Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9. FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Montgomery Street, now the heart of the Financial District, was once lined with
small shops where miners came to weigh their gold dust. It marks roughly the old
shoreline of shallow Yerba Buena Cove, which was filled in during the Gold Rush to
create more land. Today it is lined with early 20th-century banking “temples” and
modern fabrications of glass and steel. At the end of Market Street stands the renov-
ated Ferry Building, which once handled 100,000 commuters a day before the city's
bridges were constructed, and is now a bustling meeting spot with cafés and artisan
food shops. Its tower is inspired by the Moorish belfry of Seville Cathedral in Spain.
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10. EXPLORATORIUM
One of the world's first hands-on science museums, the Exploratorium now stands
in a spectacular location on Pier 15. There are close to 600 exhibits that are spread
among themed indoor galleries and a large outside space. There are also educational
programs, a theater, an interactive gift shop, a Bay Observatory, an outdoor plaza,
and cafés. Pier 15, Embarcadero • 415 563 7337 • See website for opening hours •
Adm • www.exploratorium.edu
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The Making of a City
The Bay lay undiscovered by Europeans until 1769, and for years was little more
than a Spanish mission village called Yerba Buena, becoming Mexican in 1821.
The first great boost came when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848.
Hundreds of thousands from all over the world came to try their luck in the
Gold Rush. At the same time, the US took possession of the West Coast. The
Transcontinental Railway helped to firmly establish the area's financial base.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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