Crystal Geiser Stage 

 Pier 39

 It's always a fun time at Pier 39, there are several shops and eateries not to mention attractions such as Aquarium of the Bay, Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze, the Carousel seen in the background and Street Performers.  It's definitely a must see when in San Francisco. Visit: http://www.pier39.com/index.cfm

 

GoCarTours in San Francisco

  At the Embarcadero

You can find these little motorized vehicles all around  San Francisco.  The vehicles are from Holland and equipped with a computer based GPS system that will guide you around San Francisco.  Essentially you will be led to the best attractions, sights and history around the Bay predicated on which tour you select.  To find out more visit: www.gocartours.com.

The Heart of San Francisco at Union Square

Union Square

 

At Union Square there is always something going on whether it’s a fundraiser for a cause, a concert or an art show.  Here the UCS Band is rehearsing and in the forefront is a beautiful heart displayed on a block of stone with a picture of the San Francisco Bridge.

For more information about specific sights and attractions visit  

Union Square, Embarcadero, San Francisco, Pier 39

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Main Gate to the Japanese Garden

Tranquil, Gentle and Peaceful Gardens

The Japanese Tea Garden is located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park at 7 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive.  There is parking on the street or at the Music Concourse Garage located on 10th Avenue and Fulton which is a short walk to the garden.  For more information: http://japaneseteagardensf.com/index.php

Garden Settings

 

The Japanese Tea Garden is one of my favorite and tranquil places to visit.  Upon entering you'll find a magnificent gate that leads into the garden, actually to a ticket booth where you will have to pay a small entry fee. However, once you get in you can't help but notice the tea house perched atop a small hill.  I remember the first time I sat down at the Tea House, it was a great place to relax and enjoy the various teas, eat a few Chinese crackers and a fortune cookie.

Japanese Tea House

How the menu has grown to include sandwiches, Miso soup and an assortment of other delicious snacks.  If you get an opportunity to sit at the front section of the Tea House you can enjoy the beauty of overlooking a Koi pond amidst a tranquil garden.  However no matter where you sit you will definitely enjoy it. 

Tea House overlooking the Koi Pond

The garden itself is roughly five acres with a conglomerate of paths that take you through various sculptures and artistic displays of pagodas, statues of Buda, an arched drum bridge, stone lanterns and the like.

The landscape is simply perfection at its best with lush greenery surrounding you to include Japanese plants, Koi ponds, a Zen garden and if you visit during March through April you can enjoy the blossoms of the Cherry Tress strategically planted throughout the garden. 

Drum Arched Bridge

You can easily visit the entire garden in an hour if you choose not to visit the Tea House.  However, I highly recommend sitting at the Tea House and taking it all in. 

Gift Shop

Also within the grounds is a small gift shop that sells an assortment of Japanese teas, tea sets, bowls, dolls, figurines and the like. It would be worth the time to visit the gift shop as well.

Statue of Budda

One thing that I did notice as I was perusing the garden is that is not stroller friendly.  Though some steps and stone pathways were a little challenging to navigate, I did manage to see the entire garden.

If you want to visit the Tea House, there are very limited areas where you can bring a standard size stroller...perhaps two and you'll have to carry it down a few steps to do so.  Another thing is on a typical weekend, finding seating at the Tea House is like parking at the mall during Christmas, so be aggressive and jump on any opportunity to find an open table. 

Stone Pathways in the Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is truly a relaxing and enjoyable place to visit with numerous things to see. Don't forget to visit the Tea House and enjoy the various teas and foods.  

 

Click Here for a map to the Japanese Tea Garden 

If you would like to create your own Japanese Tea Garden visit the link below. 

 

Japanese Gardens, San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, Tea House, Tea Room

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The House of Many Rooms

 The Mystery House in San Jose

Any time the word mystery is associated with a place or an event, I have to see it.  I remember driving on Winchester Avenue in San Jose several times during the past several months and passing by this enormous house that seemed to stick out oddly from a busy street, next to the old Century Theaters and across the street from the bustling Santana Row.  In front of the house was a large sign that read, The Winchester Mystery House. What is that I wondered?  I vaguely remember reading that this house had a large number of little tiny rooms all haphazardly situated like a labyrinth of sorts, may be haunted and a very short old lady once lived there. Wow….I was intrigued!   

Overlooking the Central Courtyard

The Winchester Mystery House is located approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco at 525 South Winchester Boulevard in San Jose.  When I arrived parking clearly was not a problem and it was free.  It was a huge lot with plenty of space.  After I parked my car, I anxiously walked through the front entrance, entered into a fairly large gift shop and made my way to the front counter and paid for my tour.  My entrance fee for the Mansion tour was $30.00 per person and started at 4pm. If you arrive early can enjoy the gift shop, eat at the café, visit the Products Museum, the Winchester Firearms Museum or merely enjoy the Central Courtyard until it is time for your tour to begin. There were other tours available including a self-guided Victorian Garden tour and the Behind-the-Scenes tour but unfortunately I didn’t have the time to enjoy these tours. 

Family Tree

Although I didn’t pay for the Victorian Garden tour I did catch a small glimpse of it while waiting in the Central Courtyard.  Within the courtyard you’ll also find an arcade and the restrooms. If you decide to do the Victorian Garden tour in conjunction with another tour, I suggest you do it last because there are no speakers in this area to hear the tour guide announce your tour.  

Central Courtyard

When my tour began there were only three other couples, I was surprised but also pleased.  With camera in hand I was ready to explore, however as I entered into the meeting area, my Tour Guide quickly read the house rules and told us all that there was no photography or videos allowed. Unfortunately I was forced to put my camera away.  As we stood there in the foyer our tour guide began to tell us the story of the Mystery House.  He spoke of a time in 1884 when Sara Winchester, the window of the late William Wirt Winchester of Winchester Rifles bought an old farm house in the Santa Clara Valley. The stories that led up to the eccentric yet continuous construction were simply fascinating.  We were led room-by-room listening to an enigmatic script coupled with trivia about the house.  I must admit, having a good tour guide makes the experience much more enjoyable.  

The Firearms Museum

The house is intriguing and the history very interesting.  Being sensitive to my surroundings I found myself feeling a sense of eeriness and in some locations I felt the essence of a cold dank presence upon me.  Later when the tour was over, I privately asked the tour guide if a tragedy occurred within the house, as on two separate locations I felt something.  He told me that although they are discouraged in discussing this event, recently someone broke into the house and committed suicide on one of the upper floors of the mansion.  Who knows if this is true or not but it sure added to the overall experience.  Although I wasn’t allowed to take pictures inside the mansion, I found another blog written by a tour guide who once worked at the Mystery House which gives a complete depiction of the story behind Sara Winchester and the Mystery House.  I recommend that you read it as it gives you an accounting of each room and the stories and activities that took place.  You can find it at: http://mysteryhouseguide.com/

Winchester Firearms

Tour Station

Main Entrance

Click Here for a Map of the Winchester Mystery House

To find out more out the Winchester Mystery House here's some recommended reading:

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