We headed to the historic Yerba Buena Cove area--the original commercial area established by the Spanish explorers in the 18th century. We started near Coit Tower (to score some street parking) and began by going up a few stairways and then down a few stairways. It was a sunny day so we enjoyed views to the East (of the Bay Bridge). A couple of things we learned:
a. the gardens on the steepest hillsides were planted by neighbors who rappelled down the hill to do the work!
b. Captain Montgomery sailed up the USS Portsmouth into the Bay in 1846 and claimed the Pueblo of Yerba Buena for the US. Mexico quietly acceded. There is a major city street named for Montgomery and a park in China Town named for the Portsmouth.
c. Philo Farnsworth had his laboratory in San Francisco between 1926 and 1938 while he was perfecting the first functional television system. Alan remembers his father, Frank, reminiscing about seeing this invention in the mid 1930s at this site.
Quote of the Day (at least after the 1906 earthquake): If as they say God spanked the town for being over frisky/Why did he burn the churches down and save Hotaling's whiskey?
Here are some pictures from our walk. The bike store was a bust.
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| Gardens on the Hillside |
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| Kids at Play sculpture near the Pyramid Building |
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| Kid at Heart! |
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| Time for a Drink? |
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| Gardens along the Stairway |
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| Fun Sign: All This Joy I See Through These Architects Eyes |
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