North Beach Festival and other sights

Like last weekend, I went for a walk through various neighborhoods.  I probably traveled 4 or 5 miles, but walking up the steep hills made it seem even farther!  It was a nice, leisurely stroll through the City By The Bay

The first place I walked to was the Ferry Building.  Inside there are shops and eateries.  Everything seemed a bit expensive, though.  

The stunning views of the Bay from behind the Ferry Building.

The Transamerica Pyramid taken near North Beach.

North Beach is the Italian neighborhood of San Francisco.  It's located near Chinatown.  This past weekend there was a festival celebrating the Italian culture and neighborhood.  The center of North Beach is probably Washington Park, located in front of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.  There were many arts and crafts booths, food booths and other displays throughout the area.  There was also a live band performing on stage in Washington Park as people sat on the grass to enjoy the beautiful afternoon.

 

There was also Arte di Gesso, Italian sidewalk chalk art displays.  Some of them were truly spectacular.

There was a booth set up by a Las Vegas tourism website.  This man was creating this incredible sand castle display in front of the booth. 

From there I walked through the streets of Chinatown.

This enormous American flag was flapping in the wind as I started an arduous climb up California Street, which is a main cable car line.  Chinatown, the Financial District and even the Bay Bridge can be seen off in the distance at the bottom of the hill.

I just liked the look of these hanging lights, also on California Street.

I finally ascended to the top of California Street, which is Nob Hill.  There are a few famous buildings located up here.  The first is the Mark Hopkins Hotel, a luxury hotel.  Of course, I've never stayed here because it looks very expensive.  There's a famous restaurant and cocktail lounge, Top of the Mark, located on the 19th floor of the hotel.  It is supposed to have a spectacular, 360 degree view of the city.

Just down the street is the famous Fairmont Hotel.  It too is a luxury hotel that opened in 1907.  It was actually nearly completed before the 1906 Earthquake but the interior was damaged by the quake.  It is listed as a National Historical place.  

Huntington Park

Across the street from the park is Grace Cathedral.  It is a famous church that is open to people of all races and religions.  There are beautiful stained glass windows inside as well as these brass carved doors on the outside.  One of the panels of The Doors of Paradise, which are carved in bronze by Italian Renaissance sculptor and bronze craftsman Lorenzo Ghiberti.  This scene is of Moses and the people at Sinai.