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by Randy Antin
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Bay Area Geography
Although the San Francisco Bay Area contains 12 cities with a population of over 100,000, when area residents say "the city," they invariably mean San Francisco.

San Francisco is at the northern tip of a peninsula sticking into San Francisco Bay. For some reason, however, when natives refer to "the peninsula," they're really talking about the cities south of San Francisco. This region, also referred to as the South Bay, was mostly sleepy suburbs and farmland until the rise of Silicon Valley turned it into one of the most densely populated (and wealthy) parts of California. San Jose is the biggest city in the area.

Go north from San Francisco (using the Golden Gate Bridge, which isn't gold at all), and you're in--guess what--the North Bay. This area is more often referred to as Marin County, or just Marin. This part of the Bay Area is less urban than the rest, and quite prosperous. Small towns like Sausilito, Mill Valley, and Tiburon, full of boutiques and multi-million dollar homes, dot the coast.

From San Francisco, head east across the utilitarian Bay Bridge and you're in the sprawling East Bay. Communities here include offbeat Berkeley and underrated Oakland (the town's diverse restaurants and excellent art museum deserve a visit). Further east lie miles of relatively new bedroom communities full of homeowners escaping of San Francisco housing prices. Even this area is not without interest to visitors, though. Smack in the middle of this ocean of suburbs is Mount Diablo. The mountain, surrounded by parkland, is the highest mountain in the hilly Bay Area. It offers views of nearly 200 miles from its 3849-foot summit.
-Nicole Clausing


You've booked your flight into San Francisco, hoping the fog won't cause too many delays. You've made a reservation for that fantastic hotel room, with a view of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. You've been looking at street maps of the city and marking off the route that will let you see the most sights, from Chinatown and Alamo Square Park to Haight-Ashbury and Fisherman's Wharf. Maybe you've even gotten so daring as to reserve a spot for a tour of Alcatraz. Great! Sounds like you're on your way to one incredible trip.

But before you pack your bags, you might want to know that there's much more to see when visiting San Francisco than just, well, San Francisco. While the city is world famous for its cosmopolitan, yet uniquely Californian appeal, another true draw of the city is the neighboring regions of the Bay Area. After picking up a rental car, take advantage of some of the most beautiful drives in the country and head in any direction--except west (unless your car can float). And, to make everything even better, some of the best family attractions in the area are at the end of those drives so everyone in the car will be happy. From wax museums to aquariums, roller coasters to roaring railroads, crazy houses to beautiful gardens, here are a few of the Bay Area's top attractions.

The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf
Here's one you won't even have to leave the city for. In the heart of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is one of the world's largest wax museums. Besides being able to see the amazing lifelike statues of the rich and famous, this museum is completely interactive. You can wave your hands over sensors in the newly installed audio tour and listen to historical backgrounds and little known facts about your favorite figures.

Red and White Fleet
ferryOne of the biggest features of the Bay Area is the bay itself. The Red and White Fleet is the premiere tour and cruise operator on San Francisco Bay. Being able to sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, really understanding how far (and how close) Alcatraz is from the city by circling the island, and just being on the open water are a few of the reasons why a boat ride on the Bay will be a highlight for the whole family.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
After driving south on the stunning coastal highway 1, you eventually come to the beachside town of Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is in a converted cannery, reflecting the Bay Area's belief in recycling and reusing past buildings. The aquarium focuses on marine life off the California coast, with exhibits highlighting features such as the kelp forest, outer bay, and, the most popular of all, the sea otters. Attracting over 1.8 million visitors a year, the aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the Bay Area.

Six Flags Marine World and Paramount's Great America
Two incredible theme parks, two completely different experiences. Both just a short drive away. In the city of Vallejo in the East Bay, Six Flags Marine World offers exciting roller-coaster rides as well as the wonders of the animal world. With such attractions as the brand new suspended spiraling impulse coaster V2 , Dolphin Discovery, Batman Playland, and countless other rides and shows, this is a proud member of the Six Flags family.

Paramount's Great America is Northern California's most thrilling park. Located in Santa Clara in the South Bay, Great America enthralls visitors with 15 rides, shows, and events. The newest and latest creations include Psycho Mouse, a zany twisting roller coaster, and 7th Portal, a new 3-D ride adventure from Stan Lee, co-creator of Spiderman and the X-Men.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
boardwalkThe city of Santa Cruz has long been a favorite haunt, with its laid-back, beach-town atmosphere. Every summer, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk lights up as the main draw on the beach. Celebrating its 94th season, the Boardwalk is the only major seaside amusement park on the West Coast, featuring 34 rides, arcades, miniature golf, laser tag, shops, restaurants, and, of course, the beach! Santa Cruz makes for a great day trip south of the city.

Roaring Camp Railroads
For fun of a completely different and unique nature, Roaring Camp Railroads in the Santa Cruz Mountains will be an experience your whole family will enjoy. Although the newest feature here is 110 years old, experiencing a railroad logging camp from the 1880s is fascinating. Two historic railroads wind through towering redwood trees, either up Bear Mountain or down a river gorge to the beach at Santa Cruz. No matter which one you take, your family will love being outdoors and having a very "only in California" adventure!

Winchester Mystery House
In 1884, wealthy widow Sarah L. Winchester began construction on a project that would last for 38 years! The Winchester Mystery House is one of the Bay Area's most eccentric attractions. The mansion has 160 rooms, 47 fireplaces, 40 staircases, five kitchens, three elevators, two basements, and intricately bizarre details at every turn. Stairs that lead to a ceiling; a cabinet that is actually a doorway; a window built into the floor; and much more. Guided tours point out some of the highlights of this remarkable, albeit bizarre, feat of architecture.

Bonfante Gardens Theme Park
BonfanteJust when you thought that the Bay Area couldn't have any more unique theme parks, how about the Bonfante Gardens Theme Park? Set among 600 acres of rolling hills outside of Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world, this park is geared toward families looking for a more natural experience. The stunning "circus trees" are the main draw here, but with 40 rides and attractions, the entire family will find so much to do that they might never want to leave!•

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