Our first SF stop was the quirky but cool, SCRAP, a non-profit creative reuse center, materials depot, and workshop space, founded in 1976.

SCRAP breathes new life into old objects and reduces waste by diverting over 200 tons of materials heading to landfill every year. I could have spent hours here. It is the ultimate scavenger hunt in which you never know what you might find!

We then met our SF City guide, Peter, at the Transamerica Pyramid Building. We were intrigued by the tour's description, "Relive the early history of an instant city. Learn about the Vigilance Committee and a fleet of abandoned ships. Who was Emperor Norton? Walk the streets of Yerba Buena Cove, the haunts of the original 49ers."
We actually did learn quite a bit of new history. Our first lesson was about what was in this location before the iconic Pyramid arrived, 45 years ago. We found this, California Historical Landmark #80 plaque in the building's lobby. It reads: This is the site of San Francisco's first fireproof building, erected in 1853 by Henry Wager Halleck. It was the headquarters for many outstanding lawyers, financiers, writers, actors, and artists. James King of William, editor of the Bulletin, died here on May 14, 1856 after being shot by James Casey. This building escaped destruction in the fire of 1906.
Ironically, this building that survived earthquakes  couldn't survive the wrecking ball and was demolished in 1959 for a parking lot (followed by the Pyramid in 1972). Yikes.
We wandered all over town, learning history we knew little of. This was an interesting stop. Four years after California became a state in 1850, the United States Treasury erected the first branch mint in California to accommodate the gold flowing in from the Sierra. Although today's waterfront is more than a half mile east of this location, the mint originally stood only a few feet from the San Francisco Bay and the Long Wharf. So dang cool.
And like always, there were sights to see (some very San Francisco).





Oh man, what decade is this? I can't tell you when I last saw a Partridge Family t-shirt (on the guy on the left). Wild stuff.
We ended our evening watching Beach Blanket Babylon, the world’s longest running musical revue (1974). This show is so perfect to attend when in this town. It is one of SF's most popular attractions.
It's a show full of big hair, big talent and a whole lot of humor. It was a crack up and we really enjoyed it. Truly a must-see (at least once)!
We strolled back to our hotel, delighting in the memory of our day by the Bay. Tomorrow is going to be even better!