Golden Gate National Recreation Area

If you have ever wanted to go to San Francisco, this is what you will find on the North-Western edge. Since the city is at the end of a peninsula, water is a major part of the scenery. Also with a narrow entrance, the placement of military installations was a key component in making the city what it is. A large Army base and fort were situated at the entrance to the bay a the Presidio for many years occupied a prime spot in the center of the city. Now after many years, the base is closed and the city has been opening and restoring the grounds. What is available now is some of the most spectacular views and open space in a small confined city of one million. Yes the city has only a population of one million, most of the people live out of the city limits and being only 47 square miles (7 by 7 miles) San Francisco is a compact jewel which is easy to explore.

Baker Beach

 

Muir Woods, Crissy Field, the Presidio and Sutro Baths are just a handful of the gems in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's crown. This 80,000-acre urban park is one of the nation's largest and the most beautiful. Spanning 70 miles, it's rich in history, plant life and wildlife. It's also a major feat of rehabilitation and restoration.

Muir Woods is on the North side of the Bay in Marin County. Drive across the GG (that's Golden Gate to locals) and drive into the coastal Red Wood groves. It is a short trip by car, only about 30 minutes, or you can take a bus over and rent a bike and ride if you want some exercise. Renting a bike is popular and it is easy to ride from 'the City' over the GG to Marin.

A fun thing to do is rent a bike and ride to Tiburon in Marin, then take the ferry back to the city. You can take the bikes on board and it doesn't cost much to do. Just remember that in the summer months it can be windy, foggy and cold... Mark Twain once said, " The coldest winter I spent was a summer in San Francisco"... No joke, the wind can blow 20 to 30 knots and the water is 50 degrees, so the cold wind feels like it is in the 30's. You will see many tourists in shorts and a sweatshirt they bought because they were freezing...