April 11-14, 2019
We flew from rainy Portland to sunny San Francisco, with no views until we emerged from the clouds just in time to see the cliffs of Marin County, the Golden Gate Bridge, and all of San Francisco beneath us.
Marin Headlands
Golden Gate Bridge!
The City
Financial District and Bay Bridge
The wide view as we circle to the south
South Bay wetlands
Foster City
We lived, studied and worked in San Francisco and surrounds from the mid-70’s to mid-80’s, but I have not been back for more than ten years. We were there for a 35th Reunion for my husband. Activities were set in the Embarcadero/Financial District, so we spent most of our time there. We walked a lot (16 miles!), talked a lot, and had some delicious food. A very pleasant, if exhausting weekend.
We rode BART from the airport, mostly underground, but above ground long enough to see the ‘Little Boxes’ near Daly City.
My first view of downtown, emerging into sunshine from the underground Embarcadero BART Station onto Market Street, was of the Ferry Building, while a street busker was singing Hallelujah.
That evening we took the Muni Metro to The Castro to meet a friend for dinner at Tara Indian.
Queen Anne Houses along Market Street
Intersection of Market and Castro
One of the old-style street cars
Looking down Castro Street
Friday we walked to the Ferry Building,
The Ferry Building
along the Embarcadero,
Treasure Island, Bay Bridge, arriving ferry
Coit Tower to the north
The new Salesforce Tower on the skyline
Cherry Blossoms across the way.
Pier 7
Crossing lattice
Transamerica Pyramid beyond the bookstore
then up Broadway to City Lights Books,
then back to the Ferry Building.
Walton Square
101 California Building
Cherry blossoms
Ferry Building, with moon and palm trees!
After dinner at Osha Thai on the Embarcadero, we walked down to see the lights on the Bay Bridge.
Bay Bridge, daytime
Bay Bridge, night
Ferry Building, night
Saturday we visited the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building, then walked up to Chinatown.
In the evening we attended the main reunion event in the Hyatt Regency. The Atrium is an amazing indoor space that brought to mind the Ministry of Magic. Lighted elevator capsules slide up and down, sharply angled walls are juxtaposed with an organic sculpture in the foreground.
elevators
reflected patterns
carpet
seating areas
tile pattern used throughout the Embarcadero District
shadows, light, curves, angles
Sunday, we attended a brunch in a friend’s home near the Presidio before heading to the airport. One last look at Mt Diablo and the North Bay, then we were above clouds until the Columbia River and Portland.
Mt Diablo
North Bay – Carquinez and Benecia Bridges
Columbia River
I have many fond memories of places that did not fit our schedule on this brief trip, especially Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, the beach areas. I am from California, and of California. Being in California feels like going home though it has not been my home for a very long time. I hope to visit again soon!
Knitting
I managed to turn the heel on the second sock while flying home.
Garden
And our crab apple tree is finally in bloom!
Margaret Quilts 
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