Cookie and Nora sit by Tony Bennett's vibrant heart in San Francisco's Union Square. |
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
IF YOU'RE strolling downtown San Francisco, you can't miss Union Square, that unique, bustling center of the city.
Tourists relax and listen to the buskers. In our several-day visit, we enjoyed a student choral group from Oregon, a local bagpiper, a jazz guitarist, an aging but capable operatic soprano, and a young flutist playing Mozart.
Pretty eateries and bistros welcome tourists and native sons to enjoy a snack or beverage in the spring sun, to read a good book, or just meditate and savor.
Well behaved dogs are welcome and Nick and Nora relished the attention they received from passers-by.
FRAMING the historic square are four artful hearts beckoning visitors to come in, relax, enjoy, leave a bit of their own hearts. That's easy!
The hearts are installed as tribute to San Francisco's magical effect on folks. They permanently surround the square, each heart artfully rendered by a well established artist.
This dapper elder enjoys his book in Union Square complete with gloves and hat. |
Bennett left his art heart on the Northwest corner of Union Square. The famed crooner, also a noted painter, crafted the vibrant red heart to symbolize his love of the town that helped cement his fame and icon status. Bennett's piece features the Golden Gate Bridge and hills of Marin County, symbolizing his abiding affection for the city which inspired his most famous song: "I Left my Heart in San Francisco.''
BENNETT'S heart art is one of San Francisco's many attractions in this beloved and beautiful town, one of America's great cities. San Francisco embodies the elements of a great city: food, fun, history, ethnic mix, landscape, architecture, global connection, performing arts and, the shining star, the sea!
Among the myriad other surprises and delights sampled on a recent trip:
The Hornblower dinner cruise offers a relaxing diversion and gorgeous sights. |
San Francisco is one of the world'great "foodie" towns. |
*We loved climbing up a "hidden stairway" to the top of the hill on which Coit Tower sits. Thanks to
If you've never hiked up the hill to Coit Tower, give it a try! |
*Our four-day gambol took us from downtown and the Diva, to the lovely Grace Cathedral, to Fisherman's Wharf for fish and chips, to Ghiradelli Square for chocolate, through the bustling Financial District, to Union Street for shopping and dining, to the Palace of Fine Arts and Alamo Square. We walked, took the bus, a couple taxis and the cable cars. We love the clang of the car bells -- rides are $6.50 now. Although we were tired one afternoon, we took
Coffee is an art form in San Francisco. |
*We played tourist one afternoon on Big Bus Tours, choosing it from the competition because it is dog friendly. This was another pleasant surprise. With Nick and Nora in tow, we took the top deck on the "just like London" double-decker buses, traversed the town from the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf to Symphony Hall and the Opera House and nearby Fulton Street, past the government buildings to the "painted lady"
Colorful homes of San Francisco attract attention from the bus! |
A happy Keller bids farewell to San Francisco by the Bay Bridge. |
OUR CONTEST continues: win an autographed, first edition poetry book by Bruce Kemp Meyers if your suggestion for a travel topic is chosen. And look for a column featuring trips on taking travel photos.
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