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The Admiral's Picks -- Sights
The following Admiral's Picks have been selected according to rigorous criteria established by the crew of the HMS FogWatch. We hope you find these listings useful in your travels around the City. Your Admiral, Rear Admiral Phineas Fogg-Bottom Stow Lake Golden Gate Park It may not be at the top of most tourist guides, but a few hours at Stow Lake can provide a rejuvenating experience, whether you're a tourist or a local. Paddle and row boat rentals offer a taste of the high seas for aspiring sailors, while jitney bike rentals provide land-based entertainment for up to 6-8 people. A 15-minute hike to the top of Strawberry Hill, at the center of the lake, rewards with views of the ocean and the western side of the City. Located along Stow Lake Drive, which can be reached either from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive or John F. Kennedy Drive, at Crossover Drive. Alcatraz Island Sure, its a tourist trap. But it's also one of the most fascinating ways you can spend a day in San Francisco. Tour the dank jail cells and wards of America's most notorious prison, which is replete with history. Make sure you use the audio tour -- in addition to providing a historial perspective, it includes the oral histories of former inmates. Often overlooked is the natural beauty of Alcatraz, with some of the most stunning views of the Bay available. Bring a lunch and picnic on The Rock's craggy bluffs. Ferries for Alcatraz leave from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf. Make sure to reserve your tickets several days in advance (especially on summer weekends) by calling the Blue & Gold Fleet at 415.705.5555. Pier 39 Embarcadero at Jefferson Street Calling this bloated shopping mall a pier is an insult to anyone who has sailed the high seas. Pier 39 is a blot on the City's landscape that nevertheless draws multitudes with its unique array of tacky t-shirt shops, candy stores, and assorted tourist traps. A special circle of Neptune's hell has been reserved for the developers of this monstrosity. Maritime National Historic Park Hyde Street Pier 415-556-3002 A Fogg-Bottom favorite, this park consists of a number of sailing vessels emblematic of a more romantic era of travel, when brave men with iron wills sailed the seas in resilient wooden ships. Stalk the solid timbers of the square-rigger Balclutha, a historical contemporary of the HMS FogWatch, and imagine making the voyage around Cape Horn with the stormy seas at your back. USS Pampanito Pier 45, foot of Taylor Street 415-775-1943 Your Admiral has never been one for subsurface naval travel -- indeed, mentioning a trip below the waves usually implies a one-way journey to Davey Jones' Locker to this old salt. However, I have the utmost respect for those men who have chosen the nautical way of the submarine. The USS Pampanito is a World War II-era submarine open for tours throughout its cramped, 311-foot length. SS Jeremiah O'Brien Pier 32, at the foot of Brannan Street 415-441-3101 The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is just one of the two remaining Liberty ships from a fleet of hundreds that plied the seas with cargo during World War II. Built in 1943, the ship is maintained in fully operational condition by a crew of volunteers. In 1994, it was sailed to Normandy and back by a group of WWII veterans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Highlights on the ship are the two deck guns fore and aft, as well as the vessel's engine room, where the O'Brien's powerful dynamos throb and pulse. It's a truly impressive experience, especially for a sailing man such as myself. The Jeremiah O'Brien can also be rented for private parties. Steinhart Aquarium Golden Gate Park 415-750-7145 Steinhart Aquarium provides an excellent introduction to the creatures of the deep. |
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