Pictures above:

Sunset from Pacifica , Night view of the city , Fog waves near bridge
Airports connection:

From SFO to Downtown SF  14miles 20 min drive or BART($8.95
30min)
From OAK to Downtown SF   18miles 30min drive or AirBART

connecting
BART train($10.20 35min)
From SJC to Downtown SF  45miles 50min drive or Free shuttle to
Santa Clara (8min),  Caltrain to SF 4th Street($7.50 81min)
Top 10 High Tech  Companies in Bay Area:


1. Apple ( 280 exit De Anza blvd South)
2. Intel   (101 exit Great America parkway East)
3. AMD  (101 exit Lawrence express way south)
4. Google (101 exit Rengstorff  North)
5. Yahoo (101 exit Mathilda North)
6. HP ( 280 exit Page Mill Rd north)
7. Cisco (880 exit great Mall west)
8. Oracle (101 exit Ralston Ave east)
9. Sun System( 101 exit Montague express North)
10.eBay ( 880 exit Hamilton Ave East)
Pictures above:
Oracle headquarter, YouTube headquarter, Apple headquarter
Craigslist in sunset,Twitter in SOMA, Facebook in menlo park
intel headquarter, Google headquarter, Yahoo headquarter
Big Events ( attract over 100K people)in Bay Area:

1. Apple Mac World in SF ( Jan)
2. Chinese New Year Parade ( Feb)
3. World  Mavericks surfing in Half Moon Bay ( Mar)
4. Spanish Carnival parade (May)
5. Bay to Breaker Marathon( June)
6. Gay Pride Parade( June)
7. Grand Prix in SJ ( July)
8. Oracle Convention ( Oct)
9. Fleet Week in SF (Oct)
10. Halloween Party in Castro district( Oct)

Top Wineries visit( Napa, Sonoma):

1. Beringer ( St Helena)
2. Robert Mondavi (Oakville)
3. Domaine Chandon( Yountville)
4. Peju ( Rutherford)
5. Franciscan (St Helena)
6. V.Sattui (St Helena)
7. Copia ( Sonoma)
8.Charteau St Jean (Kenwood)
9. Kendall-Jackson (Santa Rosa)
10. Stag's Leap (Napa)
11. Carneros ( Napa)
12. Acacia (Napa)
13. Hess Collection ( Napa)
14. Sebastiani (Sonoma)
15. Cline (Sonoma)
16. Black Stalion( Napa)
17. Andretti( Napa)
Pictures above:
Trail in east bay, Amtrak, West of Twin Peak
Antioch, Brotherhood lighthouse, Wave Organ
Rosicrucian Egyptian museum, Sunset in San Pablo bay, winter foliage
East Bay Regional park, Palace of fine arts, Filoni mansion
Pictures above:
Filoni mansion and garden, Downtown SF, Daly City
San Rafeal bridge, Alviso marina, Sunset in the bay
Marina district, Bayland, Fog in the bay
East bay hill, Marin headland, Santa Clara
Top 3 universities in Bay Area:

Stanford University ( 101 Exit Palo Alto, Embarcadero South)
or take Caltran (from SF $5.75 one-way 39 minute running).

University of California Berkeley (80 Exit University Ave east)
or take BART ( from SF $3.65 one-way 25 minute running)

University of California San Francisco ( medical school)
Take Muni N, 6, 43 ( fare $2.00)
.
www.BayAreaVisit.com
If you are going to San Francisco bay area, be sure to visit our websitre
San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and more
Best  Trips:
1. 49 miles scenic drive to see San Francisco in one day
2. Bay cruise (sunset cruise best) or Ferry to sausalito,  oakland
to see SF skyline
3. Highway 1 from San Francisco to Hearst Castle( South bound)
to see Big Sur , San Francisco to Fort Brags( North bound) to see
redwood forest.
4. Freeway 580 to Highway 120 to Yosemite National Park to see
glacier and waterfalls.
5. Highway 29 Napa Valley and Silverado trail, Highway 12
Sonoma Valley to taste wines.
6. Highway 160 California Delta to see waterways and wildlife
7. Bridges crossing( Golden Gate, Bay, San Rafael, San Mateo,
Carquinez, Benicia, Dumbarton, Antioch)
8. Highway 35 skyline blvd to Highway 9, 236 to see castle rocks
and big basin redwood
Pictures above:
Embarcadero,  Serenity in the bay, California Academy of the sciences
SF bay national refuge reserves, East bay hills, Winchester mystery house
Historic route, San Rafael bridge, Tilden park,
Ft Molate, Pixar studio, Antioch bridge
Pictures above:
Emeryville, Spring in San Jose, SF city hall
Castle rock state park, Ft funston, Mountain View
Night View of downtown Oakland, Rockway beach, Cathedral in  SF
Fall foliage, BART line, Wildflower in spring
































































Pictures above:
Rodeo Beach, Santa Cruz, Lick Observatory
Albany, First state capital building, Farm in east bay
Carquinez bridge, Benicia, Wildflower in East Bay trail
Wildflower in east bay hills, Peninsular coast, Vallejo
















































Mission peak, Newark, Castle Rock in east bay
Lake Merritt, Fog cover the city, East bay hills
Port Costa, Carquinez bridge, Chinatown in SF

Freebies:

Asian Museum( First Sunday)
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art( First Tue)
Museum of Craft and Folk Art( First Tue)
Conservatory of Flower( First Tue)
California Academy of Science( Third  Wed)
Exploratorium( First  Wed)
Coyote Point Museum( First  Wed)
UC Berkeley botanic garden (First Thu)
Oakland Museum of California( Second Sun)
Old Mint( 88 5th St)

Corner Stone Garden( 23570 Hyw 121, Sonoma)
West County Museum( 261 S.Main St, Sebastopol)
Marin Museum( 1125 B st, San Rafael)
Bay Model( 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito)
Benecia Museum( 2060 Camel Rd)
Vallejo Navy Historic Museum( 734 Marin St)

Meyer House Garden( 2021 Alameda St, Alameda)
McConaghy Estate( 18701 Hesperian Bl, Hayward)
Museum of San Ramon Valley( 205 Railroad Ave, Danville)
Clayton Historic Society( 6101 Main St, Clayton)
Amador Livermore Valley Museum( 603 Main St, Pleasanton)
Matinez Museum( 1005 Escobar St)
Cohen Bray House( 1440 29th St, Oakland)
Camron Standord House( 1418 Lakeside Dr, Oakland)
Pardee House( 672 11st, Oakland)
Berkeley Historic Society( 1931 Central St)
Alvarado Adobe, Blume House( Church land/San Pablo St)
Miles Canton Rd Railway( 550 Miles  Canyon Rd, Sunol)
Miles Station (3750 Niles Bl, Fremont)
Shadeland Ranch ( 2660 Ygnacia Bl, Walnut Creek)

Henry Wiliam Library and Museum( 1111 California St, SF)
Ansel Andam Center( 655 Mission St, SF)
Pacific Bell Telephone Museum( 140 New Montgomery)
GLBT society( 499 Castro St)
North Beach Museum( 1435 Stockton St)
SF City Museum( Fishman's Wharf)
Plastiki Mission Control( Pier 45)
Musee Mecanique( 1090 Pt Lobos)
SFFD Museum( 655 Presidio)
Railway Museum ( 77 Steuart St)
Natural World Museum( 385 Moraga Ave, Presidio)
Elizath Alrin Flint Museum ( 2 Lake St)
Historical Torture Museum( Montgomery/Moraga, Presidio)
Fisher Museum( Pier 39, 2nd Level)
The Sunke Treasure Museum( Pier 39, Q5)
Golden Gate Railroad Museum( 1317 Evens Ave)

Some museums or parks require small admission fee( less than $6)

Anthropology Museum( 1600 Holloway Ave)
The Beat Museum( 540 Broadway, San Fran)
Columbarium (1 Loraine Ct, San Fran)
Chinese Historic Society( 965 Clay St, San Fran
)
California Historic Society (678 Mission St, San Fran)
Federal Reserve Bank ( 101 Market St, San Fran)
Contemporary Jewish Museum( 736 Mission St)
Museum of Africa Diaposa ( 736 Mission St)
Children Zeum( 221 4th St)
Yueba Buena Garden( 760 Howard St)
Cable Car Musem(1201 Mason St, San Fran)
Fort Point( under Golden Bridge)
Museum of Perform Design( 401 Van Ness)
Chinese Museum( 965 Clay St)
Italian Museum( Fort Mason, Building C)
Mexican Museum( Fort Mason, Building D)
Cartoon Museum( 655 Mission St)
Pacific Heritage Museum( 608 Commercial St)
Graft and Design Museum( 550 Sutter St)
Desigher Museum( 101 4th St)
Seyman Pioneer Museum( 300 4th St)
Wells Fargo Museum( 420 Montgomery)
GLBT Center( 657 Mission St)
Whitebox Louge Drum Machine( 1067 Market St)
SF Museum and Historic Society( 925 Sutter)
International Museum of Women( 1 Market)
Computer History Museum( 835 Market)

SFO Aviation Museum( South McDonell Road)
SFO Museum( international Terminal)
Burlingam Pez Museum( 214 California Dr)
Lathrop House (627 Hamilton, Redwood City)
Johnson House( 10 Haggins-Purisina, Half Moon Bay)
Sunnyville Lace Museum( 552 S Murphy Ave)
Los Gatos Museum( 75 Church St)
Los Gatos Art Museum( 4 Tait Ave)
Palo Alto American Heritage Museum( 351 Homer Ave)
Woodside Store( 3300 Tripp Rd)
intel Museum( 2200 mission blvd)


Stanford Linear Accelerator Center( 2575 Sand Hill Rd
650-926-3300 Call first
Moffett Field Museum ( Hanger 1, Mtn View)
650-603-9827 Call first

Point Reyes National Park
Fort Point National Sites
Presidio of San Fransisco
Rosie the riveter world war II home front in Richmond
Eugene O'neil house in Danville( Call 925-838-0249 first)
Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Martinez( call 925-838-0249 first)

































Pictures above:

City by the bay, Locky in delta area, Dolores park in SF
Sunset in east bay, Downtown Oakland, Hwy 84 in woodside,
San Francisco, Japanese garden in SJ, SF city hall
Half moon bay, Computer museum, San Carlos
Downtown SF from I-80, Pt Bonica, Fog near bridge.






Frequent ask questions:

Why do you say bay area is most beautiful area in the North America?

We have lived in New York, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and Los Angeles, San Diego before and we have lived in 7 cities in different part of the bay
area, we traveled extensively around 50 states and several countries because we are nomad( LOL)

This is not official website, and we are not affiliated to any city, travel agent, or commercial entity ; we just want to make the website concise, fun
and useful even a little bit you did't know before
or tips for your bay area visit . Based on feedback, our web viewers are mostly budget minded
travelers, students, so we just keep it for those people. Leave you heart, don't leave your wallet. Much to see and less to spend. We are not
computer guys, but we  will update regularly. We talk about something about SF, about bay area; it is our personal opinion to make you know
more about bay area. We love travel, but we are not trunk drivers or flight attendants, and we are still more than half way to go retire.



How much do you think about budget of travel to bay area?

We think approximately $100 per day ($70 for hotel, $10 to 40 for transportation ) except round- trip airfare around $350 from most part of
United States( especially from ultra low cost barefare carrier Frontier or Spirit
, just backpack, not carry on and checked in luggage) and $15 for
food per day, so we think if you make a 3 to 7 days trip to bay area, you probably need $700 to $1000.


Where can I find best ,safest and cheapest places to stay in bay area visit?

Many people ask such kind of questions. Remember best is not coming with cheapest, you can't expect Marriott gives your motel 6 price, you
need to determine what is important for you. Usually, most tourist sites and hotels are located near convenient traffic area and pretty safe area.

Safety is priority of visiting, always in calm and alert,don't linger in the dark especially avoid road rage and drive-by shooting( it happens many
time a year). Avoid driving along hwy 120( yosemite) and Hwy 1( Sonoma coast and Big Sur)at night, those are single lane , winding roads in
remote area( No cell phone signal, no phone call box). Some driver is very impatient and rude, he will keep high beam light flashing or horning
you if he thinks your driving slowly (even you are over speed limit), find a safe place to pull over and let it pass, don't be panic and drive off the
road or plunge into pacific ocean, he will not care about you.




Are hostels only for student? Any budget idea for frugal traveler?

Most hostels including those labeled youth hostel open to all public no matter you are foreigners or US residents. Some international youth
hostels may overcharge $3  if you are not their member.

For air travel, it is usually cheaper when you leaving Tue, Wes and Sat, stay over weekend. Advanced booking is much cheaper than last
minute reservation. From Sep after Labor Day to Mar, it usually cheaper than spring, summer busy travel season( April to Aug).

For hotel, it is same thing, autumn, winter is cheaper. Due to SF, SJ area, there are lots of business travelers; it is cheaper in weekend than in
weekdays. Due to convention reason, you will find sometimes the rate is much higher than other time, same thing as big events days such as
gay pride in the end of June. In light business season, you may ask for special rate. For example, they may give you a $59  room ,web price
was $79, $159 four star hotel room which published price $249.Hostel rate always keep flat.




What time is good season to visit bay area?

Anytime. The weather in San Francisco bay area is spring like all year around, sunny and cool. In winter, much area in North side of America is
very cold, snow and ice, you will find green, flower blooming bay area, sometimes maybe wet you need to bring umbrella in case of rains all
day. In Summer, many areas in America is very hot and sweet, here is pretty cold, only 70F( 20C), you may feel frozen when you stand in Marin
Headland for gorgeous golden gate bridge and city views, you may need fleet clothes and you may surprise to find somebody still wearing
leather jacket in July. If I have to Choose the best time to visit, then it would be Apr, May and  Sep, Oct, because of no rain, no fog.




Is there public transit to Napa valley, Muir Wood , Marin headland,  Monterey from SF?

To go Napa Valley, from SF ferry building, take Baylink  ferry to Vallejo( one hour,  very beautiful bay view) and then transfer to VINE bus route
#10( 2 hours from Valejo to Calistoga), you may consider stop over at Napa, yountville, St Helena, Calistoga winery for some wine taste.

To go Muir wood, there is only weekend services from memorial weekend ( last weekend of May)to labor day weekend ( first weekend of Sep)
from Golden gate transit #66, you need take #70 or #80 from SF to Marin city and transfer #66

To go Marin headland, there is Muni bus #76 ( Sunday only plus Holiday) from Caltrain 4th street.

To go Monterey and Big Sur, Take Caltrain to San Jose( 1hr) there is express bus MST #55( 2 hr) to Monterey and you can take another bus to
Big Sur.



I was attracted by the mysterious fog, how can I catch the fog?

The foggiest season is from June to Aug, you may see these pictures of city floating in the fog ocean and fog gets out of bridge like snow white
flood. The Fog is formed by hot weather from inland and cold water in Pacific Ocean and bay. You can see the fog most of afternoon or earlier
morning from June to Aug near ocean side.

But Fog is pretty tricky, sometimes when you get there, the fog is too dense and surrounded by dark, blurring fog, and you can’t see clear  in
distance, sometimes you will find the fog is retreated and gone.





I love your pictures, how can I get there?

You can click it for clear, big picture, you can email us about the picture name, and we will be happy to tell you how to get there by your rental car
or public transit. Our pictures are original, no color enhancement as many published pictures did, looks
fancy but fake, you will disappointed to
find out those artistic pictures.




Why is San Francisco so expensive?

There is a history, even in gold rush period, in east coast, regular worker was paid by $1 per day, San Francisco paid $3 to attract a lot of
people to wild west. And there was a lot of stories about west means adventure,  fortune,  gold opportunity, go San Francisco area to be an
executive of high tech,  go Los Angeles to be a film star,  go Las Vegas to win a lottery.  California has been recorded over 80 years of fast
growing, and it brings Phoenix and Las Vegas( used to be very small desert towns) to be fastest growing cities.

There are half million jobs in bay area pay over 80K dollars a year, there are some rich scions from gold rush, railroad, industry and some new
young rich from dot com booming resid
ing in the bay area ,and some retired celebrates, and exile leaders from foreign countries especially
from corrupted third world countries immigr
ating here, they bring in a lot of money and push real estate higher and higher.  They are enjoying
their fortune in this most beautiful, comfortable
and low profile area.

On other side, you get to pay what you get. San Francisco is a 49 square miles ( 7X 7) compact city, housing becomes precious, and bay area
is separated by the bay and several ridges and sitting in earthquake fault ,environmental protection prohibit developing and building, so bay
area basically in 3 belts(  1. Novato to San Francisco to San Jose is north bay, SF, and peninsular, south bay. 2.  Vallejo to Oakland to Fremont
is east bay, 3. Antioch to Concord to Pleasanton is east bay inland), more people coming than the houses built, housing is most headache for
newcomers. California is not oil production area, and strict gasline components put gas to be No1 or No2 most expensive in the nation.

Not everything is expensive in California, and it is very affordable area to visit if you know the tips from our website
As requested, we post some price tags and we will update regularly.

For single adult in the bay area( Feb 2016):

Studio: $1200 to $1800,  One bedroom apartment: $1500 to $3000    Shared : $700 to $1500 per room
The rent in SF is 20 to 50% higher than other places
Utilities: $30 to 60 per month including gas, electricity and water, no air conditioner needed.
Gas: $2.
69/Gallon
Car Insurance: $550/ 6 months  full coverage
Health insurance: $150 to $1000 per month based on age and deductible.

Beef $4.99/ pound, Pork $1.99, Egg $1.99/Dozen, Tofu $0.99/each, Milk $3.29/gallon
Vegetable Napa $ 0.69/ pound, eggplant $1.29, Tomato $0.99,  cauliflower $3.99/each
Orange $0.79/pound, Banana $0.79/p, Apple $1.49/p

Fast food combo( Berger, fries, and soft drink)  $ 6 to $7
Chinese food( 2 items plus rices or noodles) $8 to $10
Donut ( 0.79/each or $5.99 /Dozen)