Jan 05 2009
San Francisco, Your Gateway to Nature
San Francisco from Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate Bridge
I won’t be discussing about how great San Francisco is as a city in this post, I believe the world knows about it and so many have been written already about it. Also, my fellow blogger friend, Jodapoet, beautifully essays her experiences in this worderful city through her blog, My City By the Bay. If you want to experience San Francisco day by day, its culture, its neighborhood, the fun around and within the city, shopping, restaurant reviews, visit Jodapoet’s My City By the Bay blog.
San Francisco from Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate Bridge
Instead, I will be sharing here why I love San Francisco.
1. I love the uphill/downhill roads here. Who needs a gym in San Francisco? Not me! I would only walk around, and it felt like getting into a stairclimber but a lot better. I am not confined in the four corners of the gym’s wall, and I have excellent view of the bay.
Crooked Lombardt Street, not the Crookedest Street in San Francisco
Also, the public commute in San Francisco is really great, why drive when you can be greener?
San Francisco’s Cable Car
2. It is right next to the bay and the ocean!
3. It is close enough to Big Sur
Northern End of Big Sur, about 2 hrs drive South from Francisco
Big Sur Coast @ Nepenthe, about 3 hours drive South of San Francisco
and Point Reyes National Seashore for a day drive,
Point Reyes National Seashore, 30 miles North of San Francisco
Point Reyes National Seashore, 30 miles North of San Francisco
two of my favorite places in California, if not on Earth. Whenever I am in these two places, I feel like, I am outside of California, in a far away land.
McWay Falls @ Big Sur Coast
3. If you like rolling hills countryside, of countless vineyards, San Francisco is just 90 minutes drive from the wine country.
@ Napa Valley
4. Yosemite National Park is just 3.5 hours drive away!
Cooks Meadow, Yosemite National Park
Though I do not recommend just driving through Yosemite like most tourists do, if you want to experience Yosemite, I advise to experience Yosemite by foot,
that is spend some days hiking in its wonderful trails.
Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall from John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park
You will appreciate Yosemite and nature more when you sleep, hike, bike, raft, take some days just enjoying it. However, if you are more of a city person, then, though again I do not endorse it, but a lot of tourists visiting San Francisco do this, that is, just drive through the park, and take a picture of themselves in the more popular and crowded location.
5. Even if I do not leave the city in San Francisco, nature still abounds.
Alcatraz from Embarcadero
Sea Lions @ Pier 39
This is a city where nature is not being walled off in its concrete jungle.
San Francisco from Pier 39
Visting San Francisco? You will love it and will have a time of your life in this great city that can be your gateway to nature! For more of San Francisco, visit Jodapoet’s My City By the Bay blog.
Wow, thank you so much Betchai for the mentions in your post. What great photos too. I’ve never been able to get a good shot of Alcatraz. And, you’re right with all those hills we don’t need gyms here. Awesome post and thanks again so much for mentioning me.
Very much appreciated.
That bridge is so famous. I watch it on so many American movies. I love the pictures even more though.
Great photos. I’ve seen some of these places on TV and in photos many times, and on Jodapoet’s site. It was fun to see them all right here. I feel like I was taken on a nice tour. It makes me realize what a famous city San Francisco is.
What a beautiful city. I would love to visit someday. As you showed, it is very close to Alcatraz also. There is so much History there.
OMG! I am so amazed looking at the photos! They’re all so perfect and beautiful that my eyes are glued at the photos!!
Anyway, I have a close friend who resides in San Francisco, and who knows, I might visit her so I have the chance to see the beauty of the place!
Musta na Betchai? I’ve been sick lately, having colds, cough and sore throat. I just hate being sick. Hope you’re doing fine…Have a great day!
Debbie
I love San Francisco. Your beautiful and majestic photos brought back memories. Thank you. It is the perfect city for me because I love both the mountains and the water.
thanks for the photos and the memories.Is Allioto’s still at the wharf?
All my favorite spots in one post!!!!!
SF is indeed breathtaking! But you know what, I’d really like to see the Alcatraz!
Hi Betchai!
Visiting you here again on a Saturday night…Hope you’re well. Me, I still don’t feel good…But thank you so much for your kind and sweet words!
Also, thank you so very much for your wonderful comment about my husband and I. That was so sweet of you! I’m deeply touched…Please know that I really appreciate you taking time to visit and read our blog.
Enjoy the weekend!
Debbie
I love the Marin Headlands and after living in the Bay Area for all my life, I only went there very recently. Your photos show just how beautiful CA really is.