We got sidetracked on our way to Lombard Street earlier in the week, briefly taking in the sights in The Castro and further on at a pretty Episcopal church – Grace Cathedral. Then we walked up the stairs next to twisty-turny Lombard Street before heading down to Pier 39 again so Charlie could get his sea-lion fix.
On Friday we went to Baker Beach on the Pacific with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
On Saturday my cousin Damon and his wife Prisc who live near Sacramento picked us up at our rental house in San Francisco and drove us all to Extreme Pizza where they have a gluten-free crust. It was the most delicious pizza I’ve ever eaten. Then we drove to Golden Gate Park and sat and talked on a park bench by a fountain.
Today I sent the kids out to a movie while I caught up on dishes and laundry. When they returned, they said they didn’t see the movie because they couldn’t find the theater; but it was ok because it was the last day for ice skating in Union Square. Charlie skated while Laurel watched; she forgot that I’d given her my ATM card and didn’t have enough money for both of them to skate. Then the two of them walked in a couple, nearby, fancy hotels which Charlie had been wanting to see. I had given Laurel my smartphone, so the ice-skating and hotel photos are courtesy of her.
Light rail station in The Castro neighborhood
Grace Cathedral
People walk this labyrinth in the back of the cathedral sanctuary. A sign in front of the church advertised their yoga classes on the labyrinth.
Lombard Street
The streetcars here are very old but in excellent condition. When I looked up their history online, it looks like the cars were built in different decades as much as 100 years ago but have been restored over the years at great expense.
Laurel’s found a number of music stores here and bought this Led Zeppelin poster at one of them to personalize her bedroom (the living room).
Baker Beach
Charlie was very proud of himself for writing on the beach (with his toes) for the first time. Here he’s showing Laurel his writing: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
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Charlie has completed a children’s crossword puzzle book and a maze book since we’ve been in San Francisco, but he has to be constantly monitored when using a pen. A few days ago he decided scratching his forehead with the pen was a good idea.
At Golden Gate Park with Prisc and Damon
Ice skating at Union Square
At the Westin St. Francis Hotel – We had tried to go in earlier this week but were stopped outside by security. I found out after an Internet search that JP Morgan was sponsoring an annual biotech conference Monday through Thursday and had had problems a couple years ago with the Occupy Wall Streeters, so now security is heavy.
Travels with Charlie and Laurel 