• 19Dec

    Here’s a little … I mean BIG … view of Twin Peaks. It’s a virtual reality tour that gives you a 360 degree view!

    CLICK ON THE PHOTO BELOW FOR A FULL SCREEN VIRTUAL TOUR!

    This is from Wikipedia:

    The Twin Peaks (formerly named San Miguel Hills[1] because of the San Miguel land grant[2], Los Picos Gemelos in Spanish[3]) are two hills with an elevation of about 922 feet[3] situated at the geographic center of San Francisco, California. They form the second highest point in San Francisco, after Mount Davidson.[4]

    The two peaks have a north-south orientation and are divided by Twin Peaks Boulevard, which is the only road leading up to the summit. Twin Peaks also form a prominent divider for the summer coastal fog pushed in from the Pacific Ocean. Due to this unique geographical condition, their west-facing slopes generally receive substantial fog and strong winds, while the east-facing slopes usually receive more sun and warmth.[4] Elevation of the peaks ranges from 600 feet to over 900 feet. Thin, sandy soil is commonplace on Twin Peaks, making them more susceptible to erosion.[4]

    The hills are littered with telecommunication towers that provide transmission of television and radio signals. The most prominent radio tower is the Sutro Tower, which can seen from across the Bay. To the north sits one of the city’s many reservoirs. It is owned by the San Francisco Fire Department, and provides drinking water to nearby residences and local fire stations. On the top of Twin Peaks is the popular vista point known locally as ‘Christmas Tree Point’, which offers unobstructed views of most San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay.[4][5]

    Aside from the radio towers and reservoirs, the surrounding areas atop Twin Peaks remain mostly undeveloped. They were designated as part of the 31 acres Twin Peaks Natural Area[3], managed and owned by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.[4] These preserved areas are home to many natural resources and wildlife. As part of the Mission blue butterfly habitat conservation, Twin Peaks is one the few remaining habitats for this endangered species. A wide variety of bird species, insects and vegetation also thrive in these areas.[4]

    The Muni Metro Twin Peaks Tunnel runs beneath the Twin Peaks, linking Downtown San Francisco with West Portal and the southwestern part of the city. There is no public transportation service directly to the summit of the Peaks, but the 37 Corbett Muni line stops near a path that runs up the hills on Crestline Drive.

    The name ‘Twin Peaks’ is also applied to the surrounding neighborhood.

    CLICK ON THE PHOTO BELOW TO SEE THE VIRTUAL REALITY 360 DEGREE VIEW OF TWIN PEAKS.

    For more cool virtual reality, visit: www.bayareavr.net

    Click on this link for more info about Twin Peaks.

    Click on the picture to see the fullscreen Panorama:

    twinpeaks1 Virtual Reality Tour of Twin Peaks San Francisco

  • 15Dec

    OK, it’s man-made, but it’s still fun. It used to be down near the Ferry Building, behind the Hyatt Regency and somehow connected to Kristi Yamaguchi, the Olympics skater. It seems to be just as popular as it was before, but somehow this seems like a far better location – close to the center of town and adding to the Christmas spirit. We sat outside and had mulled wine from CafĂ© Rulli and boy was it good … and perfect for the cold night air.

Blogroll:

Recent Posts