08Sep
The Bay Bridge is beautiful and in some ways, even more interesting than the Golden Gate. For one, it’s lite and the Golden Gate isn’t. Also, the Bay Bridge can be seen from many parts of downtown and the GG can’t.
If you are near the Ferry Building (the foot, or East end of Market Street), you can see it from many angles and in many different lights. If you walk South toward the baseball stadium, you’ll walk under the bridge, maybe stop at one of the bars or burger places along the way, you’ll be in South Beach (there’s no real beach there, it’s just the name for that part of the city. It’s an overlooked part of SF. If you want to take the Muni (the light rail) back, it’s simple and only $1.50 per person, but they don’t make change; so have it right before you get on. BTW, three dollar bills is fine for two people.
05Sep
This shot isn’t easy to get, but it’s within reach if you have a car. Drive half-way across the Bay Bridge toward Oakland and get off on Treasure Island. You’ll need to wind around the top, feel a little lost, but keep driving UP and back toward the city until this shot comes into view. If there’s traffic, it’s tricky because you’ll need to stop the car, back-up and park illegally on the left side of this narrow one-way road. Dash up to where you saw the view and you’ll be on top of the tunnel, over the bridge. Snap away quickly and hope you don’t get a ticket. I’ve done this several times and had always intended to just tell the truth - “I’m a nut for great shots of the city and I’m sorry if I did anything wrong.” I’ve never had a problem. It’s well worth the hassle. Down near where the air base used to be are some shots of the city at sea level, but it’s too wide to capture the entire panorama. It’s still worth checking out though.
Bay Bridge and Downtown San Francisco
10Jun
Yerba Buena Island is a short hop halfway across the bridge to Oakland. If you’re carless, take a cab and ask to go to Yerba Buena Island, but they may not know it by that name because it’s known more for the now closed navy base, Treasure Island. The island is divided by the tunnel that connects the two sections of the Bay Bridge; so getting to the spot where this photo was taken can be a little tricky, but if you enjoy exploring, remember, it’s a tiny island and it’s difficult to get lost. You can take the off ramp to Treasure Island, but watch for signs on the right (before going down the hill to Treasure Island) to Yerba Buena Island. Hint: it seems like there is only one main island, but each half has different names. Confusing, I know, but fake it, just go and take your camera. In order to get this shot, you’ll have to park and get out of the car and c a r e f u l l y walk up the road until you see this view. It’s a little mezmerizing; so take your time and soak it all up before you head back.
