Get high @ Twin Peaks!

Based on the books you've read before coming to San Francisco the first time, what is the best place to have a 360 view of The City? Isn't it the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill? It is certainly a good spot and I have been there twice... but here is an other wonderful option (that believe it or not, some "locals" haven't even experienced yet!) that is calledd Twin Peaks!

Twin Peaks are 2 hills with an elevation of about 922 feet (281 m) situated at the geographic center of San Francisco. They form the second highest point in San Francisco, after Mount Davidson.

When on top of any of these hills, you get a wonderful view of the City : the Golden Gate Bridge, the Alcatraz Island, downtown (you have a terrific view on Market Street), the Bay Bridge, many many neighborhoods... and the Pacific Ocean!

When to go? Choose a day when the sky is clear so that you can see very far, and take memorable photos!

What to wear? Unless you are lucky enough to pick one of the hottest day in San Francisco - how lucky I have been! - you certainly want to wear layers and most probably a warm jacket to protect you from the ongoing chilly wind blowing on top of these hills. Pay attention to the vegetation on top that is really low on the ground: some posters explain you more about the fact that plants growing on Twin Peaks have adapted to the harsh climate one find up there. 

What else should you know?

• Bring a camera to take photo and don't be shy to ask other people to shoot you and your friends in this great decor.
• You could make it a more active activity by putting your running shoes on and walking up and down the hills and around them for 30 minutes.
• If you are in the mood for reflection, why don't you bring your iPod (to isolate you from the chitchatting of all the people visiting) and something confortable to sit on (the grass may be wet, and the rocks are not so confortable...) and then go seat on top of one of these hills and face the Pacific Ocean or any other inspiring view you can get from up there?

How long does this activity take? You probably want to reserve 45 to 60 minutes at Twin Peaks. Add the time for transportation back and forth.

But let's say you have half a day ahead... what else could you do? My experience was to go to Castro Street first to have breakfast and then walk in the neighborhood to hang out and take photos of original places and things (first time of my life I was seeing paper made of elephant poo... and this is no joke!). You can also spend some time in Buena Vista Park before catching the bus #37. And many more options of are waiting for the curious traveler inside of you!

How to get there easily? You can certainly drive, but going by bus is a children's game! On Market Street close to Castro Street, get on the bus #37 (towards Parkridge & Burnett Ave). About 12 minutes and 23 stops later, get off at 74, Crestline Dr. It's a very quiet neighborhood, so the bus won't be packed at this moment and you can easily ask the bus driver to tell you where to get off. From there, you are only a few steps away from any of the top - and I highly recommend you go on top of both!!

You are more a "visual" type of person? Don't hesitate to create a "Google Maps" Direction Plan
- Go to:  http://maps.google.com/maps?ct=reset
- From:  Castro Street and market street, San Francisco, CA
- To:  Twin Peaks, San Francisco, CA

Want to read more about Twin Peaks?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks_(San_Francisco,_California)

And now... indulge San Francisco! ;-)