SF - Hyde St. Pier - May 14, '12

Walking Distance: 1.5 miles
Walking Time: 2 hrs. (2:20 - 4:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: metered parking spot on Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA

Today I continued my start-and-stop transit along the waterfront sidewalks of San Francisco, at a snail's pace. There were too many interesting spots to see and people to meet and photograph in this city. Despite the fact that I have walked through this (Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery) area between Pier 39 and Hyde Street Pier several times before, and that it has a reputation as a tourist trap, I still find it interesting.

The Fisherman's Wharf area was relatively crowded for a Monday. Many people were out-of-town visitors. A group on segways zipped by on a tour, all slanting slightly forward.

I had already eaten, so I didn't stop for a crab lunch this time around. I did dawdle, however, to look at the crabs in tanks, piles of crabs, and crab dishes packaged up and ready to go. And I paused in front of Boudin's bakery window to look at a large loaf of baked bread in the shape of an alligator/crocodile.

Street performers abound here. One man, spray painted from head-to-foot with silver paint, was perched atop a milk crate, moving robot-like; and the man who disguises himself as a bush and pops out to scare people periodically, was in the area. You'll also pass a Ripley's believe-it-or-not museum, where I saw a horse (or a donkey?) made entirely of bottle corks.
I turned around after I passed the Hyde Street Pier, an old ferry pier with several large historic ships moored there now. I walked down the this pier to look at some of these older ships/boats, but did not continue all the way to the end (admission required).

Despite the activity in the area, I did see a great blue heron taking a snooze out on the rocks near the pier. If you stand on the pier and look west toward Aquatic Park, you'll see a beach area, and may catch a glimpse of some bay swimmers from one of the swim clubs stationed nearby.

I also stopped at Rosie's Roses, a shop on Jefferson Street, at the Cannery, a large brick building now occupied by shops and offices. I was looking for chocolate (for my other blog, Chocolate Banquet). In addition to flowers, plants and other items, she also carried chocolates. I passed many interesting small businesses like this along my walk. I always enjoy talking with small business owners.

Wildlife Sightings:
10 sea gulls; 5 pigeons; 1 great blue heron; 4 little brown jobs (LBJs)

Fisherman's Wharf - Ft. Mason, SF - Dec. 24, 2009

Walking Distance: 2.25 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 32 min. (12:32 - 4:04 p.m.)
Start & End Point: North end of Van Ness, 4-hr. parking space, San Francisco, CA

Today the sea gulls and pigeons carried the day -- at least in terms of sheer numbers. They were feeding off sourdough bread crumbs, fish and crab bits, and tourist leftovers. The sun was out, and swimmers were stroking slowly around in the (cold) Bay waters near shore (Aquatic Park area). 

I walked (SE) as far as Pier 39 (where I'd been yesterday, at night), to see if I could see some sea lions. On the walk back (NW), The Hyde Street Pier was closed due to the Christmas Eve. holiday hours; however, I was able to stroll out to the end of the Municipal Pier. Lots of folks were out crabbing; I did pass one small (Dungeness) crab on the sidewalk, and I stopped to sketch it. It had been left (to crawl around?) because it was under the size limit. (I'm not sure why it hadn't been thrown back into the water.) Nice views of the City (Coit Tower), Alcatraz, and Golden Gate Bridge from the end of the Pier.
A short walk over a hill, and further NW was Fort Mason. It was a quiet day there due to the Christmas holiday; however, the bandshell made of car doors (pictured) was quite interesting.

Wildlife Sightings:
92 pigeons; 101 sea gulls; 12 sea lions; and 1 ball in the Bay; 3 Western grebes; 2 crabs (1 Dungeness, 1 Red); 1 cormorant; 2 crows; 4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 pelicans; 1 starling.

Pier 39 to Fisherman's Wharf/Cannery, SF - Dec. 23, 2009

Walking Distance: 2.32 miles
Walking Time: 3 hrs., 10 min. (4:00 - 7:10 p.m.)
Start & End Point: Fisherman's Wharf Parking lot, San Francisco, CA

After walking east, out to the end of Pier 39 and back, I walked by a Wax Museum (with a replica of actress Elizabeth Taylor, dressed as Cleopatra I believe, out front); countless t-shirt and souvenir shops; cotton candy, hot dog, chocolate and candy sellers; camera/electronics stores; huge steaming pots of crabs; and fishing boats decorated with holiday lights and decorations. Lots going on, and lots to see. Because of my dawdling, to buy a new camera and take numerous pictures, this short jaunt turned into a three + hour walk. And the only reason why I hit the 2 mile mark, is because I followed all the piers and walkways as far out to the Bay as I could on the way back.

Despite all the attractions, and clear views of Alcatraz and night lights, the wildlife count was fairly low -- due mostly to the fall of darkness. There were no sea lions to be seen or heard. They usually congregate on docks just north of Pier 39.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 Western Grebe; 21 sea gulls; and no sea lions out this evening.