I'm glad that Ron suggested we break up our trip with a day in San Francisco. The day could not have been more beautiful: 64 degrees, a sparkling blue sky and a constant breeze (more like wind) that swept the air and kept us alert, especially late in the afternoon when East Coast time tempted us into sleepiness.
By 9 am we were aboard the BART on our way downtown and west by bus to Golden Gate Park, a large expanse of green over several square miles where you'll find the California Academy of Sciences, the DeYoung Museum of Art, a Japanese tea garden, and much more. We focused on the aquarium, planetarium and natural history displays in the Academy, a masterwork of light, soaring space, and sustainable design by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Before we knew it we had spent 5 hours meandering around the displays. One of the highlights for me was the building's "living roof" that is not only a beautiful greenscape overlooking the city but also helps to cool the building. Also high on the list is the equatorial rain forest, a 3-level construction that one ascends gradually to reach the canopy, where you find yourself amidst a swirl of tropical birds and, magically, butterflies darting all around. As we exited the enclosed environment, security guards scanned visitors for stow-away butterflies. Californians sure know how to showcase the planet's and their state's natural treasures. The Academy is a close rival to the spectacular Monterey Aquarium, which seems to emerge out of the sea.
We left the complex on foot to catch another bus that took us to ocean beach and then north to Lincoln Park and the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum, which sits astride one of the finest panoramic views of the Bay, with the Golden Gate Bridge seen through the evergreen woods that line the shore.
By 9 am we were aboard the BART on our way downtown and west by bus to Golden Gate Park, a large expanse of green over several square miles where you'll find the California Academy of Sciences, the DeYoung Museum of Art, a Japanese tea garden, and much more. We focused on the aquarium, planetarium and natural history displays in the Academy, a masterwork of light, soaring space, and sustainable design by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Before we knew it we had spent 5 hours meandering around the displays. One of the highlights for me was the building's "living roof" that is not only a beautiful greenscape overlooking the city but also helps to cool the building. Also high on the list is the equatorial rain forest, a 3-level construction that one ascends gradually to reach the canopy, where you find yourself amidst a swirl of tropical birds and, magically, butterflies darting all around. As we exited the enclosed environment, security guards scanned visitors for stow-away butterflies. Californians sure know how to showcase the planet's and their state's natural treasures. The Academy is a close rival to the spectacular Monterey Aquarium, which seems to emerge out of the sea.
We left the complex on foot to catch another bus that took us to ocean beach and then north to Lincoln Park and the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum, which sits astride one of the finest panoramic views of the Bay, with the Golden Gate Bridge seen through the evergreen woods that line the shore.
The more Ron and I visit SF, the more we enjoy riding the bus and touching the city with our own two feet to better appreciate the residents, architecture and fresh air. It's much more intimate and slower that way. I have a thousand snapshots of the day in my mind: the young boy and his older sister riding the bus home from school, who engaged in a lively conversation punctuated by loving teasing from sis, and gentle pranks with his school texts from little bro. And on a darker note, the life-worn young woman sitting next to Ron who spent much of the ride facilitating a drug deal via cell phone. "Everything's got to be on point," she counseled her friend...or else, one imagined.
A full and tiring day but we're not complaining as we'd appreciate getting a good long sleep aboard tomorrow's long flight.
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