California Star Attractions
San Francisco & The Bay Area
And the Earth Shook. . .
Great San Francisco
Earthquake
by Ruby Elbogen, Editor
As most of the city snuggled in their beds, under warm covers on the chilly spring morning of April 18, 1906, the last thing they expected to rouse them from their dreams was the rumbling of the earth as it violently erupted into chaos. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck with amazing violence, leaving most of San Francisco in a heap of rubble in less than a minute. In the mere blink of an eye, hundreds were trapped under collapsed buildings, and thousands left homeless. Within a short period of time, fires began to break out all across San Francisco, culminating in a conflagration, leaving the city in ruins. Unable to handle a catastrophe of such immense proportions, all that could be done after the futile attempts at fire fighting was to let it burn. The army moved into San Francisco within a few days, erecting tents for the homeless, to enforce some semblance of law and order, and to remove the massive piles of rubble.
While the earthquake and the ensuing fire that followed reduced most of the buildings in San Francisco to dust, the Palace Hotel lost just eight percent of it’s magnificent building. The hotel of choice to many of the world’s royalty, politicians and the rich and famous, used the water from its own rooftop and basement reservoirs to put out most of the fire that had spread, and threatened to engulf the building. It was only when the water was drained, that flames took hold. It was decided to rebuild the entire hotel with steel, concrete and bricks, rather than make repairs, and a new and even more elegant Palace Hotel emerged in May of 1907.
Dining in the Palace Hotel’s Garden Court is a treat for both the palate and the senses. Originally a carriage entrance, the magnificent room is graced with columns, a breathtaking domed stained glass ceiling and a floor laid with thousands of small tiles. The hotel went through an extensive renovation in the l990’s, and, architectural treasures that for some strange reason had been covered over, were restored, bringing the Palace back to its original glory.
The one-hundredth anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 occurred April 18, 2006.
While the earthquake and the ensuing fire that followed reduced most of the buildings in San Francisco to dust, the Palace Hotel lost just eight percent of it’s magnificent building. The hotel of choice to many of the world’s royalty, politicians and the rich and famous, used the water from its own rooftop and basement reservoirs to put out most of the fire that had spread, and threatened to engulf the building. It was only when the water was drained, that flames took hold. It was decided to rebuild the entire hotel with steel, concrete and bricks, rather than make repairs, and a new and even more elegant Palace Hotel emerged in May of 1907. Muir Woods, Marin
Muir Woods canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees.
Muir Woods is visited by over 1 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months; park staff recommends visiting on weekdays, before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the crowds. The redwood forest is usually cool. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised. Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but there are picnic facilities nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.
To protect the redwoods William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent donated 295 acres of the land to the Federal Government and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.
In May 19, 1945, delegates from all over the world met in the spring to draft and sign the Charter of the United Nations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods’ Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor.
Muir Woods canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees. Muir Woods is visited by over 1 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months; park staff recommends visiting on weekdays, before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the crowds. The redwood forest is usually cool. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised. Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but there are picnic facilities nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.
To protect the redwoods William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent donated 295 acres of the land to the Federal Government and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.
In May 19, 1945, delegates from all over the world met in the spring to draft and sign the Charter of the United Nations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods’ Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor.
Blackhawk Museum, Contra Costa
An understanding of, art, technology, culture and history come together at this unique location, the Blackhawk Museum, housing one of the largest collections of its kind. Two spacious Auto Galleries display about 90 historically significant and artistically inspired automobiles, mostly one-of-a-kind dating from the turn of the century. The exhibition is on going.
Open to the public on Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm (open most major holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) and open on Monday, if the holiday falls on Monday or the weekend. Admission includes discounts for students with ID and seniors 65 & older. Free for children 6 and under accompanied by a paid adult. Group tour information and rates, please call 925.736.2277, extension 236.
Filoli Gardens, SF Peninsula
Filoli is open Tuesday through Saturday, from February 10 to October 30, 2004, between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:30 pm (last admission is at 2:30 pm); closed on Sunday and Monday. Filoli is closed in observance of all Federal Holidays.
Admission fees are $10 per adult, $5 per student (with valid ID) and $1 for children ages 7-12. Children under 7 are free. Admission includes self-guided tours, guided tours, and nature hikes. Filoli is wheelchair accessible in both the house and gardens; however, wheelchairs are not available for rental. Please inquire at the Tour Office for a map outlining the best tour route for wheelchairs
.
Guided tours are available, by reservation, Tuesday through Saturday. This is a two-hour tour led by a Docent through both the house and gardens. Call 650/364-8300 ext. 507 for tour times.
Self-guided tours take place Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am with last admission at 2:30 pm. No reservations are required. A map is available for your self-guided tour and volunteers are posted in both the house and garden to answer questions. There is also a continuous 10 minute video on the history of Filoli in the Visitor and Education Center.
Guided Nature Hikes are available, by reservation, on Saturdays at 10:00 am. The hike covers roughly 3 miles of trails and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. Nature Docents describe wildlife, plants, endangered species and the historical background of the area. Visitors may not hike without a Docent.
To contact the Tour Office, please call 650/364-8300 ext. 507 Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm or fax 650/367-0724.
The Filoli Garden Shop is open 10:00 am-3:30 pm. The gift shop has a wonderful array of beautiful items for the home and garden.Filoli also has an extensive selection of gardening books and cookbooks. Stop in to look around after your tour.
Filoli is open Tuesday through Saturday, from February 10 to October 30, 2004, between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:30 pm (last admission is at 2:30 pm); closed on Sunday and Monday. Filoli is closed in observance of all Federal Holidays.
Admission fees are $10 per adult, $5 per student (with valid ID) and $1 for children ages 7-12. Children under 7 are free. Admission includes self-guided tours, guided tours, and nature hikes. Filoli is wheelchair accessible in both the house and gardens; however, wheelchairs are not available for rental. Please inquire at the Tour Office for a map outlining the best tour route for wheelchairs
. Guided tours are available, by reservation, Tuesday through Saturday. This is a two-hour tour led by a Docent through both the house and gardens. Call 650/364-8300 ext. 507 for tour times.
Self-guided tours take place Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am with last admission at 2:30 pm. No reservations are required. A map is available for your self-guided tour and volunteers are posted in both the house and garden to answer questions. There is also a continuous 10 minute video on the history of Filoli in the Visitor and Education Center.
Guided Nature Hikes are available, by reservation, on Saturdays at 10:00 am. The hike covers roughly 3 miles of trails and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. Nature Docents describe wildlife, plants, endangered species and the historical background of the area. Visitors may not hike without a Docent.
To contact the Tour Office, please call 650/364-8300 ext. 507 Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm or fax 650/367-0724.
The Filoli Garden Shop is open 10:00 am-3:30 pm. The gift shop has a wonderful array of beautiful items for the home and garden.Filoli also has an extensive selection of gardening books and cookbooks. Stop in to look around after your tour.
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