Attractions in The San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area encompasses the cities of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. It also includes the smaller urban and rural areas of the North Bay. Overall, the Bay Area consists of nine counties, 101 cities, and comprises 7,000 square miles. The nine counties are Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

As of July 2006, the Bay Area is home to 7.2 million people, making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the United States, with the majority of the growth due to international immigration. The Bay Area comprises many cities, towns, military bases, airports, and associated regional, state, and national parks sprawled over nine counties (sometimes defined as ten or eleven counties) and connected by a massive network of roads, highways, railroads, bridges, tunnels and commuter rail.

While San Jose, is now the largest city in the Bay Area, having surpassed San Francisco in the 1990 census, for most of its history San Francisco was the area's most populous city. San Francisco remains the focal point and major cultural center in the region. The Bay Area has the highest median household and per capita income of any metropolitan area in the United States and is also one of the most politically liberal areas in the nation. The cost of living is also one of the highest in the nation.

The bay area is the home of the world famous San Francisco Trolleys, Lombard Street known as the steepest and windiest street in the world and one of the most efficient rapid transit systems known as BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit. Fisherman's Warf and the Embarcadero are world famous icons and a must see. Come for a week or a month or a year. There is always something new to see and enjoy!