San Francisco Bay Area-Things to Do & See this Fall
SF’s Bay Area is the place to be this Fall.
The weather is perfect, a balmy 60’s,the average,with lots of sunshine; warmer days and cooler evenings. It’s the best time of year to be there.,from early Sept. through late Nov. And getting around there is easy with a day-pass, weekly and/ or monthly pass. Local transit hubs can provide these for you at a discount. The Clipper Card works best is you’re a Senior or Veteran. Dial 877.878.8883 or connect locally with www.sanfransico.travel or call 415.227.2600 for more info on where,when you can buy these.( San Francisco Travel Assn. ). Oh,yes, cable cars and trolleys are included. Really a fun way to take in the city sites.
Note, SF is a smaller version of NYC,it’s been said. Only 800,000 live here on less than 50 sq.mi. compared to LA, with a population of 4 million, San Diego,1.4 million or San Jose,1 million. It’s decidedly American, with a large mix from every major country on the map, though heavily Asian, 33% and Latino, 15%, with Mexico, the third major group, original settlers over the last 200 years. For visitors, however, it annually records a larger international set. Last year nearly 3 million visited from overseas vs.23 million from all parts of N.A The city, however, has a large tourism budget to accommodate pegged at 9.5 bill.for 2018.
Lots to See & Do in 2018. Museums, live theatre, public parks, are for your enjoyment,i.e.,The Presidio, a magnificent outlay of classical architecture originally constructed for the 1916 California Exposition, and Golden Gate Park, the city’s premier public attraction are open 7-days. Visit the California Academy of Sciences for its huge multi-level aquarium/www.calacademy.org.,the largest on the West Coast, and the Japanese Garden, a five-minute walk from there. Another major park is Ft. Mason, formerly a U.S. Army base now a public park adjoining the bay area leading to the Golden Gate Bridge,a spectacular site and a popular conveyance for bikers and hikers and day trippers/ www.goldengate.org.
The Italo Americano Museo in Building C at Ft.Mason Ctr. is also an interesting stop. Experience the history of the city from its Italian roots/ www.sfmuseo.org.On the bay front you can’t miss Pier 39 with its myriad of attractions, with its cadre of eateries and where variety is the spice life.www.pier39.com, a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf where Italian seafood is served with gusto seven-days a week,
a tribute to its Sicilian heritage. Closer to the Embarcadero you’ll find the Exploratorium/ twitter:@ exploratorium or exploratorium.edu where the science in you and your family members will enjoy hand-held educational toys and gadgets with a scientific bent.It’s truly a learning experience you won’t forget. There are over 600 exhibits to choose from we’re told. Wow! Next door on Pier 3 is Hornblower Landing, the home base for Hornblower Cruise & Events that serves both public and private parties with dinning options year ’round. Music and dancing and fine fare can be had on any of their cruises which also serves LA, and New York.They’re the largest in NA with 37 vessels of various sizes and at various price points/ www.hornblolwer.com. A smart way to get to see more of the Bay Area is with the City Pass/ www.citypass.com, where a “book” of tickets allows you to visit any number of sites at a discount. Try it. It works and will save you a bundle.And check in with the San Francisco Travel Bureau for what’s in store before you get there this Fall. Again:www.sanfrancisco.travel. Evenbrite, Expedia, Trivago, and Trip Advisor are also options to contact for travel arrangements while you’re in the city. On their “best bet” list are Disney’s Family Museum and Cafeteria in the Presidio complex, Crissy Field nearby, the annual Pumpkin fest, starting Sept.21, the Ferry Building Marketplace for food shopping, Ghiradelli Square for their Chocolate fests, the Botanical Gardens, The Folsom Street Leather Fair,and Octoberfest, every Sat. through October and a number of wine tours and tastings in select locations .The US Navy’s Blue Angels fly-over takes place Oct. 4-5-6 & 7 during Fleet Week, an assembly of the Big Three, US Navy, US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard, with the Parade of Ships on Oct.4. The central viewing location is the Green Marina, astride of Fisherman’s Wharf.For more on this call 415-727.7595. And don’t miss touring the Castro district for a look-see at some of the most unique homesites in the city. Close by is the Mission District known for its Bohemian flavor where you’ll a bevy of really good eateries at down-home prices. Of course,experience the abundant Fall colors in many parts of the city and in the nearby communities on your visit.The Art Deco Society of California/ ADSC can fill you in on a cadre of special events as well. And if you have the time try the Hop-On Hop-Off bus routes in the city for a pleasurable ride, usually 2-4 hours in length. No wonder Orbitz has SF as “the best city in US in Autumn.” Our best flight deal from the East Coast was with jetBlue with daily non-stops to SF’s International Airport. www.jetblue.com or 1-800 jetblue.
Enjoy!
Michael Zufolo, reporting.
