Susanne Park your car, rent a bike for the day, and visit the Presidio. Scattered with former barracks and brick administration buildings, the Presidio air is laden with the aroma of fresh eucalyptus trees that line the winding roads and navigable trails. These paths offer breathtaking views, intoxicating scents, and the occasional challenging hill. From there you can head out of the City across the Golden Gate Bridge and take on the Marin Headlands and Tennessee Valley for a daylong biking excursion across the bay.
Do like the locals and join one of the numerous marathons or triathlons. The most well known Bay Area races are the “Bay to Breakers,” a mid-May 12K run starting at the Embarcadero, running through Golden Gate Park and finishing at the Great Highway, and the mid-June “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon, consisting of a 1.5-mile swim through the bay, an 18-mile bike and an 8-mile run.
Looking east from Alcatraz Island
If you don’t feel like waiting for an organized race, set out on your own. Stride across the grass at Crissy Field, charge through the grueling sand ladder at Baker Beach, and finish off on the path that leads over the Golden Gate Bridge. You will end up on the North side of the Bay leading over to Marin, Tiburon and Stinson Beach. When you reach the end of the Bridge, look over your shoulder and enjoy the City’s skyline.
With five public courses within the city and more than 130 public and private courses within the surrounding Bay Area, San Francisco has a course to fulfill every golfer’s dreams. Whether in search of a quick round, or a getaway with magnificent views of the City’s most popular sights, satisfaction is just a swing away. Different degrees of difficulty as well as varied ranges of green fees are easily accommodated, though San Francisco’s famous fog sometimes makes play extra challenging.
Ruined buildings on Alcatraz Island
9. What are some popular destinations for day trips from San Francisco?
Visit the beautiful Beach Communities, cycle through the Wine Country and taste some superb food, swim, boat or fish at Lake Tahoe and visit old Sacramento, explore Yosemite National Park, East Bay, dine at a trendy restaurant in Sausalito, or enjoy Monterrey and Carmel with its sandy beaches. Find information and how to get there on www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/beyond_san_francisco.
The mystery of Muir Woods
10. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly calendar in San Francisco?
Here are just some examples of the variety of events in the yearly calendar: the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival in January, Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration in February, the SFJAZZ Spring Season and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the San Francisco International Film Festival in April, The San Francisco Wine Festival in May, Fourth of July Waterfront Festival, San Francisco Fashion Week in August, and San Francisco World Music Festival in September.
Famous Ghirardelli Square
11. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming up for San Francisco in 2008 and beyond?
Some of the events to come in 2008 are the opening of the San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum on June 8 and the Frida Kahlo Show at SFMOMA from June 14-Sept. 28.
In addition, San Francisco’s Pier 1½ First Water Taxi Landing opened Dec. 14, 2007 at Pier 1½ on the Embarcadero. The taxi landing will also be available for use by sea kayakers and recreational boaters.
In December 2007 San Francisco’s Historic Japantown inaugurated its Self-Guided History Walk.
Coit Tower Murals
The Festival of Sail Homeports will take place in San Francisco between July 23-28, 2008. Anchored by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association and its partner, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, the Festival of Sail will transform the piers of San Francisco into an international nautical attraction this summer. More than 15 tall ships and other vessels from around the world are expected to visit San Francisco between July 23-28, 2008.
In addition, Alcatraz Cruises, the official National Park Service concessionaire of transportation services to Alcatraz, is planning to offer their Alcatraz and Angel Island combination tour again starting mid-spring and running through Labor Day 2008.
Sunset over the Marin Headlands
For general travel information, sightseeing tours and specific background about the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the famous San Francisco cable cars and San Francisco’s diverse neighbourhoods please visit Part 1 of this interview.
Thank you for your time, Tanya, and for providing us with such great information about your beautiful city.
