Did anyone mention the giant panoramic views from Twin Peaks?

scroll down from the blue sky...then use bottom slide bar to see it all:

http://www.sftravel.com/images/twinp...ciscoView1.JPG

Sunset from the "Top of the Mark"...the bar at the top of The Mark Hopkins hotel is one that I've enjoyed a couple of times over a cocktail or two.

peterboy, you got it right; a cocktail or two. Had heard about it but when found out it would cost 20 to park, 10 cover per and 10 a drink...

I'd add walking along the path at Crissy Field with the GG Bridge right up in front of you.

I love the views from the ferry ride from pier 39. I would be happy just riding the ferries all day, sipping a hot cup of tea or chocolate, enjoying the views...I like the fog too, so I am happy either way.

An addition to the best views of the city from outside it: the sweeping vistas of the City, the Golden Gate, Mt. Tam, the Bay and the East Bay cities from Grizzly Peak Blvd., which runs along the ridge above Berkeley. Especially great during a golden sunset beyond the Gate.

Sometimes, as a student, I'd bring a chair and a textbook up there and study. Or, then and later, do the same when I was dealing with something difficult in life. Looking down over all that was great for thinking through things.

Hi, ET (Easytraveler). Don't look now, but that certain someone is back on the board. Check out the sequoias, redwoods, help! thread. Not only is the screen name one we recognize, but in addition to the Big Basin rec, there's even the familiar plug for those San Jose museums. Hopefully, he will confine himself to one screen name per thread this time and peaceful coexistence will reign.

Hi, JBC! Always good to see you posting! :)

Yes, I noticed at least two names on two separate threads. The Fodors editors are new and so the ban probably was lifted somehow. Oh, well! Back to the borg days!

artlover: Great idea! but I can't plan that far ahead, but if it's at all possible, let's just get together, either to drink in the scenery or drink in some wine - LOL!

easytraveler,
I'm up for that...will stay in touch and we can figure out a time and place and if others want to join us, great, otherwise, we can just have all the fun for ourselves (LOL).

Thnaks again for the other added views...looks like we're going to be busy!

JBC,
Thanks for reminding me of these views. I used to live in the Berkeley Hills near Tilden Park and there are some great sunsets I remember from up there. Maybe you could join our get together?

Great idea, artlover, I would greatly enjoy sharing views and wine with you and with easytraveler, whose posts I've admired for a long time now. But I live in McLean, Virginia now (suburban Washington DC) and it will probably be quite a while before I next get back to my beloved Northern California. Now if one or both of you happen to find yourselves heading for your Nation's Capital.....

JBC,
I really thought you were writing from the Eastbay...very funny...well, we're not headed to the East Coast soon, but if we do get there (or maybe we could all meet up in someplace "in the middle"--like Paris? LOL)

But thanks again for reminding me of those wonderful views!

Artlover, If you're so inclined, could you shoot me an email before you leave for SF? [email protected]

Thanks! :-)

I'm in the city... slow weekend for me... [email protected] put something catchy in the subject line (not enlargment! LOL)

What about that observation tower on the top of DeYoung? Heard the view is gret!

artlover: I'm ready now! Can we plan on meeting the weekend of 5th or 6th? If not, tell me which would be a good day for you. I know how hard it is to try and meet someone while on a trip, so you choose the date and where and I'll just show up.

If you want to talk about Italy, maybe we should try and get loveitaly together on this mini-GTG!

Please email me at [email protected].

Catbert: were you looking for a GTG with artlover also?

JBC: ever the gentleman! :)

So Paris is "in the middle" between SF and DC? I like your geography, artlover! Although if you decide it's actually Italy that's truly dead center between the two rather than Topeka, that works for me too.

ET, I'm curious. Although I think from what I've read that Paris or Italy might be your choice too, were we to decide on meeting at the midpoint of the through-the-center-of-the-earth-out-the-other-side-and-back route between the Bay Area and Washington (why not?), which I'm going to liberally interpret to be anywhere in Asia, what city or locale do you think it should be?

Oh, and I'm with cobbie in touting the views from the skybridges at the Mandarin Oriental. I used to work in the office building which takes up the lower half of that tower and liked to use sneaking up there as a "coffee break." Truly an eye-opener.

Spain would work for me too, but that's not happening for awhile. Will just have to enjoy S.F. instead next week. Yes, it would be fun to get together and talk about Italy or Spain or France or wherever with other travelholics!

Easytraveler, I'm going to e-mail you now.

bookmarking ;)