From Tram Cars to Classic Mercedes and stretch limos anything goes in San Francisco.
A giant almost fully edible Sugar Castle in the French Chateau style has been built annually since 2005 by the chef at the historic Westin St Francis Hotel. This year it is 12ft tall, weighs over 1,200 pounds and the ingredients include 60 pounds of flour and the icing is made of 300 pounds of sugar and egg whites and took a mere 400 hours to make!! And check out the little steam train that runs around it.
It was a nice time of year to visit SF's Union Square with all the Christmas decorations, ice rinks etc. I met up with Joey who I had met on my previous visit to the US and we went to tell Santa what we would like for Xmas.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel - fancy and a little out of my budget!!Another walk through China Town - isn't that little dog cute??
Another ice rink at Embacedero Centre.
The Ferry Building all lit up at night.
Many homeless people come to this area of the US as the climate is normally more mild particularly at this time of year but this year though I got lucky and got sunshine most of my visit it was actually very cold for SF. Homeless people use various techniques to keep them warm like the guy sleeping with his head in a box or the ones I saw sleeping next to the drain covers where steam from the metro system escapes and keeps them warm.
These are environmentally friendly shared rental cars - you join up and pay your membership to the scheme and have access to one of these cars anytime you want (well unless all booked) - good idea for those living in big cities with good public transport who may only need a car one a week or so.
Feliz couldn't resist sitting on Abe's knee even though he had to get a hand up there from a passer by as I couldn't reach! !
The state seal of California.
The City Hall of SF is another building which would be at home in the UK with lots of detail in the building.
Some freshly painted graffati!!!
There seemed to be an ongoing Chest competition in Market Street near the Powell Metro station!!
The Cable Car Museum is a working museum as it contains the power houses and sheaves that pull the remaining SF 4 route cable cars.
Feliz enjoys a ride on an one of the original SF Cable Cars.
The museum tells the history of SF Cable Cars which in 1873 was the worlds first successfully operated street railway and went on to cover most of the city (though run by different companies). It survived many disasters including the Great Earthquake but after the introduction of electric vehicles in the 1950's the local government planned to completely close it down but eventually after a fight by locals they conceded and kept four routes open which have since been named a National Landmark.
Tram lines run along the city streets and signs warn drivers not to oertake the cable cars.
And though a big tourist attraction the cable cars are full of locals at peak times getting to and from work.
The Musee Mecanique has working displays of 19th century arcade games that you can spend your cents on....
The USS Pampanito went into service in July 1943 and spent time during the war in Pearl Harbour amongst other places. After the war she was used as a training ship but was officially retired from the Navy in 1971 and then became a National Historic Landmark and was opened as a musuem in Fishermans Wharf.
The boat shaped resteraunt at Fishermans Wharf.
Fishermans Wharf all lit up for christmas - even the octupus ladies and surfer dude are getting in the mood.
I jump the cable car back down town.
One of the many things I liked about San Francisco was all the independent shops in the local neighbourhoods and they seem to be kept busy which was nice to see.
Although only 281m up the 360 degree view from Twin Peaks at the geographical centre of San Francisco was pretty amazing - easy to see how the native Ohlone Tribe that lived here before the Spanish arrived used this area as a lookout and hunting grounds.
Just behind the Twin Peaks on a slightly smaller hill some of the locals also had some quite impressive views over the city.
Golden Gate Park developed in the 1860's on what was previously sand dunes and became one of the forerunners in enviromental projects to make cities greener places though there was an underlying purpose that it would attract more house building in this area. It is still the world's biggest city park and is worth a visit to see the lakes, botanic gardens, duck ponds, sculpture gardens, buffalo meadow, the old windmill (built in 1903 to pump water through the park) and other attractions including a museum!!
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