Chinatown and the Financial District

Welcome to the last regularly scheduled sightseeing day of the 2016 sightseeing season! (Notice how I qualified that “last”?)

Chinatown

Chinatown is easily San Francisco’s most famous neighborhood. It was established (like so much of San Francisco) during the Gold Rush years. It’s the most densely populated neighborhood in the country west of Manhattan. I took quite a few pictures of Chinatown when I passed through on Day 1 along the Barbary Coast Trail. Now I was back for further exploration. Francisco joined me for the day.

The Streets of Chinatown

On the first floor, it's a post office. On the top floor, it's an ancient Chinese temple--Kong Chow Temple. Well, obviously the temple site itself isn't that ancient, but the congregation was founded in 1849. The temple contains lots of religious antiques imported from China. No pictures allowed. San Francisco, United States, North America. — On the first floor, it’s a post office. On the top floor, it’s an ancient Chinese temple–Kong Chow Temple. Well, obviously the temple site itself isn’t that ancient, but the congregation was founded in 1849. The temple contains lots of religious antiques imported from China. No pictures allowed.

Waverly Place is one of Chinatown's colorful narrow alleys. One floor above the red column on the left is another penthouse Chinese temple. The current Tin How Temple was built in 1910 after the original was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. For being such a small spot, it's very impressive and jammed with religious decorative items. No pictures allowed. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Waverly Place is one of Chinatown’s colorful narrow alleys. One floor above the red column on the left is another penthouse Chinese temple. The current Tin How Temple was built in 1910 after the original was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. For being such a small spot, it’s very impressive and jammed with religious decorative items. No pictures allowed.

"Chinese Still Life" mural in Chinatown. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Chinese Still Life” mural in Chinatown.

There must always be ducks. San Francisco, United States, North America. — There must always be ducks.

The Chinatown YWCA was designed by celebrated San Francisco architect Julia Morgan. The building is now occupied by the Chinese Historical Society of America. The CHSA was still installing an ambition exhibition, so I had to return another time. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Chinatown YWCA was designed by celebrated San Francisco architect Julia Morgan. The building is now occupied by the Chinese Historical Society of America. The CHSA was still installing an ambition exhibition, so I had to return at a later date.

Lovely decor on the exterior of the Chinatown YWCA building, now home to the Chinese Historical Society of America. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Lovely decor on the exterior of the Chinatown YWCA building, now home to the Chinese Historical Society of America.

Beautiful Chinatown mural. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Beautiful Chinatown mural.

It doesn't get much more Chinatown than this! The East West Bank building was originally built around the turn of the 20th century as the Chinatown Telephone Exchange. San Francisco, United States, North America. — It doesn’t get much more Chinatown than this! The East West Bank building was originally built around the turn of the 20th century as the Chinatown Telephone Exchange.

Portsmouth Square

I stopped by historic Portsmouth Square along the Barbary Coast Trail on Day 1. As it’s a center of Chinatown community culture, I stop by again on Day 7.

On Day 1, we saw replicas of China's Terracotta Warriors at the Hilton Financial District, adjacent to Portsmouth Square and home of the Chinese Cultural Center. Among other Chinese objects on display in the Hilton's lobby are these 19th-century wood panels decorated with gold lacquer depicting a scene from the life of a celebrated 8th-century general. San Francisco, United States, North America. — On Day 1, we saw replicas of China’s Terracotta Warriors at the Hilton Financial District, adjacent to Portsmouth Square and home of the Chinese Cultural Center. Among other Chinese objects on display in the Hilton’s lobby are these 19th-century wood panels decorated with gold lacquer depicting a scene from the life of a celebrated 8th-century general.

Pacific Heritage Museum

The Pacific Heritage Museum is one of the oddest attractions in San Francisco. It is housed in a building that incorporates the former US Sub-Treasury Building, built in 1875. (The Sub-Treasury was the precursor to the Federal Reserve Bank.) The building itself was built on the site of the first San Francisco Mint. The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 to service the needs of the Gold Rush economy. By 1874, the demands of booming San Francisco outgrew the facilities. The building was demolished and the operations moved into what is now the Old Mint.

As you would expect from a museum with contemporary Chinese art on the upper floors, the basement of the Pacific Heritage Museum has exhibits relating to the Gold Rush. Actually, it shows the original treasury functions of the building. San Francisco, United States, North America. — As you would expect from a museum with contemporary Chinese art on the upper floors, the basement of the Pacific Heritage Museum has exhibits relating to the Gold Rush. Actually, it shows the original treasury functions of the building.

Financial District

As odd as the Pacific Heritage Museum is, its dual nature makes for a perfect segue from Chinatown to the Financial District. The Pacific Heritage Museum is located on Commercial Street, the narrow, now quiet street that was a major business thoroughfare during the Gold Rush era. Commercial Street not one of today’s busy streets of San Francisco’s teeming Financial District. But it’s the perfect route to make a historical straight shot from Chinatown to the Financial District.

Financial District Important Architecture of Financial Importance

On the special Weekday Edition, I bathed in the mightiness of the Transamerica Pyramid and the splendor of the Merchants Exchange Building. That was just a taste of the architecture that embodies San Francisco’s past financial glories.

The truly exquisite detail above the entrance to the Kohl Building. The building was developed in 1901 by Alvinza Hayward, who made many fortunes off of silver and gold. Capitalist C. Frederick Kohl bought the building in 1904 and put his mark on it. Due to unusually sturdy construction for the time, the building survived the 1906 earthquake and fire with minimal damage. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The truly exquisite detail above the entrance to the Kohl Building. The building was developed in 1901 by Alvinza Hayward, who made many fortunes off of silver and gold. Capitalist C. Frederick Kohl bought the building in 1904 and put his mark on it. Due to unusually sturdy construction for the time, the building survived the 1906 earthquake and fire with minimal damage.

555 California Street was built in 1969 as the Bank of America Center, world headquarters of the Bank of America. It was the tallest building in San Francisco for 3 years, until being overtaken by the infinitely more iconic Transamerica Pyramid. San Francisco, United States, North America. — 555 California Street was built in 1969 as the Bank of America Center, world headquarters of the Bank of America. It was the tallest building in San Francisco for 3 years, until being overtaken by the infinitely more iconic Transamerica Pyramid.

The Pacific Coast Stock Exchange was built in 1930 in the Depression-era Moderne style (similar to the new US Mint building.) The stock exchange closed in 2006. The building now houses a gym. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Pacific Coast Stock Exchange was built in 1930 in the Depression-era Moderne style (similar to the new US Mint building.) The stock exchange closed in 2006. The building now houses a gym.

This grandiose Art Deco sculpture in front of the Pacific Stock Exchange, somehow, represents California "Industry". The other sculpture, seen in the previous picture on the left, represents "Agriculture". Interestingly, the sculptures remind me very much of statues at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympics stadium that my guidebook called fascist art. San Francisco, United States, North America. — This grandiose Art Deco sculpture in front of the Pacific Stock Exchange, somehow, represents California “Industry”. The other sculpture, seen in the previous picture on the left, represents “Agriculture”. Interestingly, the sculptures remind me very much of statues at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympics stadium that my guidebook called fascist art.

The Bank of California Building, built in 1908 in a Greco-Roman style. (I think it's fair to call it Neoclassical.) The building is affectionately known as "the Grand Old Lady of California Street". San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Bank of California Building, built in 1908 in a Greco-Roman style. (I think it’s fair to call it Neoclassical.) The building is affectionately known as “the Grand Old Lady of California Street”.

Francisco and a VERY BIG DOOR at the Bank of California Building. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Francisco and a VERY BIG DOOR at the Bank of California Building.

Embarcadero Center

The Embarcadero Center is a large retail/office/hotel complex built in the ’70s and ’80s where the Financial District meets the waterfront (otherwise known as the Embarcadero). It is arranged along an east-west axis continuing from Commercial Street, and headed straight towards the Ferry Building. We previously saw some of the Embarcadero’s office towers on the special Weekday Edition.

Fern and curves at the Embarcadero Center. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Fern and curves at the Embarcadero Center.

"The Tulip". What architectural detail could scream late '70s/early '80s than a giant concrete tulip? In the background, the fabulous Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “The Tulip”. What architectural detail could scream late ’70s/early ’80s than a giant concrete tulip? In the background, the fabulous Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge.

"The Tulip" in full bloom, with matching towers of the Embarcadero Center. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “The Tulip” in full bloom, with matching towers of the Embarcadero Center.

The atrium of the Hyatt Regency is the world's largest hotel lobby. It was prominently featured in "The Towering Inferno" and "High Anxiety". The sculpture "Eclipse" sits in the center of the lobby. Naturally, it changes color. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The atrium of the Hyatt Regency is the world’s largest hotel lobby. It was prominently featured in “The Towering Inferno” and “High Anxiety”. The sculpture “Eclipse” sits in the center of the lobby. Naturally, it changes color.

Behind the Hyatt Regency, where the Embarcadero Center meets the Embarcadero, stands "La Chiffonierre" ("the Rag Woman"). I always thought it was supposed to be made of pieces of a puzzle, but maybe I was wrong. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Behind the Hyatt Regency, where the Embarcadero Center meets the Embarcadero, stands “La Chiffonierre” (“the Rag Woman”). I always thought it was supposed to be made of pieces of a puzzle, but maybe I was wrong.

San Francisco Ferry Building

Before the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge opened in the ’30s, taking a ferry was often the best option for reaching San Francisco. The Ferry Building, built in 1898, was a major transportation hub in the city. Now it is a busy office and retail complex.

The design of the beautiful Ferry Building's clock tower was based on a bell tower in Seville, Spain. For about 30 years, an elevated highway blocked the view of the Ferry Building. It was torn down after the 1989 earthquake, making the entrance to the Ferry Building from the Financial District a much more welcoming zone. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The design of the beautiful Ferry Building’s clock tower was based on a bell tower in Seville, Spain. For about 30 years, an elevated highway blocked the view of the Ferry Building. It was torn down after the 1989 earthquake, making the entrance to the Ferry Building from the Financial District a much more welcoming zone.

On the 2nd floor of the Ferry Building, a large mosaic of the Great Seal of the State of California. San Francisco, United States, North America. — On the 2nd floor of the Ferry Building, a large mosaic of the Great Seal of the State of California.

Out in front of the Ferry Building, I couldn't resist getting a picture of Classical Guitar Jukebox Monkey and his inanimate pets. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Out in front of the Ferry Building, I couldn’t resist getting a picture of Classical Guitar Jukebox Monkey and his inanimate pets.

Tourists (and some locals) pack the food hall on the 1st floor of the Ferry Building. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Tourists (and some locals) pack the food hall on the 1st floor of the Ferry Building.

Just as you'd expect, there's a statue of Mahatma Ghandi behind the Ferry Building on the waterfront side. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Just as you’d expect, there’s a statue of Mahatma Ghandi behind the Ferry Building on the waterfront side.

Walking north from the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero, I came across something I'd never noticed before on the San Francisco waterfront. Originally built in 1994 as a Missouri River floating casino. The "San Francisco Belle" is now the largest dining yacht on the West Coast. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Walking north from the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero, I came across something I’d never noticed before on the San Francisco waterfront. Originally built in 1994 as a Missouri River floating casino. The *San Francisco Belle* is now the largest dining yacht on the West Coast.

The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a very hands-on science museum located along the Embarcadero. I found it a little ADHD-inducing, but it is a fun place. (During the 2017 sightseeing season, I discovered that when it comes to San Francisco science museums, I much prefer the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.)

2 upside-down pictures of "Vanna" at the Exploratorium. What's the big deal? San Francisco, United States, North America. — 2 upside-down pictures of “Vanna” at the Exploratorium. What’s the big deal?

YIKES! Turn each "Vanna" right-side up, and Vanna on the right will give you nightmares! San Francisco, United States, North America. — YIKES! Turn each “Vanna” right-side up, and Vanna on the right will give you nightmares!

There's so many of me inside this mirrored contraption at the Exploratorium. San Francisco, United States, North America. — There’s so many of me inside this mirrored contraption at the Exploratorium.

Francisco and me at the Exploratorium, in living thermal imaging. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Francisco and me at the Exploratorium, in living thermal imaging.

Would you drink out of this unusual water fountain at the Exploratorium? I did. And it was a little unnerving. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Would you drink out of this unusual water fountain at the Exploratorium? I did. And it was a little unnerving.

The Cable Car Museum

After the Exploratorium, Francisco and I traveled back across Chinatown to reach the free and fascinating Cable Car Museum. The Cable Car Museum is not just a museum. It’s the cable car powerhouse–the beating heart of San Francisco’s cable car system

The only surviving car of the Clay Street Hill Railroad, the world's first cable car line. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The only surviving car of the Clay Street Hill Railroad, the world’s first cable car line.

Fascinating! The actual cable car cables in motion. There are 3 cable car lines, but they run on 4 cables. Makes sense, as one Powell line turns onto Mason and the other one on to Hyde. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Fascinating! The actual cable car cables in motion. There are 3 cable car lines, but they run on 4 cables. Makes sense, as one Powell line turns onto Mason and the other one on to Hyde.

On no! The cable cars were almost shut down in 1947. Popular support kept them running. San Francisco, United States, North America. — On no! The cable cars were almost shut down in 1947. Popular support kept them running.

Museums are cool, but ain't nothing like the real thing, baby! A Powell-Mason car spinning around on its turntable at Powell & Market. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Museums are cool, but ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby! A Powell-Mason car spinning around on its turntable at Powell & Market.

Well, that was the last regularly scheduled day of the 2016 sightseeing season. And yes, Chinese food was eaten in Chinatown. But as I alluded to above, there was still some sightseeing to be done before the year was out. Stay tuned.

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]