There are a lot of things in San Francisco that tourists don't typically have an opportunity to see when they come to visit.
Most people go to the typical tourist destinations like Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. But how many go to Chestnut Avenue or 24th Street to shop and eat? Or Golden Gate Park for a run. If they did, perhaps they would see more of how San Franciscans live and maybe even understand more of why they’ve chosen to live inside city limits.
One of the best ways I’ve found to discover the ‘whole’ of the city is through the 49-Mile Scenic Drive. Although I might note here that it does miss some areas, in particularly one big area that we’ve chosen to live in. But what the self-guided tour does is to provide a fantastic overview of the city and all its interesting parts.
The 49-Mile Scenic Drive first began back in the fall of 1938 as the brainchild of the Downtown Association. The route was designed to highlight the best of the best San Francisco has to offer. The timing coincided with the opening of the Golden Gate International Expo, beginning at City Hall and ending at Treasure Island, site of the upcoming 1939 world’s fair.
Over the past 70 plus years, the blue and white seagull signs that mark the trail have been relocated only slightly to accommodate the changing neighborhoods and development. A true testament to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude and its staying power.
What’s great about the Scenic Drive is that it is a complete loop that can be driven by car in about a half day’s time (without stopping of course). Or it can be broken down into pieces, allowing for exploration time at select destinations depending on the amount of time you have.
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