On Friday, April 18, 2003, at 12:59 PM, Dennis W Zeuch wrote: > mcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: >> While the Wharf is still probably the top tourist attraction, >> especially for first-timers and foreigners, it is by no means the only >> tourist spot in S.F. > > After 6 years in the Tucson, Sonoran Desert I just wanna see > water...... -) > Dennis Luckily, any airline trip to San Francisco will include seeing a *lot* of water. The main landing runways (28L/R) are a overwater approach. The airport is on (i.e. in, as in landfill) the Bay, and the new people-mover AirTrain gives an excellent view of the water since it is elevated (the Blue line that goes out to the cargo area and the rental car center especially -- ride it for fun if you have some time). In SF itself you can see the Bay or the ocean from most high places, including the hills and any tall buildings. There is a lovely walking promenade on the Embarcadero, the bayside waterfront boulevard, recently restored after the nightmare of the Embarcadero Freeway was removed following the 1989 urban renewal project (excuse me, earthquake!). On the north side of the city is Fisherman's Wharf, of course, but west of that is Fort Mason, which is now a community center with a lot of arts & culture stuff, great views, the restored Crissy Field wetlands (sadly, that was an old Army air field - would have been nice to keep an aviation use, but it was impractical), and you can walk there along the bay front to Fort Point, which is almost underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, on the NNW corner of the city is a nice little beach called Baker Beach, the north half of which is a legal nude beach. Then down to the Cliff House, Seal Rock, and the main Ocean Beach which is the western boundary of SF. And lots of planes overhead to spot, with a good variety of carriers and types -- not as many as MIA or JFK or LAX, but still pretty good. Just talking up my home town here. -- Michael C. Berch mcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx