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THE FOG |
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Fog is nature¹s natural air conditioning for the
Bay Area. During summer,the land heats up more
quickly than the water of the Pacific. The cool air
over the ocean is pulled inland to balance and
replace the rising warmer air. With the earth¹s
rotation, surface waters at the coast line move away
from the coast and deep waters well up - water 10-15
degrees colder than the surface water. When the icy
waters meet the warmer ocean air, condensation
occurs. As heat from the Central Valley produces
rising air currents pulling in cool air full of salt
particles from the ocean breezes, our famous San
Francisco fog, called advection fog, occurs.
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49-MILE DRIVE |
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 The
Blue and white seagull signs mark the 49-Mile Scenic Drive
past landmarks including Palace of Fine Arts, Mission
Dolores and the Ferry Building, through Chinatown, along
Fisherman’s Wharf, views of Twin Peaks, through Golden
Gate Park and along Ocean Beach. Note: Part of the route is
closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays. Order a copy of San
Francisco Guide® for a map of the 49-Mile Drive. |
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Known for its historic waterfront, delicious
seafood, and bay views, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a
wide array of things to do. Walk along Jefferson
Street where San Francisco’s commercial fishing
fleet is docked. If you are up early enough, you can
see the fisherman at work along “Fish Alley,” on
Jefferson Street between Jones and Hyde. Seafood
vendors with open-air stands along Taylor Street and
Jefferson near Pier 45 offer a variety of tasty fish
specialties. Family attractions along Jefferson
include our famous Boudin Sourdough Museum including
a bakery and cafe, and the Wax Museum complex with
galleries of celebrities, world leaders, artists,
and the Chamber of Horrors.
Bay Cruises leave from Piers 39, 41 and 43 ½.
PIER 39, a two-level shopping and dining
marketplace, is home to Blue & Gold Fleet Cruises
and Land Tours, Aquarium of the Bay, stages for an
ongoing schedule of performers, a historic carousel,
game arcade, Hard Rock Cafe, and the popular sea
lions who make their home on K-Dock. Stop at the
California Welcome Center to assist you with your
travel needs. Pier 45 is the home to Musee´
Mechanique, with coin-operated vintage games, the
Museum of San Francisco (free of charge), the
National Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien, and the
USS Pampanito submarine museum. Anchorage Square
features outdoor promenades, al fresco seating for
dining and relaxing, family dining including
In-‘N-Out-Burger and China Station, specialty shops
like EB Games, Crazy Shirts, Walgreens pharmacy,
Starbucks, and parking garage with validated
parking, The Cannery at Del Monte Square, originally
a fruit and vegetable cannery, now houses shops,
restaurants, and nightclubs. Jump on the historic
Fire Engine on the Beach Street side for a city
tour!. Ghirardelli Square, once home to the famous
chocolate maker, features terraced courtyards with
bay views, boutique shopping, a variety of top
restaurants, stages for events and entertainment,
and the popular chocolate shop and ice cream parlor.
At the end of
Hyde Street, by the cable car plaza, is Hyde Street
Pier, with historic ships maintained by the National Park
Service. Open daily 10am-5pm. Aquatic Park, at the foot of
Polk Street, is a popular bayside park encompassing a
quarter-mile stretch of beach.
Order a copy of San Francisco Guide® for a map of
Fisherman’s Wharf, points of interest and transit lines. |
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Our landmark Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and
connects San Francisco to Marin County (Hwy 101).
The distinctive rust-colored towers and graceful
cables of the Bridge make this famous symbol of San
Francisco the most photographed bridge in the world.
It is visible from many high points in the city,
although it is often shrouded in fog. Spanning the 2
mile mouth of the bay, it is built to withstand
winds of over 100 mph. The color ³International
Orange,² was chosen as a complement to surrounding
scenery. Car toll is $5 and is collected southbound
only. Vista points, parking areas and rest rooms are
located at the northeast and southeast ends of the
bridge (look for the sign ³Last SF exit² on the
south side; Vista Point exit on the north). Getting
to the Golden Gate Bridge by car: Follow the signs
from anywhere in the city, taking Lombard Street (US
101) west, and then to reach the south vista point,
take the exit marked "Last SF Exit," just before you
get to the toll booths. You can avoid busy traffic
by taking Lincoln Avenue through the Presidio. South
Vista Point parking is metered and there are only 81
parking spaces. If you find this parking lot full,
or want to spend more time than the meters will
allow, there are two options: Drive down the hill,
and turn left out of the parking lot onto Lincoln.
You will find gravel lot not far down on your left.
If you are approaching from the Presidio on Lincoln,
the lot is just across from the former officer's
quarters. Turn right out of the parking lot onto
Lincoln, and then turn right again at the next
opportunity (after you pass under the bridge
approach). There is free parking uphill from the
toll plaza, and you can get back to the pedestrian
side of the bridge by walking through the tunnel
under the tollgates. North (Marin Side) Vista Point
parking is free up to four hours, and there are
restrooms. This lot is accessible only from
northbound US 101. By bus, Muni's #28 and 29 lines
go to the south side.Walk onto the Golden Gate
Bridge if you can. You can't really appreciate the
size and height unless you've walked on it, at least
a little way. At mid-span you are 220 feet above the
water's surface, and passing ships below look like
small toys. The distance from one vista point to
another is 1.7 miles, but even a short walk will be
interesting. Pedestrians are allowed only on the
east (city side) sidewalk, during daylight hours,
and pets are not allowed for safety reasons.
Pedestrians can access the east sidewalk from 5am to
9pm (6am-6pm Nov-May). Cyclists can use the Bridge
during the same hours, but which side they are
allowed on varies; check the posted signs. The
historic ³Roundhouse² at the southeast end offers
information andsouvenirs. Call 415-923-2342 for
details.
Explore Fort Point, a Civil War-era fort located at the
south end of Golden Gate Bridge on Long Avenue. This gives
you the same spectacular view of the bridge as seen in
Alfred Hitchcock¹s film Vertigo. Take a guided tour, view
videos and visit the military museum (open 10am - 5pm); call
415-556-1693 or visit
http://www.nps.gov/fopo for information. Walk the
Golden Gate Promenade, a 3 1/2 mile scenic shoreline walk
beginning at Fort Point and ending at Aquatic Park near
Fisherman¹s Wharf. |
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