Pier 39 – A Photo's Worth

Embarcadero means a “place to embark”. Looking up this information led me to this 1906 documentary, A Trip Down Market Street. Click on the link and travel down the road. Taken from a cable car weeks before the 1906 earthquake. It is amazing to see what traffic was like then.

My friend and I walked down the Embarcadero to Pier 39. Stop for lunch and do more people watching.

_DSF1225 — So many food choices. Go healthy or not?

_DSF1228 — Careful those knives are sharp!

_DSF1290 — Throwing a kiss. Spray paint sidewalk artist has music, movement, and spirit!

_DSF1296 — Balloon artist not happy to have a photo taken. Oh well.

_DSF1284 — So many cell phones. What is so interesting?

_DSF1299 — Explanation of height restrictions on the Segway

_DSF1305 — Serious driving skills being tested

When you grab some fast food you are warned to watch out for birds. They are known for helping themselves to your delicious seafood and sour dough bread.

_DSF1315 — Gulls Rule at the Fishermen’s Grotto

Arriving at Pier 41 to take the ferry back to Vallejo.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Fun day and lots of fun images to add to my memories.

It’s been a while since my husband and I got away. So when my grandson was off on a Tuesday we headed out. First we voted. David got to the voting place and was first on line. All seemed in order, except there were no ballots. Straightened out quickly, and off we went.

Heading west, we made our usual stop at the Vallejo Rest Stop.

Then the GPS guided us to the Lands End Lookout. This is the site of the Sutro Baths. The Visitor Center is worth seeing. As a photographer, the old images were amazing. The building is designed for good viewing. I found out that the climate is usually very different from other parts of the city. It is windy, cloudy and misty. Sacramento hit the 100 degree mark a couple of times this past week. What a change, and to think we just traveled two hours.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Land’s End Visitor Center

Next time I will follow the path down to the Baths and explore the caves.

This image was taken with my new Panasonic LUMIX zs50

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000115 — More flowers leading to the Sutro Baths

This trip I used some lighter gear. I brought my 4/3 mirrorless Olympus OMD-E5. I mainly used my 12-50mm lens, and my 75mm 1.8 lens. I also brought along my newest toy, the Panasonic Lumix ZS50. I purchased this super zoom point & shoot from Costco. Light and easy to use, and I wanted to see what kind of images I could get on mainly auto/ aperture and program modes.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000117 — SOme depth of field seen here Not bad at all.

The box says it is a compact travel camera. I want to be able to hand the camera to someone so that I can get in the picture, sometimes. Also, this was a getaway, and not a photoshoot with my photo buddies.

Parking was super easy, and free. Much to my surprise. We headed to the Cliff House for a different view of the Sutro Baths. There are a couple of eateries that take advantage of the great views, but we didn’t partake.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000121 — Home of Camera Obscura

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000123 — Ocean Beach with no sun bathers

Just a lonely fisherman.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000122 — Captured this image with my super zoom

We were getting hungry so we headed to our next destination, Pier 23 Cafe off the Embarcadero. Diners, Drive Ins and Dives visited this place and David wanted to try it, though he could not remember what Guy ate. The clam chowder was tasty. We ordered the SF Crab and Shrimp sandwich to share. Did I say we were hungry? Sandwich was good, but the crab and shrimp could have been more flavorful.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000138 — Just H2O. Dined outside, in the shade.

This place is Dog Friendly.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000141 — VIsiting pooch

Rested, we walked up to Pier 39 to hang out at Fisherman’s Wharf. Lots to see. Lots to photograph.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000144 — Good name for this eatery

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000164 — Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000154 — Imagine a whole shop for Left-Handed people

I found a shop called Bow Wow and had to check it out. LOoked hard, and even found Schnoodle Wear!

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000158 — Cartoonist trying to capture this family

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000165 — Scene from Forest Gump

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000161 — Ahh! Huddling together.

I’m impressed with this new camera.

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000159 — Now that is one hungry person!

1606_07_SanFrancisco_1000145 — I prefer Ben & Jerry’s. We indulged.

Walking along the Embarcadero we were entertained.

Walked a lot. Now tired, our day away was over. Unfortunately, we should have paid more attention to the time, and avoid getting stuck in traffic. CAught some images while stuck in rush hour traffic.