Back in 2009 was my first of many return trips, to the wonderful San Francisco with the ex Boy-Toy. It was also the second, of many more to come, meetings of blogger, and now good friend Kailyne, who was our host. She and I are definitely the equivalent to Pasty and Edina. When we go to Napa Valley to par take of the nectar of the Gods, they put out warnings to the valley, we're coming. Since then, I have several friends and drag sis's in San Fran. Ever since the first time out, my favorite place in the city is by far, The Palace of Fine Arts. It made me feel just like being Aphrodite or Hermes on Mt Olympus!!! The Palace of Fine Arts is in the Marina district, off Baker Street at the edge of the Presdio. The Palace dominates a small neighborhood park that features lawns to picnic on and a small lagoon populated by birds, fish and turtles. It's the only remaining structure from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, a historic World Fair style event, that put San Fran back on the map as a major global art city, after the devastation of the 1906 earthquake and fire. It's Greek style colonnades and soaring rotunda make it a singular and recognizable feature of San Fran's northern skyline. Up close, the scale of the structure is truly breathtaking, and it makes for a very nice, peaceful, and picturesque day away from the hub bub of in town.
As much as I enjoy being in San Francisco...cards on the table. I by far enjoy being and staying in Sausalito far more. Nothing like a bike ride over the Golden Gate. And the men in Sausalito were quite cool vibed, and arty.
That is a stunning structure, and park! Jx
ReplyDeleteso true!
DeleteEvery time I've been to San Fran I love it. It's beyond me why we don't move there. So much more clean and less hectic then LA. those are some great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI know your more a Northern California personality...but don't you owe us a visit?!??!
You mean the cam show is not enough?
DeleteThat is awesome! I have been there many times on business, but don't know I ever knew it's history. And I can agree with you on Sausalito. It is so beautiful there isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in my first marriage, would you believe we lived across the street from it? Imagine looking out and seeing that every day. I really miss living in San Francisco. Spent many a evening and weekend in that park.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I have been there too. It is mind blowing. Lovely and wonderful Architecture. Very pleasant walking in and around the statues and park. It's a nice hidden gem in San Francisco. Not sure why many don't spend a day there relaxing. And in the morning at sunrise, one can get the wonderful opportunities. Never been to Sausalito.
ReplyDeletei heard when you two went to napa, they had a flag warning for you two. now wonder the valley is dry.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in SF in the Outer Richmond (a block from Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park)for a few years before moving back to L.A. with our 3 small sons. The MITM worked down in the Financial District, so he usually took the bus. Every so often, I'd have to load the boys in our VW van and drive in and pick him up. I think we went through 3 clutches during our stay thanks to the hills and my having learned how to drive in the flats ofL.A.! Your photos bring back lots of sweet memories, sugarpie! xox
ReplyDeleteI thought I smelled your winding Savy
DeleteMagnificent post Mistress!
ReplyDeleteClose family members have lived
ReplyDeleteand still live in SF. Lots of good
memories of SF. xoxo :-)
A Must visit. Have been to San Francisco many times. The palace is one of my favorite places in SFO too. Good for couples, group of friends, family or even solo. Loved walking there, very calm and the view is stunning. Architecture is amazing. Best to come during sunset for me. If you want some peace of mind you can just seat in the grass with some wine, or some bench available and watch the beautiful lake with ducks and birds flying.
ReplyDeleteWe were going to go to Sausalito, but seemed to run out of time each visit. I heard it's beautiful there.
And don't get me started on the stunning Napa Valley!!!!
The Napa Valley has been my number 1 reason for my returns Agnes.
DeleteI spent 4 days therein 2005(?). It was fun. We walked around a lot. Saw several churches. Went to that island prison... Alcatraz. (I couldn't remember it.) I never got to a gay bar, but we went to several nice restaurants. I loved my hotel... it was very European and quaint. I can't think of what else we might have done. I did have a lovely threeway with two gentlemen way out of my league and played with a few others while I was there. Thanks for sharing. I think about going back and that museum you mention is on my list. So are some gay bars. :) Who goes to San Fran and doesn't go to a gay bar??? Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't do Alcatraz, but did circle it on a boat. The gay scene was very fun..and very neighborhood feeling to me. I found men to be very forward, more then any other city I visited in the US. I have never behaved while there. I met a couple from England at Moby Dicks and we all had a lovely time. And when me and the ex went, we met a guy at Rising Sun, that was distracted by my ass and assets, and he and I had our cocks out in the back of the cab on the way to the hotel. We couldn't wait. The ex was appalled I believe. I love being in town for dinner, museums and going out, but truth be told, I spend more time in Sausalito and Napa Valley.
DeleteWe should do a road trip there Upton!!!
Oh, my old home town!
ReplyDeleteSo many memories of that City, from childhood visits with family, to college days, to afterwards. Never a dull moment.
Of note: did you know the Palace of Fine Arts was not built to last? It was to come down after the exposition, but people demanded it stay and it has, all these years.
And Sausalito? Oh, those views across the bay. Love it so much.
I didn't know that Bob! Im so glad they didn't! It's spectacular and such detail for just a park. And all that work not to mention.
DeleteWow! Breathtaking is right. What a awe-inspiring place the Palace of Fine Arts is. That photo with the agapanthus in the foreground looks unreal - like one of the beautiful matt paintings from older films (or the original Star Trek)
ReplyDeleteDon't you love giving old photos the filtered touch?
DeleteI liked the agapanthus too
DeleteJust took a nice 7mile run through and past the Marina yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing it when I visited. I thought it seemed like a strange place, but was nice to wander around.
ReplyDeletebeen to SFO with the ex-husband in the 80s. never got to the palace. did go round alcatraz in the tour boat. visited fisherman's wharf, rode the cable cars. we only had 2 days there before we had to fly back to DC.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, as always. This brought back wonderful memories of San Francisco. We moved there from San Diego in '98, and I loved the Palace of Fine Arts and most of Marin. I haven't been there since we left 2 years later.
ReplyDeleteI have been there, and it's beautiful, though believe me, driving a car with standard shift can take a bit of practice.
ReplyDeleteThose are stunning pictures!
ReplyDeleteI had such a great time when I spent a few days in SF with my daughter. I wished I could live there because the area has so much to offer, but I couldn't possibly afford it. Besides, she's moved twice since then.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It looks idyllic!
ReplyDeleteI have ridden an electric bike through that area, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, it was saved from demolition thanks to the Palace Preservation League.
ReplyDeleteThank heavens! I couldn't imagine demolishing it. And for what reason?
DeleteReally very neat.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the brilliant post, one of an excellent series you’ve been posting on your travels. Images are exceptionally fine!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent description of the Palace of Fine Arts, truly a magnificent edifice and setting. As a local and an architect, however, I must add the following.
The design of this building was by the locally renowned architect Bernard Maybeck, originally from the Midwest, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and ultimately found his way to the Bay Area and created many amazing structures. Also, this is only somewhat an “originally remaining structure..” The actual original structure was intended to be temporary and as such was seriously deteriorating by the 1960s. It was completely rebuilt from 1964 to 1974 to make it a permanent structure.
Also of note is that entire Marina area upon which the fair of 1915 was built is essentially landfill using the rubble from the 1906 earthquake. The fill is subject to liquefaction when an earthquake occurs which is why the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused signs ant damage in this area even though the epicenter was 50 miles away!
Great post!
Wow luke! I didn't know about all that! I m glad they made it permanent. And had no idea about the landfill part.
DeleteMy sister in law has a home in Sausalito, although there putting it on the market. I love culture and that creative stuff. And my community has very little of it.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Oh she is lucky!!!!
DeleteThe palace and park look lush! And loving the fluffy cygnets, too.
ReplyDeleteSx
I would like to see SF again.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things about the Palace is that it is an elegant and totally useless structure. Literally, it has no function, it's pretty much one of those follies like in stately English gardens, just on a bigger scale. As part of the restoration Luke and Mistress mentioned above, they added an auditorium off on one side. For several years it was where Wheel of Fortune broadcast from when they came to town.
ReplyDeleteYour first line Keener is why if fascinated me so...because it doesn't serve a purpose now. Just beauty. I need to come back out to San Fran.
DeleteSuch a glorious place I have always intended to visit. Well...someday.
ReplyDeleteYour a nomad!
ReplyDeleteBeen to SanFran only twice. Have never been able to do cool stuff like go sightseeing but one day I'll do it. In my bucket list, too!
ReplyDeleteXOXO