California dreaming

This Hyatt hotel has incredible blinds on the picture windows. They operate remotely via a button beside the bed and silently swoosh down to exclude every little bit of light from the room. Lovely and dark.

The amazing thing is that, when they are raised in the morning, a new, beautiful jewel of a day is there, just outside the window, waiting to be explored.

A lovely Sunday. Good morning San Francisco.

Coming from Vancouver, I just naturally ease into California life. I think one of my greatest pleasures is walking, no, getting lost in a city. Feeling it, watching it live and breathe. It’s super amazing to be a quiet observer of the Sunday morning social:

China town laundry day, a Ferrari club meet, morning dumplings and the Italian parade volunteers.

Today I decided to walk along the beach to the Golden Gate Bridge. Loads of people were biking, jogging, walking along the way. There was a brilliant little farmer’s market and other surprises:

Up and down hills, mermaids at the beach, kites waiting for the wind, market dahlias.

There was a book sale at the farmer’s market. Darn it anyway, I wanted to read practically every book I picked up. But unfortunately I’m limited to weight and have already bought some books, so I had to take only photos. (So ordering these as soon as I get home.)

Finally, after about 10 miles, the bridge is near.

I loved playing with and watching the assorted beach dogs. Look at these four boofy, (very technical term) shnoodley, (another very technical term) wonderfully happy beach dogs.

On the way back to the piers I spied a lovely Colosseum-type building. It turned out to be the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The gardens were so lovely and the architecture is magic; like an ancient Greek temple.

Back down the beach, around the boats, up hill and down hill to a late lunch.

Mmm, fresh steamed dungeness crab, lemony butter and sourdough bread.

It was late afternoon by now and I walked down past the rest of the piers and at pier 15 I found the Exploratoriun. And guess what! It was one of their FREE DAYS! The next free day isn’t happening till February. Well, then I just had to go in. 🙂

An hour of so there and then the trek back across town, to Union Square, where the shops were all still open.

What’s a girl to do…

Finally, back for the evening and just in time to see the sunset.

Honestly, if every day could be like this, well, why would you go anyplace else?