San Mateo Bridge at Sunset
With thanks to Dray for being "volunteered" to show me around, yesterday was spent seeing many of the sites in San Francisco. The Bay Bridge, Fisherman's Warf, Coit Tower, and a few other places... all visited in a matter of a few hours. Not to mention I got a crapload of Foursquare check-ins and a couple badges while I was out!
It was basically sunset by the time we headed into the city. We killed some time stopping by to see a few other Scion owners (insert Nor*Cal Scions shout out here, thank you to Bamm and Erika for letting me stop by) and then headed for the city. There was some traffic over the Bay Bridge area initially so we took the south way of the San Mateo bridge (to the right). Ended up crossing that right at about sunset. This pic was actually with my iPhone (though touched up with Picasa). Very loooong bridge. Like, looong cat long.
We took the scenic route up through the area - passing Candlestick Park and then into the city past AT&T Park. Both quite large... but honestly, after spending 4 years around Beaver Stadium, they're still quite small. Impressive, but small. We made our way to Pier 39 first... hoping to see some sea lions. I think there were 4 or 5 on one of the far docks - but it was dark at that point and really not much there. I took some cityscape shots with my other camera but I don't think I have the right cable with me to post them right now (shame on me, I know). Also could see Alcatraz from here (well, lights of it anyway). Will see how those pics turn out too.
We browsed in a few of the random shops on the pier and eventually went looking for dinner. First try was Bubba Gump Shrimp Company... no luck. Two hour wait. Craziness. Moving back down the pier, we eventually ended up at Pier Market Seafood. Got seated in about the time it took for the bartender to pour our first drinks. I ended up getting a shrimp carbonara dish that was pretty good. But the damn vegetables kept getting in the way of my pasta and shrimp. Who put those in there anyway? I think we finished dinner just after 9pm and hit a few more shops. The night was still young though - and we had a lot to see...
View of the Bay Bridge
Driving around San Francisco was pretty cool (thankfully, I wasn't doing the driving). One of the first places we ended up was the "infamous" crooked street (aka Lombard Street). I later learned this is not even the most crooked in SF (more on that in a minute). After that we headed to Coit Tower. Which is kind of a giant art deco tower built on top of a hill overlooking the city. Pretty cool. Notorious for Asian girls playing in the (incredibly strange) automated public bathrooms.
Moving on, we drove through more of the city. Some of the REALLY steep roads... got to see some street cars... etc etc. Then we eventually ended up at THE most crooked street in SF... Vermont Street. No, seriously, it was proven mathematically that it is more crooked than Lombard Street. Bunch of nerds out there, I tell you what...
Some Old Theater
Next stop was the "Twin Peaks" ... I wasn't really sure what this place was actually - but it seemed to be just a huge overlook of the city and the bay with a fantastic view. Again, got some pics here with the real camera - but will have to check them when I get home. Hopefully I can make a kick-ass panoramic with them.
After some confusion around the automated public bathroom on my part, we proceeded back down the hill and headed home. Not until after a stop over across the Bay Bridge and to Treasure Island though. Neat little island in the middle of the bay. Snapped a couple pics here too... will see what happens.
Finally got back to the hotel at almost exactly midnight. Good thing too, I didn't want that box turning back into a pumpkin!
Will be kind of doing it all over again tonight. Well, not a huge tour though - just a trip to San Jose for a weekly car meet. Get to see some more Scion people and just hang out. Should be a good time.
And again, thank you to Dray and James for showing me around. Nice city you have here...