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| When coming to San Francisco from the east, there are three ways to go. Drive your car across the Bay Bridge, take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit trains), or take the ferry. We like the last one when the weather is good and we want to go to down-town or Fisherman's Warf. This time we decided to go to the Ferry Building and take a hike. But first we have to get there. |
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| Leaving the dock near Jack London Square in Oakland means passing a herd of space monsters. They stand there tall and skinny, ready to devour small or large boats as they come close. |
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| But luckily for us they are only interested in Chinese imports, cargo containers full of stuff. |
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| We quickly cross the bay, pass under the Bay Bridge and land at the Ferry Building visible to the far right. This old towering monument now has a back drop of modern sky scrapers with offices and a few hotels. The long row of arches is still part of it, but now there is a nice pedestrian area with benches and tables for a snack or drink. |
| The Ferry Building has been renovated and has several shops and restaurants inside. |
| After a brief stop we walk north along the Embarcadero. At Pier 19 we cross the street and slip through a thick hedge into this cozy little park. I don't know if it even has a name, but a lot of natives don't realize it exists. |
| We pass a fountain. Across the way is the headquarters of Levi Strauss. These are renovated warehouses built mostly of brick but now reinforced for earthquake damage. We are heading for Coit Tower, visible high above us. |
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| All of a sudden we are confronted with a steep climb amongst overgrown vines and orange nasturtiums. This is the start of Filberts Steps, a "street" with homes and gardens that can only be reached by way of these wooden stairways. |
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| There are two side streets, Napier Lane and Darrell Place, made out of wooden planks. Can you imagine moving in and having to haul your refrigerator and baby-grand piano up or down Filbert? But at least you'd have a fire hydrant close by, and you should be able to remember your street address. |
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| Some of the gardens are quite nice and the views can be spectacular. |
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| Just a few more steps and we see another view of Coit Tower. We're getting closer. Sharon has been very quiet. When I ask her what is wrong, she replies, "I'm counting." |
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