Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-14
TW0OF THE FINEST
San Francisco and Oakland
Have Wonderful
HARBOas AND WATERWAYS
Professor Swensb-rg's Description Of the
MAsnlicsnr Country That Lies
Near the Golden Gate.
LETTER XVII.

-
We will now give brief sketch OF
San FRANCISCO county and Bay. tnsn
cross the Bay into Oakland, and north
ward.
The county Of san Francisco has no
territory but that included in tho city
proper. Although the smallest in the
state, It Is Dy far the most important,
as It contains the chief commercial city
of the Pacific coast. geographically,
is site may Do described As the north
eastern portion Of . sandy and hiIly
peninsula, which is thirty miles long
and fifteen miles wide, separating the
bay OF san Franclsc on the east from
the Pacifc ocean On the west. Golden
Gate, which Is the entrance OF the nar-
Dor, separates II from Marin county on
the north. The city Is about I'VE miles
wide and nine miles long.
san Francisco Bay.
san Franclsco bay Is one OF the
largest aud finest land haroors IN the
world, aud Is said To rival that OF
Naples IN its picturesque scenery.
Forty miles or bay lie south OF san
Francisco, and twenty-five extend
nurtnward, connecting with San Pablo
bay. which Is about fifteen miles IN Ill
ameter. The average width of San
Francisco bay rs whole Is about eight
miles. and the irregular shore lines Is
more than three hundred miles In
length, making ab ut one thousand
three hundred square miles, including
cul3un bay and Otner branch bays. The
TWO largest rivers IN the state, the
Sacramento and the san Joaquin, flow
into this interior body OF water, reach
ing the Pacific ocean through the
Golden Gate. Viewed from any one
of many surrounding hills, the bay,
with It's hundred ships, laden with the
products of every cline. together with
a multitude of iesser crafts, affords n
scene that stands unrivaled in its varied
beauty.
Golden Gate, the famous entrance to
the Bay of san Francisco, 10 about one
mile IN width on an average and four
miles long. IL Is from one hundred to
three hundred feet in depth. forming
magnificent highway from the Pa
cihc ocean 10 the harbor.
Fronting nortnwsrd On the Golden
Gate for over one-half mile on each
southwark about two miles, with an
area OF ab ut one thousand five hum
bred acres, Is the Preside reservation,
the property OF the national govern
ment, established for military pur-
poses. Presidlo is the Spanish name
for a principal military station. The
Preside barracks have the largest mill
itary force on the western slope of the
United States. Fort Point Is situated
~ the narrowest portion of the Golden
Gate, and Is armed with heavy guns.
Islands and Forts
Near the eastern extremity of the
Golden Gate stands AIcairaZ Island,
Ike grim sentinel guarding the en-
trance 20 the harbor. It brIsties with
caonons and keeps watch over the
city. Still further to the northuard
lies Angel Island, . military reserva-
ton and post. Goat Island lies direct.
ly opposite the city, between il aud
Oakland, and is owned by the United
states.
san Francisco has on the south q
number of charming suburbs and
park. Menlo park, Belmont, Red
wood City and others, where reside
many of the wealthy and leading bust
media, Berkeley, Frui.vsIe, and sur
rounding villas on the opposite or
eastern shore of the bay, are reached
by ferry and rail- IA twenty 10 thirty
minutes. san Raphael, Mil Valley
aud Sausallto cOnt1.in many charming
residences Of persons that do business
IN the metropolis. They are access bic
by ferry IN about the same time Is the
former.
At the foot of market street the
main thoronghfars of the city. are the
ferry slips. from which boats run to
every point across the bay, and every
fifteen minutes 90 the center OF Oak
laad. The finest ferry boats IN the
sOrld srs TO De found on this route.
spacious and comfortable waiting
rooms are provided AT esch end. The
distance between the water front of
San Francisco and Oakland is about
six miles, but the ferry distance has
been reduced TO about four miles by
buildinx moies and ~nsrves into the
bay. The time occupied IN crossing
the bay is about fifteen TO eighteen
minutes.
Beautiful Oakland
Having previously described the
metropolis city OF many bills we will
nov crsss over 30 the beautiful city of
oakland. Oakland. the county seat OF
Alameda county, has population OF
about $4,000. The geographical posi-
ton = such that 70 must of necessity
become one OF the most important
ciues "A the state. It lies on the east
eru side of the bay Of San Francisco,
and mas . nav gable water front OF
shout forty miles It's proxfmitv TO the
metre poils, - transportation fscihtes
BY rail- aud water. ia level tracts Of
and along the Ray, al point IL out as
The place where many Of the great
manufacturing interests OF toe state