rainbow world fund bus

I spotted this Rainbow World Fund bus as I was walking up Market towards Castro. I hadn't heard of this relief organization before:
www.rainbowfund.org

street at dusk

A man was sleeping next to his bike on this quiet street.

Golden Gate bridge in fog

Sometimes it gets so foggy you literally can't see the bridge until you're on it...

enormous kite

I have to admit this photo was taken a few months ago, in spring when the grass was still green and the wildflowers were out, but it is so cheerful in that SF-in-the-spring way that I had to post it. Took this out the window of our car as we drove by - this guy was flying the most incredibly huge kite and tons of kids were chasing after it. I only wish I could have captured them too.

7th St at dusk

I took this is on a quiet and eerie bike ride. I like the evening light reflecting off the painted arrows. The 80 freeway is above, to the right. 

Takahashi building

A rare example of a brick building. Most structures in SF are built out of more flexible material such as wood, due to the risk of earthquakes.

house on fire mural

This mural covers an entire block just off Harrison, near 15th Street. It's a cool one - quite a crazy scene. I couldn't even fit it all into one frame, standing across the street.

swooping freeways

This was taken in SoMA (south of Market) where the 101 and 80 freeways come into the city. 

nightfall

doll on dashboard

This doll was sitting on the dashboard in an electric van belonging to a handyman in the Castro.

zipcar and a shack

Urban parking lot scene... a strange mixture of order and desolation.

Alemany graffiti

Graffiti is somewhat of a fixture of this town. You see it everywhere, and some of the murals are pretty amazing. This modest example is right by the Alemany market, just southeast of the city.

house in Bernal Heights

There is a row of little houses snuggled together towards the back of Bernal Heights. This one had caught my eye several times before. It just looks so cute and homey. 

on Harrison around 20th

Harrisson St at the East edge of the Mission. The streets around here are kind of quiet and a mixture of residences and old warehouses. And this street has a good bike lane too.

farmer's market

This weekend I did one of my favorite things, stock up on delicious fruit and veg at the farmer's market. I recently moved here from the East coast, so California really does feel like a cornucopia produce-wise.  

the apple store staircase

I went to the Apple Store in SF and took this pic from behind the glass staircase. On either side of the stairs you see people milling about in the store, and straight ahead,  you see people on the street walking by.

ferry building

One of the main ferry terminals at the Embarcadero, with downtown buildings in the background. The clock tower belongs to the main ferry building, which houses a farmer's market, shops (mainly gourmet foods), and restaurants.

technicolor house

While I'm on the subject of Painted Ladies, check this one out. SO ridiculously colorful! 

painted ladies with people walking by

The Victorian style houses of San Francisco are often painted in super bright colors, usually with a different color for the window frames and architectural trimmings. These 3 "Painted Ladies" are located on Valencia St.

Mission pool

This is the last outdoor community pool in San Francisco. And it has such a cool mural on the front. It is usually only open in the summertime.

Los Rosales - authentic mexican food

The tables here looked inviting.

foxy lady boutique

This shop is on Mission near 22nd St. Apparently it's a great place to purchase a Halloween costume.

parking lot

I liked the way the late afternoon sun was casting shadows on the corrugated metal siding on the buildings at the back of this small parking lot in the Mission.

girl and gulls on beach

This girl was squealing with delight as the seagulls swooped above her. 

This photo was taken just south of San Francisco at Half Moon Bay where they hold the world famous annual surfing competition, Mavericks Surf Contest.

http://www.maverickssurf.com/home/

foggy sunset over sutro tower

In the evenings, the fog rolls in from the Pacific.  As one friend put it, it's like dry ice being poured over the hilltops.

alcatraz in the fog

Here's Alcatraz prison looking mysterious in the foggy distance.