Unexpected Bay Vistas

By Captian Ray
Published: August, 2011 

The beauty of San Francisco Bay can be enjoyed from many places. We’ve all seen photos or actually enjoyed the views from the top of Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, the Vista Point in Marin County, or from the pedestrian walkway on the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s likely you’re reading this from one of the area’s best vantage points: a ferry crossing the Bay. But, I’d like to share some unusual vista points—unexpected, unheralded spots that provide wonderful and unique views of this very beautiful area.

One of these serendipitous spots is the pedestrian bridge connecting Pier 39 with its parking garage. Recently, I was walking from the parking structure toward Aquarium of the Bay. Coming out of the garage onto the bridge, I was looking east and could see a bit of the Berkeley Hills. However, as the bridge turned left to cross over the Embarcadero, the Bay was laid out before me: Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais all shining in the sunlight! This view came as a complete (and very pleasant) surprise.

Another of these little gems is in the East Bay. We’ve all seen it, that funny little hill with the trees on it, east of I-80, just north of Berkeley. It seems an odd place for such a steep little hill. As it turns out, this hill is a small chip of sandstone, scraped off the Pacific Plate sliding under the North American Plate. It is the namesake for the town of El Cerrito (the little hill in Spanish), even though the hill itself is now in the town of Albany—hence its name, Albany Hill.

Because it sits directly in the path of the cool sea breezes drawing in the Golden Gate, Albany Hill is a home for several species normally farther north, such as the Nootka Rose. At the base of north side of the hill, five small streams come together in a grove of oak trees that is relatively unchanged since European contact. Mortar rocks (where acorns were ground) and a shell midden are evidence of Ohlone habitation. The hill is now capped with introduced eucalyptus trees. These trees block the view somewhat, but through the gaps you can see across the Golden Gate Fields race track all the way to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the hills of Marin County.

Another unusual place to find a very nice view of the Bay is the visitor’s parking lot at San Quentin Prison. Just before reaching the prison’s main gate (you’ll recognize it because of the big sign and the armed guard), you can turn left and go down the hill to the visitor’s parking lot. Or, if you can find street parking, there is a small shoreline park a few hundred feet before the gate. The view of the Bay from either of these places is like a step back to the 1930s. There are a few homes along the shore of the Bay and a small pebbly beach from which you can savor the wind, waves and birds. It’s a very peaceful, idyllic spot—as long as you have your back to the prison.

The last unexpected vista point I want to mention doesn’t have a view of the Bay, but the view is magnificent and very San Francisco, especially at night. The focus is the lighted dome of San Francisco’s City Hall. The location? The small balconies of Davies Symphony Hall. Before a performance or during intermission, concert goers can step out onto these balconies to enjoy the sights. City Hall is the dominant structure, but other features of the City are visible as well against the backdrop of the night sky. A glass of champagne and the expectation of magnificent music will only enhance the view.

Ray Wichmann, is a US SAILING-certified Ocean Passagemaking Instructor, a US SAILING Instructor Trainer, and a member of US SAILING’s National Faculty. He holds a 100-Ton Master’s License, was a charter skipper in Hawai’i for 15 years, and has sailed on both coasts of the United States, in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Greece. He is presently employed as the Master Instructor at OCSC Sailing in the Berkeley Marina.