 San Francisco, California - The Golden Gate Bridge by Joseph A. Sprince - Photography by Gerald B. Allen
No travelogue of the American West can be complete without a photo of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. This early morning shot was taken from the Marin Headlands high above the bridge on its northwest side. Downtown San Francisco is to the left on the far side of the bay. The Golden Gate is one of the world's longest single span bridges, and the bridge towers are the tallest in the world, at 746 feet above the water. Its fame of course has more to do with its very beautiful setting. 
The headlands are part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area, a very scenic area offering hiking and backpacking very close to the city. While the bridge photo faces the inner bay, the photo right is on the open ocean side of the headlands (that is, facing west). This area is noted for spectacular cliffs dropping into the sea. Note the objects on top of the cliff in this photo (check the enlargement). These are the remains of the coastal artillery defense erected during World War II. The guns were to protect San Francisco Bay in the event of an invasion. The recreation area's visitor center has artifacts and displays depicting daily life of the troops stationed here at that time.
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California Coastal Access Guide by California Coastal Commission This revised and expanded sixth edition of the California Coastal Access Guide is an essential handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,100-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is a valuable guide for all beachgoers...
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California's Central Coast offers some of the American West's most splendid scenery and attractions, from the Golden Gate to the Hearst Castle to the magnificent scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1).
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