Travelers' Joint

Tony Bennett may have been to Paris where the loveliness of the country seemed sadly gay, to Rome, and to Manhattan where he felt terribly alone and forgotten. Yet, he still chose to go back home to his “city by the bay” because that’s where he left his heart at.

Of course, if you know your geography, then you’re well aware that there’s no other ‘city by the bay’ except San Francisco. It’s forever etched in history because of the Gold Rush in 1849. It’s also one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, and in fact, this diversity makes the city overwhelmingly charming and beautiful.

When you go to San Francisco, you’ll find yourself with plenty of things to do and many places to visit. Because of the mild climate that permeates the city, you wouldn’t mind traversing up and down its streets and rolling hills to absorb the sights that lend the city its unique and breathtaking panorama.

Given that there are so many places to visit, there won’t be any shortage of activities while you’re in San Francisco. After all, it’s home to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Union Square, and “The Rock” itself, Alcatraz, to name a few. Of course, shopping malls and other cultural and entertainment spots are aplenty, too.

Nevertheless, if you want to commune with nature, then you might want to take a trip to one of the many beaches in the city. One such is Baker Beach, which offers a spectacular view of the Pacific. In fact, it is a prominent backdrop in some of the most romantic engagement or pre-nuptial pictures ever immortalized on print.

What endears this beach to many couples is its sheer gorgeousness. Stretching a mile below the rugged cliffs on the Presidio’s western shoreline, Baker Beach offers a breathtaking view of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. It has big, moss-covered rocks that could lend a rustic feel to engagement photography. If you and your significant other are known wanderlusts, then you can have your picture taken with the Bridge as your background. It also offers an unsurpassed view of the Marin Headlands.

One of the major attractions of Baker Beach is the California State Rock, which is the Serpentine. Serpentine is actually formed when rocks embedded in the earth’s crust are agitated and forced to the surface. Serpentine is known to yield soil with a high concentration of magnesium and low concentration of calcium. This condition of the soil makes it possible for rare plant species to thrive. You would see several outcrops of gray-green serpentine protruding among the cliffs found between Baker Beach and Fort Point.

Because of Baker Beach’s appeal, it’s not surprising to find crowds of people spilling across the area especially on sunny weekends. Hence, if you happen to bring your car with you, you should be prepared for parking congestion. It’s the perfect place for sunbathing, and since there’s a picnic area with tables, grills, and restroom facilities, it’s a great place to enjoy a meal with the whole family.

Baker Beach’s northernmost part is the designated are for clothing-optional sunbathers. This means, you can practically shed your clothing and lay back on the sand and no one would think ill of you. You can go surfing there, but since the surf can be dangerous, signs are promptly displayed to warn people. Moreover, the tide comes and goes as it pleases. So if you plan to hike over some rocks on Baker’s north end, you need to keep alert lest you want to get trapped there.

Overall, you’re sure to have an awesome time on Baker Beach, so make sure to include it in your bucket list.