San Francisco

 

The Willows Bed and Breakfast Inn, 17th St, Castro. Typical city terrace building with ready access to asian takeway.

The famous Castro Theatre and the return of the B grade horror flilms - The House of Wax and the Creature from the Black Lagoon (but in 3D).

Daniel Libeskind's design for the Contemporary Jewish Musem. The modern design contrasts to the other half of the building which is a renovated red brick building that was once a power station.

 

Shows the highly reflective surface and 'night blue' colouration to Libeskind's "cube".

Trolley car on the way to Fisherman's Wharf. Tourists queued for miles.

The new Westfield Shopping Mall; kitsch and pseudo-Italianate in design.

The contrasting skyline of San Francisco; modern versus the old.

 

THE MISSION DISTRICT

A great walk is along Dolores St and the more wealthy area of the Mission district. In addition to churches and parks, the area has some of the oldest and best preserved buildings in the city.

The Mission (foreground) and Mission Dolores Bascilica. The Mission is the oldest building in San Francisco and was built in 1791. The Bascilica was rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1906.

The stately victorian terrace homes and apartments lining Dolores St.

A close up view of one of the homes showing the ornate decoration. Beautiful shades of blue and white paintwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panoramic view of the city skyline from an advantage point at Dolores Park. Families enjoying the sunshine on the Sunday.

Further vista of the city and park.

Stately mansions along Liberty St, all different in style and all well preserved. A closer view of the "yellow" house.

P&P's alternating "coloured and plain" tile step design.

Ornate window decorations, tastefully painted woodwork and overgrown gardens.

Said to be one of the most beautiful homes of the era at the corner of 21st and Guerrero Streets (#900). Three different perspectives shown above.

A further view of neighbouring homes along Hill St. These "stick-style" Victorian homes were built in the 1870's and 1880's.

The gingerbread cottage Casa Ciele (which means "stay-here" in Spanish).

Elaborate topiary and espalier forms a natural "fence" to this home in the Mission district.

 

FOLSOM STREET (LEATHER AND BONDAGE) STREET FAIR:

Once a year, the Folsom Street Fair kicks off and is well attended by locals and visitors alike. Most of the images shown are self explanatory

Classes and workshops in bondage and submission. And how to tie knots.

Sexy lesbians dressed in leather.

 

HAIGHT-ASHBURY DISTRICT:

The intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets is ground zero for the hippy and flower children of the 60's. Home to Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead and Jimmy Hendrix, amongst others, the area is dedicated to the counter revolution. If you cannot buy the music, retro clothes or ''bongs' you need then you are hard to please.

Anyone for an electric guitar, Jimmy Hendricks style?

 

ALAMO SQUARE:

Not far from the Haight-Ashbury District is Alamo Square. A beautiful park lined by different coloured buildings. Perched high on a hill, the skyline of the financial district can be seen in the distance (on a fog free day that is).

 

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