This was a much anticipated trip. I had a wonderful time, with no mishaps, and only a couple small disappointments. I hope that my photos and comments here relate some of the excitement and happiness I felt during these 5 days!
6:00 and my walker and rolling suitcase train are ready to depart for the light rail. 6:02 and my walker, rolling suitcase, and forgotten knitting bag are ready to depart!
Had a pleasant, fast train ride to the city. Took the #30 & #14 to Gregg’s house. Carried my suitcase and walker up 30 steep steps, and left the suitcase at Gregg’s. Took the #14 back to the center of the world, 5th & Market. Having a quick bite, (and short rest), at Carl’s Jr., and gearing up to take the #5 to California Academy of Sciences. Plan to do some walking at Golden Gate Park.
Close to 10th & Fulton, walking into Golden Gate Park.
What a wild and crazy day! Overdid it a little, of course. After lunch, I took the #5 to Golden Gate Park. Went to the California Academy of Sciences, the Botanical Gardens, and the Japanese Tea Gardens. I’ll never get tired of visiting this place.
Took the #5 and #8 to Fisherman’s Wharf, and walked about 4 miles, overall. Had dinner at Castagnolas.
Set back a little late. Overshot the bus rest stop, and walked 30 minutes out of my way. But, made it to Gregg’s place, and Gregg’s friend had carried my heavy suitcase up to my room.
Had a great first day!
View, looking at the California Academy of Sciences.
Scenes about the plaza leading to the California Academy of Sciences.
Just picked up my City Pass packet at California Academy of Sciences.
Inside California Academy of Sciences.
Osher Rainforest exhibit, California Academy of Sciences.
On the plaza at the California Academy of Sciences.
Botanical Gardens, Golden Gate Park.
Scenes from Pier 39.
Walking along the waterfront, June 12.
This is Gregg’s house at the Airbnb where I am staying. Immaculate and beautiful!
Birthday morning, Gregg De Meza's house.
This is Gregg’s back yard, as seen through his back door. 6:00 birthday morning! Speaks to a beautiful day and year to come!
Took a Blue and Gold Bay Cruise, and went to Aquarium of the Bay.
And this, of course, is the high point of my trip! My Senior Clipper Card! Got this at SFMTA Customer Service Center, on the corner of South Van Ness and Mission. The office was tricky to find. Had to stop and ask for directions at “All Star Cafe”. The upside to taking the time to ask for directions, was that I discovered the world’s best sugar donuts!
Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, PIER 39, Beach St & The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, PIER 39, Beach St & The Embarcadero, San Francisco
San Francisco Carousel at PIER 39
Outside my favorite coffee shop at the Marina. My legs have given official notice that I need to take a break. Going to do something totally lazy for 2 hours, like stream “Psych”, and knit. I’ll need to sidebar, for a couple of hours, my quandary about where to have dinner.
Well, after agonizing all day about where to have dinner, I found a 50’s diner on Chestnut & Pierce called Super Duper. Fun thing is that I am outside, people watching and watching cars go by. Will stream sitcoms, and enjoy the hustle and bustle!
Love this mural, found behind “All Star Cafe”, on the corner of Market & Van Ness. Today, I complimented the sugar donuts at the cafe, and was told that the shop is very proud of their raised donuts. They have a master baker, who has worked there for 20 years. He blends 2 types of commercial mixes, to get just the consistency and flavor he wants!
Bus stop poster, seen on the route from "All Star Cafe" to Pier 39. Believe close to North Point Dr & Polk St.
Enjoyed Fisherman’s Wharf and the Exploratoriam this morning.
Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, PIER 39, Beach St & The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Beautiful walk from Pier 39 to Ferry Building Marketplace
Vaillancourt Fountain, San Francisco, close to The Embarcadero & Market
At the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Well, I have to say that of all the City Pass events, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art wins hand’s down! I subscribed to a year membership (Senior). You just take the #30 from Caltrain to the museum, and then afterwards, you can continue on the #30 to Super Duper, in the Marina, for dinner. Will make an easy one day outing.
At the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
This is a snapshot of Gregg De Meza's upper garden.
I use a walker because I have balance issues. Also, it helps with my endurance. However, I have discovered that it also elevates me to first class at events and restaurants.
An example: I walked into “The Grove” restaurant (3rd & Mission) for breakfast, and stood in line. A hostess approached me, and offered to find me a table, and take my order personally, from the table. After walking so much this trip, I am grateful for the personal service! (Of course, I’d eat it up anytime!)
This is the fourth morning of my trip, and I have decided to go off script! This only took 4 days! I had planned to go to the de Young museum today, and walk around Golden Gate Park, but I think I will do this tomorrow, instead. Today, I’m going back to the SFMOMA, and will walk through the 7 floors of paintings. Going to retake the “René Magritte: The Fifth Season” tour, this time with headphones.
First hour of pics at SFMoMA. Gotta rest my iPad, or it will run out of juice.
SFMOMA - this museum blew me away!
My favorite of the morning. Must be the German in me!
Early afternoon photos, and I’m going analog 
:)):
Dinner at Stinking Rose on Columbus Ave, and a walk back along the waterfront. Wanted my last evening to be basked in light.
Morning photos: the “Lily Pond” and “de Young” museum. A whirlwind schedule today, trying to hit both the Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio.
Finally scoped out the Lily Pond at Golden Gate Park. I’ve been curious since I saw the signpost last year. Worth the walk!
So, the saga continues. I head out from the “de Young” museum, and flip a coin. I decide to head for the “Legion of Honor”, rather than the Walt Disney museum. I walk from the “de Young” to Presidio Ave, and catch the #28. The driver tells me I need to get off at California, and catch the #1. So, I do this. I tell the #1 driver I want the Presidio. He suggests a stop, and I get off. Bottom right of the map. I then walk a mile uphill, with my walker on uneven asphalt, to the top of the hill. As I do this, I pass golfers, playing on either side of me. And, I get to see all the ritzy cars pass me by. As I get to the top, I see a bus stop for the #18, which I could have taken up (!)
Was it worth the effort? OMG, what a beautiful place! First things first - lunch in the cafe. And, yes, Mexican Coke is better!
Palace of the Legion of Honor photos. Quite a place!
This fried chicken lunch and Mexican Coke were delicious. Also, the service was great!
Pictures taken with my Android tablet
