Route Pier, the ferryboat fleet, and lastly the Bridge Railway into downtown San Francisco. The Key System initially was part of businessman “Borax” Smith’s method to attract San Francisco workers to live in the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and Piedmont, where he dealt in real estate. ... Key System’s bridge rail would be converted to bus (1958). Key itself would be taken over by AC Transit (1960). more ›

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Mark over at HotelChatter tipped us off to some anonymous photos taken from the inside of local hotelier Joi de Vivre's new boutique hotel on the Embarcadero, Hotel Vitale. While the project was initially given the go-ahead way back in 1997, delays have included the downturn in tourism after the dot-bomb and attacks of September 11th. Now that local tourist spending is on the rebound, Joi de Vivre hopes to cash in on a trend toward luxury spending -- rooms with sweeping views and plush amenities are expected to cost from $269 a night for a basic room to $650 a night for a suite. The Hotel's website boasts:

199 spacious guestrooms and suites, at this newest San Francisco landmark hotel, many with expansive water views, spa-styled bathrooms and a sumptuously soothing interior design

Full service luxury hotel with 24-hour room service, twice daily housekeeping service, valet parking and Wi-Fi in all guestrooms

Circular Suites with panoramic 270 degree "infinity views" of the San Francisco Bay that can be enjoyed from the bed or deep soaking tub