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| After all those steps, we finally reach Telegraph Hill Boulevard and have a view of the city looking south. After a few more steps (will they ever stop?) we are at the base of the tower. Inside, the walls are covered with murals depicting life in the city during the thirties or so. |
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We
have to wait our turn for the rickety, old elevator. "It's the original," we
are
told, as we hold our breath. It only holds four or five people going up and
maybe eight coming down. We are next in line, but, hold it! All of a sudden the
elevator door
opens again. One person has to get off because it cannot make it to the top
this way. An elderly gentleman, operating the lift, quickly gives us a few facts
about the tower. It is one of those memorized renditions that he probably
recites in his dreams at night.
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| After we "land" we climb some more steps. Sharon tells me, "That was thirty-seven more steps to get to the viewing platform." From sea level to the top (minus our scary elevator ride and a few inclined road ways) we have climbed 482 steps! Not bad for a couple fogies ready to turn seventy. |
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| The view to the south is towards down-town, including the Pyramid Building. To the north we can see Pier 39 with the yacht harbor. Alcatraz and Angel Island are in the distance. Don't ask why, perhaps it is the Italian influence in this neighborhood, but the statue of Columbus, just outside the tower, looks out towards Alcatraz, the former penitentiary. Perhaps he was guarding someone who used to be at this notorious place. Certainly Columbus never was here. |
| Instead of going back the same way, our trail leads north along some narrow alleys and nice gardens. There is another way down from Coit Tower that involves more steps (called Greenwich Steps) but we have enough of that. |
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| When we arrive at Pier 39 we are starved and stop for a nice fish lunch with a beer and a glass of wine. It is well deserved. The view is nice and we can see more ferries and sailboats pass our window. Just around the corner is where the harbor seals usually hang out, but this is summer and most of them are out at sea right now. |
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| Afterwards we visit the small aquarium and have another look at what we had for lunch. Then we take a trolley back to the Ferry Building for another trip across the Bay. |
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| For those who may appreciate Herb Caen, a famous San Franciscan journalist, here is one of his quotes. The brass plague is displayed near the Ferry Building. |
