74 2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
B Y L A U R A D E L R O S S O
T
he San Francisco Bay Area never disappoints visitors: the
majestic towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco
skyline and other cities of culture and great dining, ancient red-
wood groves, expansive vineyards and a coastline of rocky cliffs and
sandy beaches. Combine those with a Mediterranean climate and a
dynamic environment of high-tech entrepreneurs and it's no wonder
the San Francisco Bay Area encourages a seductive, can-do way of life
that revolves around the high energy of its residents and the great out-
doors at its doorstep. The hub of the area is San Francisco, a city of
diverse neighborhoods, world-class 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" at the center
of the Bay Area.
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
PUNG/SHUTTERSTOCK
.
OPPOSITE:
LYNN
WATSON/SHUTTERSTOCK
SAN
FRANCISCO
BAY AREA
TOP CITIES
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Napa,
Sonoma, Palo Alto, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Healdsburg
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
TOURISM WEBSITES
sftravel.com visitoakland.org
visitnapavalley.com santaclara.org
santacruzca.org sanjose.org
smccvb.com visitmarin.org
visitberkeley.com sonomacounty.com
sonomavalley.com healdsburg.com
POPULATION
7.35 million
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
A place of diversity and astonishing scenic beauty
