san francisco, california

perhaps san fran's most famous skyscrapper is the transamerica building with its pyramid shape.  this photo doesn't show the actual shape of the building, but gives you a distorted view that makes you think the building is taller than it actually is.  you can find a standard photo of it here.

i arrived in san francisco at around midday.  after going to the office to pick up some work and sort out some logistics of the coming week, i started to go for a walk around san francisco itself.  for whatever reason, san francisco always makes me feel at home and that feeling starts the moment i get to the city.  perhaps its because it is so similar to melbourne in many respects:

•  its weather - today was a cold, but sunny 51F (10.5C).  tomorrow, when i hopefully don't kill myself riding a bike for the first time in 10 years, will be the same.  speaking of which, what on earth do you wear for a half day bike ride around san fran when its both sunny and cold and you're going to get hot riding, then immediately cold when you stop - all without even considering wind shear on the bridge!  but i digress.
• its cable cars (see above) - they're kind of like trams, aren't they?  cable car rides are particularly expensive though.  i have to find a pass so i can ride up and down them at a economical cost!
• its people - nice, friendly, open and accepting
• shops - it has all the shopping you need.  no it doesn't have the same feel as 5th avenue or rodeo drive, but who on earth shops at those places regularly anyway

what it doesn't have is good coffee places, well, not that i've found.  around the corner from where we're staying is a new french bistro that i might try for breakfast tomorrow.

these are two shots of market street, which is probably the main drag of san francisco.  brrr. cold.