San Francisco, within its 45 square miles, has contained one of the most colorful
and romantic cities in the world.
Approaching from the south, the traveler views with sudden excitement the city
trusting its white towers into the blue California sky. But it is
from the east that the city reveals its famous profile framed by
the silver towers of the Bay Bridge.
Seen from the north, the distant city crowns the tip of the peninsula that
reaches into the broad waters of the surrounding bay. The gigantic portals of the
mighty bridge that spans the Golden Gate provide a dramatic entry. From the
outskirts, let us now move directly into the very heart of the city. The city
hall dominates the square which is flanked by the main public library, the state
building, and the civic auditorium. Behind the city hall lie the veterans
building and the war credited with having stopped the onslaught of the 1906 fire,
Vanis Avenue still remains one of San Francisco's broadest thoroughfares.
San Francisco is a city of many hills and Telegraph Hill is perhaps the most
famous. Here was located the lookout station of early days. A semaphore from
which the hill derived its name signaled to ships approaching through the Golden
Gate. A mecca for tourists, the hill provides a magnificent view of the bay and
its man-made wonders. Eight and a half miles in length,
the Bay Bridge is the longest bridge in the world. It is actually a two unit span
divided in the middle by Yerba Buena Island. To the left of Yerba
Buena lies man-made Treasure Island, site of the 1939 World's Fair. Ships from
the four corners of the earth find their way to San Francisco's Embarcadero.
Famous for its infamous residence, Alcatraz Prison, Aelius the Rock.
Stretching across the gateway to the Orient is the longest single span in the
world, the mighty Golden Gate Bridge.
At the foot of the hill lies colorful fisherman's wharf.
Reminiscent of a Mediterranean scene, the wharf captures a bit of sunny Italy.
Quaint seafood grattles and fine restaurants invite the gourmet.
Typical of the wharf are the steaming petals of the sidewalk crab
stands. The supply of fresh fish
and seafood is brought in daily by sturdy little craft that
birthed the lagoon behind the restaurants.
Between fishermen's wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge lies the fashionable Marina
District with its handsome yacht harbor. This is the Marina District of today,
but perhaps this old photograph will remind old timers that this was the site of
the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.
An architectural gem, the crumbling
Palace of Fine Arts is the only exposition building remaining
today. Driving along the northern end of the peninsula, we reach the salient
point that provides the closest view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The California Palace of the Legion of Honor, one of San Francisco's finest
museums, is an exact replica of the Legion of Honor in Paris. The one ski resort
of the 90s is now a
ride on the newly installed sky tram should be included in the tourist itinerary.
Just below the cliff house is a year-round amusement park.
My miles of picturesque motor roads lead us through the largest man-made park in
the world. Created out of a wilderness of shifting sand dunes, over 1,000 acres
of verdant meadows, shady lanes, colorful gardens, and beautiful lakes make
Golden Gate Park one of the wonders of the world.
In a centrally located area of public buildings stands the
DeYoung Museum, visited by more people than any museum in the country. A
fascinating collection of fish and reptiles from all over the world are displayed
at the Steinhardt Aquarium. Within this black long conservatory is a veritable
paradise of rare tropical plants.
The surrounding gardens offer an ever-changing display of
colorful seasonal blooms.
In the exquisite Japanese tea garden, exotic pagodas create the
atmosphere of the Far East.
Blooming cherry blossoms enhance the beauty of moon
bridges arching quiet lagoons.
Scattered throughout the park are numerous lakes with their colorful water fowl.
This lake is a mecca for hobbyists
who come to sail the miniature boats, while Stow Lake
attracts those with a taste for rowing.
Rising from the center of this lake is a rugged
island with its plunging waterfall.
Emerging from the park not far from where we entered, we continue our travels on
the Great Highway, paralleling the Pacific Ocean.
Of course, no tour of San Francisco is complete without a visit to the zoo.
Could Darwin have been right?
For children of all ages, a ride on the miniature
train is a thrilling experience.
Between the recreational areas that border the ocean, we turn
eastward toward the heart of the city.
In the center
of the city rise San Francisco's famous Twin Peaks.
Reached by a spiraling road, the summit commands a
spectacular view of the encircling city.
Market Street, the main arterial through the downtown area, stretches like a
broad ribbon from Twin Peaks to the Ferry Building.
The busy intersection of Powell and Market Streets in downtown San Francisco is
located one of the terminals of the Powell Street cable car line.
To reverse their direction, the cable cars are pushed onto the unique turntable
and swung around manually by the motor man of the conductor.
Much to the delight of the riders and spectators.
These jaunty little relics of bygone days form a romantic link in San
Francisco's transportation system.
Invented here in 1873 to travel over the steep hills, the cable cars
have become a symbol of San Francisco.
A top knob hill, we cross the California cable car line.
The cars can be distinguished by their difference in color.
On this route, we pass several of San Francisco's most renowned hotels.
Aboard one of these venerable little cars, one enjoys a bell-rigging excursion
up and down the San Francisco hills.
Where the West meets the Orient, Grant Avenue, the heart of Chinatown.
Along this narrow pagodas street, how is the exotic
spirit of this oriental colony.
The largest settlement of Chinese in the world outside of Asia.
Bazaars and curioshops invite you to examine choices of
jade, silk and rarentiques.
There is no end to the interesting places one may visit in San Francisco.
The Ferry Building, the churches and colleges.
Or the tourists may prefer a leisurely drive along the many scenic boulevards.
For the true adventurer, there is that final thrill. A ride down the
world's most crooked streets.
Eight hairpin turns in a single block.
San Francisco, the cosmopolitan city.
Queen of the Pacific.
The city by the Golden Gate.
Truly the city of many wonders.