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If San Francisco is a city of stunning views, then Twin Peaks is its crowning achievement. Perched 900 feet (274m) above sea level, the two peaks (yes, there really are two) offer - fog permitting! - the most impressive views available anywhere in the Bay Area. Reaching Twin Peaks is relatively easy, as the road that rings both of the peaks forms part of the 49-mile Drive which means that theoretically by just following the 49-mile Drive signs you'll get to the top. In practise it is marginally more difficult - although as long as you've got a decent map and preferably someone who knows how to read it you should be fine! The best option is to approach from the South from Portola Drive. If you're heading East on Portola you'll need to make a gentle left-turn to get onto Twin Peaks Boulevard. Once on this road it's a twisting, curving climb to the top.
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From the parking area at the top of Twin Peaks Boulevard you get great views that stretch from the Golden Gate Bridge, round past Alcatraz Island, past the Financial District, and to the Oakland Bay Bridge. Further round if you look carefully (or have a good zoom lens on your camera) you can just make out the curved rim of Monster Park nestled behind the hill at Candlestick Point. The only 360° views are obtained by leaving the tour-parties behind and actually climbing to the top of one of the peaks - which is a fairly involving, but short, climb up a steep and winding path. Once at the top though (assuming you can stand the wind) you really will get the best views in the Bay Area!
Above is a panorama of San Francisco and the Bay Area from Twin Peaks, Sunday June 29th 2003. Click here to display the complete picture - it's a large page and may take a while to load.
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A view from Twin Peaks to Alcatraz on a clear day. Be warned, even if it is sunny and warm down in the City, it's likely to be windy and cold at the top. If, as it often is in San Francisco, you've come on a foggy day, it's definitely going to be cold and probably windy too at the top - and you might well find yourself in the middle of a cloud of fog at the top. Don't worry too much - a feature of the San Francisco fog is that it usually moves through pretty quickly, so even if it is foggy when you arrive you might well get some great views just by waiting for a few minutes. While you're waiting there's a whole bunch of people selling familiar looking (well, familiar if you've spent any time at Fishermans Wharf) San Francisco T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, hats etc. They seem to do a really good trade in Sweatshirts - I wonder why!
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Other Images of Twin Peaks....
(Just click on the image for a full-size version) |
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Vital Statistics:
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| Height in Feet |
900 |
| Height in Metres |
274 |
| Original Name |
El Pecho da la Chola (Bosom of the Indian Girl) |
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