San Francisco 2016, Weekday Edition

A number of the sites in the neighborhoods of San Francisco I was visiting in 2016 were closed on Saturdays. Most of these, unsurprisingly, were downtown, in and around the Financial District. I knew I’d be heading back to full-time work shortly, after having taken about a year off. So for 3 days in a row in September, I checked out these weekday-only sites.

Transamerica Pyramid

The Transamerica Pyramid is one of the icons of San Francisco. Built in 1972, it was the tallest building in San Francisco when I took this picture last year. That’s no longer the case, thanks to the Salesforce Tower, topped out in 2017. You can of course see the Pyramid any time night or day. However, the small gift shop and visitor center on the ground floor is only open on weekdays. It closed early the day I went, so I went back again the next day. Fortunately, the lovely Transamerica Redwood Park, located behind the Pyramid, was open.

A few of the 50 redwoods growing in Transamerica Redwood Park. On weekdays, the park is a place for solace from the hubbub of the Financial District. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A few of the 50 redwoods growing in Transamerica Redwood Park. On weekdays, the park is a place for solace from the hubbub of the Financial District.

Jump for joy! "Puddle Jumpers" in Transamerica Redwood Park is probably the happiest outdoor sculpture in San Francisco! United States, North America. — Jump for joy! “Puddle Jumpers” in Transamerica Redwood Park is probably the happiest outdoor sculpture in San Francisco!

The "Puddle Jumpers" aren't the only ones jumping for joy. These frogs are having a good time in the fountain at Transamerica Redwood Park. The frogs were inspired by Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". Twain, otherwise known as Samuel Langhorne Clemens, wrote the story while he briefly lived in the area in the 1860s. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The “Puddle Jumpers” aren’t the only ones jumping for joy. These frogs are having a good time in the fountain at Transamerica Redwood Park. The frogs were inspired by Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”. Twain, otherwise known as Samuel Langhorne Clemens, wrote the story while he briefly lived in the area in the 1860s.

The power (or at least the strength) of the Pyramid. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The power (or at least the strength) of the Pyramid.

Wells Fargo Museum

The Wells Fargo Museum is a stop on the Barbary Coast Trail, but only open on weekdays. Admission is free. I was glad about that. I sure didn’t want to give them money after their phony account scam.

Wells Fargo, like so much in San Francisco, was founded during the Gold Rush years to service the boomtown.

Henry Wells and William G. Fargo. I was stunned to learn that 2 years before Wells & Fargo founded Wells Fargo in 1852 in NYC, they founded American Express in Buffalo. Who knew? They founded Wells Fargo to service Californians getting rich off of gold. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Henry Wells and William G. Fargo. I was stunned to learn that 2 years before Wells & Fargo founded Wells Fargo in 1852 in NYC, they founded American Express in Buffalo. Who knew? They founded Wells Fargo to service Californians getting rich off of gold.

A Wells Fargo Concord Coach, built in Concord, New Hampshire! Believe it or not, it seats 18. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A Wells Fargo Concord Coach, built in Concord, New Hampshire! Believe it or not, it seats 18.

Precision Banjo clocks, such as this one, kept everything at Wells Fargo running on time, including the stagecoaches. They were made in Boston! San Francisco, United States, North America. — Precision Banjo clocks, such as this one, kept everything at Wells Fargo running on time, including the stagecoaches. They were made in Boston!

A bunch of Wells Fargo historimorabilia on display in the Wells Fargo History Museum. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A bunch of Wells Fargo historimorabilia on display in the Wells Fargo History Museum.

Merchants Exchange Building

The Merchants Exchange Building has a fascinating exhibit in the lobby matching the faces behind the names of many of San Francisco's most well known streets. Amazingly, Thomas O. Larkin was born in Boston and had family ties to Paul Revere! He moved west and was involved in the founding of California. John B. Montgomery (who also spent time in Boston!) was a naval commander who raised the American flag on Portsmouth Square. We learned about that on Day 1. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Merchants Exchange Building has a fascinating exhibit in the lobby matching the faces behind the names of many of San Francisco’s most well known streets. Amazingly, Thomas O. Larkin was born in Boston and had family ties to Paul Revere! He moved west and was involved in the founding of California. John B. Montgomery (who also spent time in Boston!) was a naval commander who raised the American flag on Portsmouth Square. We learned about that on Day 1.

The skylit marbled lobby of the Merchants Exchange Building was created as part of the post-earthquake repairs. In the back, you can get a peak of the nautical murals in the building's great hall, now home to a bank. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The skylit marbled lobby of the Merchants Exchange Building was created as part of the post-earthquake repairs. In the back, you can get a peak of the nautical murals in the building’s great hall, now home to a bank.

Old Ship Saloon

The Old Ship Saloon is a stop on the Barbary Coast Trail, but only open on weekdays.

Bar decor in the Old Ship Saloon. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Bar decor in the Old Ship Saloon.

"Portrait of Georgia O'Keeffe". I came across this cute sculpture of the iconic artist in a park after I had dinner at the Old Ship Saloon. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe”. I came across this cute sculpture of the iconic artist in a park after I had dinner at the Old Ship Saloon.

Rincon Center

These adorable dolphins welcome you to the Streamline Moderne Rincon Annex. San Francisco, United States, North America. — These adorable dolphins welcome you to the Streamline Moderne Rincon Annex.

The modern Rincon Center in South of Market is a mixed-use commercial-residential complex that incorporates the Rincon Annex. The Rincon Annex is a former post office built in 1940 in the Streamline Moderne (late Art Deco) style. (We previously appreciated Streamline Moderne on Telegraph Hill and at the Maritime Museum.) I knew virtually nothing about the Rincon Center. I was not prepared for the masterwork waiting on the inside.

The murals of "History of California" line the walls of the old Rincon Annex post office. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The murals of “History of California” line the walls of the old Rincon Annex post office.

The Rincon Annex is home to a stunning series of 27 murals called “History of California”. The series was painted by a Russian immigrant artist throughout the ’40s. The series, done in the Social Realism style, was commissioned by the WPA. Like the work of fellow social realist Diego Rivera, the series was controversial for depicting what were seen as left-wing themes. The murals are very reminiscent of the murals at Coit Tower, which were also commissioned by New Deal project and were similarly criticized for artists’ left-leaning themes that showed up in their work. I’ve included pictures of some of most interesting murals.

"Indians by the Golden Gate" shows a few of the Ohlone, San Francisco's original inhabitants. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Indians by the Golden Gate” shows a few of the Ohlone, San Francisco’s original inhabitants.

"Conquistadors discover the Pacific" depicts a few of the folks who destroyed the Ohlone's way of life. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Conquistadors discover the Pacific” depicts a few of the folks who destroyed the Ohlone’s way of life.

"Hardships on the Emigrant Trail". The Donner party is now being served. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Hardships on the Emigrant Trail”. The Donner party is now being served.

"Finding gold at Sutter's Mill". You've got to wonder what kind of place San Francisco would be had there been no Gold Rush. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Finding gold at Sutter’s Mill”. You’ve got to wonder what kind of place San Francisco would be had there been no Gold Rush.

"Building the railroad", with the Chinese as cheap labor. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “Building the railroad”, with the Chinese as cheap labor.

Tough times in San Francisco. "Vigilante days" depicts vigilante committees that carried out extrajudicial punishment in San Francisco during the somewhat lawless Gold Rush years. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Tough times in San Francisco. “Vigilante days” depicts vigilante committees that carried out extrajudicial punishment in San Francisco during the somewhat lawless Gold Rush years.

Tough times in San Francisco. On the left, "Riot scene, Civil War days" depicts a riot breaking out between supporters of the North and of the South. On the right, "Beating the Chinese" depicts times in the 1870s when European San Franciscans persecuted the Chinese, who were willing to work for low wages and got more than their share of jobs. The character in the foreground is about to be humiliated by having his traditional queue cut off by a thug. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Tough times in San Francisco. On the left, “Riot scene, Civil War days” depicts a riot breaking out between supporters of the North and of the South. On the right, “Beating the Chinese” depicts times in the 1870s when European San Franciscans persecuted the Chinese, who were willing to work for low wages and got more than their share of jobs. The character in the foreground is about to be humiliated by having his traditional queue cut off by a thug.

Tough times in San Francisco. "Earthquake and fire of 1906". San Francisco, United States, North America. — Tough times in San Francisco. “Earthquake and fire of 1906”.

San Francisco recovers and moves on to "Building the Golden Gate"! San Francisco, United States, North America. — San Francisco recovers and moves on to “Building the Golden Gate”!

The Rincon Center's series of murals climaxes with "War and Peace". On the left, the Allies defeating Fascism. On the right, the United Nations is formed in San Francisco. In the center, FDR's Four Freedoms. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Rincon Center’s series of murals climaxes with “War and Peace”. On the left, the Allies defeating Fascism. On the right, the United Nations is formed in San Francisco. In the center, FDR’s Four Freedoms.

The Rincon Annex also has a number of display cases containing historical photos and items unearthed during construction excavation. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Rincon Annex also has a number of display cases containing historical photos and items unearthed during construction excavation.

Deco detail on the Rincon Center's exterior. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Deco detail on the Rincon Center’s exterior.

Skyscrapers of San Francisco

After lunch at the Rincon Center, I took a stroll through downtown San Francisco to return to the visitor center at the Transamerica Pyramid, which had been closed the day before.

The Transamerica Pyramid peeks out from between the towers of the Embarcaro Center. San Francisco, United States,North America. — The Transamerica Pyramid peeks out from between the towers of the Embarcaro Center.

Four Embarcadero Center, the tallest of the towers at the Embarcadero Center. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Four Embarcadero Center, the tallest of the towers at the Embarcadero Center.

On display at the Transamerica Pyramid's visitor center, costume from the finale of Beach Blanket Babylon, featuring the famous San Francisco skyline headdress. San Francisco, United States, North America. — On display at the Transamerica Pyramid’s visitor center, costume from the finale of Beach Blanket Babylon, featuring the famous San Francisco skyline headdress.

Temple Emanu-El

Francisco joined me on my 3rd day of weekday sightseeing. We headed crosstown to get a tour of Temple Emanu-El. We had previously stopped by on Day 5, but it was closed for Saturday services.

Congregation Emanu-El was established in 1850 by Jews who came to San Francisco to strike it rich in the Gold Rush, just like everybody else. It’s the oldest Jewish congregation west of the Mississippi.

Temple Emanu-El, completed in 1926, is the congregation's 3rd temple. It was built in the Byzantine Revival style with influences from the Mission style. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Temple Emanu-El, completed in 1926, is the congregation’s 3rd temple. It was built in the Byzantine Revival style with influences from the Mission style.

I had arranged in advance to get a tour, the only way to see the impressive main sanctuary outside of services. San Francisco, United States, North America. — I had arranged in advance to get a tour, the only way to see the impressive main sanctuary outside of services.

Dramatic modern stained glass window representing creation. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Dramatic modern stained glass window representing creation.

The holy ark contains the scrolls of the Torah. It is the holiest place in any temple. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The holy ark contains the scrolls of the Torah. It is the holiest place in any temple.

That concludes our special weekday tour of San Francisco. I know that for 2017 there will be at least one important weekday-only site: San Francisco City Hall.

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]