San Francisco February, 2013

I have friends in both LA and San Francisco, but prefer hotels for about the same reason provided for us by Oscar Wilde "I prefer to stay where I can complain that the bath water is not warm enough."  Well, there was little (nothing, really) to complain about at the immense Hilton (more than 1,000 rooms I think).  It is a good base line to evaluate complaints on Trip advisor.  I think no matter how nice a property, there will be 1% to 10% able to find something not quite up to their high standards.

I suspect it is partly the revenue flow from Silicon valley that has made SF a much more interesting city now than it was 15-20 years ago.  Granted it is an old city and has its rough edges.  The next block over from my Hilton and the Nikko Hotel, was a solid block of flop and charity houses for homeless, way down and out, very rough and tumble customers.  They were strewn all over both sides of the sidewalk, often in their own urine, many in long lines for food or a bed.  It reminded me of Toronto frankly.  I think - like Vancouver - they come from all over the U.S. for the weather and of course, flock to the big cities - unfortunately for SF.

The days I was there were just great to be alive.  The clear blue skies with 76 f. temp and no wind were such a pleasure compared with the February T.O. I left behind.  I went on a streetcar to the Golden Gate park to the Legion of Honor - an odd name for a major art gallery.  It is situated in the center of a golf course, and looks out to the Bay and GG bridge (hence the photo above.  It is a wonderful museum with many important paintings and a lot more Rodin statues.
Not far away is a sister Museum named the deYoung.  As a result of the last major quake, the old de Young had to be torn down and a new and strange, ultra modern gallery was built on the old footprint.  It is such a great museum with a drop dead collection.  They have one astonishing gallery of ceramic and glass.  In my third photo you can see part of what a colourful and exciting room it is, and two of several fine Chihuly glass works on the right side (in green and orange).  Also there is a glass imitation of a stained glass window entitled "The Messurection."  A girl has botched the resurrection of her rabbit (I think) and is parying about the whole matter.  It is truly funny.
There is a great view from the 9th floor of the admin tower of all SF, the rest of the park (photo 4) and the Bay. There was a Vermeer on display - as there was at the Getty (so only 13 exist and 2 were in LA and SF) and almost noting in art draws crowds like Mr. Vermeer.
There were a lot of really interesting and major commercial art galleries near Union Square.  I should have allowed more time for SF, as I did want to visit UC Berkeley.  But I did walk back to Union Square from GG park which goes through the old Haight Ashbury.  It is less interesting than in the 60s, but everything is, so it is all relative.
I really enjoyed SF and an anxious to return.