Saturday in Santiago: Cerro San Cristóbal

Cerro San Cristóbal is one of the most commonly mentioned tourist attractions in Santiago. Take the funicular up, check out the statue of the Virgin Mary, enjoy the views. Except this last bit can be hard to do on many days, thanks to the lovely layer of smog and haze that often sits over the city.

View of Santiago

I usually suggest picking the clearest day of your Santiago trip to head up the hill, but when Laura came to visit, we only had one day to explore Santiago after our time in Valparaíso. So despite the clouds, up we went. The dogs weren’t bothered by the weather, so why should we be?

Dog in Santiago

Aside from the views (and of course, the public swimming pools), Cerro San Cristóbal offers us something extra: it’s Lola’s FAVORITE place. She races around like a maniac through the trees, trying to take in all the smells and meet all the other dogs and chase all the sticks. Too. Much. Excitement. Which is why by the time she got to the top, she was thirsty and drew quiet the crowd with her water fountain antics.

Dog drinking water

We humans were more focused on the view. I’m not a Catholic, but there’s still something to be said for a massive statue that seems to be protecting and watching over the whole city. Mary is lit up at night, and you can see her from much of Santiago, keeping an eye on everything.

Virgin Mary statue

And while the clouds may have blocked out the sunlight and even sprinkled a few rain drops on us, they made for an ethereal sunset, the kind where you feel like you could almost reach out and scoop up a handful of cotton candy cloud.

Santiago sunset

Cerro San Cristobal sunset

Not a bad way to end a weekend or, in this case, a last-minute trip to Santiago.

More in this series:
Saturday in Santiago

10 Responses to “Saturday in Santiago: Cerro San Cristóbal”

  1. Andrea says:

    Now how did Lola learn how to drink out of a water fountain? That is too adorable!

    • This is more than adorable. Lola drinking from the water fountain looks amazing, incredible that this is true. Wow! I love the way you captured the shot. Great picture!

      • Emily says:

        There may or may not be 3 more pictures where that came from…my friend Laura took them, and she by that point had fallen completely in love with Lola.

    • Emily says:

      She just knows these things! Have you seen this post? More drinking pictures. I guess this is what you learn as a street dog.

  2. weezermonkey says:

    OMG, LOLA AND THE FOUNTAIN. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Emily says:

      I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited about anything! I’m biased, but I do agree. Especially how she’s squinting her little eyes so the water doesn’t splash in them – love.

  3. Cata says:

    Lola is so cute drinking from the fountain!!!!

    • Emily says:

      I am beginning to see that I could have not bothered with all the words and the other pictures and instead just posted the picture of Lola. I will have to tell her that her online fan club loves this one :)

  4. Sydney says:

    lola the wonder dog!! you need to move back to sf so i can get my lola fill (and my emily fill too :-) )

    • Emily says:

      It’s ok, I understand that you would rather see my dog :) She’d be happy to go on excursions to the wilderness with you guys too!

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