Civic Center to the Ferry Building

Civic Center to the Ferry Building

Saturday, 26 June 2010

We had breakfast at the Ferry Building, and then waited for a number 5 trolley to take us up to Civic Center. However, today there is no service on the line, because tomorrow is the big day, the 40th anniversary of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration, and the area around Civic Center has been closed to vehicles.

While we were waiting, we noticed this little dog, wearing a sweater, and firmly placed inside the woman’s coat. It looks cold, but it was about 60 degrees and if you stood in the sun, coats were unnecessary. It was a bright day, too.

We took another trolley out to within a few blocks of Civic Center. 

Here, there were a lot of booths being set up. Lots of food and drink are going to be available tomorrow.

We set out to cross Market Street and walk down Ninth Street to Howard Street. Looking up Market Street to Twin Peaks—the pink triangle is in place.

Here is the map of today’s walk.

The 49 Mile Drive covers 8 long blocks of Howard Street. We’re not sure why, since Mission Street is probably more interesting. But we decided to be faithful to the map and stayed on Howard down to First Street. 

The above view is typical of the western end of the Howard Street segment.

The photo below looks down Howard; you can see a tower of the Bay Bridge.

It turns out Howard Street was a good choice, because changes are going on. The next picture shows a new grocery store on the corner and apartments going down the block.

Right next door, though, things are the old Howard.

Towards Folsom Street there are a number of short, tree lined residential blocks. This is Rausch Street. 

At the corner of Langton Street, we were surprised to come upon this walled garden.

Looking up Seventh Street, you can see the new Federal Building, the one that looks like chain link fencing. 

At Sixth Street, there is a fatally damaged apartment block (1989 earthquake). It was cute for a bit, with sofas and chairs looking like they are falling out of windows. But the building has gotten grimy, and 1989 was a long time ago. Supposedly it is going to be demolished for another apartment block.

They still make things in San Francisco. Here is a bedding maker, Dreams. 

At Fourth Street, we reached Yerba Buena Gardens. They have a carousel, and the park is nicely kept.

The view below shows the ugliest hotel in San Francisco, a Marriott. To the right is the Four Seasons, and the little brick church in front is St. Patrick’s, founded in 1851.

The building with the round skylight is the Modern Art Museum on Third Street.

Back on Howard, we walked under the ramps of the Transbay Transit Terminal and turned left on First Street. The building is too large to photograph. This is a shot of the “hump” which the Municipal Railway uses to turn buses and trolleys around. If you look closely, you might see the old street car tracks. The TTT is the busiest bus terminal west of Chicago.

Sometime soon, this building will be demolished and a new bus and train terminal will take its place.

We have now crossed to a leafy section of Market Street. The statute is dedicated to mechanics. The sculptor was Douglas Tilden. Check out the link.

Walking along Battery Street, we see a line of tourists waiting for Tadich Grill to open for lunch at 11:30. 

This is the view looking up California Street, towards Nob Hill.

Now we’re at Washington and the Embarcadero. Many of San Francisco’s docks have this nice looking facade. The street car (#1818) is part of a fleet bought from Milan and restored by volunteers.

Looking north, here is Coit Tower on a sunny day.

The Ferry Building is a block away. We’ve covered about 23 miles so far.

Lunch time—we’re going to wait in this line for a porchetta sandwich from Roli Roti. While eating it, we had a view of the Bay Bridge from a bench.

The Farmers’ Market is always crowded here. Here are two photos showing a part of the market. Frog Hollow has two people out offering free samples of cherries and nectarines.

Out in front of the Ferry Building sits this gentleman. He writes up poems on demand with his old typewriter for his customers.

Here’s the progress so far.

We began today back at City Hall, and proceeded down Howard Street, across Market on Battery, worked out way down to the Embarcadero and lunch at the Ferry Building.

Next—out to Dog Patch on Third Street.