USA Day 1- Downtown San Francisco

Day 1 was an easy day, just right for a jet lagged traveler like me. My friend Mary took me strolling on downtown San Francisco. Her daughter, Maia, came with us. 

We started with the Civic Center, where Mary works.  It is the where government offices, as well as cultural centers are. In the civic center, one will find museums, theaters and opera houses. 

The City Hall, said to be the "centerpiece" of the civic center, is simply beautiful.  Its classical architectural design and large dome is quite a sight.  Infront of the city hall is the Civic Center Plaza, a huge open space, where people can hang out.  Infront of the plaza, is a weekend market.

San Francisco City Hall

Me and Mary infront of the San Francisco City Hall

I was surprised to see many homeless people loitering the plaza and the nearby streets.Not what I expected in a first world country.  But I am equally surprised to see many people giving out clothes and food stuff to the homeless.  Also not what I am expecting from a big city where people are perceived to be "too busy". San Francisco has a heart for the homeless. Which my friend says both a good thing, and a bad thing.  The bad thing is that homeless people flock to San Francisco from other cities and state because of the generosity of the city and its people. 

The weekend market

From the civic center, we took the BART to Powell Street- close to where the cable cars are, and the Union Square.

There's a long queue for the cable car , so just took a picture at one of the cable cars resting by the road, waiting to be turned around. Well, it surprised me that cable cars are turned around manually on a round wooden platform.  After it is turned and lined up, it is pushed out of the turn around platform, to the track. 

The Cable Car being turned around and pushed back to the track

We headed to the shopping district, the Union Square.  It is said to be the area where rallies for the Union Army was held, during the American Civil War in the 1800s. In the middle of the square is the victory monument.  Today, the Union Square holds a vast collection of hotels, boutiques and department stores. 

At the Union Square

Victory Monument at the Union Square

Upscale boutiques at the Union Square

And of course, one should not miss the giant hearts  at the Union Square. Artists created these heart sculptures, inspired by the song"I left my heart in San Francisco". But more than that, proceeds raised by the hearts were donated to a hospital.

Indeed, San Francisco is a city with a heart (or hearts).