To get down to the day. Got out of the house by 9 am and were in the city, with its tricky one-ways by around 9:45 am. Surprisingly, we seemed to be the first gang at the designated spot though others had arrived before us.
The first tour lasted from 10 am to 11:30 am and was about the Gold Rush in 1848-49. The Gold Rush, for all practical reasons, built San Francisco and gave it the personality it has today. A city of opportunities for the risk takers and opportunity seekers.
Dave was a pretty interesting speaker, though he had an intriguing habit of spacing out in the middle of his monologue. I guess I'd need to take pics of Dave from the AK man.
We walked around looking at some of the spots where commerce had set up, including the offices of the Pony Express, the first mint, the center of the city from whence it has sprung, etc.
I'd elaborate on individual components some other day (heck, maybe even tomorrow)
After we were let off at 11:30 it was a short walk to Chinatown and some decent dimsum place. It was more 'homely' and not quite as good as Ton King at Geary, where we ended up in the Spring break for a nice hearty, sumptuous dimsum lunch.
After lunch, we drove over to the City Hall to our second walking tour...the earthquake of 1906. This is the centennial year...so it is kinda special for the city. The lady was in a typical Victorian dress and a hand made bonnet. Walked around the City Hall and some of the streets and alleys in the vicinity. She showed us where the "ham and eggs" fire had begun and approached the area between Market st and Van Ness. Also went through the Public library to see some remarkable old photographs.
One of the highlights of the day was seeing this beautiful vintage car and one of the most expensive ones at that- a 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III. The chauffeur told me it was the first '100 miles an hr' car. Ain't it a beauty?
1 comment:
Looks like you had the perfect day and weather for a walking tour.
San Francisco is such a lovely city! Did you take the photos? Nice composition.
Who did you contact to take the tour?
While you are in Europe, I reccomend that you take as many guided walking tours as you can. Not the ones in travel books but ones guided by locals. My experience of the locals guided walking tours has always been awesome. I saw things and experienced food and situations that only a city native can show you. I will email you contact info for some tour guides I used in European cities.
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