Pier 39 Marina Harbor, San Francisco, CA

Pier 39 Marina Harbor, San Francisco, CA

 Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, an interpretive center for the Marine Mammal Center, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina. The marina is also home to the floating Forbes Island restaurant.

One of San Francisco Icons...Sea Lions at  Pier 39

The famous, noisy and barking but adorable pinnipeds, sea lions of the Fisherman's Wharf at their floating home docks at Pier 39.  This is one of the tourist spot in San Francisco, California.  This year is their 22nd Anniversary at Pier 39.

Adorable sea lions

I got a couple of souvenirs for my "pasalubong"

Pier 39 claims to be the United States' third-most-popular tourist attraction, after the Disney theme parks. A former commercial pier, it appeals mostly to shoppers and souvenir-seekers, but everyone enjoys the sea lions who lounge in the former marina next door.

The pier is located at the edge of the Fisherman's Wharf district and is close to North Beach, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero.

Behind me is Alcatraz Island often referred to as the "Rock",  an army fort and prison (1850 - 1934) 

The  Blue and Gold Fleet

Blue and Gold Fleet offer visitors an opportunity to see the City's breathtaking views and surrounding marine beauty. Cruises offered by the Blue & Gold Fleet include the one-hour Bay Cruise Adventure, the thrilling RocketBoat ride (seasonal), the 90-minute Escape from the Rock cruise, and trips to beautiful Angel Island.

The San Francisco Carousel and Crystal Geyser Center Stage

Located on the first level at the Bay end of PIER 39, the magnificent San Francisco Carousel is the only carousel in the country that has artistic renderings of its home city. It is intricately crafted and hand-painted in Italy and shows scenes from famous San Francisco landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Alcatraz and the popular California sea lions at PIER 39.

Laugh and be entertained by San Francisco's world-famous street performers ~ multi-talented tricksters, magicians, jugglers and comedians entertain PIER 39 visitors daily at the Crystal Geyser ALPINE SPRING WATER Stage. This is free to the public.

Shops at Pier 39

PIER 39, San Francisco's Premier Bay Attraction, is a festive shopping destination featuring 110 specialty shops, theatrical performances, rides, cruises and 13 full-service restaurants serving seafood, California cuisine, and casual fare with amazing San Francisco Bay views.

Various restaurants at Pier 39

San Francisco Sightseeing Bus

Big sightseeing bus offers tours to visitors to discover the city's world-famous landmarks

Maria Queri (right) and me at Pier 39 Harbor

My sincerest thanks to Maria Queri  for spending time to take me to San Francisco and for lending me her leather jacket, bonnet and scarf. I would have freezed at that time.

San Francisco Cable Car and the Crookedest Street

San Francisco Cable Car at Lombard Street

During my trip to San Francisco, my friend, Maria Queri took me also  to Lombard Street known for its crookedest street and where one can see the famous San Francisco cable car. San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system.  It is an icon of San Francisco, California and has become a tourist attraction. This urban transport system is operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway, popularly known as "Muni."

The Powell-Hyde cable car line near Lombard Street on Russian Hill

The San Francisco Cable Car Route

The Clay Street Hill Railroad was the first successful cable operated street railway which was opened on August 2, 1873.  From 1873 - 1890, there were twenty three lines established but now only three remains : 

Powell-Hyde (Line 60)

Powell-Mason(Line 59)

California Stree (Line 61)

The Crookedest Street, San Francisco, CA.  Photo taken from below

Lombard Street is one of America's crookedest street.  The steep, hilly street was created with sharp curves to switchback down the one-way hill past beautiful Victorian mansions. This famous steep street has eight tight turns in the one block portion of street.

Wondering why the street was built crooked  ?  This is actually for safety reason. The naturally steep grade of the street posed a severe safety hazard.

The stretch  and visual beauty of Lombard's crooked street

Some of San Francisco's expensive real estates can be found at Lombard Street. Dozens of tourist each day flocked this area  for scenic photograph, scenic drive, exercise, see the cable car and the famous homes.  Some of the famous homes at Lombard are :

1.  The Real World House ~ On the Southern side of the street is the Real World San Francisco house, the home that the cast stayed in when the show was filming.

2.  The Montandon House ~ At 1000 Lombard Street, is the Montandon House, former home of 1960’s socialite  Pat Montandon and reportedly one of the Bay Area’s haunted homes

3.  Scottie’s Apartment from Vertigo ~  Another spooky home is the Scottie's Apartment located at 900 Lombart Street near the Montandon House. San Francisco scenery and this home plays a prominent role in the famous Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo.

The Golden Gate Bridge

With MT at San Francisco Bridge

It was raining for days but on my last day at San Francisco, CA,  I was lucky to have a great weather.  My good friend, Maria was so kind to take a leave and take me to the Golden Gate Bridge with her niece and nephew and  other relatives. 

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge and is acclaimed as one of the world's most beautiful bridges. The tower has a sweeping main cables and great span.  The Bridge's paint color is orange vermillion, also called international orange.

Me with Maria Queri and her warm and hospitable family

On top of the bridge with Maria and Nene

The Golden Gate Bridge was opened to the public on May 27, 1937.  It will be its 75th year anniversary this May.

Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio of San Francisco is an amazing park within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park is characterized by many wooded areas, hills, and scenic vistas overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1962.

Presidio Homes

The Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island  often known as "The Rock" is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison until March 21, 1963.

The view from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge

A Mock-up of the Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge Facts :

•Total length: Including approaches, 1.7 miles (8,981 feet or 2,737 m)

•Middle span: 4,200 feet (1,966 m).

•Width: 90 feet (27 m)

•Clearance above the high water (average): 220 feet (67 m)

•Total weight when built: 894,500 tons (811,500,000 kg)

•Total weight today: 887,000 tons (804,700,000 kg). Weight reduced because of new decking material

•Towers:

•746 feet (227 m) above the water

•500 feet (152 m) above the roadway

•Each leg is 33 x 54 feet (10 x 16 m)

•Towers weigh 44,000 tons each (40,200,000 kg).

•There are about 600,000 rivets in EACH tower.

Go Karting at Lemans

Lemans Karting in Fremont, CA

April 12, 2012 was the third day of the Ops Review at our U.S. headquarter  and another team building event was arranged for the attendees.  It was a "Go Karting Challenge" at Lemans Karting.  It rained that day so it was not safe to do it outdoor.  We had an indoor karting race.  It is my first time to go-karting.  At first I was hesitant to join and I even asked my boss if it is easy to operate.  He said if you know how to drive a car then you can drive a kart.

At the lobby of Lemans Karting while waiting for the other participants

Lemans Karting is Silicon Valley's only Indoor and Outdoor track built for corporate off-sites and teambuilding. It has two (2) tracks (Indoor and outdoor),  event rooms, racing simulators, catering & more!

European Style Indoor Race Track

My first Go Karting experience

A week before we headed to the U.S., we were asked to register on line for this SunPower team building  event to speed up the arrival process at the venue and save time.  After everyone has arrived, we proceeded to the briefing area upstair and one of the Lemans' staff gave us some safety guidelines and explained the meaning of the flags used in Go Karting.  Different  colored  flags waved by race officials give signals to the go-kart racers.

The  Conference Room where the briefing was held

After the briefing, we returned to the  track and we were asked to put on our safety gadgets before the race.  I felt excited and at the same time nervous.

Go Karting helmets of different sizes

Lemans' Staff  checked on me and adjusted my seat so I can reach the break and gas pads

Good to go for a ride

 We got the Sprint Race Package at Lemans with about 30-40 laps (indoor) or 20 minutes.  In this format, each driver would get a short qualifying session followed by a race for position.

Elvie in Kart No. 24

We were given about five (5) minutes practice.  I was with group no. 1 and the only female driver in this group. I was the slowest driver. Look at the result below :

The Practice Result

In the actual sprint race, I am still the slowest driver (No. 7) but I made some improvements.

Sprint Race Result

Winners were the following :

Group 1 ~ Mike Ramos

Group 2 ~ Christophe Dargnies

Group 3 ~ Jascha Ortmanns (My boss)

Lemans Karting Fremont

 Address : 45957 Hotchkiss Street, Fremont, CA 94539, U.S.A.

Tel. No. : (510) 770 9001 or (877) RACE-LMK

Website : http://www.lemanskarting.com/

My arms and legs were aching after the race but I enjoyed it. After the tiring karting race, we had our dinner at California Cafe.

California Cafe

Address : 50 University Avenue, Suite 260 , Los Gatos, California, 95030 U.S.A.

Tel. No. : (408) 354 8118

Website : http://www.californiacafe.com/

We stayed at the Montebello Room of California Cafe

California Cafe has great food, services and ambiance !