A Guide for the Golden Gate

Point Bonita Lighthouse, Point Bonita, California, USA

Since 1877, the Point Bonita Lighthouse has warned ship captains away from treacherous cliffs and rocks as they passed through the Golden Gate into and out of San Francisco Bay.  Reachable only by a narrow suspension bridge, the lighthouse had to be relocated in the 19th century so it could be seen in the famously thick fog.

See the Lions

Sea Lions, Pier 39, San Francisco, California, USA

These sea lions have been congregating in significant numbers at Pier 39 in San Francisco since 1989.  This photo from the mid 1990's appears like a large group, but we read recently that there are now sometimes over 1500 sea lions hanging out around Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39.  The fellow in the foreground, who seems to be a leader of the colony, appears to have his own "king" bed to rest on.  Perhaps it is a California King.

West Into the Sunset

America West Jetliner, San Francisco, California, USA

America West Airlines was a US airline which has since merged with US Airways.  During its later years, it was derisively known by many as "America's Worst".  We flew America West once, on a short flight from Phoenix to Orange County.  It wasn't bad at all.

Towering into the Clouds

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

In clear weather, the Golden Gate Bridge is instantly recognizable from afar.  Here is an up close, side view of one of the towers.  The famous San Francisco fog makes it impossible for us to see the top of the tower and we think this effect makes this photo more interesting.

A Still Life in Motion

San Francisco, California, USA

We snapped this photo several years ago while climbing out of San Francisco.  With a quick click, we captured the city, its famous bridges, the nearby mountains, fog, and bay traffic.  At this moment, the busy city and bay look still.

A Long Haul Afternoon

KAL 777, San Francisco, California, USA
This Korean Airlines Triple-7 was boarding passengers and having catering loaded as it prepared for a trans-Pacific haul from San Francisco (SFO) to Seoul (SEL). Leaving in the early afternoon, this 777 traversed the route in daylight arriving a little more than twelve hours later in the afternoon on the following day.

A Real Throwback, Man

Corner of Haight and Ashbury, San Francisco, California, USA
This is the famed corner of Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco. We took this picture with a roll of black and white film about 14 years ago. While totally unplanned, the appearance of the vintage Mini Countrymen (or Mini Traveler) in the intersection adds a nice touch.

Arc de Tree-umph

Muir Woods, California, USA
The arched tree somehow got bent or knocked down, but kept on growing. This picture is nearly 20 years old, so it would be interesting to know if this flexible tree flourished and grew.

Nice and Placid

Pacific Ocean, Point Bonita, California, USA
In Spanish, the word bonito means nice and the word pacifico means peaceful. While the Pacific Ocean is not a placid sea, this spot is both peaceful and beautiful! At the tip of Point Bonita is a working lighthouse which helps guide ships through the Golden Gate (and away from these treacherous rocks and cliffs) to San Francisco and Oakland.

Lights

San Francisco, California, USA
We captured this photo from our friend's apartment in San Francisco's Castro District during the summer of 1996. One afternoon there was an extended black-out throughout this part of California, which was (and may still be) fairly common. We captured this photo of the fog rolling through the city during the black-out.

The group Journey, which hailed from San Francisco, had a song named Lights with the lyrics "When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay". In this case, once the fog rolled in, there were neither lights nor sunshine, but it definitely was still magical San Francisco!

A San Francisco Treat

Cable Car, San Francisco, California, USA
Here's another photograph which instantly says "I was there". We've been to San Francisco many times, but have yet to enjoy Rice-A-Roni while there.

Rope Climb

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA
Structural Saturday is about buildings and other large man-made objects.