AT&T Park -- Home of SF Giants

Address: 24 Willie Mays Plz, San Francisco

Went on an offsite meeting at the ballpark. The weather was gorgeous and we were lucky enough to sit in a corporate box.

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Main entrance of the park.

Willie Mays Jr. Statue

The ballpark

Giant Coke and baseball glove. The giant Coke is a playground for kids.

Temple, Space Center and Resort

Address:

Mormon Temple: 4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA

Chabot Space & Science Center: 10000 Skyline Blvd. - Oakland, CA

Claremont Spa & Resort: 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA

Visited Oakland Mormon Temple today. We've seen it shines at night in the middle of the Oakland Hill for years and have always been curious about it. The temple is quite a big structure with an impressive garden as well as view of Oakland. It's quite smoggy today so didn't take any pic of Oakland from there. Saw a sign for Chabot Space Center on the way to the Temple so we went further up the hill to see the space center as well. We didn't go inside but figure it would be a great place for kids. The observatory is free for public access on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30pm - 10:30pm. We will come back again to view the stars some day. Ended our day touring Claremont Spa and Resort -- the big white building on Berkeley Hill which you can easily spot from afar. Could be a good place for wedding reception.

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Oakland Mormon Temple

Chabot Space and Science Center

Sundail at the entrace of Chabot Space and Science Center

Observatory at Chabot Space and Science Center

Claremont Spa and Resort

Rooftop Garden -- 343 Sansome St.

Address: 343 Sansome Street, San Francisco

This rooftop garden (Sun Terrace) tucks away on the 15th floor of the 343 Sansome building. It offers great view, nice artwork and ample seating spaces.

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Front entrance on Sansome Street.

Turn right as soon as you enter the lobby to visit a little museum which showcase artifacts that were found during contruction of the building. Also notice the historical elevator doors in art deco design.

The art deco ceiling

Art work by Joan Brown located in the center of the rooftop garden and a glimpse of the Bay and Treasure Island in between the two buildings.

Another view of the obelisk with TransAmerica building as backdrop.

In the lobby facing Sacremento Street is a fountain called L'Octagon designed by a Belgian artist. The silver balls move with the water. Very neat.

Ground floor of the building are restaurants that open to to Leidesdorff Street.

Rooftop Garden - Wells Fargo

Address: access from Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street , San Francisco

In San Francisco builders are required to provide public space when they build new commercial buildings. As a result there is a lot of public spaces in the form of rooftop gardens and courtyards where general public can visit. Many of these spaces are hidden. I just discover some of them after joining a 2-hour tour offered by San Francisco Citywalk. Let's first look at the rooftop garden at Wells Fargo which can be access from Crocker Galleria -- a shopping mall/food court where I visit once in a while. I know where to have lunch next time. . . .

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This rooftop garden atops Wells Fargo Bank in Montgomery/Post Street. See the greenery that pops up from the top of the building?

Access the garden from the top floor of Crocker Galleria.

A great piece of art work inside the garden.

The garden is surrounded by the Hunter-Dulin Building (1920's) famous for its Romanesque and French Chateau ornamentation. Click on the photo to take a closer look at the ornated roof top.

On the other side of the garden is the 1914 Hobart Building.

And across Market Street is the Palace Hotel.

Palace Hotel

Address: 2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco

Just came back from a business trip to Austin where we stayed at the haunted Driskill Hotel. Although we didn't encounter anything "real" I did feel some presence there. While searching for creepy info about Driskill I found that Palace Hotel in San Francisco was built in the same period (1800's) and is haunted as well. Mesmerized by the photos of its beautiful Garden Court, I decided to pay Palace Hotel a visit. I didn't feel the same creepiness as I did with the Driskill when I walked down its main corridor. I actually dare to venture inside the building alone. I ran into a very nice gentleman (I think he's one of the hotel managers) who showed me a second floor dining room where I can view the Garden Court from above through one of the semi-circle stained glass windows. What a gorgeous view! The Garden Court is said to be crowned by a $7-million stained-glass dome and chandeliers that are made of the finest Austrian crystal. I shall return for tea one day.

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Corridor inside Palace Hotel. Runs from Market Street to Mission Street. Garden Court is along the way.

One of the stained glass windows in the second floor dining room which opens to the Garden Court.

View of Palace Hotel Garden Court from second floor dining room. Garden Court is famous for its stained glass doom and shimmering chandeliers. It's consider one of the world's most beautiful dining room.

A closer look at part of the dome and trimmings of the Garden Court.

Garden Court view from first floor.

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Grace Cathedral

Address: 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA

Situated at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco is the Grace Cathedral. It's very grant and reminded me of those gothic cathedral in Paris.

Front entrance of Grace Cathedral.

Stain glass window inside the Cathedral.

Labyrinth inside the Cathedral. Walk along the winding path with an open mind will relieve you from sorrow.