Walk #2 from the 'Stairway Walks in SF' book!

Today was an afternoon set aside to do another walk from the 'Stairway Walks in San Francisco' book. David and Vasi were also available so after lunch we hit the trail.

We planned on taking the bus but were able to have another friend drop us off at Bay and Mason. This made parking a lot easier..... The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and temperature was about 70 degrees. We started the walk at 1:30 p.m.

We decided on doing the Walk #2 in the book because this was David and Vasi's first time and we wanted to have something in the middle of the walk that would be interesting.....I'd say a tour of Coit Tower would be the ticket!

I photocopied a map for everyone, I had the book and my iPhone with the map loaded in the RunKeeper as I did on the previous walk. We began the walk in the pre-1849 shoreline!! Crazy to think this part was under water!!

I read the history printed in the book as we traveled the streets. At point #15 and right before Point #21 it was a little confusing and the four of us had to put our heads together to figure it out. Ah! David was right!

They've lived in SF for 25 years and they'd NEVER been inside the Coit Tower! To go on a day like today was the BEST!

Walking to the end of the Kearny cul-de-sac the view of the 'lowlands', Marin County, boats anchored at Pier 39, the view of Pier 35 and 33, AND a ship!

This photo was taken at this spot - see the ship and the bay bridge.

The book states that this location is a great little spot to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July! Hmmmm......have to remember that one!!

The second set of stairways on the walk. Dick making his way. At the top is Coit Tower.

I turned around and this is what I saw.

Yes, in the middle of the photo, at the very top, the green area,

is the crookedest street - Lombard!

Made it!!

Not too sure about the face I am making but had to post the traditional pic, "holding the book"!

We paid the $5 each and took the elevator to the top! Yup, INSIDE the nozzle of Coit Tower!

Yes, that is the blue sky peeking through! Told you it was a gorgeous day!!

Looking out all of the plexi-glass windows inside the tower. The views are spectacular!!

After the tower, we made our way down an absolutely beautiful stairway. The gardens were lush. This is the area where wild parrots like to hang out. Unfortunately we didn't see any - THIS TIME!

A new word for us is 'twitton'. We walked down two of these types of streets today. A twitton is what the British call a small, charming street.

We were a little rushed because we had to pick Taylor up from school at 3:25. The walk took 1.5 hours. WHEN we do this walk again, I'd give myself 2.5 hours!! (The book suggests giving 2.5 hours for each walk) We would have LOVED to stop in one of the few 'watering holes' for a few sips of a cold one, stayed longer up in the tower, sat on a bench in the gardens, or even spend some time looking for those parrots! I know there will be a next time. It was a great walk.....even during the confusing parts!