San Francisco Off the Beaten Path Tips by karenincalifornia

San Francisco is a great walking city. There is much to see no matter where you go. Every block, every street, every hill offers something new and unique!

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San Francisco is a melting pot of many different cultures which have become part of the city over the last 150 years. One example is the large population of Serbs that have immigrated to San Francisco.

The St. John Serbian Orthodox Church is located in the Western Addition area of the city. The church was designed in the Byzantine style that is the trademark of many Serbian Orthodox churches in Serbia and Montenegro. I'm kind of partial to this church because I got married here.

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The area South of Market (SOMA) has been transformed over the past 10 years from a place with a lot of "affordable" (comparatively speaking) apartments to an area of lavish condominiums. This rehab created quite a stir in San Francisco. Those who were being squeezed out resented the "gentrifying" of SOMA, and sometimes responded with vandalism. It got to the point where the "gentry" were foolish to park their BMWs on the street.

The sign at the bottom of this condominium building says "Starting at $400,000." Quite a deal, don't you think, for one of these condominiums?

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Sitting on the top of Nob Hill is Grace Cathedral, a beautiful French Gothic style Episcopal church. The original church on this site was much smaller and was built during the Gold Rush era in 1849. It was destroyed in the fire following the 1906 earthquake.

The present cathedral was built on the same site and completed in 1964. Inside are beautiful murals depicting the history of the Anglican church, as well as California history.

The church is open to the public during the day.

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Phone: (415) 749-6300
Website: http://www.gracecathedral.org/church/

Throughout San Francisco are little parks that serve a magnets for the urban dwellers and workers, particularly on a beautiful day. Huntington Park is located across the street from Grace Cathedral.

This park is the site of the mansion built by railroad baron Collis P. Huntington. The mansion was destroyed by the fire following he 1906 earthquake. Mrs. Huntington then donated the land to the city of San Francisco to serve as a park in perpetuity.

Across from the park is the exclusive Pacific Union Club (brown brick building). Formerly, it was the residence of James Flood, another railroad magnate. While the other wooden mansions burned in the 1906 fire, the Flood mansion, built of brick, survived.

To the right of th Pacific Union Club in this picture is the Mark Hopkins Hotel. It was built on the site of the Mark Hopkins residence. Mark Hopkins was also a railroad baron and the original residence was also destroyed in the 1906 fire.

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When I don't have lunch plans, I will take a break from work and just walk. It's tough to avoid hills in San Francisco, which means any walk is great aerobic exercise. Go on up the hills - you'll be rewarded with outstanding views.

This picture is a view from Nob Hill looking toward North Beach, an eclectic blend of many cultures. On the other side of the bay is Richmond, a city of substantial diversity.

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Jackson Square area - the center of at least 6 A's - antiques, art, advertising agencies, Angela Alioto's office (unsuccessful candidate for Mayor in 2003)

Jackson Square is also home of the most upscale and delicious Greek restaurant I have ever been to - Kokkari. Make reservations far in advance. The very fun Bubbles Lounge is also here in Jackson Square, serving dozens of champagnes by the glass. They aren't all $100 per glass (but some are, no kidding).

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More like "Off the Beaten Time Schedule".

People think I am crazy to get up so early to go to work every day. The beautiful San Francisco sunrises are the reasons I haul my butt out of bed before dawn to take the 5:50 am ferry to work.

This picture shows the view from the Embarcadero toward the Bay Bridge and Oakland. Nothing is more energizing for me that to see this sight as I begin my work day.

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This is a little known place where you can get great views of the city. And you don't even have to pay a fee to get to the top of a tower!

Corona Heights, a hill with an elevation of 500 feet in the Castro District, is one of my favorite lunch time escapes on a nice day. Take the F Line to Castro, grab lunch at one of the many take out places in the Castro, and have a picnic at the top of Corona Heights. Tourists want to spend all their time at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. That's fine. I'll take Corona Heights with my take out picnic lunch any day over FW or P39 anyday!

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Other Contact: Near intersec of Market & Castro