My City By The Bay

Aquatic Park located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco across street from the famed Ghirardelli Square is a beach lover’s delight.  As you can see from my photo above although at a distance,  there is a view of Alcatraz Island to your left, The Balclutha in the middle and Hyde Street Pier to your right.  There is also a public pier which is not visible in this photo,  I snapped the picture at the wrong angle, however if you walk to the end of the pier you can also view the Golden Gate Bridge as well as being much closer to Alcatraz and Hyde Street Pier.

There is an annual sand castle contest held during the summer months.  This is a popular little beach for tourists.  Above the beach is aquatic park which is right next to the Powell and Hyde cable car turnaround which is the end of the line for that particular route.  Within the park are benches where you can have lunch, read or feed the many birds who call the park their home.  There is also entertainment as well as street vendors selling their creations along the sidewalk on Beach street next to the park itself.  

Cross the street and you’re at the Buena Vista Cafe and one block over you’ll be greeted by Ghirardelli Square which I will be talking about at length in the weeks to come.

I vividly remember one afternoon while working at the square a friend and I left for lunch during a heavy rain.  While walking back to Ghirardelli Square along Aquatic Park it turned into a volatile thunder and lightning storm.  Although it was a bit scary to be in that open space with lightning strikes every few seconds it was one of the most beautiful events I had ever seen.  I know that sounds strange but you had to be there.  Just the way the lightning danced off the water and lit up the dark skies was quite a phenomenon.  

Aquatic Park is also the place to be during the 4th of July fireworks display, the Blue Angels acrobatics during fleet week and opening day on the bay where you can view all the sailing vessels.  It really is the spot for any event going on in that area.  On a warm day it is a great spot for picnics and also for taking photos.  If you enjoy the water, boats and people watching there is no place like Aquatic Park.

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