Some Ways to Enjoy San Francisco Bay

Dominated by other larger cities like San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, San Francisco Bay is a shallow estuary in the state of California. Formerly names as Yerba which was derived in the Spanish word meaning “Good herb”, San Francisco Bay was a small city founded in 1776. It was later renamed in 1846 with its public square located in Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. What most people don’t realize is that San Francisco Bay has one of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, with a total population of 100,000 people lives in Chinatown, ranking in number two spot. The Chinatown in SF is also considered as the oldest in North America. 

Built on more than 50 hills including some of the famous hills like the Nob Hill, Telegraph Hill, Twin Peaks, and the Russian Hill, the city is known to offer many tourists spots with a variety of features in each of them. However, San Francisco Bay is famous to host the largest competition of American wines in the world. This anticipated event called the Chronicle Wine Competition is held every February where tourists and wine enthusiasts cross continents just to visit San Francisco Bay. Here are some the best places to visit in San Francisco Bay. 

Visit the Golden Gate Bridge 

But San Francisco Bay goes more than that, the city and Marin County is the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most photographs landmarks in the world, which has been listed down as one of the modern wonders of the world. First opened in 1937, spectators marvel how the bridge can lift up tons of weight from the hundreds of vehicles crossing it each day. Now, it holds the record as the longest suspension bridge ever created of mankind. It’s a quite sight to see, as the steel with a total length of 1.7 miles with six lanes of traffic and carrying millions of passengers each year. 

Marvel how Alcatraz Island is known to be inescapable 

Alcatraz was made famous by the movie entitled Escape from Alcatraz. Since then, its popularity even rose as it was considered as inescapable. Built about 1.5 miles off the shore of San Francisco Bay, this small island was primarily built as a federal prison and military fortification. It was used as a federal prison for the “worst inmate” in the country, many infamous prisoners had stayed in the island including Robert Franklin Stroud and Al Capone. Today, only tourists can come and go in Alcatraz to experience the depth of the prison grounds. 

Ride the world-renown San Francisco Cable Car System 

You have never been in San Francisco Bay if you haven’t been on their cable car system. Locals are very proud of this last manually operated cable car system in the world. During its fully operational time, there were 23 cable car lines pumping the city. But now you can choose from any of the 3 remaining cable car lines in the city where it can take you in different towns. It’s a great way to explore the city while riding in a piece of very important transportation in the history of automobiles. 

Take a full 360 view of San Francisco Bay in Twin Peaks 

To end your adventure; take a full 360 view of San Francisco Bay in Twin Peaks. It’s a mandatory thing to do whenever you come down in the city for the first time. With a reputation of having a spectacular full view of the Bay Area. The Twin Peaks got its name from what locals used to call it as the “Los Pechos de la Choca” which literally means “Breasts of the Maiden”, because of its shape and size. Standing at about 922 feet high, you can have fun spotting some creatures and other plant life as you hike through the top. 

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The Best Things to Do in Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast runs from north to south, making the western border of the US state of Oregon. Sitting along the Pacific Ocean, Oregon Coast stretches about 362 miles from the Columbia River in its northern part to the California state border in the south. One of the most diverse regions in the US, Oregon Coast has three sub-districts with its own rich history and culture. Even without any legal boundaries, locals consider their region to have North Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast. 

The most amazing thing Oregon can share with the world was the Oregon Beach Bill of 1967, which allows free beach access to everyone. This allows private beach landowners to keep their beach but removes their tax obligations. In exchange, the beach landowners will allow pedestrians to have easy access to the beach. Preventing beach landowners from building on the beach is one of the greatest highlights in this bill. And the results of their dedication to having a pristine coastline are clearly evident today. 

Oregon coastlines remain free and public, without any hassles from commercial buildings and other establishments in the beach. Which only means one thing; people can really enjoy their time in the sand and comb the beach for agates or glass floats. If you really want to be with the beach and waves, Oregon Coast is a perfect rejuvenating destination. 

There are a lot of things to do while visiting Oregon Coast and aside from its sandy beaches, the region is also known for its rugged cliffs, amazing marine life, historic lighthouses, charming seaside towns and a lot of scenic state parks. 

Cannon Beach 

You can start your vacation in the most photographs landmark in Oregon Coast – Cannon Beach. It’s one of the top must-sees in Oregon Coast. Behold its beautiful scenery and majestic view where the waves and mountains meet along the shorelines of Oregon. If Mother Nature permits it, you may find Haystack Rock more stunning, protruding about 235 feet out of the Pacific, it’s quite a view even in pouring rain. 

Take a quick tour at Oregon’ largest city – Portland 

As the largest city in Oregon, Portland is known for its cool vibe. Today, Oregon has a thriving craft beer scene, where you can find great microbreweries as well as coffeehouses. Don’t worry about where and what you can eat in Oregon, there is a lot of great grub in the region which is famous for their fresh seafood. Make sure to stop by in the famous Washington Park for a leisure walk in its historic grounds. 

Visit the historic town of Astoria 

Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria serves as the home to some of the famous restaurants and luxury hotel in Oregon. When you visit the place, make sure to check the Astoria Riverfront Trolleys and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. But to get a full majestic city view, climb atop of Astoria Column. Marvel how architecture and art can really get well, stop by the Astoria-Megler Bridge to know more about steel frame architecture. For some retreat and physical activity, you can go hiking, biking, camping, and swimming at the Peter Iredale 1096 shipwreck. 

Ride the train at Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach 

If you have smaller children in tow, you might want to take them on a slow tour aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. This relaxing 1925 train ride has plenty of stops that starts from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach, famous for its picturesque beach. People line up to get treats and other assortments of pastries at the Beach Bakeshop and make sure to bring their delicacies home with you. 

See the Heceta Head Lighthouse 

To cap off your journey, visit the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Built in the 1890s which still runs today, you can get to witness how the lighthouse keeper keeps this centennial lighthouse working. 

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San Diego: Activities You Should Never Miss

A city in the US state of California, San Diego City sits on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and about 120 miles south of Los Angeles. Considered as the “birthplace of California”, it served as home to the Kumeyaay people. When Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed in US soil in 1542, he claimed San Diego Bay for the King of Spain. 200 years later the Alta California first settled in the area and in 1769, the Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá formed the first European settlement which later becomes California. 

The city’s main economic industry includes tourism, international trade, manufacturing, military, and defense-related activities. With the foundation of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and affiliated UCSD Medical Center, San Diego became as the biotechnological center in the state. 

If you are thinking of going in a quick getaway but on a tight budget, you might want to drive in San Diego as the city offers a lot of free things to do for families. Here are some of the best free things you can do: 

Enjoy the Beach 

As with another west coast, you can enjoy the beach whenever you go. But San Diego has all-day free access to the beach which is one of the best beaches in the country. You can swim, surf, and hang around to get the perfect tan. Kids will love building sandcastles, run around the beach, and comb for hidden treasure in the sand. 

For a more memorable family bonding moment, fly a kite in the Tecolote Shores of Mission Bay Park. Feel the soft grassy field on this 4,600-acre aquatic park. There are no trees or overhead wires, just the sky and ample supply of relaxing breeze blowing all day long. Just bring along your picnic basket and get ready to have the best family day ever: no gadgets, no emails, and no pesky phone calls, just pure family fun. 

Teach your kids how to Bird Watch 

Kids love the outdoors – before cell phones, game consoles, and gadgets were invented. Teach them again how fun it is to be with nature. The city is known to have a year-round bird migration in the country, go bird watching in some of San Diego's natural wetland reserves like Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Famosa Slough in Point Loma, or in Tijuana Estuary. With over 500 species of birds along the migratory path, kids will love how birds of different species share common things in life. 

Visit museums 

San Diego has several museums that offer free days like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego which opens for free during the third Thursday of each month. Or visit Flying Leatherneck Aviation during Tuesdays to Sundays and marvel at the 31 historical and famous aircraft. They even offer free of charge programs like Open Cockpit Days and Pilot Talks. 

To end your amazing vacation, get the full view of the city and drive to the very top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla. It offers a great 360-degree view of San Diego and snapped that perfect family picture.

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