Polk Gulch & Russian Hill: Part Two

The climb up Union to Hyde Street led us to the original Swensen's Ice Cream Shop.  We stopped for a cone and, as directed by the card, to appreciate the "low hum of the cable car tracks" on Hyde Street.

I think Cole looks somewhat grim in this photo because she had realized that my Swiss Orange Chip was far better than her Carmel Marble.  I shared with her.

We then headed up to Lombard Street, where a throng of tourists was snapping photos and speaking in various languages at the top of the hill.  The view was amazing--you can see Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Bay Bridge all from the top of the street.  Not to mention the homes and gardens along the switchbacks.

We again followed the card's advice:  "Savor the glorious views from this popular perch, watch the cable cars climb Hyde's steep incline, and peer down Lombard Street, the city's most scenic and famous street, paved in signature pink brick and lined with abundant  hydrangeas and handsome homes.  Built in 1922 with an astonishing eight switchbacks packed into one block, the street was designed to make the hilltop accessible to automobiles."  And accessible it is--I wonder how the Lombard residents like having tourists driving down their street all day long.  On second thought, they're probably too busy eating truffles and being waited upon in the sanctity of their mansions to even notice...

After descending the crooked street, the card wanted us to check out the Diego Rivera mural at the San Francisco Art Institute on Chestnut, but since it was Sunday and probably closed, we bypassed that.  Raincheck!  Instead we wandered further into the neighborhood, climbing more hills and happening upon this idyllic little park. Fay Park has both a house and the garden that were bequeathed to the city by their wealthy owner.

I can't even begin to describe how good this garden smelled...roses were in bloom everywhere!

Tomorrow I'll post about more hill climbing as we looked for Macondray Lane...