USA Trip Day 6 - 9 Sep 2014 - SF Walking Tour Part 3

Union Square

Address: Area surrounded by Geary, Powell, Post & Stockton streets 

While this area is well-served by public transport ranging from cable cars, MUNI train, BART, F line streetcar and many buses, it is best explored on foot. Since its nearby Yerba Buena Gardens, we took a leisurely stroll.

As a historically significant site, this plaza was the venue for many pro-Union rallies, held on the eve of the civil war. A 97-feet tall monument was erected in 1903 to celebrate another event - the victory of Admiral George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay. This was also the place of the world's very first underground parking, opened in 1941.

Union Square is not just a premier shopping district with an extensive collection of boutiques, but also boasts fabulous 5-stars hotels, prestigious theaters and various F&B outlets catering to differing taste-buds. 

Home to department stores (Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Barneys New York, Nordstorm, Saks Fifth Avenue) as well as several upscale boutiques

One of the art installations from the "Hearts in San Francisco" Project

Each year, painted heart sculptures are auctioned off to benefit the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation.

Before you think this is just for the privileged few, there are more wallet-friendly stores in this neighborhood.

Nonetheless, we quickly left this tantalizing area before our wallets suffered from moments of lapse in judgement from our part :D

Coit Tower

We took F line streetcar from Powell Street Station towards the Fisherman's Wharf, with the ambitious plan to hike the Telegraph hill where Coit Tower is located. 

We took F line streetcar from "5th & Powell" to "Greenwich" stop on The Embarcadero. The ride itself was pretty scenic, and it helped us to  forget the fact that we were standing inside the packed bus.

F line streetcar costs USD 2.25 per pax. 

Can you see the signs on the left side of this photo?

Since there were very limited parking lots available at the base of the tower (on top of the hill), we could be stuck in a line of cars waiting for the vacant lot if we take taxi. Hence, we opted to climb the hill via the Greenwich Street stairs. 

 We started our mini hike at 3:30pm and this is the view of Bay Bridge from mid-way. 

 When we saw cars parked, we thought we reached but alas, the stairs continued! 

Finally, after 15 minutes of huffing and puffing our way, we reached the Coit Tower!

Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94133

Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm DAILY (Nov- Apr)

                       10:00 am - 6:00 pm DAILY (May - Oct)

Entrance fees for taking the lift up to the observation deck: USD 8 (adult, non-resident)

When Lillie Hitchcock Coit left one third of her fortune for the beautification of the city, this 210 feet tall tower was built in 1933. It offers 360-degree scenic view of the entire bay area.  The ground floor of the tower was adorned with murals depicting the daily life scenes from the bygone era.  

You can buy tickets to go up to the observation deck from the ground floor gift shop. 

 There is no roof! Does that mean observation deck will be closed when it rains? 

 Bay Bridge with Yerba Buena Island & Treasure Island 

 Alcatraz Island

 Crooked street (on the left) with the Golden Gate Bridge (partly hidden behind the fog)

So windy up here! Due to the limited space of the structure, number of visitors at the observation deck is restricted at all times. 

At the car park

Bye, Coit Tower!

Adios!

xoxo

Miss N