Big 10 Football Tour

Day 2 started with some more below-average weather and the first goal was to take a glance at the most-photographed-bridge-in-the-world, the Golden Gate Bridge.  Honestly, I think the Bay Bridge is a lot more impressive, but how many people that haven't been to SF have heard of the Bay Bridge?

If you own a dog and feel that it's getting rather lonely, you may want to take it to Crissy Field below the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's basically a beach where dogs can roam free of leashes, bite on pieces of diftwood, and swim in water that had a large-scale oil spill in it just two years ago.

The next stop was at Golden Gate Park.  This park is just garganutuan and said to be 20% larger than New York's Central Park.  Unfortunately, you're probably a lot less likely to witness a crime in Golden Gate Park.

Probably the thing that is most worth seeing is the North windwill, which was recently restored to resembled its original 1903 appearance.  While the creepy windmills in the Midwest are surronded by grassy flatlands, this windmill is surronded by the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. 

Next up, the Cliff House.  From here you get some amazing views of the nearby beach and ocean.  But that's all you'll get for under $50.  The restaurant is extremely pricey!

Well, you've certainly heard of South Beach, Redondo Beach, Imperial Beach, Myrtle Beach and several other famous beaches, but probably not too much about San Francisco Beach.  That's probably because it's often frigid and well, more than a few people have perished here.

Finally, our trip concludes in one of my new favorite places in America, Haight/Ashbury.  This place became famous in the 1960's due to the "hippie movement."  It was home to the "Summer of Love" in 1967.  Both Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead lived nearby. 

Drug references are plentiful up and down the streets and it's great to see a true lack of recognizable corporate names. 

I would definitely recommend stopping in at Hobson's Choice for a drink or bite to eat.  This place, like many other in SF allow dogs in the restaurant.  The signature of this place is the punch bowl behind the way; but be careful this punch will catch up to you quickly.

The best part of Haight Ashbury is simply walking up and down the street and taking in all of the unique sights, whether it be the art, the shops, or the very different people you'll find.

On the way back to where we were staying, we stopped at Half Moon Bay.  Some of the most amazing views in America can be had here, but getting back to civilization can be a bit challenging.