San Francisco Bay Area Information
Nestled along San Francisco Bay, the Bay Area boasts of one of the finest natural harbor in the world, which has a total area of around 450 square miles. Home to almost 8 million people, the San Francisco Bay Area provides the only real break in the coastal mountains of California making it one of the most ideal spot for living within the state. It is divided into 6 sub-regions (North Bay, San Francisco, East Bay, Peninsula, South Bay, and Santa Cruz) and composed of 10 counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma).
North Bay is a sub-region north of the Golden Gate Bridge, is separated by water from the rest of the Bay Area. It has numerous affluent communities and is probably the least urbanized among the 6 sub-regions. North Bay has many undeveloped parks, farmlands, and plantations. One popular location is Napa Valley, which is well-known for the world class red wines produced from its vineyards.
The City and County of San Francisco was once the largest city, in terms of population in the whole Bay Area. Although it no longer holds that distinction, it remains as the traditional, cultural, financial, and urban center of the region. The most famous landmark in this area is the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Strait, a water passage connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The bridge connects the city/county of San Francisco with Marin County in the North Bay.
The East Bay area is split into 2 regions, the Inner East Bay and the Outer East Bay. Inner East Bay, located along the bay’s coastline, is more urban, densely populated, and has a more ethnically diverse population. Old buildings in the area suggest that it is one of the oldest developed regions. Outer East Bay, on the other hand, is composed of inland valleys separated from the Inner East Bay by hills and mountains. Its development dates back to less than 60 years ago and is mostly suburban to rural.
San Francisco Peninsula (or simply Peninsula) is the area between East Bay and San Francisco. It is composed of a series of towns, small cities, and suburban communities along San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
South Bay is the sub-region where the past blends well with the present and the future. The past is typically characterized by the city of San Jose, the oldest city in California, while the present and the future could be gleaned from the products churned by Silicon Valley. In 1990, San Jose became the most populated city in the area.
Santa Cruz, although regarded by most as part of Monterey Bay Area, some agencies and records show it as a part of San Francisco Bay Area. It is sprawled along San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Monterey Bay.
With tourism being the region’s leading industry, the Bay Area is teeming with tourist destinations and historic landmarks. It is one of the wealthiest regions in the United States. Of the 280 metropolitan areas nationwide, the Bay Area has the highest median household income with $62,024. Six of the top ten places in California with the highest per capita income could also be found in the Bay Area. These figures are a testament of the boundless opportunities available for the citizens residing in the region.
With its idyllic setting and mild climate, living in the Bay Area is an investment that you can never be wrong about.
Visit the beautiful State of California, California information and places to visit with the entire family or business. Come enjoy the many California theme parks that are available to visit year round.
Tags: california, California Information, California Travel, California Vacation, san francisco travel on June 20th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »Getaway to San Francisco this Weekend!
San Francisco is a fun, upbeat city with a laid back vibe. Set on the beautiful San Francisco bay, the hilly streets offer spectacular views of the water and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The weather is cool all year round, and even in summer temperatures can hover in the 60s so make sure you pack a sweater or jacket just in case.
Fisherman’s Wharf
One of the city’s most famous tourist attractions is Fisherman’s Wharf, a lively locale packed with souvenir shops, stores, great restaurants, street performers, an aquarium and museums, including a Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Alcatraz
From Fisherman’s Wharf you can catch a boat out to Alcatraz, aka “The Rock”, which was once one of the well-known prisons in the world. The Alcatraz penitentiary operated from 1934 to 1963 and during its reign housed some of the most famous and difficult criminals in the country, including gangster Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Visitors can walk through the facility and stand inside actual cells. There are exhibits about the best-known inmates, escape attempts and guards’ families that lived on the island.
Shopping?
Union Square is San Francisco’s prime shopping area and is home to high-end stores, art galleries, theaters and restaurants. There is also a TIX booth located in Union Square where theater tickets are available at half-price on the day of the show.
Chinatown
After leaving the Union Square area head along Grant Street until you spot the elaborate gate and fu dog sculptures that guard the entrance to Chinatown. Chinatown lies between Bush and Columbus Streets and is lined with tasty Chinese restaurants and interesting souvenir shops where you’ll find satin purses, mesh slippers, chopsticks, vases, good-luck figurines and the good old t-shirt.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is a huge park located in the heart of the city, with playgrounds, bike paths, rental boats for Stow Lake, a conservatory, an arboretum and more. It’s a popular destination with the locals.
Japanese Tea Garden
For a change of pace, visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, a lovely, peaceful oasis in bustling San Francisco. The garden features streams, bridges, sculptures, traditional Japanese plants and trees, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy. Make sure to stop by the tea house for a pot of tea and snacks.
Love Art & History?
For an afternoon of art and culture, head to the M.H. de Young art museum in its new building in Golden Gate Park. The new building was built on the site of the museum’s old one and was opened to the public in 2005. Visitors to the museum can see a fine collection of classic and contemporary art as well as top-notch traveling exhibitions.
Finally, the treasures of the Museum of Asian Art were once housed at the de Young museum but now have their own building in San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood. The collection is a fascinating blend of sculpture, painting and objects like exquisitely decorated snuff bottles, dolls, swords and an elaborate Indian howdah used to carry passengers on an elephant’s back.
That’s a good number of attractions that will keep you and your family to totally enjoy San Francisco in a weekend! And the most affordable last minute getaway packages can be found at Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com.
As a business traveler, Jonathan has traveled extensively within America, across Asia and Europe. Last minute travel is the norm for him, you can check out his site called to learn how to secure bargain last minute vacations.
Tags: last minute getaway, san francisco, travel, usa, vacation travel on April 16th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »