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« Previous Edition | This California Travel Edition Posted on 07/07/12 | Next Edition »

Visiting San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco inspires visitors, no matter how often they return. 2012 marks the 75th birthday of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge, linking the city to Marin County, Sausalito and communities north. This is the season to take a walk or run across the Golden Gate and enjoy spectacular views of the San Franciso Skyline and Bay. Visiting San Francisco's landmarks never gets old – browse shops along the streets of Haight-Ashbury, enjoy a sunny day in the Presidio or Golden Gate Park, and hop aboard a cable car for a ride. And this is the best season for the ferry ride to Alcatraz - the audio tour of the island is highly recommended.

Runners looking for a mid-summer marathon mark July 29th on your training schedule, for the WIPRO San Francisco Marathon. Make it your challenge with events including the full Marathon, 52.4 Ultramarathon, Half Marathons, run on the 1st or 2nd half of the Marathon course, and a 5K & Progressive Marathon final leg. There is even a Munchkin Kids Runs for the little ones.

Marathon runners follow a loop course starting and finishing on the Embarcadero. The San Francisco Marathon takes runners over and back across the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, down Haight Street, and past AT&T Park and under the Bay Bridge – runners get an amazing tour of San Francisco. The Marathon Expo takes place on the East concourse at the SF Design Center Friday July 27th and Saturday July 28th.

Downtown San Francisco’s Japantown hosts the 39th Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair, August 4th and 5th. Located in the Western Addition of the city, the 2012 Nihonmachi Fair fills neighborhood streets with Asian culture, arts, food and music, including Children’s World geared specifically for kids. Also you can bring the family dog, new in 2012, Nihonmachi includes Doggie World.

The San Francisco Jazz Summerfest winds down performances at Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center and downtown’s Union Square in August. As SFJazz Summerfest closes, the 30th Anniversary San Francisco Jazz Festival begins. The 2012 SFJF begins August 25th with performances running through December 7th. San Francisco’s Jazz Festival covers a full spectrum of jazz from across the globe. Enjoy soulful jazz with Lavay Smith and Dianne Reeves, see local talent with the SFJAZZ High School All-starts and hear world beats with Gilberto Gil and Arturo Sandoval. Check the calendar when you visit for current shows.

Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge, north of San Francisco, is a popular destination for San Francisco Bay visitors, offering unique shops to browse and excellent restaurants. If you have ever wondered what its like to live in one of the floating homes on Richardson Bay, visit September 22nd for the 2012 Floating Homes Tour. See as many as 15 of the quintessential Sausalito iconic floating homes on self-guided tours, enjoy live music and an Art Show on the Kappas Green, as you discovering life in Sausalito.