Issue link: http://globelitetravelmarketing.uberflip.com/i/149736
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA The Bay Area's diversity and scenic beauty make it a top destination INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 12 miles (19 km) from downtown San Francisco; Oakland International Airport (OAK), 8 miles (13 km) from downtown Oakland; San Jose International Airport (SJC), 4 miles (6 km) from downtown San Jose TO U R I S M W E B S I T E S sanfrancisco.travel visitnapavalley.com santacruzca.org sanmateocountycvb.com visitberkeley.com oaklandcvb.com santaclara.org sanjose.org visitmarin.org sonomacounty.com P O P U L AT I O N 7.35 million SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 84 2 013 travel guide to c al ifo r n i a by laura del rosso WITH ITS MEDITERRANEAN climate and stunning natural beauty, it's no wonder the San Francisco Bay Area encourages a laid-back—some might say hedonistic—way of life that revolves around the bounty of food and wine and the great outdoors at its doorstep. Almost everything that Northern California is known for can be found in the Bay Area: the majestic towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, the skyline of San Francisco, the vast Pacific Ocean, ancient redwood groves, acres of vineyards and a spectacular coastline of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. The hub of the Bay Area is San Francisco, famed for its colorful neighborhoods, worldclass cuisine and a welcoming spirit of openness and tolerance in the most European of American cities. Besides the landmark bridge, other popular attractions draw millions each year to what boosters call "Everyone's Favorite City." North Bay: Marin, Sonoma & Napa Across the Golden Gate to the north lies Marin County, one of the most beautiful and affluent areas of the U.S. Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley are among its many inviting towns. The mountain bike was invented here to maneuver the twisty trails on Mount Tamalpais. On the Marin coast, one ruggedly gorgeous beach follows another, including along spectacular Point Reyes National Seashore. Also in the North Bay, Sonoma and Napa counties are home to acres of vineyards and dozens of wineries producing some of the world's finest wines. Among the many small wine country towns full of boutiques, JARED ROPELATO; DIDORF TO P C I T I E S San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma, Palo Alto, Santa Rosa, Sausalito