Yes it is, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Find something new to do, right here. Got ideas for things I can add? Email me: randy@qsfo.com
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FREE 43 Page eBook!
CLICK HERE
Bike across the
Golden Gate Bridge
A step-by-step guide!
FREE Podcast Too!
Use your iPod and the eBook above together, for the perfect bike trip from Downtown San Francisco, along the bay, past 15 famous sites, past Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina District, the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, down into Sausalito and back to San Francisco by ferry boat. This podcast is the perfect companion to the Bike The Bay eBook above.
Click on the Bike The Bay button above to download. Load it into iTunes. Sync to your iPod, grab a bike and go.
The Palace of Fine Arts isn’t downtown, but it’s easily accessible by bus … or bike, if you happen to take advantage of the FREE 43 page photo eBook available right here (look for the yellow and blue button on the left site of the home page). It’s titled Bike the Bay in 1/2 a day, your way. You’ll be able to ride a bike along the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, through the Marina, and later, across the Golden Gate Bridge. Before the Presidio, you’ll see the Palace of Fine Arts on the left, which is currently being repaired, but the photo here was taken a few years ago, prior to the repairs, which shows off how beautiful it is.
The main building was part of the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915. Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Arts.
It also contains a fun place for kids - the Exploratorium, which is filled with fun, educational exhibits that will entertain and occupy kids of all ages, and most adults too. Later, you could even go fly a kite across the street at Crissy Field.
If you’d like to know about more things to do, like this, subscribe and share with others too.
Ride a cable car from the foot of Powell Street, up the big hill to cross California Street at the top; then glide down the hill at a whopping 9 miles per hour. Keep going for a few blocks to make your way to the Cable Car Museum, which is known as the Cable Car Barn. You can board at the turnstyle stop which is very close to Market Street, across the street from the San Francisco Westfield Shopping Center. Often, there’s a long line for this world famous ride, but if you go early in the morning or during the week, you’ll have a shorter wait.
It’s just outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel (www.quirkysanfrancisco.com/36/the-foot-of-market-the-hyatt-regency); so while you’re in that part of the city, you can easily take advantage of those two sites since you’re so close. Be sure to at least check-out the lobby of the Hyatt Regency, which is the largest in the world (at least it was as of a few years ago … I did a quick search and see that Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel in Bangkok Thailand boasts the largest with 5 stories inside, but the Regency is over 11 stories inside; so you be the judge … either way, it’s well worth a quick peak inside for that, and a few other surprises).
If you take the California Line, just get off at the top of the hill and you can either transfer at Powell to go down the hill (to your right, as you go up the hill), but sometimes the Powell Street cars are full and since it’s only a few blocks, and it’s downhill, you could walk.
After arriving at the Cable Car Barn/Museum (Washington and Mason), you’ll notice that there’s no admission fee. It’s true, there’s no charge … as in FREE. The museum is modest, but very interesting. There are trinkets for sale, which support it. I think the two most interesting parts are the video and the machines that move the cables through the streets of San Francisco. There are two videos and the one that shows how it all works is the best one. Try to forgive that fact that it’s really old and needs to be re-done. Apparently, there are some politics behind it all, and it’s not a high profit spot; so, it sits there as it is. Donate a few bucks and maybe it’ll happen?
Once you see the video, a lot of things become very clear, such as how the cables go around corners, and how two cable car lines can cross each other. It’s a short 15 minute video and well worth seeing; so you can understand how it all works.
In addition to the video and the cables, there are books, videos, sections of cables and a variety of other little things to see or buy.
This little stop doesn’t take much time, and since it’s near Chinatown, you can leave here and walk down toward Grant Street and take in another San Francisco site. San Francisco’s population is about 30% Asian; so our Chinatown isn’t just for tourists. It’s a real part of our city that is still very active with all cultures, but mostly Asians. If you’re interested in avoiding the touristy parts, forget Grant Street, and go to Stockton Street instead. It’s filled with markets selling unique fruits and vegetables and even live frogs. Be respectful of the people there, who are there to do some serious shopping. Most of the people in Chinatown don’t like to be photographed; so again, be respectful of them and their culture. You’re in their turf.
You’ll feel like you’re in a foreign country, which can be a lot of fun. If you’re in the mood for a snack, maybe pick up a BBQ pork bun, or a 1/2 pound of BBQ pork to eat while you’re walking around. (www.quirkysanfrancisco.com/20/the-real-chinatown) Have fun!
There are several great farmer’s markets here in San Francisco. The one at the Ferry Building (Tuesday and Saturday) gets more attention because of the location, which is on the water at the foot of Market Street. This one is more expensive. The one pictured is near the Civic Center (Wednesday and Sunday) and also has a lot to offer. This one is far cheaper than the other, and is within a block of the beautifully restored City Hall, the modern public library, the birthplace of the United Nations, the Asian Art Museum and two blocks from the Opera House and several other notable buildings.
Even if there’s no farmer’s market, the trek to this area is fun. I especially love the library. Do a search here and you’ll see photos. If you go, take the elevator to the top and work your way down … with your camera. City Hall is also beautiful.
This area is often overlooked because it’s not on the way to Fisherman’s Wharf or Pier 39. City Hall and the Library are free and offer very different photo opportunities from each other. You could see all of these in an hour or so, and they’re easily accessible by bus, streetcar or underground Muni - only a few blocks from Powell and Market (the famous Cable Car turnaround). It’s a short walk, but the walk can be a little more colorful than many people would like … it’ll be easy to run into hookers, homeless and drug addicts. I’ve walked through this area many, many times and have never had problems. Either way, it’s something different to do and worth the time.
