SAN FRANCISCO, March 5 — After you’ve visited Alcatraz, shopped in Union Square, and tucked into Dungeness crabs and clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf, what is there left to do in San Francisco? Hop into a car and see what lies beyond the bay area.
Yosemite National Park
It’s a four-hour drive from San Francisco to the World Heritage-listed Yosemite National Park — renowned for its canyons, peaks, and waterfalls carved by glaciers. From the high sierra, the ancient giant sequoia trees to the valley’s meadows, Yosemite’s beauty permeates every level from below 1,000m to over 4,000m in elevation.
Driving will give you fantastic views of the park. Stop at Tunnel View for the iconic view of Yosemite Valley framed by granite monoliths El Capitan on the left and Half Dome on the right. But don’t limit the sightseeing to from a car. There will be sights like grazing deer that will make you get out for a closer look.
Hiking is the best way to experience Yosemite. There are easy and wheelchair-accessible routes that lead to Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall. The spray from the cascading water is perfect for cooling off after a 30-minute walk. For a challenge, opt for the 13.7km Panorama Trail, which begins deceptively comfortable with a bus ride up to the spectacular Glacier Point.
Before you start your hike, try to identify Half Dome; the last 275m of the Panorama Trail will take you up the steep eastern side of the 2,693m-high Half Dome if the season permits. Be prepared to climb up 122m of cables to reach the top. Check with the rangers before setting out as you’ll need a permit to climb the cables.
The drive: You will be tempted to stop and snap pictures as you near the park. The scenery changes from urban-jungle grey to pine-forest green. But if you’re there on a busy holiday weekend, don’t cause a bottleneck by stopping indiscriminately. Pull into the designated parking areas or your hotel first, and do the sightseeing on foot. Or hop onto the free bus services to get around.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
It’s all very calming and even hypnotic. Leopard sharks glide in between 10m-tall swaying stalks, while other creatures hang in mid water like fish-shaped pinatas. Starfish and sea urchins at the kelp’s base complete the delicate eco-system.
Even better, you can sleep and wake up to such a view at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seashore Sleepover for US$95 (RM) per person. Each sleepover kicks off at 7pm with fun activities. At 8pm, the aquarium’s doors close and you can explore the exhibits without the daytime crowd. Then, wind down your evening with a nature movie before calling it a night in front of your favourite exhibit. Wake up the next morning to a continental breakfast.
The drive: You can take Highway 101 or the scenic two-hour coastal route down Highway One to Monterey County. As you enter the county’s north border, you’ll see the flat wetlands of Elkhorn Slough. Continue on and the scenery gives way to vast artichoke fields and rolling sand dunes. It is little wonder that the route is listed as one of the top scenic drives in the world by Forbes and Lonely Planet. — TODAY
