The tailgating scene at Candlestick Park has endured some less-than-stellar press this year, but it was all good vibes and touchdown dances in the parking lot and inside the stadium Sunday afternoon, when the soaring 49ers beat the New York Giants 27-20.

There was a sense around the stadium that something special — a renaissance, in a very real way — is going on with this team, led again Sunday by the suddenly confident and capable Alex Smith and the first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. They are 8-1 and the bandwagon is growing fast.

Check out our photos of the Niner Faithful out in full force on a memorable day at the 'Stick...