Eye On The Bay: Viewpoints
Some of the great Bay Area road trips can be had by driving to one of dozens and dozens of overlooks to simply, soak up the view! Eye on the Bay has compiled a list of, well, dozens of great viewpoints, as well as a few suggestions for stops along the way.
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Views Atop Mt. Diablo
On a clear day, you can see all the way to Yosemite! And, on any other day you can see all around the greater bay! For more information: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517
Take the "back way" to Mt. Diablo along Highway 4 with a stop at one of the countless family farms in and around Brentwood. For more information: www.harvest4you.com
Sunset Dinner on Mt. Hamilton
After spending the day enveloped in science at Lick Observatory, atop Mt. Hamilton (www.ucolick.org) head down the hill for a dinner at the famed Mt. Hamilton Grandview Restaurant. If you're lucky, you'll get a clear night with a stunning sunset overlooking Silicon Valley. Hey, the cheesecake is great too! For more information: www.mthamiltongrandview.com
Panoramic Bay Views
Angel Island gets visitors from the Bay Area and beyond and has all the makings for an historic and "nature-laden" outing. However! How many of you have ever gone all the way to the top? It always surprises our staff when we poll people and the answer is…never. Mt. Livermore boasts stunning 360 views and the hike to the peak is also a great way to "sweat out" your "day trip" meal. For more information: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468
Oh yeah, that meal! Before or after your short ferry ride (www.angelislandferry.com) stop at the famed Sam's Anchor Café for your own great views of the San Francisco skyline! For more information: www.samscafe.com
Portola Discovery Hike
Hike to where the Bay Area was first "discovered" and take in some commanding bay views and appreciate how it all came to be. For more information on Sweeney Ridge: www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/rec_department/parksbeaches/beach_and_park_info_and_rules/sweeny/default.asp
Coit Tower Steps
Visit Coit Tower for the tenth time in your life…or maybe the first???? And then, take a walk down the Greenwich steps to uncover great views of the Bay Bridge and bay. Your knees will love you and you'll never forget the beauty!
Other Eye on the Bay Picks
Grizzly Peak Overlook (Berkeley Hills)
Campanile Tower at UC Berkeley (http://visitors.berkeley.edu/camp/index.shtml)
Muir Beach Overlook (Marin County Coast)
Ocean Beach Overlook (at the Cliff House, San Francisco)
Pebble Beach (the other one – South of Pescadero, Highway 1)
Gray Whale Cove State Beach (Pacifica, Highway 1)
San Gregorio State Beach (San Gregorio, Highway 1)
