Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [120]
Hwy. 101 N. www.goldengatebridge.org. $6 cash toll collected when driving south. Bridge-bound Golden Gate Transit buses ( 511) depart hourly during the day for Marin County, starting from Mission and First sts. (across the street from the Transbay Terminal and stopping at Market and Seventh sts., at the Civic Center, along Van Ness Ave., at Lombard and Fillmore sts., and at Francisco and Richardson sts.).
Joseph B. Strauss’ creation.
Golden Gate Bridge by the Numbers
Span: 6,450 feet
Total length: 8,981 feet
Completion date: May 28, 1937
Cost: $35 million
Date paid in full: July 1971
Engineer: Joseph B. Strauss
Road height: 260 feet
Tower height: 746 feet
Swing span: 27 feet
Deepest foundation: 110 feet under water
Cable thickness: 37 inches
Cable length: 7,650 feet
Steel used: 83,000 pounds
Concrete used: 389,000 cubic yards
Miles of wire cable: 80,000
Gallons of paint annually: 10,000
Color: international orange
Rise, in cold weather: 5 feet
Drop, in hot weather: 10 feet
Traffic: 3 million vehicles per month
Toll: $6 (southbound only)
Lombard Street ★ Known (erroneously) as the “crookedest street in the world,” this whimsically winding block of Lombard Street draws thousands of visitors each year (much to the chagrin of neighborhood residents, most of whom would prefer to block off the street to tourists). The angle of the street is so steep that the road has to snake back and forth to make a descent possible. The brick-lined street zigzags around the residences’ bright flower gardens, which explode with color during warmer months. This short stretch of Lombard Street is one-way, downhill, and fun to drive. Take the curves slowly and in low gear, and expect a wait during the weekend. Save your film for the bottom where, if you’re lucky, you can find a parking space and take a few snapshots of the silly spectacle. You can also take staircases (without curves) up or down on either side of the street. In truth, most locals don’t understand what the fuss is all about. I’m guessing the draw is the combination of seeing such a famous landmark, the challenge of negotiating so many steep curves, and a classic photo op. FYI: Vermont Street, between 20th and 22nd streets in Potrero Hill, is even more crooked, but not nearly as picturesque.
Btw. Hyde and Leavenworth sts.
Pier 39 Pier 39 is a multilevel waterfront complex a few blocks east of Fisherman’s Wharf. Constructed on an abandoned cargo pier, it is, ostensibly, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-20th-century street scene, but don’t expect a slice of old-time maritime life here: Today, Pier 39 is a busy mall welcoming millions of visitors per year. It has more than 110 stores, 13 bay-view restaurants, a two-tiered Venetian carousel, a Hard Rock Cafe, the Riptide Arcade, and the Aquarium of the Bay (see below) for the kids. And everything here is slanted toward helping you part with your travel dollars. This is the place that locals love to hate, but kids adore it. That said, it does have a few perks: absolutely beautiful natural surroundings and bay views, entertaining street performers, and sunbathing sea lions lounging along its neighboring docks (for info about the free weekend talks).
On the waterfront at the Embarcadero and Beach St. 415/705-5500. www.pier39.com. Shops daily 10am–8pm, with extended hours during summer and on weekends.
GoCar Tours of San Francisco
If the thought of walking up and down San Francisco’s brutally steep streets has you sweating already, considering renting a talking GoCar instead. The tiny yellow three-wheeled convertible cars are easy and fun to drive—every