San Francisco
Our first stop was Chinatown, where the sounds, sights and aromas of the Orient surrounded us for some time. In some ways, Chinatown seemed to us “more Chinese” than Hong Kong!
As we 
wondered how to find a good place for lunch with so many restaurants to choose from, Judy picked just the right Chinese lady to ask. That’s how we ended up having Dim Sum at New Asia, obviously a favorite with the local Chinese people.
Some of what we saw along the way included an unexpected paddle wheeler, the San Francisco Belle, reminiscent of our Ohio River steamboats. Somehow it didn’t seem to belong in the San Francisco Bay.
A Day on Our Own
September 
18, 2008
18, 2008After two wonderful days with family and friends, we were on our own today to discover more of the heart of this diverse city. Thanks to the conductor on the first cable car we boarded, we found out we could purchase a day’s pass good for unlimited rides on any of the city’s modes of transportation. Of course, the famous and colorful cable cars, grinding their way up and down the extremely steep hills, were our first choice.
Our first stop was Chinatown, where the sounds, sights and aromas of the Orient surrounded us for some time. In some ways, Chinatown seemed to us “more Chinese” than Hong Kong!
As we 
wondered how to find a good place for lunch with so many restaurants to choose from, Judy picked just the right Chinese lady to ask. That’s how we ended up having Dim Sum at New Asia, obviously a favorite with the local Chinese people.Another cable car brought us into the area called Union Square, named for the rallies held here in support of the Union versus the Confederacy during the Civil War. This particular day it was being used to showcase area artists.
After a short bus ride, we found ourselves beside the San Francisco Bay waterfront exploring the rennovated Ferry Building. A variety of merchants occupy the premises, preserving the unique character of an era past. 
After enjoying hazelnut gelato while sitting on a bench beside the water, we started walking from pier to pier,watching the ferries in the bay.
After enjoying hazelnut gelato while sitting on a bench beside the water, we started walking from pier to pier,watching the ferries in the bay. 
Some of what we saw along the way included an unexpected paddle wheeler, the San Francisco Belle, reminiscent of our Ohio River steamboats. Somehow it didn’t seem to belong in the San Francisco Bay.
Innumerable ferries use the piers for daily commuters, and a tour company provides boats to take tourists to the infamous former prison island, Alcatraz. This didn’t really interest us, so we continued walking and enjoying the waterfront until we found a restaurant for dinner.
Not being far from a cable car terminus, we headed that direction, watched the cable car in the turnabout and hopped on to travel to a transfer stop where we took another cable car to within a few blocks of our hotel. It had been a long day with many truly San Francisco sights and tastes. Tomorrow morning we will climb aboard the California Zephyr on our way to Salt Lake City.
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