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Showing posts with the label San Francisco

My Amazing Ride - 2021

Pismo Beach Pier, California Traveling during the pandemic was  quite different from my previous last minute trips with no hotel reservations and lots of taken for granted expectations. There are health disclosures to fill, vaccination cards to show immigration, covid tests to take, and in some cases, travel insurance and confirmed paid hotel reservations to show the border police. Thankfully the airports were quiet at the beginning of my European trip in June but by the time I got home in July from Paris, travelers were back in droves that it took me close to three hours to get to my gate. The same was true in December when I returned from Costa Rica. LAX was full of Christmas travelers, it was hard to find any seat at the gates let alone, breathing space. Enough whining! After all, I visited 7 countries in 2021 plus the Arctic Circle, Interior Alaska and Las Vegas and had reunions with my close friends in Michigan, Amsterdam and Vienna. It was an amazing year of travel! April. After

Iconic San Francisco Landmarks

   Painted Ladies, Steiner Street and Hayes Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon Street   Balcutha on Hyde Street Pier Crooked Street (Lombard Street) Bay Bridge St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street Yes, it’s easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. With the fog rolling in over the hills, the call of the foghorn, the chill in the air that makes you want to cuddle and the views over the bay, it’s not easy to let go. I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars Climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air I don’t care My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea When I come home to you San Francisco Your golden sun will shine on me. I left my heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett, Columbia Records For more information about San Francisco, visit  https://www.visitcalifornia.com/places-to-visit/san-francisco/ Or  https://sfgov.org/visitors ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Parallel Landing at SFO

It was exciting to witness a parallel landing at San Francisco International Airport recently. I was onboard a Delta flight when I noticed another aircraft close by.  I watched our approach to SFO until we touched down together on parallel runways. Needless to say, the key to doing this successfully is for both aircrafts to keep their distance. Mid air On approach to the runway Wheels down ****** Images by TravelswithCharie

Christmastime in The City

Union Square An overnight stay in San Francisco is a welcome treat, especially during the holidays. The streets are abuzz with visitors during the day and there are many bargain finds for the hardy shopper. A stroll around Union Square enchants with decorated display windows vying for attention. And when evening descends upon the City by the Bay, thousands of Christmas lights illuminate the night sky. Neiman Marcus Atrium One of my favorite stops is Nieman Marcus. Their Christmas tree is a floor to ceiling giant barely scraping the beautiful stained glass dome. There's at least an hour wait if you decide to eat lunch at the Rotunda restaurant on the fourth floor with a view of Union Square. Best to make a reservation. An alternative would be the food court at The Cellar inside Macy's. It's crowded but there's usually a table or two. I ordered handrolled crab cakes from SC Asian. It came with a salad. It was all surprisingly good. There are also other restaurants to

Post Trio - San Francisco

I noticed that there were quite a few searches for Dale Chihuly's glassworks on my blog lately. I'd like to share these photos I took at Post Trio Restaurant in San Francisco where we had our Christmas party last year. We had the Garden Room to ourselves so we had a fabulous view of Dale Chihuly's glass flowers. It's quite special. Post Trio is just behind the St. Francis Hotel in the city's much visited shopping area, Union Square. Another irresistible feature of the restaurant is the stairs one takes to go down to the restaurant.  These stairs are for the confident who are unfazed by the scrutiny they receive from guests seated below. My officemate had the New York steak above. I opted for the salmon dish. I remember a far better meal I had at Post Trio many years ago. It's not quite the same. But the service is still topnotch. *  *  * Images by Charie

Celebrating Christmas in San Francisco

San Francisco is all decked out for the holidays. Under the tree at Nieman Marcus Victoria Secret "Give Her Sexy" Outdoor florist Macy's window Macy's window On Union Square * * * Photos by Charie

Pockets of Calm

Found this garden on Market Street Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission between 3rd & 4th Streets Yerba Buena East Garden (in front of SFMOMA) The waterfront behind the Ferry Building In the shadow of San Francisco's skyscrapers, there are many places to kick back and unwind, perhaps during the lunch hour or after work. The images above show some of these pockets of calm. * * * Images by Charie