Western Addition

When I moved to San Francisco, I was confused about the Western Addition, especially as it’s closer to the eastern side of the city than to the western side. Turns out, it’s an area that was annexed to the city in the 19th century as the city expanded westward. So I guess it makes sense. What matters is that it’s an area made up of small neighborhoods and that it contains a number of interesting sights, most of which are off the tourist-beaten path.

St. Mary’s Cathedral

The very modern St. Mary’s Cathedral was built 1967-1971. It replaced the previous cathedral that was destroyed by arson in 1962. That cathedral had replaced San Francisco’s original cathedral. That 1st cathedral still stands in Chinatown. We visited Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in 2016.

I wasn't expecting this! Stained glass that rises to the top of the cathedral ceiling, makes a cross, then comes back down again. San Francisco, United States, North America. — I wasn’t expecting this! Stained glass that rises to the top of the cathedral ceiling, makes a cross, then comes back down again.

The bright, airy, space-age altar. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The bright, airy, space-age altar.

Most church sanctuaries don't come with a city view, but St. Mary's Cathedral's does. And of course, there's the dome of City Hall. San Francisco, United States North America. — Most church sanctuaries don’t come with a city view, but St. Mary’s Cathedral’s does. And of course, there’s the dome of City Hall.

Like just about everything in San Francisco, St. Mary’s Cathedral sits on a hill. It’s only appropriate that it’s Cathedral Hill.

Wow, this stained glass is over the entrance, but you have no idea what's in store when you see it from the outside. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Wow, this stained glass is over the entrance, but you have no idea what’s in store when you see it from the outside.

Another wow! The Cathedral's unusual organ was built in Padua, Italy. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Another wow! The Cathedral’s unusual organ was built in Padua, Italy.

Alamo Square

From St. Mary’s Cathedral on Cathedral Hill, I walked to Alamo Square. Alamo Square, a 4 city-block park, is, naturally, on Alamo Hill. It’s well known for the Painted Ladies and the view of Downtown San Francisco behind them.

The Painted Ladies are on the east side of Alamo Square. Here's the view looking west. Off in the distance are the towers of St. Ignatius Church (coming up next). San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Painted Ladies are on the east side of Alamo Square. Here’s the view looking west. Off in the distance are the towers of St. Ignatius Church (coming up next).

Looking northeast towards Downtown. And what's that right in the middle of the picture? It's none other than St. Mary's Cathedral. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Looking northeast towards Downtown. And what’s that right in the middle of the picture? It’s none other than St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Not the famous Painted Ladies, but these are some lovely ladies on the west side of Alamo Square. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Not the famous Painted Ladies, but these are some lovely ladies on the west side of Alamo Square.

The William Westerfeld House on the northern side of Alamo Square is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1889 for a German-born confectioner. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The William Westerfeld House on the northern side of Alamo Square is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1889 for a German-born confectioner.

St. Ignatius Church

From Alamo Square, I hopped a bus to Lone Mountain to check out St. Ignatius Church.

A figure above the entrance to St. Ignatius Church. Saint Ignatius, I presume? San Francisco, United States, North America. — A figure above the entrance to St. Ignatius Church. Saint Ignatius, I presume?

Looking due east to the ubiquitous City Hall. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Looking due east to the ubiquitous City Hall.

The light interior of St. Ignatius. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The light interior of St. Ignatius.

An arcaded side aisle in St. Ignatius. San Francisco, United States, North America. — An arcaded side aisle in St. Ignatius.

The 14th station of the Cross: His Third Fall. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The 14th station of the Cross: His Third Fall.

Hey, there's Temple Emanu-El and, behind it, the Presidio from 2016! San Francisco, United States, North America. — Hey, there’s Temple Emanu-El and, behind it, the Presidio from 2016!

Bush Street-Cottage Row Historic District

I came to see Cottage Row. I was surprised to find historic Victorian architecture on Bush Street. San Francisco, United States, North America. — I came to see Cottage Row. I was surprised to find historic Victorian architecture on Bush Street.

From Lone Mountain, I took the bus to my final destination of the day, Japantown. But before getting the day’s 2nd dose of Asian culture, I made a detour to a little-known San Francisco site. And I ended up stumbling upon another.

The colorful homes of Cottage Row. Cottage Row was built in the late 19th century as an English-style development of connected houses. They were developed to be owned by a single landlord. The homes were eventually sold individually in the mid-20th century. (Hey! Where did that blue sky come from?) San Francisco, United States, North America. — The colorful homes of Cottage Row. Cottage Row was built in the late 19th century as an English-style development of connected houses. They were developed to be owned by a single landlord. The homes were eventually sold individually in the mid-20th century. (Hey! Where did that blue sky come from?)

A sample of the historic Victorian houses along the historic district on Bush Street. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A sample of the historic Victorian houses along the historic district on Bush Street.

Japantown

Japantown is a fun attraction in San Francisco. But it comes with the reminder of the horrific internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II. The neighborhood was vacated when American citizens of Japanese descent were immorally shipped off to American concentration camps.

The concrete Peace Pagoda--presented to San Francisco in 1968 from Osaka as a gift between sister cities--is the symbol of Japantown. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The concrete Peace Pagoda–presented to San Francisco in 1968 from Osaka as a gift between sister cities–is the symbol of Japantown.

Just like I was surprised to stumble across the historic district of Victorians along Bush Street, I was delighted to discover the Japantown History Walk. It’s a short walk through the neighborhood with interpretative signs and photos along the way. I found it to be a great way to gain an appreciation of the history of the neighborhood. Naturally, it touches upon the Japanese-American internment, along with the post-war rejuvenation of Japantown.