Tag: Places to Go

Chinatown San Francisco

There’s a special place in San Francisco where the architecture shifts from modern business like buildings to elaborate chinese decor, with flanged roofs, paper lanterns and large blinking signs written in a foreign language. Welcome to Chinatown.
On my sister’s weekend earlier this month, Chinatown was one of the many destinations we explored in order to have a true taste of San Francisco. As the largest Chinatown outside of Asia it was easy to be caught up with the exotic feeling permeating the neighborhood. The smells and sounds of another world welcomed us into its streets.

 

We decided to eat at Hunan’s Home, based on the recommendation of yelp diners (thanks internet friends) and couldn’t have been more pleased. Everything from the potstickers to the spicy chicken dish was tasty, and we were more than happy to fill our plates and bellies with the tasty stuff.

 

Shops filled with souvenirs, t shirts and Asian inspired clothing were interspersed with Chinese restaurants and even a walk-in foot massage parlor.
In Chinatown I couldn’t help but imagine little g in the tiny outfits or Big E playing with the toys. I felt a pang of sadness that my tots were back at home. I know a sisters weekend by definition did not include kids, but I still missed them.

Balmy Street Murals, San Francisco, California

One of the most interesting places we visited in San Francisco was Balmy Alley in the Mission District. All along both sides of the street are colorful depictions of life of every sort.
 
 
According to the website www.balmyalley.com, “The murals began in the mid-80’s as an expression of artists’ outrage over human rights and political abuses in Central America. Today the alley contains murals on a myriad of styles and subjects from human rights to local gentrification and Hurricane Katrina.”
 
The art is beautifully done and worth a liesurely stroll or guided tour. Unfortunately for us it was POURING when we got there so we had to settle for several drive bys while looking out wet windows. 
 
My favorite mural was this 3D one depicting a woman in childbirth. I love the colors and the message, but mostly I love it because it makes me giggle a little. Enjoy!
 

 

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco, Californi

This year marks the twenty fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California.  This is not a national park where you will gasp at amazing views or wonder at native wildlife. Similar to the Independence National Historic Park in Pensylvania, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is a National Park devoted to the preservation of history. In this case boats.
I was surprised to see signs for a National Park Visitors center right on the throughfare of Fisherman’s wharf. But the easy pedestrian access made this an ideal place to explore as part of our day. Hyde street peir was historically a major port for ships in the last hundred years and here at the Maritime National Historical Park visitors can take part in that little slice of history.
My favorite boat was the three masted Balclutha, at least I think that’s what it was called. I went to look up the name on the National Parks Website today but because the government shut down, I couldn’t get the info. Regardless, the boat reminded me of tales of pirates and Charlotte Doyle. On board you can meander through carpenter’s quarters and along the deck and really imagine what it would have been like to ride the seas in the years before motors.
Other boats in the fleet included a 1920s tug, a Wartime ship with classic cars in the hold and a schooner that takes visitors on rides every hour. The pier is free and open to the public, but to tour the boats make sure you bring your Annual National Parks pass, or pay a $5.00 entrance fee.
The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park was a great diversion on our exploration of Fisherman’s Wharf. I highly recommend it.
Info:
Time: 30 minutes – 3 hours
Price: Free on the pier, $5.00 to explore the floating museums
Tips: This national historic park is located at Fisherman’s wharf, near Ghiradelli square and within easy access of the famous San Francisco cable cars. Make it part of the whole day excursion.

 

Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California

Alcatraz Island is one of the top tourist destinations in the San Francisco Bay area. As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it is protected under the umbrella of the National Park Service along with John Muir Woods National Monument, Marin Headlands, Presidio and Angel Island State Park.

The boat ride to Alcatraz was a quick trip via Alcatraz Cruises from Pier 33. My sisters-in-law and I enjoyed the sea breezes and view of San Francisco from the wind and solar powered vessel.
The view of The Golden Gate bridge from the water just as the sun began its descent was beautiful, just as the view of the skyline from the island was. For a prison, Alcatraz was situated in a particularly beautiful place.

Of course, Alcatraz Island wasn’t always a prison. In 1850, President Millard Fillmore declared the island a military reservation. Troops used the island as a place of defense for the city of San Francisco. It was also the site of the first lighthouse in the west.

But it’s most well known for its years as a maximum security penitentiary (1934-1963). Some of the nations most infamous criminals spent years of their life at Alcatraz, including the likes of Al Capone and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud.
I was especially impressed with the audio tour of the facility, narrated by past prison guards and prisoners. It was like stepping into the pages of history, listening to the stories of escape atttempts and daily prison life.
It strikes me as a little odd that Alcatraz Island is now a National Park. Why do we as Americans find the prison society interesting enough to warrent making it into a tourist destination?
Truthfully, walking the halls and examining the vacant cells reminded me of how lonely and boring life in jail must be.  In general prisoners days were filled with monotony and tedium, hardly something tintillating enough for the average population to revere.  However, I could not deny my intense interest in Alcatraz, even a voyeuristic fascination of it.
The boat ride, the audio tour and the views of and around Alcatraz all merit a visit to the island. However, I would suggest leaving young children at home if you really want to enjoy this excursion. I could not imagine Big E or little g being patient or interested enough to really appreciate it.