Across one bridge and then the Bay Bridge
We were greeted with smiles from "Retired Bowler" who was greeted with a picture from "Dyed in the Wool Cowboy".
I really liked library/web design studio at "Retired Bowler and Postal Woman's house
I enjoyed taking a picture of "Cowboy" in the mirror --oops and me to
We were on tourist time so we first drove to Twin Peaks overlooking San Francisco and the Bay and beyond. That IS Alcatraz in the bay.
...and there is the Golden Gate Bridge
\\\Tourists at work///
A really, really twisted tree in Golden Gate Park
Oh and of course American Bison -------- Yikes Buffalo
Then it was the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, named in 1962 for the late queen of the Netherlands. Set against the Dutch Windmill, this garden offers visitors a wide variety of tulips and other annuals. Best viewing time occurs in early spring. Located on John F. Kennedy Drive, near Great Highway.
The Dutch Windmill was built in 1902 and was designed to pump irrigation water to a reservoir on Strawberry Hill. The windmill had fallen into disrepair until funds were raised and it was restored in 1981. No longer needed for irrigation, the windmill stands as a remembrance of the past.
There were no Tulips today but the site was beautiful with yellows renuculas standing in for the spring tulips.
Golden Gate Park is a great place to take a nice walk with someone you enjoy having in your life - well I had some of my family today.
The renuculas were a good substitute for the tulips.
Then it was lunch at the Beach Chalet Brewery.
The Beach Chalet opened to the public in 1925 with a lounge and changing rooms on the first floor, and a restaurant on the second providing diners with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. It was designed by the famous San Francisco architect Willis Polk. The beautiful murals, mosiacs and wood carvings were completed in 1936 as part of a federal works program. A few years later it was used as barracks for troops operating a nearby service station. Today, the building and it's art treasures welcome visitors from around the world to explore Golden Gate Park.
The Beach Chalet still serves it's original purpose as a public relations and dining facility. Heller Manus developed a renovation program for the landmark building. The ground floor visitor's center helps to orient visitors and demonstrate all that Golden Gate Park has to offer, as well as host the City Store,a nonprofit organization that sells unique San Francisco memorabilia. You will also be able to view an interpretive exhibit of the fresco murals, by Lucien Labault, which contain scenes of San Francisco during the Great Depression. They contain scenes familiar to San Francisco including The Embarcadrero, Fisherman's wharf, Baker Beach, Golden Gate Park, Land's End, the Marina, Downtown, and Chinatown. The woodcarvings, created by Michael Von Meyer, consist of an intricate balustrade with octopus newel posts, a sea monster, mermaids, hard hat divers, and old ships in honey colored magnolia. Upstairs handcrafted beer and American Bistro cuisine can be enjoyed with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.
The Visitors center was great with this sculpted handrail.
this marvelous (one of many fresco murals mentioned above)
I loved this tile image of the brave shooting the arrow in the direction of the rest rooms.
The entrance was a lovely blend of Early Spanish Architecture and Modern Bike Racks.
Oh yes and you can see the top of the Windmill from their parking lot.
Don't ask me about why these ocean rocks are white on the top, ask the birds that roost there.
Next we went to the Fisherman's Wharf and a closer view of Alcatraz
Of course there is the new "Oldtime Pier" shops
And a great view of two of San Francisco Landmarks Coit Tower and the Transamerica Building.
Coit Tower
Lillie Hitchcock Coit, philanthropist and admirer of the fire fighters at the 1906 earthquake fire, left funds to The City for beautification of San Francisco.
Those funds were used for the construction of the 210 ft. tall art deco Coit Tower at the top of Telegraph Hill. The towerÂ’s design is reminiscent of a fire hose nozzle and was quite controversial. The Golden Gate Bridge is another San Francisco landmark with an art deco design.
Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and most recognizable skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline.
Built on the location of the historic Montgomery Block, it has a structural height of 260 meters (853 feet) and contains 48 stories of retail and office space. Construction began in 1969 and finished in 1972.
Although it no longer houses the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, it is still strongly associated with the company and is depicted in the company's logo. The building is evocative of San Francisco and has become one of the many symbols of the city. Designed by architect William Pereira.
From Fisherman's Wharf the view of the bay was spactacular.
Then one last look at Alcatraz which I think looks like a huge ship cruising the Bay.
or is this the ship cruising the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Well I'm sleepy goodnight and don't forget to click the pictures for a larger view.
1 comment:
The photos look great! I can't believe you have them up already. We had a really great time.
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