Trivia, Fun Facts...
&
Things to Do & See

1.The beautiful City of San Francisco...
and, across the bay, the towns, villages and coastal playgrounds of Marin County

...of the REDWOOD EMPIRE

..


TRIVIAL FUN FACTS


TRIVIAL FUN FACTS - THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA
Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

SAN FRANCISCO
When asked, "What is your favorite city?" many world travellers respond "San Francisco!" And it's no wonder… as the City—whether warmed by sunlight or enveloped by fog… is unsurpassed in beauty. Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of this diverse city by the bay. Discover the rich cultural and architectural history. Delight in the splendid views from neighborhood hilltops; enjoy extraordinary shopping, entertainment and recreation. Visit our Redwood Empire Tourist Center, in The Cannery on Fisherman's Wharf.

  • GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: The world's second-longest single span has linked San Francisco with Marin County and the Redwood Empire since 1937. The Bridge is open daytime for walkers and bicyclists. The Roundhouse on the southern approach plaza is the Bridge Visitors' Information Center. Golden Gate Transit buses travel over the Bridge: Take S.F. MUNI buses #28, #29 to the Toll Plaza or #76 Sundays to Marin Headlands Golden Gate NRA. Auto toll collected southbound is $3 (subject to change). The Bridge speed limit is 45 mph.

  • 49 MILE SCENIC DRIVE: Blue-and-white seagull signs point the way for a half-day drive through the City's most scenic and historic points. The 49-mile drive is an excellent introduction to San Francisco as the route winds through almost every neighborhood and district. A free San Francisco Visitor Map, available from the San Francisco Visitor Information Center at Hallidie Plaza, details the drive.

  • FISHERMAN'S WHARF AND PIER 39: One of the city's great visitor attractions, FISHERMAN'S WHARF is a thriving fishing industry center. The wharf offers breathtaking views and anchors seafood restaurants, shops and entertainment attractions. PIER 39, a restaurant-shopping complex with an Old San Francisco theme, straddles a 1,000-foot-long pier. Catch Bay cruises, Alcatraz Island launches, and the Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel Island ferries or sport fishing trips. THE CANNERY offers dining and shopping in a remodeled 1894 fruit cannery near the Wharf at Leavenworth and Jefferson Streets. GHIRARDELLI SQUARE, once a chocolate factory, is now a dining-shopping complex, overlooking Aquatic Park and the Bay.

  • ALCATRAZ ISLAND: The former fortress, federal prison and Native American occupation site, is open to visitors via self-guiding trails (steep, chilly). Rangers lead cell block tours and answer questions or take a self-guided "audio" tour (charge). Ferry service leaves from Pier 41 beginning at 9:30am. Call 415/705-5555 for complete schedule and tickets. Book early as tours fill up quickly.

  • CABLE CARS: The City's moving landmarks operate seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight. Scottish wire cable manufacturer Andrew Hallidie invented the cable car in 1873 after witnessing an accident in which a horse-drawn carriage faltered and rolled backward down a steep hill, dragging the horses behind it. MUNI operates 37 cars on three lines: Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, the California line.

  • CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Center for the Arts at Yerba Buena Gardens presents arts and entertainment reflecting the San Francsico Bay Area's diverse cultural populations to the widest possible audiences in world-class venues. Located downtown San Francisco in the South of Market district (415/978-ARTS)

  • LOMBARD STREET: The "Crookedest Street in the World" serpentines ten turns down Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets.

  • UNION SQUARE: Bordered by Powell, Stockton, Post and Geary Streets, Union Square is the center of shopper's paradise with the largest concentration of boutiques, department stores and specialty shops west of the Hudson River. The Union Square Park offers seasonal plantings, holiday displays and open space atop a four-story underground parking garage. Celebrated hotels, shops and bright flower stands surround the Square. Cable Cars to Nob Hill, Fisherman's Wharf and the Cannery leave from Powell Street.

  • HALLIDIE PLAZA: Connects Powell-Market Street regional transit. It's the terminus for cable car lines to Fisherman's Wharf (Powell-Mason) and Aquatic Park (Powell-Hyde). You'll also find MUNI METRO underground rail lines (415/673-6864) and BART trains (415/788-2278). S.F. Convention & Visitors Bureau Information (415/391-2000) is also nearby. SAN FRANCISCO CENTRE: nine-floor marble, polished green granite and glass shopping palace at 5th and Market Streets. The Nordstrom flagship store-in-the-sky is on the top five floors while a 150 foot atrium employs spiral escalators for access to shops & restaurants.

  • TRANS-BAY TRANSIT TERMINAL: Located at First and Mission Streets, this is where you'll board East Bay transit (except BART): AC TRANSIT (510/839-2882); AMTRAK train bus depot (800/ USA-RAIL); GRAY LINE TOURS (415/ 558-9400); GREYHOUND TRAILWAYS LINES (800/231-2222). Some GOLDEN GATE TRANSIT bus lines to Marin and Sonoma Counties also board here (415/332-6600). MUNI Buses #5, #6, #38, #38C stop here (415/ 673-6864). SAM TRANS, bus service to the Peninsula and San Francisco Airport boards in front of the Terminal on Mission Street (800/660-4287). The Visual Bay Area Transit Information Center is on the Mezzanine level of Terminal.

  • MOSCONE CONVENTION CENTER: The City's major convention and conference facility with 40 meeting rooms, a ballroom and space for 30,000 people in a six-acre exhibit hall. Enter on Howard Street between 3rd and 4th Streets (415/974-4000). The S.F. Convention & Visitors Bureau (415/974-6900) is also located here.

  • BAY BRIDGE: The longest suspension span in the world, 8 ¼ miles, four miles of which is over water, directly connects San Francisco with East Bay communities via mid-Bay Yerba Buena Island, since 1936. The top deck traffic moves west (auto toll $1), and the bottom deck flows eastward. No pedestrian traffic is allowed.

  • THE EMBARCADERO: Fifty piers rim San Francisco's east and northeast shore, berthing ships from around the world. Odd numbered piers are north of the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street, and even numbered piers are to the south. A landmark clock tower adorns the 1903 FERRY TERMINAL BUILDING that houses the World Trade Center and the Port Commission. Ferries to Sausalito, Larkspur and Tiburon to/from Marin County dock behind the Ferry Building. Across The Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street is JUSTIN HERMAN PLAZA and EMBARCADERO CENTER, an outdoor plaza and theater, the Vaillan court Fountain, open space and the eight-building Embarcadero Center with hotels, offices, shops and restaurants.

  • CAL TRAIN DEPOT: Fourth and Townsend St. Peninsula rail service to San Jose and other South Bay locations. (415/495-4546).

  • FINANCIAL DISTRICT: "Wall Street of the West" houses the Pacific Stock Exchange (Pine and Sansome Streets); trading hours are 6:30am-1:30pm. Nearby, at 630 Sansome Street, are the U.S. Immigration Office and U.S. Forest Service Information. The U.S. Geological Survey (maps, books) is at 555 Battery Street. Picnic in a redwood grove at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid between Montgomery and Sansome Streets.

  • CHINATOWN: Members of the populous Chinese-American community reside and operate shops, restaurants and food stores on or near Grant Avenue between Bush and Pacific Streets. The mid-winter Chinese New Year celebration and parade takes place here. Landmarks: Bufano's statue of Sun-Yat Sen (St. Mary's Park), historic Portsmouth Square (Robert Louis Stevenson monument), Tien Hou Temple (Waverly Place), Chinese Historical Society (Adler Place), Cultural Center (Holiday Inn), 1851 Kong Chow Temple (855 Stockton Street) and Old St. Mary's Church.

  • NOB HILL: This fashionable hotel area was the site of homes for the "Big Four" railroad and mining tycoons, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins and Collis Huntington. Nob Hill hotels offer views and skyscraper lounges. Visit the Gothic-style Episcopal Grace Cathedral (tour available), and see the Masonic Auditorium's bas-relief, translucent murals. The Cable Car Barn and Museum at Washington and 1201 Mason Streets is open daily.

  • NORTH BEACH: The City's Italian heritage centers in an area from Columbus and Broadway to Bay Street. Until 1881, when the bay was filled in, this was the City's north shore. Washington Square Park, North Beach Museum, Saints Peter and Paul Church, restaurants, coffee houses, Italian delicatessens and bakeries delight visitors. Don't miss Beach Blanket Babylon on stage at 678 Green Street (415/421-4222). Night time entertainment is also on Broadway.

  • TELEGRAPH HILL/COIT TOWER: Sweeping views of the North Bay from the 210-foot Coit Tower memorial on the site of an original semaphore station. The elevator to the Observation Level operates from 10am to 7:00pm daily. Famous Depression-Era tower murals are on view daily (415/362-0808). Filbert Street steps down the hillside to the landscaped Levi Plaza, green space surrounded by Sansome, Embarcadero, Union and Lombard Streets.

  • JACKSON SQUARE: Restored Gold Rush-era buildings grace a six-block historic district, once the perimeter of the naughty Barbary Coast, now dominated by financial institutions, art galleries, and restaurants (bounded by Sansome, Washington, Columbus, Kearny, Pacific and Broadway Streets).

  • CIVIC CENTER: Located in the Franklin-Golden Gate-Market Streets triangle. City Hall, Civic Auditorium, Brooks Hall (underground), Main Library, Federal/State buildings, United Nations Plaza, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, H. M. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, Veteran's Building (Herbst Theatre), S.F. Ballet Association Building are all found in the Civic Center, which is the second largest performing arts center in the U.S. Symphony Box Office, L. M. Davies Symphony Hall (415/431-5400); Opera Box Office, Opera House (415/703-9400); Ballet Box Office, Opera House (415/621-3838); Herbst Theatre, City Box Office, 141 Kearny Street (415/392-4400). Also nearby is the Orpheum Theatre at 1192 Market Street (415/474-3800).

  • RUSSIAN HILL: Named for a Russian sailor cemetery, this mostly residential neighborhood has delightful bay views, landscaped cul-de-sacs and lush green parks.

  • COW HOLLOW/UNION STREET: Formerly the Cow Hollow dairy district, now the carpenter-style Victorian buildings have been remodeled into chic shops, art galleries and trendy restaurants. At Gough & Union Streets, you'll find the historic OCTAGON HOUSE museum, a restored 1861 classic revival home maintained by National Society of Colonial Dames.

  • JAPAN CENTER, JAPAN TOWN: A contemporary complex (bounded by Post, Geary, Laguna, Fillmore Streets) adjoins Nihonmachi, Japan Town, via the landscaped Buchanan Street mall. The five-acre Center includes the Japanese Consulate, a hotel, shops, showrooms and a multiplex movie theater. Japanese folk events occur seasonally, weekends near Drum Tower in Peace Plaza. The Cherry Blossom Festival is in mid-April. Events: 415/563-2313.

  • PACIFIC HEIGHTS: Grand mansions are home to many of the City's most influential residents. The HAAS-LILIENTHAL HOUSE, on Franklin between Washington and Jackson Streets, is the only Victorian home open to the public, with tours on Wednesday and Sunday; also houses the offices of Foundation for San Francisco Heritage, which provides walking tours of neighborhoods and other events (415/441-3000/441-3004).

  • MARINA: This waterside residential area was built on the site of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, and features a private yacht harbor, a large grassy open space and a par course along Marina Boulevard. The Masonry Wave Organ amphitheater on the tip of the jetty past the lighthouse pipes tunes of bay wave movements for patient listeners. The Marina is on the route of the Golden Gate Promenade. The PALACE OF FINE ARTS was originally the Panama-Pacific Exposition Hall designed in 1915 by California architect Bernard Maybeck. Restored in 1967, it now houses a 1,000-seat theater (415/567-6642) and the EXPLORATORIUM science museum (415/561-0360), surrounded by a lagoon, gardens and waterfowl.

  • LAUREL HEIGHTS: Upper Sacramento Street features fashionable boutiques, restaurants and art and antiques galleries in a venerable residential neighborhood, from Divisadero to Maple Streets.

  • ALAMO SQUARE: This grassy park on a knoll offers a spectacular view of downtown San Francisco and the "Postcard Row" of Victorian homes, on Steiner Street at Hayes.

  • SOMA: The developing area SOuth of MArket Street is located in a two-mile square bounded by Market, The Embarcadero, China Basin and Division Street. SOMA is home to multimedia, trendy restaurants, night clubs and art lofts side by side with once-abandoned factories and warehouses. The area has been strikingly resurrected by interior designers into large complexes serving as showrooms and popular event locales, including The Galleria, Showplace Square and the San Francisco Concourse.

  • MISSION DOLORES: The adobe Mission San Francisco de Asis, built by Indians in 1791, was the sixth Alta California Mission founded by Franciscans under the direction of Father Junipero Serra. The Mission features an Ornate Mexican altar, a museum and pioneer cemetery gardens. It is open daily, and a restoration fee is charged. The parish church next door is a Basilica (papal red, gold umbrella near altar).

  • CASTRO: This area's unique shops, bars and restaurants cater to the City's gay community. Traffic at the upper end of Market Street is blocked off for a wild Halloween celebration and the annual Gay Freedom Day Parade in June.

  • HAIGHT-ASHBURY: Once home to Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead during the "Summer of Love", the street scene now includes both punks and young professionals, trendy clothing stores, unique restaurants and lively entertainment. Further east down Haight Street near Fillmore, the Lower Haight is emerging as a popular gathering place for the art crowd with beer bars and diners.

  • NOE VALLEY: This diverse neighborhood has its business district on 24th Street, west of Church Street, lined with restaurants, cafes, florists and shops.

  • TWIN PEAKS: The best panoramic views of San Francisco from the 910-foot summit road. Tour buses stop for picture-taking.

  • THE COW PALACE: Huge exposition hall for sports and livestock events (415/469-6065).

  • CANDLESTICK PARK (3 Com Park): Until the completion of the Downtown Stadium, 3 Com Park is the Home for the San Francisco Giants (467-8000) and San Francisco 49'ers football (468-2249). Adjacent is Candlestick Point State Park.

  • GOLDEN GATE PARK: Sand dunes have been transformed into a lush, green 1,017-acre park bounded by Fulton, Lincoln, Stanyan Streets and the Great Highway. You'll find walking, bridle and bicycle routes, gardens, a polo field, a buffalo paddock, tennis, golf, lawn bowling, a children's playground and a carousel. Golden Gate Park Walks 415/221-1311. GOLDEN GATE PARK CENTER, from Arguello to 10th Avenue, includes the Japanese Tea Garden, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, M. H. de Young Museum, Music Concourse, California Academy of Sciences, landmark Conservatory, Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and tours. Park headquarters information: 415/556-0560.

  • SAN FRANCISCO ZOO: 45th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Open daily 10am-5pm (fee). More than 1,000 animals and birds in primitive to state-of-the-art settings. See the Primate Discovery Center, Gorilla World, Penguin Island and Koala Crossing. Adjacent is the Children's Zoo, open daily 11am-4pm in winter, 10:30am-4:30pm in summer. Zoo free day: 1st Wed. of each month (415/753-7083).

  • LINCOLN PARK: Breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Contains the CALIFORNIA PALACE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM. See George Segal's outdoor Holocaust memorial sculpture near the parking terrace. 18-hole Municipal Golf Course. City Golf Info.: 415/221-9911.

  • STERN GROVE: A beautiful wooded amphitheater, located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Free summer Sunday concerts at 2pm, with picnicking. Call 415/252-6252 for details.

  • LAKE MERCED: Visit this City lake for boat rental, seasonal fishing (city permit required), bike and jogging trails, a par course with an 18-hole Harding Park Public Golf Course adjacent (415/664-4690).

  • TREASURE ISLAND: Take the Treasure Island exit from the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to this 400-acre man-made island, the site of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition and now the headquarters for Western Sea Frontier. Spectacular views of the Bay and San Francisco. The Navy-Marine Corps-Coast Guard Museum is housed in the Major Fair Bldg.

LOCAL AREA MUSEUMS
All area codes are 415 unless otherwise noted

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

  • Haas-Lilienthal House; 2007 Franklin, 441-3004
  • Octagon House; Union & Gough, 441-7512

ART

  • Ansel Adams Center for Photography, 250 Fourth St., 495-7000
  • Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; Golden Gate Park, 668-8921
  • Calfornia Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate park, 750-7145
  • California Palace of the Legion of Honor; Lincoln Park, 750-3600
  • Cartoon Art Museum; 814 Mission, 546-3922
  • Chinese Culture Center; Chinatown, 986-1822
  • Jewish Comm. Museum; 121 Steuart , 543-8880
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Civic Center, 357-4000
  • Museo Italo Americano; Ft. Mason, 673-2200
  • Mexican Museum of S.F. ; Ft. Mason, 441-0404
  • Old Mint Museum, 88 5th St., 744-6830
  • San Francisco Craft & Folk Arts Museum; Ft. Mason, 775-0990
  • M. H. de Young Memorial Museum; Golden Gate Park, 750-3600
  • Galleria de la Raza/Studio 24; Mission Dist., 826-8009

HISTORY

  • Alcatraz Island-Golden Gate NRA; San Francisco Bay, 546-2896
  • Chinese Historical Society Museum, 650 Commercial St., 391-1188
  • Fort Point National Historic Site; Golden Gate Bridge, 556-1693
  • Mission Dolores; Mission District, 621-8203
  • Ripley's Believe it or Not!, 175 Jefferson St., 771-6188
  • Society of Cal. Pioneers; Civic Center, 957-1849
  • San Francisco African; American History & Cultural Society—Ft. Mason, 441-0640
  • Wax Museum Entertainment Complex, 145 Jefferson St., 202-0400

INDUSTRY/AGRICULTURE

  • "World of Economics"/Federal Reserve Bank; 101 Market, 974-3252

MARITIME/NAUTICAL

  • Nt'l Maritime Historical Park; Aquatic Park, 556-3002
  • S.S. "Jeremiah O'Brien"; Ft. Mason, 441-3101

MEMORABILIA

  • Musee Mechanique; 1090 Point Lobos Avenue, 386-1170
  • Wells Fargo History Museum; 420 Montgomery, 396-2619
  • Guinness Museum of World Records, 235 Jefferson St., 771-9890

MILITARY

  • U.S.S. "Pampanito" sub; Pier 45, 441-5819
  • Treasure Island Museum, 410 Palm Ave., 395-5067
  • San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, 201-401 Van Ness Ave., 621-6600

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY/OTHER

  • Conservatory, Kennedy Dr., 666-7200
  • Coit Tower, One Telegraph Hill Blvd., 362-0808
  • Exploratorium; 3601 Lyon, 561-0360
  • Morrison Planetarium; G. Gate Park, 750-7141
  • Steinhart Aquarium; Golden Gate Park, 750-7145
  • San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Blvd. at Pacific Ocean, 753-7083

GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATIONAL AREA
The largest park in the world, spanning 115 miles over a three county area. Established in 1972 by Congress and dedicated to the late Congressman Philip Burton, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Mason and Muir Woods.

  • FORT MASON: A former Army Transport/Quartermaster Depot, now the GGNRA headquarters, Bay & Franklin Streets entrance. GGNRA Information Center, Building 201: weekdays 9:30am-4:30pm, 415/556-0560, for information. Western Regional National Parks Information, Building 201: weekdays, 9:30am-4:30pm, 415/556-0560. S.F. International Hostel, 415/771-7277. Piers and warehouses at the west end are occupied by 50 resident organizations. Fort Mason Center is at the Bucannan St. entrance, Building A, 415/441-5706: Liberty Ship Memorial, Pier 3E; Mexican Museum, Building D; Museo Italo Americano, Building C; Cowell Theatre, Herbst Pavilion; Bayfront Theater, Building B, 415/441-5706.; Magic Theatre, Bld. D, 415/441-8822; Young Performers Theatre, Bldg. C, 415/346-5550.

  • AQUATIC PARK: At the north terminal of the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line. Protected shoreline within GGNRA: National Maritime Museum, S.F. Senior Center, Hyde Street Pier, and historic ships including a square-rigger and the Balclutha (museum).

  • BAKER BEACH: Mile-long beach off Lincoln Boulevard. Views, hiking, surf fishing, sun bathing (no swimming), picnic tables, grills and restrooms. April-October, 10am-10pm, phone Fort Funston.

  • JAMES D. PHELAN BEACH: Also known as CHINA BEACH, off Sea Cliff Avenue. Swimming April-October, lifeguards, changing rooms, showers, restrooms and parking. Open 7am-dusk, phone Fort Funston.

  • SUTRO HEIGHTS PARK: Spellbinding views from Victorian gardens on the site of a Comstock baron's mansion, 200 feet above the Pacific. Conducted walks (415/556-8642).

  • OCEAN BEACH, CLIFF HOUSE: Off the Great Highway. Sand, surf, but NO swimming! Sea lions bask on off-shore rocks September-June. The 1908 CLIFF HOUSE: restaurants, ocean views and shops. GGNRA Visitors Center in lower level: slide show, museum, historic exhibits, window views of the ocean and the Sutro Bath ruins. Open daily 10am-5pm, 415/556-8642.

  • FORT FUNSTON: Old military installation now open for nature walks: sand dunes, ocean beach and unusual flora. Hang gliding, ¾-mile whole access trail. Wheelchair accessible. Picnicking. Open 7am-dusk, 415/556-8371.

  • PRESIDIO & FORT POINT HISTORIC SITE: The Spanish established the Presidio of San Francisco in 1776, formerly the Sixth Army headquarters. The Presidio Army Museum plus largest green area in S.F. Historic Trail Guide/Map is available. FORT POINT HISTORIC SITE: Civil War fort under the south portal of the Golden Gate Bridge is open Wed-Sun10am-5pm, museum, tours, events. Dress warmly. 415/556-0505.


    TRIVIAL FUN FACTS - THE MARIN COUNTY AREAS
    Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

    A few minutes drive across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Marin County is a world apart. With a relaxed pace, rolling pastures, hiking and biking trails, smooth beaches, green fairways and fine restaurants, you'll discover why Marin County is a favorite for those who seek outdoor fun and a change of scene.
    • Along U.S. 101, the Redwood Highway, are Sausalito and the San Francisco Bay Delta Model; the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands; Tiburon and its 900-acre wildlife sanctuary; Angel Island State Park; Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais; Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield with the College of Marin; Ross, with the Marin Arts & Garden Center, San Anselmo and the San Francisco Theological Society; and San Rafael, home of the Marin Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Terwilliger Nature Education & Wildlife Rehabilitation museum and wildlife hospital.

    • East of San Rafael is China Camp State Park, and north is Novato with its Marin Museum of the American Indian. Just north is the Olompali State Historic Park, one of the many State parks within the Redwood Empire.

    • Along Coast Highway 1, the Shoreline Highway, you will find the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), Marin Headlands, Tennessee Valley, Forts Baker, Barry and Cronkite, Rodeo Beach and Point Bonita Lighthouse.

    • Former forest and military installations west of the Golden Gate Bridge are administered by the National Park Service. Hiking, restricted biking, horseback riding, fishing, nature, history tours, group camping and educational events are available.

    • Visitors Center at Fort Barry: 415-331-1540. Youth Hostel, Fort Barry, 415-331-2777. Pacific Environment & Resource Center, Bldg. 1055, Fort Cronkite: 415-332-8200. Bay Discovery Museum, Fort Baker, 415-487-4398.

    • Most beaches are open, 9 a.m. until one hour after sunset.

    • Muir Woods National Monument is just 3-1/2 miles west of Mill Valley, with the last remaining old growth coast redwood forest in the Bay Area. The main trail along Redwood Creek is 1 mile long, paved and wheelchair accessible. Bridges over the creek allow for short loop walks. The largest trees are in the Bohemian Grove (253 ft., 13 ft. diameter). The trail connects with an extensive network of hiking trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park. Muir Woods is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Bookstore, gift shop, and snack bar. No camping, picnicking or pets. 415-388-2595.

    • Also along Highway 1 are the Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin Municipal Water District Lakes, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, the Samuel P. Taylor State Park and the Point Reyes National Seashore. This 74,000-acre area administered by the National Park Service houses the Bear Valley Visitor Center, 1/3 mile west of Olema, with natural and cultural exhibits, library, programs and trail maps. Reservations and camping info, 415-663-1092 (TDD/TTY).

    • Continuing along Highway 1 are Olema, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Tomales Bay State Park, Marshall, Dillon Beach and the Audubon Canyon Ranch.



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For other areas of THE REDWOOD EMPIRE, click below:
6.The wild and scenic Rogue River, the Oregon Caves... one of Oregon's "best kept secrets" - Josephine County

5.Redwoods, Rivers, Seaports and Coastline of California's Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

4.The dramatic & beautiful Coast, the dynamic inland areas & Wine country of Mendocino County

3.The Lakes and Playgrounds of Clearlake & Lake County

2.The dramatic coastline, the legendary Wine country and progressive cities of Sonoma and Napa Counties

1.Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

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Redwood Empire Association
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