After several generations of walling themselves off from San Francisco Bay, Bay Area folks and tourists alike are increasingly eager to get up close and personal with one of the most beautiful and complex maritime systems in the world.
Published: October, 2000
After several generations of walling themselves off from San Francisco Bay, Bay Area folks and tourists alike are increasingly eager to get up close and personal with one of the most beautiful and complex maritime systems in the world.
Here are some insider favorites if you want to find out for yourself what the excitement is all about:
San Francisco/Peninsula:
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
This multiplex museum of things-maritime consists of historic ships (just two examples: the ferryboat Eureka, the last San Francisco Bay scow schooner still afloat (the Alma), a museum, a store and a library. A must-see, but it’s kind of like the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.: impossible to do in one day.
Getting there:
A hop, skip and a jump from Fisherman’s Wharf (and the ferry dock at Pier 41).
Coyote Point Museum
1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, CA 94401
650-342-7755
Situated in a state park south of San Francisco near the airport, the Coyote Point Museum offers a rich variety of environmental education projects.
Getting there:
Can’t get there by ferry just yet – though ferry service is planned for nearby Oyster Point soon. By care, head south on 101 and take the Poplar Avenue just south of the Airport and follow the signs.
North Bay:
San Francisco Bay-Delta Model
2100 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-332-3870
The Bay Model is a 3-D representation of San Francisco Bay and the Delta capabale of simulating tides, currents, river inflows and more. It’s operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, spread out over 1.5 acres.
Getting there:Take the Sausalito ferry and walk less than 15 minutes.
Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
376 Greenwood Beach Road
Tiburon, CA 94920
415-388-2524
This 11-acre education center overlooks 900 acres of protected water, mud flats, natural habitats and unaltered shorelines. It also features the historic Victorian Lyford House, displaying artwork by famed bird artists John Audubon.
Getting there:Take the Tiburon ferry and ride the #10 bus or follow the Tiburon Bike Path 2.5 miles to Blackie’s Pasture.
East Bay
Crab Cove Visitor Center
1252 McKay Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501-7805
510-521-6887
The island of Alameda (frequently confused with the County of Alameda) boasts perhaps the finest beach anywhere on the Bay in Crown Beach. Crab Cover forms the westernmost part of Crown Beach and has been designated a marine reserve by the State. A variety of programs are offered: don’t miss the Elsie B. Roemer Bird Sanctuary.
Getting there:
Perversely, you really can’t get there by ferry, even though the island of Alameda has excellent ferry service at both ends. Problem is few transit connections yet exist. So, to get there by care take the Posey Tube (a tunnel under the Oakland Estuary) which you get to from Webster Street in Oakland. It’s worth figuring out.
