Page 42 - 2024/2025 Travel Guide to CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
Exploring San Francisco’s Vibrant Culture and Iconic Landmarks
TOP CITIES
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Healdsburg, Petaluma
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
BY LAURA DEL ROSSO
The 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 redwood groves, expansive vineyards and a coastline of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Combine those with a Mediterranean climate and a dynamic environ- ment 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 outdoors at its doorstep. The hub of the Bay Area is San Francisco, a city of diverse neighbor- hoods, world-class cuisine and a welcoming spirit of tolerance in the most European of American cities.
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 small towns full of boutiques, shops and tasting rooms is the Napa Valley hamlet of Yountville, a foodie dining mecca with several Michelin-starred restaurants and, a bit
TOURISM WEBSITES
sftravel.com visitberkeley.com santaclara.org sonomacounty.com stayhealdsburg.com visitpetaluma.com visitmarin.org
POPULATION
7,750,000
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
visitoakland.com
sanjose.org visitnapavalley.com sonomavalley.com santacruz.org thesanfranciscopeninsula.com
JACK-SOOKSAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
40 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA