27 Apr 2009 - 6 May 2009
So I did went to California afterall - a trip to shake off those stressful moments from the film festival and from work, plus to meet up with some friend there.
This was how the itinerary looked like:
27 ~ 28: arrived in San Francisco (in California)
29 ~ 1: in Las Vegas (in Nevada) & Grand Canyon (in Arizona)
2 ~ 4: in Los Angeles (in California)
5 ~ 6: back to San Francisco
3 states and 3 cities in 10 days! :)
Took the flight from Toronto to San Francisco, with transit in NYC. So I was back to the Big Apple City, such a dejavu!!! Arrived in LGA airport and needed to move quickly to the other airport at JFK. No wonder it was cheaper! Indirectly got ripped off and waste of time! Anyway, taught me to read the connection airport codes properly! >.<
Welcome to NYC! Photo of the city from the plane...
Finally reached SF in the late noon. Took the BART system to the city. The BART seems like the MRT system, so similar...My first day in the hostel, I met a Sporean, wah... such rare species! Haa!
First impression of SF is that it is very hilly, lots of ups and downs; it's like I am hiking all the time! Must wear very good trekking shoes! And also good way of exercise! See how the steep the roads could be, cars are parked at such steep gradient, about 45 degrees. Thus it is really a test of one's driving skills in SF!
One of the oldest transportation in SF is the "Cable Car" - yes - they called this the cable car, though it seems more like a tram or streetcar. It is not the usual cable cars that we know (ie. those little round capsules that hang about from the air), but it has suspension mechanism built in to allow it to comb the steep streets without slipping and losing control. It is still a manual process, with operators riding the cars, and of course, very much a touristy way of transport.
The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and most recognizable skyscraper in the SF skyline.
SF Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America.
Met up with LH on Pier 39 and set off for the island...on the ferry to Alcatraz Island...
Alcatraz (aka The Rock) early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons.
From Alcatraz Island, looking out to the city of SF. Quite a torment for the prisoners...The tour around the prison reminded me of the movie, A Green Mile, cold and sad and tough...
Looking out to Alcatraz Island from the main land...
Alcatraz Island is isolated in the SF bay which makes it a perfect place as a prison with no escape. After the prison was closed, in 1969, a group of Native American political activists selected Alcatraz as a place to make a stand. Echoing the 1626 purchase of Manhattan Island, the Indians of All Tribes offered to buy Alcatraz from the federal government. Media coverage and public support soon dwindled that subsequently led to the fall of the 19-month occupation.
Central downtown square in SF...
Fisherman's Wharf is famous for its Italian seafood restaurants with waterfront views. Vendors along Jefferson Street sell Dungeness crab from steaming cauldrons and clam chowder in a sour-dough bread bowl, a signature San Francisco dish.
Luxury 6-stars Fairmont Hotel
1111 California Street - Nob Hill Masonic Center - event for exhibitions, orchestras, banquets etc...
California Street is one of the highest peaks around downtown, once passed the street, get ready to descend downhill on both sides...
Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, just opposite of the Masonic Center.
Several unique aspects of the building are the Memorial Sculpture topping the east end of the California Street wall. The sculpture is dominated by four huge figures, each 12 feet high, representing branches of the Country’s Armed Forces. Adjoining these a frieze of 14 smaller marble figures depict a titanic tug-of-war in the global struggle between the forces of good and evil. Below this portrayal is a dedicatory inscription, “dedicated to Our Masonic Brethren Who Died in the Cause of Freedom.” This relief was crafted by renowned California artist Emile Norman.
I was back to SF on the last day to catch the iconic Golden Gate Bridge! Often shrouded in thick fog, the bridge sways 27 feet to withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour. The colour of the bridge, known as international orange, was chosen because it blends well with the bridge's natural surroundings. The two great cables contain enough strands of steel wire to encircle the equator three times.
Straight streets!
Located on the Russian Hill district, Lombard Street is known as "the crookedest street in the world" because of its 8 sharp turns on a 40-degree slope. The turns, known as switchbacks, were built in the 1920s to allow traffic to descend the steep incline. The street zigzags around beautifully pruned flowers and offers a nice view of the bay.
Saints Peter and Paul Church is a Roman Catholic Church in the North Beach neighbourhood.
Flight back home sweet home to Toronto! :)
SF is the first and last city of this west coast holidays. It is also one of my favourite cities, like those hills and oceans and bridges! Very scenic and dynamic place! :)
