San Francisco Photo Gallery: Nob Hill

Next time your cable car teeters tantalisingly on the intersection of Powell and California, hop off and take the short uphill hike to Nob Hill, so named for the grand edifices built and once occupied by the wealthy railroad barons and other nineteenth century entrepreneurs. It is still home to some of the most prime real estate in the city.

Fairmont Hotel – survived the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and

hosted the signing of the UN Charter in 1945

Lobby of the Fairmont Hotel 

Majestic Grace Cathedral – home to two labyrinths, glorious

gilded bronze doors and fine stained glass windows

California Street cable car – quieter than the Powell-Hyde and

Powell-Mason lines – but no less fun!

The Bay Bridge complements the buildings that frame it

One of the many fine murals in the Grace Cathedral

depicts the 1906 Earthquake and Fire

Serene Huntington Park  watched over by

the Grace Cathedral

Mark-Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel – the glass-walled bar on its 19th 

 floor known as the “Top of the Mark” provides one of the great views of the city

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: Noe Valley

Last year my wife and I rented an apartment in the San Francisco neighbourhood of Noe Valley, bordered to the north by the Castro and the Mission, and Bernal Heights and Twin Peaks to the east and west respectively. We only spent a week there, much of which was spent elsewhere in the city, but enjoyed the atmosphere so much that we are staying there for the whole of the month of June this year.

Here are a handful of the photos I took of the district. I hope to do much better this year!

The view from our apartment on Dolores Street looking towards Bernal Heights

It may be a valley but there are still plenty of hills! It’s still San Francisco!

Oh to be able to afford something like this!

Overlooked by Twin Peaks

The faithful J Church MUNI Metro

Leafy, civilised 24th Street for all your shopping needs

Another view from the apartment

Classy, colourful (and expensive!) homes

Eclectic 24th Street 

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Kentish Photo Gallery: Scotney Castle

My home county of Kent has some of the finest castles and country houses in Britain. But my personal favourite is Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst on the Sussex border, a privately owned property for more than 600 years before it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1970. The moated manor house’s ruins, with the small, lily-pad strewn lake caressing its walls, are the epitome of English romanticism.

I hope you agree.

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: City Hall

Sometimes overshadowed by the more instant charms of the waterfront and Union Square, and by the seediness of the surrounding Civic Center area, City Hall is one of San Francisco’s most precious jewels.

Its beautiful dome, resembling St. Peter’s in Rome, is the fifth largest in the world and is even forty feet higher than the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Moreover, designed to withstand an earthquake, it is actually the world’s largest building  not touching the ground.

The interior is no less glorious with its central copper-domed rotunda and gleaming marble floors, and the offices must be some of the most palatial enjoyed by local politicians  anywhere.

The above photograph illustrates its popularity as a wedding venue. On any working day, a continuous stream of couples tie the knot on the landing above its monumental staircase.

Whether you are a resident or a visitor, and you have not taken the opportunity before, walk inside and revel in its splendour.

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39

There are many people, not least those who write guide books aimed at the more discerning visitors, who sneer at the simple pleasures to be gained on the northern edge of the bay. And I’ll confess that Fisherman’s Wharf and, in particular, Pier 39, are not my favourite spots in San Francisco. However, on a brisk, bright spring day, there is little to beat a stroll along the waterfront, sharing in the festive atmosphere.

The following photos feature some of the most attractive sights, including Hyde Street Pier, one of the best and cheapest ways of spending a couple of hours in the city.

 

 

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: Fort Mason

Despite its proximity to tourist traps such as Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, the former United States army post of Fort Mason, is a bit of a hidden gem as far as non-residents are concerned. But it repays an hour or two of anyone’s time. Its historic buildings include art galleries, museums, an excellent café cum second hand bookshop and one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country, Greens. The views across the Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge and back towards Alcatraz are marvellous. I hope the photographs below entice any readers who have not visited the site to include that on their next itinerary.

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: Palace of Fine Arts

The latest in the series of photo blogs on San Francisco focuses on the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts, the sole remaining building from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915.

I have written about it in a previous blog post: http:www.tonyquarrington.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-palace-of-fine-arts-just-a-dome-at-twilight/

I will let the pictures speak for themselves this time.

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San Francisco Photo Gallery: Japanese Tea Garden

Another of the most serene and civilised spots in San Francisco is the Japanese Tea Garden in the heart of Golden Gate Park. It is at this time of year that it is seen at its loveliest as I hope the photographs below demonstrate.

For just $7, or $5 if you are fortunate enough to be a resident, you can walk among the cherry blossom trees, cross stone bridges and marvel at both the pagodas and koi ponds. And for the children – and those just young at heart – you can attempt to negotiate the arched drum bridge.

The tea house is a delightful spot for a light lunch or mid-afternoon snack, serving a variety of Japanese teas, soup, sandwiches, cheesecake and, of course, fortune cookies.

 

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Remember the Alamo (Square)

In my very first post on this blog I said that, despite its user friendliness, it would take me some time to get to grips with the technical demands of the site.  This has been no more apparent than in my feeble attempts to replace the pretty but irrelevant image that I inherited into one that reflects my subject matter.

Having spent weeks thinking that I needed to change the background rather than the header and getting some bizarre results, I have finally succeeded.  I will replace it from time to time with other photographs that I have taken of “everyone’s favourite city” but, for now, those Painted Ladies look mighty fine to me.  Hope you agree!

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