The San Francisco call., 1907-06-09
TCW T1E AUTO HAS BROUGHT QTY>lWEEII IEQS G0sEE-

III mai luefe Is q nuD OF the uni
verse every one knows. That
there is a hub OF the automobile
world and that hub is San Fran
tiscO every one does not know But
such is the fact. San Francisco, sit
ling among her hills. forms the hub of
an immense wheel from which innum-
trable spokes radiate in the direction
~ the four earth corners. Some os
these radiating spokes form broad
highways in the automobile world;
sthers are but ramifcations, byways OF
ihe roads themselves. but all lead to
tsunts Of unsurpassed beauty, rest and
loveliness. undiscoverable, inaccess-
lble save by that reducer of time and
distance, the almost ubiquitous auto
mobile
one ot the most beautiful and pic
turesqEe roads leading out OF the city
has been practically unknown until
few weeks ago when the Automobile
Dealers association of California held
IN endurance run TO la Honda. When
that run was irst suggested hardly
tny one Of those anxious to go knew
what the road was Ike So some of
Hose who wished TO do their machines
and their steering powers credit went
quietly over the course before the date
set for the contest. When the beau
lies OF the road were discovered amaze.
uent was universally expressed that
tuch exquisite spots should exist un-
known and unheralded just outside
San Francisco.
In order TO take this particular trip
lne must follow the san Mateo road.
lust before the heart Of the little sub
Irban town is reached. one comes TO
bridge. but the bridge must not be
trossed. for it is the road just TO the
tight OF ii that leads to some OF the
most enchanting bits Of scenery in all
ralifornis. This road is so shaded with
iall dropping trees that It resembles
{ broad lane. For mile or so there is
{ gradual descent, then comes a reach
" open country. and then the auto bsr
kinx to climb hill. It is a steady
ihug-chug upward FOR about q mile.
While several branch roads leading to
lrivate homes are passed. one has only
10 follow the path which shows the
iesult OF much travel to be sure that
te IS in the right direction When the
summit is finally reached a splendid
panorama bursts upon the eye. Tar
tovn, some hundreds OF feet below,
tpread TO right and left. is the Crystal
springs lake, where the water
Tor the city is corraled. Mountains
tise on every side and, in the Geld and
roods which border the lake. there is
an impression OF neatness and form
that conveys the feeling that one is
passing through the park of some
vast estate.
From the summit overlooking the
lake the road runs down to the shore.
Ind an easy coast all the way. A
Erossing is made about the middle of
the lake. and then comes one OF the
most deceiving bits OF roads in the
whole ruI-the distance from the
bridge TO Burns store, about. three
blocks away.
II is the steepest grade. Practically
every car has TO go into lower gear
TO make It. From Burns store it is
mountain climbing for over three miles.
II is climb, climb, climb, following the
ranyons as one gets deeper and deeper
into the mountains. twisting, turning
snd retracing. TIL at times one thinks
lie must be going in circle. But every
instant magnificent scenic effects are
dropping into view. The Kaleidoscope
picture is suddenly punctured when the
highest point IS reached and Spanish
town valley unrolls before the eyes.
Down. down. twisting and turning, rib
bons the road until it reaches the level
floor OF the gorge where 1t disappears
In the distance. an undulating line to-
ward the sea. II this road is followed
until near Halfmoon bay, or Spanish
town. the sullen booming Of the surf is
heard, sounding like a rolling bonn
bardment IN some distant battle To
the right. through the haze that over