Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Nob Hill (at California and Mason sts.).
&
415/616-6916.
www.topofthemark.com. Hours of operation
vary, but you can probably pop up to espy the view anytime. Sun 10am-2pm, Mon-Sat 6:30am-2:30pm;
Fri-Sat 6:30am-1am. Muni: Any cable car to Powell and California sts., then walk 1 block west to California
and Mason sts.
185
Twin Peaks
On a clear day you really can see forever from what's nearly the tallest hill
in pretty much the center of town. The trick is to go when the fog has lifted. Otherwise,
it's cold, windy, and gray. Outside of the view, there isn't anything else up on Twin Peaks
and it's not really near anything, so before you drive or take the bus up her e, be sure it's
something everyone wants to do. The bus stops near, but not at, the viewpoint, so some
walking will be involved.
Crestline Blvd. Muni: 37-Corbett bus (connect to the bus from the Castro St. Muni station).
4
OUTINGS ON THE BAY
For a mor e private outing, consider char tering one of the boats thr ough
Saillola.com
(p. 219).
Blue & G old Fleet
All ages.
One-hour narrated cr uises travel to the G olden Gate
Bridge, ar ound Alcatraz, and to the B ay B ridge; the soundtrack is pr erecorded. The
prerecorded soundtrack offers details into S an Francisco's maritime past and the histor y
of Alcatraz and other places y ou'll see along the way.
Pier 41, Fisherman's Wharf.
&
415/773-1188.
www.blueandgoldfleet.com. Tours run daily y ear-round.
1-hour rides $22 adults , $18 seniors and students 12-18, $14 childr en 5-11, free children 4 and under .
Discounts available on the Internet.
6
Golden Gate Ferry
All ages.
Part of the G olden Gate Transit District, these com-
muter ferries r un back and for th from Larkspur and S ausalito in M arin County to the
Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish,
and bikes are allowed on board. Although these boats don't pass under the Golden Gate
Bridge, they do travel near Alcatraz and Angel Island. For a low-key, brief, and inexpen-
sive way to get on the wate, you can't beat it. If your gang is up to it, you can pedal across
the bridge to Sausalito (a 9-mile ride) and then r eturn by ferry.
San Francisco Ferry Building, Market St. at Embar cadero.
&
415/923-2000.
www.goldengateferry.org.
Tickets 1-way to Sausalito $7.45 adults, $3.70 seniors and children 6-12, free children 5 and under (limit
2 kids per paying adult).
5
CROSSING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
As
the
San Francisco landmark, this glorious feat of engineering never fails to elicit admira-
tion from the millions of people who come to gaz e at or cr oss the bridge y ear after y ear.
Spanning 1
3
/
4
miles and soaring hundreds of feet above the water, the Golden Gate Bridge
opened in 1937, after 4 y ears of constr uction and 11 liv es lost. To experience the bridge,
you can walk its length, bike it, driv e over it, cruise under it, or appreciate it from afar.
BY FOOT
Bundle up against the windy conditions, then set out fr om the
Round-
house
on the east side of the bridge. I t can get pretty noisy, but the vie ws can't be beat.
Keep in mind the walk is r ound-trip; once you get to the other side ther e's no way back
