San Francisco City Hall

"Can we go see City Hall? Have you ever seen it?" I said we can, and that I haven't, even though I was born in San Francisco and have lived in the Bay Area for the majority of my life. "It's supposed to be beautiful," said Mia. So we drove up on a weekday to see the building restored at a cost of $300-million for earthquake safety and cosmetic reasons. "You can reserve areas for weddings," she pointed out. I stared blankly.

The Civic Center Parking garage is conveniently across Polk Street from City Hall, and not too expensive for the city. Civic Center Plaza sits on top as a lid, and it being a sunny day, City Hall sparkled on our approach. We handed over our bags for inspection and walked into the center hall under the rotunda. We gaped like tourists. Which we were.

The rotunda is amazing, with arches and hallways leading off to the city offices, including the Mayor's office prominently displayed. We walked up staircases to the four levels, including down to the basement, taking pictures of the carvings and vistas. And the weddings.

A small circular area is reserved for free 6-minute weddings, and we watched the parties line up for their turn, Mia critically evaluating the white dresses and maids of honor. I heard hardly a long sigh of envy. Maybe one or two.

I focused on the details, the mixture of the sublime and the mundane. Beautifully set windows and alcoves and sculptures set the scene for the utilitarian offices for city clerks, small business development centers, tax collection, and municiple courts. I thought about the building's history, remembering the 1978 tragedy of Harvey Milk and George Moscone, and looked at the busts of former mayors. It was an experience to be finally inside, but then I pried Mia away from the wedding scenes and we walked away under sunny San Francisco skies.