It’s been over three years since I’ve been to one of my favorite places. Covid put a stop to the annual San Fransisco ACC craft show and I haven’t been back since August 2019.

I’ve missed my annual trip there, so I was very happy to be able to go down for a short visit. This time, instead of August, with the perfect San Fransisco sun and ocean breezes, it was cool January with lots of rain, rain, rain. You’ve read about their flooding? I packed a rain coat and warm sweaters.

Happily, there were enough breaks in the weather for walks in the neighborhoods and visits to parks.

California is not Oregon. They have citrus trees. With oranges. Right in their front yards.

Definitely not Portland.

And lemon trees.

In Oakland, right next to the sidewalk and hanging over fences.

Lemons.

And magnolias blooming.

Portland has magnolias, but they won’t bloom for weeks and weeks.

There weren’t a lot of signs of the heavy rains, except I did see evidence in the lake at Oakland’s Temescal Park.

From all the run off, the water was a muddy brown color and over flowing its banks.

But still beautiful.

No fishing.

Most definitely required for me, a day in San Fransisco.

Did I mention it’s one of my favorite cities???

I still get a thrill when I see its outline cross the bay.

First stop, the Presidio. An army base until 1994, it is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The old army buildings are still in use, except now, instead of soldiers, they are leased to businesses and organizations.

I was there to see the most recent addition, the Tunnel Tops park.

The Presidio Tunnels Parkway, the southern highway access to the Golden Gate bridge, goes through two tunnels. On top is the Tunnel Tops Park.

Below is a 3-D map showing the park. That’s the Golden Gate Bridge in the upper right corner of the picture. Can you see the highway disappearing under the park?

Maybe easier to see in this detail shot. There are two tunnels, you can see them better here.

My photo, showing the highway appearing from under the park and disappearing through the second tunnel in the distance.

This beautiful park has amazing views of the bridge,

and in the distance, the city. Can you see the pyramid?

Here’s a hint, for a relatively empty park, visit on a cool, cloudy day in January.

Next up, a short visit to the Japan Center.

Packed with visitors on a rainy Sunday, it really felt like Japan.

Restaurants displaying their menu selections with examples in plastic.

Rows of gorgeous papers in the stationary store.

And good wishes for a Happy New Year of the rabbit.

The year of the rabbit is the luckiest. It symbolizes hope and mercy, elegance and contemplation.

Which sounds good to me. I’d love a little more hope, mercy, elegance and contemplation.
I send Happy Year of the Rabbit wishes to you!