Thanks to a friend, we've discovered perhaps the best place to view the America's Cup sailing competition, and despite his fervent objections we hereby share it with you: the Hyde Street Pier. A measly five bucks got us on the 1886 square-rigged sailing ship Balclutha at the end of the pier on Sunday, where far above the (modest) crowds elsewhere we watched New Zealand apparently trounce Italy in one of the qualifying races.

Check the Web site for future matches, download the nifty smartphone app so you can track the action (while enjoying the portentous soundtrack), and hide your flask from the nice park rangers who will be happy to tell you about all the historic ships on the pier. More pictures here.