"Is Commuting All That Bad?" San Francisco Travelogue by karenincalifornia
San Francisco Travel Guide: 10,931 reviews and 18,554 photos
It seems like just about everyone complains about commuting to work. It takes too long, it's a pain in the neck sitting in deadlocked traffic, and public transportation is too crowded. We're always looking for ways to reduce or change the commute, or get rid of it altogether.
I commute by ferry from Marin County to San Francisco, where I work. Come take a ride with me this morning, and see how you like my commute. Wouldn't you want to do this everyday if you could?
It's early morning, we have just departed from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and the sun is peaking out over the hills behind Berkeley.
As we pass on the east side of Angel Island, we see the sun's first rays lighting up the old U.S. Immigration buildings on the island. From 1910 to 1940, Chinese immigrants were detained at Angel Island. They suffered hardships, racial discrimination and lengthy interrogation. This is not a proud piece of San Francisco's history, but nonetheless, one that we should not dismiss.
The sun's early rays hit the Bay Bridge and the east side of the financial district. The skyline is a sillouette against an amber and turqouise sky, but we can just make out the outlines of the Transamerica tower, the Bank of America tower, Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower.
The ferry now cruises on past Sausalito, a fun bayside town built into the hills of Marin. We'll have to go back there and spend more time. It's got some terrific shops and restaurants and fabulous views of the City.
Now we pass the mouth of the Bay and see this stunning sight - the Golden Gate Bridge beneath a waning moon. To the left is Fort Point, built to protect San Francisco during the US Civil War. The Fort never had to fire a gun during the Civil War. The Confederates came nowhere close to attacking California. Fort Point is now a museum.
Next, we pass the famous Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz was used as a prison during the Civil War, and was later used to hold Native Americans hostage. It served as a federal maximum security prison from 1934 to 1963. Now it is a museum.
We are drawing nearer to San Francisco, and more sunlight has fallen on the City. We can now clearly make out (from left to right) the Financial District, Telegraph Hill with Coit Tower, Nob Hill and Russian Hill. Those hills don't look all that steep from here!
We are arriving at port. Time to gather up our laptops, phones, newspapers, and throw away our coffee cups. It's a beautiful day in San Francisco, don't you think? Much too beautiful to work!
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Comments (68)
Interesting take on your "near" home town. Very useful tips.
Great tips esp the restaurants can't believe several are closed over the wknd though
I can't believe how many restaurants I have missed. I only visit once a year now, but I lived in SF for many years. I can't wait to try some of your picks when I am out in June.
Happy Birthday, Karen! To celebrate your birthday I'm just having a look at the updates that you have added to this page since July 26, 2004. BART didn't even exist yet when I was living and working in Berkeley. Sorry to hear it's already old and shabby.
Thanks for visiting my Le Thor page! We're planning a visit to the US (2009) and hope to be in California in late summer. With a bit of luck the weather will be as good as it was in France.
hi Karen, I got carried away rating your restaurants, they all sounded good, as well as the things to do. Will be up this friday and want to know where the best Dim Sum can be found. Larry
Great San Fran tips. I'm headed back up there in a couple weeks and you've given me some new ideas. Thanks! Love the "Karen's typical lunch" tip...LoL!
This zoo is the worst zoo I have ever been too. Don't waste your time, every other exhibit is closed. No elephants, lion house closed, zebras locked up and this in the middle of summer. The only animal they had a lot of was peacocks.
great pages , a wealth of information and advice Looking forward to trying some of them myself
yeah the walk to coit tower does take it out of you! your right enough bout the great views
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