of hill — to the Marina Green. If you're downtown, simply follow Van Ness Ave all the way north and take a left anywhere from California St to Lombard St. The Powell-Hyde cable car line stops at the top of this block.

With six lanes, going east-west, Lombard St is the main road and considered (along with north-south Van Ness) to be part of Highway 101. The winding section of Lombard St is due east, on Russian Hill. The main attraction of Lombard Street is watching people drive down the crooked, one-block section, or driving down it yourself. The flowers are nicest in spring and summer, and morning is the best time for photographs. Allow a half hour at most to watch the people and take a few photos, longer if you want to drive down on a busy day. The best place to photograph Lombard Street is from the bottom, looking up.

The three main shopping thoroughfares are Union St (Cow Hollow), Fillmore St (Pacific Heights) and Chestnut St (The Marina). Most stores here are of the small specialist boutique varitey — a mix of unique and trendy chain shops reflecting the upscale nature of the neighborhoods. Union St is unquestionably one of the best streets in the city to window shop on (and hey, that costs nothing!), so take a slow stroll down Union St and enjoy the vibrancy and atmosphere of the shops, galleries, eateries, cafes and passers-by. With a friendly neighborhood feel, Fillmore St displays its charm through eclectic Victorian buildings that the stores are housed in. The street has a relaxed vibe, shopping here is a leisurely activity — many stores don't open until 11AM, some are closed on Mondays and most are closed on holidays. Chestnut St in the Marina is the one-stop street for anything you could need.

This is a fantastic area to either walk or cycle through as it is predominantly flat (with the obvious exception of Pacific Heights), and also because it's a very safe area. Given the area's popularity with joggers, walkers, power-walkers, and cyclists, you will definitely not be alone. Chestnut St is the business section of the Marina and considered among the poshest of San Francisco's streets. Union St and Fillmore St are the other two main shopping areas in this district. To the north, along San Francisco Bay, runs the 74 acre stretch of Marina Green. Your walk can continue along the bay to the west, through the Presidio, along the restored Crissy Field marshes, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge; or to the east, a short climb through Fort Mason and down into Fisherman's Wharf.



The Marina District
The Marina district was built on landfill — some of it wreckage of the 1906 earthquake — in the early 20th century to provide a fairgrounds for the 1915 World's Fair (also called the Panama-Pacific Exhibition). Its poor foundation made it the focus of most of the damage (and media attention) in the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989. Today it is an affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. Bounded by the Bay, the neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. Only a few blocks away, Chestnut St. is where shoppers can peruse boutiques or people watch while sipping on a latte. "Culture vultures" circle round Fort Mason, with its array of museums, art galleries and quirky theaters.

Fort Mason and the Presidio
Fort Mason and the Presidio are two former military posts on the northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula. Today, both are national historic landmarks and come under the remit of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Fort Mason is smaller and has a world class youth hostel as well as several museums and theaters. The Presidio is huge, with 1,480 acres of rolling hills, forests, hiking trails, historic buildings, architecture, beaches, and marsh lands. It has one of the most intact natural environments you will find on the peninsula and is a must for every itinerary.

If you enjoy walking, you can take the Historic F-line streetcar from downtown along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, and walk along San Francisco Bay past Fort Mason — it's a bit of hill — to the Marina Green. If you're downtown, simply follow Van Ness Ave all the way north and take a left anywhere from California St to Lombard St. This is a fantastic area to either walk or cycle through as it is predominantly flat (with the obvious exception of Pacific Heights), and also because it's a very safe area. Given the area's popularity with joggers, walkers, power-walkers, and cyclists, you will definitely not be alone. Chestnut St is the business section of the Marina and considered among the poshest of San Francisco's streets. Union St and Fillmore St are the other two main shopping areas in this district. To the north, along San Francisco Bay, runs the 74 acre stretch of Marina Green. Your walk can continue along the bay to the west, through the Presidio, along the restored Crissy Field marshes, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge; or to the east, a short climb through Fort Mason and down into Fisherman's Wharf.
If you are interested in biking around the area — "biking the bridge" is very popular activity — there are several companies that rent bikes out to tourists by the hour or for the day, including Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals.


Golden Gate Bridge

Opening day of Golden Gate Bridge


Goldern Gate Bridge


Golden Gate Bridge in Fog


Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.goldengatebridge.org/

Pedestrians (including wheelchair users) and bicyclists may access the sidewalks during daylight hours. Pedestrians and bicyclists share the east sidewalk on weekdays and all must pay close attention as the sidewalks can get very busy. The Bridge is 1.7 miles long and we encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing. Roller Blades, Skateboards and Roller Skates are not permitted. Dogs are permitted only if under control and on a leash at all times.

Walking/Hiking in Golden Gate
Pedestrians and bicyclists may access the east sidewalk, located near the Strauss Statue, daily (hours adjusted seasonally). On weekdays, pedestrians and cyclists must share the east sidewalk from 5 am to 3:30 pm. As the sidewalk can get very busy, please pay close attention and watch for passing cyclists. The sidewalks can be accessed from the southeast parking lot or the northeast parking lot.

Take a short walk to the Fort Point overlook from the southeast parking lot. Follow the brick sidewalk located behind the Strauss Statue, continue to follow the brick path to the right until it meets a narrow asphalt roadway (Battery Lincoln Rd) and go LEFT to the Fort Point Overlook.

You can also take a walk through the renovated garden area on the southeast side of the Bridge. Stepping back from the Strauss Statue, visitors are faced with yet another visual treat: the immaculate gardens. On less than five acres, the annual and perennial flower beds and manicured hedges accent the brick sidewalks inviting guests to wander up or down a path to view the Bridge from a different prospective. The gardens have been acclaimed in Joan S. Hockaday's book, The Gardens of San Francisco, and in Pacific Horticulture Magazine.

Nob Hill-Russian Hil
Nob Hill-Russian Hill is an area in the northeastern part of San Francisco, made up of the two adjoining neighborhoods. Nob Hill is an affluent neighborhood dating back to the gold rush, today renowned for its lavish hotels, charming shops and restaurants, views of the city, and the cable car lines which pass through the neighborhood. Just to the north is Russian Hill, a quieter residential area most well known for its pleasant walks and the crooked section of Lombard Street. The district is bounded roughly by Van Ness Avenue to the west, Bay Street to the north, Sutter Street to the south, and Powell Street and Columbus Avenue to the east.
Pacific Heights. Fillmore between Pine and Broadway is lined with a good mix of shopping, views, steep slopes, and some of the city's largest and most expensive homes.

Japantown

Peace Plaza and shopping mall; Ruth Asawa's incredible wrought and cast bronze origami fountains on the Nihonmachi Pedestrian Mall. At the center entrance to the Japan Center is a five-tiered Peace Pagoda, it was designed by world-famous Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi. The Center opened in 1968

Nihonmachi, also known as Japantown, the Japan Center, and Little Osaka, is a neighborhood of the Western Addition that is roughly within the confines of Sutter Street to the north, Geary Street to the south, Fillmore to the west and Laguna to the east. It is one of only three Japantowns left in the continental United States — others are in Los Angeles and San Jose. Nihonmachi was formed after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Most Japanese immigrants entered the United States through San Francisco and many settled either south of Market Street or in the Chinatown area. With the 1906 earthquake, Nihonmachi, for a time, became home to the largest Japanese-American community in the United States.

When World War II broke out, U.S. government took Japanese Americans into custody and interned them in concentration camps. As many large sections of the neighborhood remained vacant, the void was quickly filled by thousands of African Americans who had left the South to find war-time industrial jobs in California. Following the war, some Japanese Americans returned, and the city made efforts to rejuvenate the neighborhood. Most former Japanese-American residents of San Francisco chose not to return after the World War II related relocation, and the largest Japanese-American community in San Francisco today can be found in the Sunset neighborhood.

Japantown was also negatively impacted by redevelopment in the 1950's with the widening of Geary Boulevard resulting in the destruction of dozens of Victorians. During the massive redevelopment initiated by Justin Herman in the Western Addition in the 1960s through the 1980s, large numbers of African Americans were pushed west towards the Fillmore neighborhood, east towards the Tenderloin, or south towards Hunters Point where the majority of the city's African American population resides today. Some Japanese returned, followed by new Japanese immigrants as well as investment from the Japanese government and Japanese companies. Nihonmachi remains a social and shopping center for the city's Japanese-American population.

Fillmore

The Fillmore District, also called The Fillmore, The Fill, The Moe, or Fillmoe, is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California. Some call it Harlem of the West. The blocks between Geary and Jackson are the main strolling and shopping district of one of the city’s finest neighborhoods. Upper Fillmore is home to some of the most interesting shops and restaurants in the city. The Fillmore is also the name of Fillmore Auditorium, a historic music venue in San Francisco.

Actual Fillmore Street run from the Marina Blvd at Marina District to Duboce Street. It is named after Millard Fillmore, 15th President of the United States. The shopping area are from Geary to Jackson, only part of Fillmore Street.

Fillmore District are not well defined. If you check on the website, different website will provide different boundary on Fillmore. At the end you are so confuse on where actually is Fillmore?

It is usually considered to be the subset of the Western Addition neighborhood bordered by Fillmore Street, from which serves as its main thoroughfare and where the neighborhood takes its name, on the west; Van Ness Avenue on the east; Geary Boulevard on the north, and Grove Street on the south. However, by many definitions the western boundary is extended to Divisadero Street, creating what is locally referred to as Uptown Fillmore. The area centered around Fillmore Street to the north of Geary had long been uniformly known as Upper Fillmore, but rising property values in the 1980s and 90s severely weakened its ties to the largely working-class Fillmore District. Instead, it became increasingly tied to the extremely wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood to the north. This change in socio-economic identity has caused the Upper Fillmore to be commonly called "Lower Pacific Heights" in recent times, especially by its non-native residents. Overall, most locals agree that the Fillmore has been steadily shrinking for several decades

Some said Fillmore is within Western Addition, is a mostly residential area of San Francisco, stretching west from downtown's Civic Center area to the Arguello Boulevard, north of the Panhandle parkway that extends east from the Golden Gate Park between Oak and Fell Streets, and south of California Street.

This is the info given by The Fillmore Merchants Association, sponsor of the Fillmore Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz event in the country:-

"Bounded on the east by the ethnic vitality of Japantown, on the south by the jazzy nightlife of the Western Addition, and on the north by Pacific Heights, with its grand mansions and views of the bay, this is a neighborhood of great diversity. Thrift shops and the trendiest boutiques range from cheap to chic.

Upper Fillmore runs through the heart of some of the city’s best residential architecture and two of its most picturesque open spaces, Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park".

(source: http://www.sanfranciscomerchants.com/merchant_associations/fillmore_merchants_association.htm)

Sundance Kabuki 8 Theater, 1881 Post Street (between Fillmore and Webster). Home to the annual San Francisco Asian American Film Festival, the theater is at the western most end of the Japan Center mall, and the Kabuki Springs and Spa is at the other end, just a block from the Fillmore Auditorium on the other side of Geary Boulevard. The Miyako Hotel at Post and Laguna has a picturesque Japanese garden.

Webster Bridge, on Webster Street over Geary Boulevard. The bridge's design was inspired by traditional Japanese pedestrian walkways. In addition to providing a safe passage over the traffic on Geary Boulevard, the arched bridge has views of Japan Center and Western Addition.

Alamo Square Park, between Steiner, Scott, Fulton and Hayes Streets. This park is best known for the famous Painted Ladies row of Victorian houses on its east side along Steiner Street, which is often the subject of many a San Francisco postcard. There are also many other pretty Victorians encircling the lovely park. The 21-Hayes bus route goes along its south side, the 5-Fulton bus passes by a block north of the park, or if you enjoy walking and don't mind modest grades you can get there by walking west from Hayes Valley or north from the Haight.

http://www.thefillmoredistrict.com/

Union Street in Cow Hollow

Union Street is between Lyon Street and Front Street, near The Embarcadero at the waterfront of Port of San Francisco. The street only broken at the place between Sansome Street and Montgomery Street. Otherwise it is a thoroughfare. Union Street is another mystery. In Streets of San Francisco, Louis K. Loewenstein (1984), writes: "The origin of the street name is unknown. It appears on William Eddy's survey of 1849 and may refer to the Union of States which California joined a year later."

The main shopping thoroughfare is Union Street, known for its restaurants, boutique shopping, health spas and wellness centers; is between Van Ness Avenue and Steiner Street. Not far from the entrance to the Golden Gate. Some said is Union Street between Gough and Fillmore is one of the finest shopping streets outside of the city center.

A considerable portion of Union Street, from Van Ness Avenue to The Presidio, is in an area now known as the Cow Hollow section of San Francisco, the principal commercial corridor of Cow Hollow. Cow Hollow is a generally affluent neighborhood located between Russian Hill and The Presidio, and bordering the Marina District on one side and Pacific Heights on the other. The land was used for cow grazing (as its name would imply) and a settlement for fishermen (the coast line was much closer to this area than it is now).

The area our site focuses on, seven blocks between Franklin and Steiner Streets, is a business district with typical San Francisco architecture where you will find examples of both old and modern structures sharing the avenues. The main thoroughfare is a retail destination for visitors and residents alike with the Victorians that line street sharing it with buildings built in the 1960's. Several short alleys branch off into dead ends which makes for an interesting walking and sightseeing experience.

http://www.unionstreetshop.com/
http://www.unionstreet.com/stlist.htm

The Avenues

The Avenues is a popular nickname for western San Francisco, made up of Golden Gate Park and the neighborhoods of Richmond and the Sunset. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Lake Street on the north, Arguello Blvd and Stanyan Street (from Lake to Frederick Street) and 7th Avenue (from Lincoln to around Golden Gate Heights Park, or about Quintara) and 19th Avenue (from Quintara to Sloat) on the east, and Sloat Blvd on the south.

(i) The Richmond is a neighborhood bordered on the north by Lincoln Park and the Presidio, Arguello Boulevard on the east, Golden Gate Park on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Richmond is divided into the eastern Inner Richmond and western Outer Richmond by CA Highway 1 (Park Presidio/13th Avenue), which runs north-south.
(ii) Sunset District covers a large, mostly residential area on the west side of San Francisco. It is bordered on the west by Ocean Beach, on the north by Golden Gate Park, on the south by Sloat Boulevard, and on the east by a vague boundary roughly around 7th Avenue. It was built on a grid pattern and the vast majority of the housing in the area was constructed between 1920 and 1950. Sunset is divided into the eastern Inner Sunset and the western Outer Sunset by CA Highway 1 (19th Avenue).
The Sunset's majority population is Asian-American, and this increases west of 19th Avenue in the Outer Sunset, where Chinese and Chinese-Americans make up a little bit less than 40% of residents. A sizeable Irish and Irish-American population also exists in the Sunset. On clear days you will see many locals and tourists watching the sunset at Ocean Beach; still, the name "Sunset" is a bit of a misnomer as the area is often covered in fog due to its proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean. However, whether or not the sun is shining, it is a charming neighborhood to visit.
Golden Gate Park - Between Fulton Street on the north, Lincoln Way on the south, Stanyan Street on the east and Ocean Beach on the west. 5AM-Midnight. Free.
Once an area of sand dunes, Golden Gate Park is a roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile urban oasis, with windmills, bison, museums, lakes and a carousel hidden among its charms. At 1,017 acres, it is 174 acres larger than New York's Central Park, so unless you have a bike, you'll want to plan which area you want to visit, especially along the east (Stanyan street) to west (the Ocean) axis. During the summer to October, a free shuttle bus circulates. On Sundays and holidays, JFK Drive between Transverse and Kezar is closed to vehicular traffic; this car-free zone is popular with walkers, cyclists, and runners. The number 5 trolleybus runs along the park's north boundary (Fulton Street), and offers the most frequent service across the park and to downtown. The N streetcar runs two blocks south of the park's southern boundary with similar service as the 5 bus.

Between Fulton Street on the north, Lincoln Way on the south, Stanyan Street on the east and Ocean Beach on the west [6]. 5AM-Midnight. Free.

Golden Gate Park
Once an area of sand dunes, Golden Gate Park is a roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile urban oasis, with windmills, bison, museums, lakes and a carousel hidden among its charms. At 1,017 acres, it is 174 acres larger than New York's Central Park, so unless you have a bike, you'll want to plan which area you want to visit, especially along the east (Stanyan street) to west (the Ocean) axis. During the summer to October, a free shuttle bus circulates. On Sundays and holidays, JFK Drive between Transverse and Kezar is closed to vehicular traffic; this car-free zone is popular with walkers, cyclists, and runners. The number 5 trolleybus runs along the park's north boundary (Fulton Street), and offers the most frequent service across the park and to downtown. The N streetcar runs two blocks south of the park's southern boundary with similar service as the 5 bus.

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park defines the extreme Northwestern corner of San Francisco. It provides majestic views of the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge from the Ocean side, and the Pacific Ocean itself. A portion of the Coastal Trail runs through Lincoln Park from the Cliff House north to the Golden Gate Bridge. The #18 Muni bus goes from the Legion of Honor museum at the center of the park via the Cliff House to Golden Gate Park, while the very frequent #38 Geary buses terminate in between. Drivers will want to take the El Camino del Mar Drive through the small Seacliff area on the northwest side to view some fancy mansions between Lincoln Park and the Presidio.

Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos Avenue. The Cliff House, a well known landmark at the extreme western end of the park, provides both semi-casual and a more formal eating and drinking place. Next door is the ruins of the Sutro Baths, a former massive public bath house which once held multiple swimming pools. Just off shore is Seal Rock, home to a population of sea lions

Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach is entirely open to pedestrians in both the Richmond and Sunset districts from the Cliff House restaurant and Sutro Baths in the north to the zoo in the south. For a shorter walk, the windmills near Lincoln at the end of Golden Gate Park offer a good base for a stroll north.

Twin Peaks-Lake Merced
Twin Peaks-Lake Merced is an area consisting of most of Southwestern San Francisco. It runs from the Twin Peaks to Merced Park at the very southwestern corner of the city, and includes the Twin Peaks neighborhoods, West Portal, and Miraloma Park before stretching west to SFSU and Lake Merced. It is bordered by the Sunset neighborhood on the northwest, the Castro-Noe Valley district to the northeast, and the neighborhood of Ingleside to the southeast.

The name Twin Peaks stems from the fact that it consists of two almost identical peaks. It is practically at the geographical center of the city, and at an elevation of over 900 feet it offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the city and the bay. Although the peaks remain undeveloped, the foot of the hillside is peppered with residential houses, taking advantage of the spectacular vistas.

Twin Peaks, accessible by car or on foot via Twin Peaks Boulevard (north of Portola Drive, just east of Laguna Honda). The small parking area at the northern tip of Twin Peaks Boulevard (875' above sea level) is near the physical center of the city, and one of its highest points, providing spectacular views in all directions. Tour buses can get backed up here during the day, but it's a great place to really appreciate the city from above, especially at and after sunset. Temperatures up there can be quite a bit lower than in the rest of the city, so bring a jacket. Muni bus #37, a scenic ride from the Haight-Ashbury or Castro and Market streets, gets you close, so you only have to climb the last 120' up

Travel Safety in San Francisco

The areas that one should be most cautious are in the neighborhoods of Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Sunnydale, Ingleside, and Potrero Hill in Southeast San Francisco, as well as the Tenderloin, parts of Western Addition (including the Fillmore District), and parts of the Mission. San Francisco is still susceptible to violent crime, and most of these murders occur in the southeast, less economically fortunate, neighborhoods of the city. Gang violence touches even busy and thriving areas such as the Mission Street retail corridor, although most instances of violent crime are directed to specific targets and are not random acts. The SoMa district used to be somewhat dangerous; however, recent gentrification (something that has become fairly common and a social issue in SF) has transformed it into a rather hip and much safer neighborhood with plenty of art galleries and clubs. However, it is best to be careful even now.

San Francisco also has the largest homeless population per capita in the United States. If someone begs from you, you may either politely say you do not have any change or just keep walking, and he or she will generally leave you alone. The main homeless area is around 6th and Market, heading towards the Civic Center, and in the Tenderloin. Haight Ashbury also has lots of panhandlers, and the area near Golden Gate Park at the end of Haight Street near McDonalds is notorious for junkies and should be avoided at night.

Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and other forms of petty crime are common as with any other large city. Be especially cautious on crowded MUNI buses, in heavily touristed areas such as Fisherman's Wharf, and during the busy holiday shopping season.

12-6-2010 Leaving San Francisco

We are sad to leave San Francisco, such a nice place. Despite having 3 days in San Francisco, it is still not enough to tour all the attractions. But we are happy as we are on our own private tour, we are able to cover most of the attractions. The experience I cherish most is the walking tour at Golden Gate Bridge. The windy experience at the bridge, wah, it is cool....

From San Francisco we follow the guided tour to Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, a 4 days 3 night tour. We will not follow the tour back to San Francisco, but will be on our way at Anaheim. The kids were happy as they can have extra day at Disneyland. Initially I was skeptical to go Yosemite, as natural park it need longer day to really enjoy it. But my friend Loh told me that I must go there, otherwise I will be regret. Fortunately I listen to his advise, it is really a beautiful place....

"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"

"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" is a song, written by John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, and sung by Scott McKenzie. It was written and released in 1967 to promote the Monterey Pop Festival.

McKenzie's song became an instant hit. The lyrics tell the listeners, "If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair". Due to the difference between the lyrics and the actual title, the title is often quoted as "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)". "San Francisco," released on 13 May 1967, was an instant hit. By June 1967, it commanded the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Meanwhile, the song rose to number one in the United Kingdom and most of Europe. The single is purported to have sold over 7 million copies worldwide. The song is credited with bringing thousands of young people to San Francisco, California during the late 1960s.

Scott McKenzie - San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

Related articles/websites/books

1. The Chinese in America : A Narrative History , by Iris Chang
2. Immigration at the Golden Gate: Passenger Ships, Exclusion, and Angel Island,
by Robert Eric Barde
3. The Children of Chinatown : Growing Up Chinese American in San Francisco, 1850-1920, by Wendy Rouse Jorae