I kind of feel sorry for the Transamerica Building. Built in 1972, it was the tallest, most distinctive building with its pyramid shape until the Salesforce Tower topped it in 2018.
It is no longer owned by the Transamerica Corporation, having been sold in 2020 to a New York investor. Still, it is definitely an impressive building in the middle of downtown. There are four cameras at the top of the spire that make up the “Transamerica Virtual Observation Deck” that can be controlled from the lobby by visitors. How cool is that? There is also a 1/2 acre park around the base that has redwood trees which were brought in from Santa Cruz mountains.
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From Ina Coolbrith Park it looks like it still is the tallest!
As you can see, from certain vantage points, it still looks like the tallest. During the Christmas holidays and on the 4th of July there is a star that is lit at the top of the spire.
I know I talked about the Orpheum Theater in the letter “O” but I think that Theaters deserve a bit more attention. There are many spread out over the city. One is the Curran Theater, where we saw Jersey Boys 4 times, and Rock of Ages. My daughter was going to take me to see the Harry Potter play last year for my birthday in March but we all know what happened instead.
And right next door to that is the Geary Theater, which I have not been to but which is home to the American Conservatory Theater and looks very cool from the outside.
There is also the Golden Gate Theater at which I saw Hairspray and/or Mamma Mia. It is so old, there are no elevators so you definitely have to be able to walk some stairs if you are sitting in the balcony!
Stately Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall and the War Memorial Opera House along with Herbst Theater are all in a row across from the City Hall. Unfortunately there has been constant construction going on all up and down Van Ness Street. It has been really hard for me to get good pictures.
I wrote about the Palace of Fine Arts during my A to Z last year.
The Great American Music Hall is right around the corner from my son’s work. It only holds 470 people so I would imagine that any seat is a good one. I have not been there before.
And right next door to the Great American Music Hall is the famous Mitchell Brothers O’Farrell Theater. I guess you can tell from the marquee what kind of things go on in here!
I have not been to that establishment either, just in case you were wondering. All of the theaters are still closed but I am hoping that they will be able to start having some performances again this year.
One more letter this week and then we have a day of rest.
Disclaimer notice. The coloring book pages are from the inserts the San Francisco Chronicle put out and I mentioned them in my theme reveal so you can go to that to get the info about the artists if you are interested. I did the coloring and took the pictures.
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