Recent Stories
Point Reyes offers history, diversity
OLEMA, Calif. – Point Reyes National Seashore sits just under 50 miles from downtown San Francisco, but this national park is more than just the stretch of scenic coastline that its name would suggest. As guests arrive at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, located at the entrance to the park,Read More…
‘Radio Alcatraz’ tells island’s stories
SAN FRANCISCO— The last thing that you would imagine coming out the Alcatraz Island National Park Service staff offices of the historical Alcatraz Island would be an interactive media outlet like a podcast. But there, squeezed between the bookshelves, coffee machine and conference table, sits a digital recorder, mixer, microphoneRead More…
Riveter Memorial honors war at home
RICHMOND, Calif. — Like every term, the “double shift” has its origins. Who knew it came from here, in the East Bay area of San Francisco? Richmond is home to the Rosie the Riveter / World War II Home Front National Historic Park, which commemorates the hundreds of thousands ofRead More…
Maritime park recalls city’s waterfront past
SAN FRANCISCO — The setting is perfect. Boats line the shore, the wind blows in from the Pacific Ocean and seagulls fill the sky. Even when you get to the ships on exhibit that are docked nearby, visitors feel as if they are on the ocean because of strong seaRead More…
African Diaspora Museum opens eyes
SAN FRANCISCO — Although I was visiting here for four days, for three hours of the trip I was transported to a different space and time. I went to a place that seemed so far away, in distance and mind, but I actually felt oddly like I was home. ItRead More…
Palace of Fine Arts reveals Bay culture
SAN FRANCISCO— Two lovers linger on the grass in front of the lagoon, a group of kids run after the ducks and a tourist takes a picture of herself with Greco-Roman ruins as the background. These are commons scenes that take place here at the Palace of Fine Arts eachRead More…
Tour visits Muir Woods, wine region
SAN FRANCISCO — “Look everyone, cows!” said Paul Crug, a tour guide who works for City Sightseeing San Francisco. No longer in view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square, this tour takes visitors outside city limits to experience the vastness of Muir Woods and the serenityRead More…
Alcatraz draws visitors for prison tour
SAN FRANCISCO — Ready, set, jump! Swimmers from all over the country and the world get together for the experience of a lifetime to see whether they are able to make the famous escape from Alcatraz. To this day, it is unknown whether or not three former inmates, the AnglinRead More…
Hoover Dam tour memorable for visitors
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Arriving at the Hoover Dam, often also called Boulder Dam, is a memory forever embedded in the minds of most that come to see the dam. The shocking heights of the 730 feet high grey concrete walls captivate visitors for hours. “I stood for a goodRead More…
Air tour offers ideal photo viewpoints
TUSAYAN, Ariz. — There was a slight vibration when the engine of the small airplane started and the propellers on each side of the aircraft slowly began to spin in unison. I placed the headphones hanging on the seat in front of me over my ears, turned to channel 1Read More…
Drive to Desert View leads to historic tower
DESERT VIEW, Ariz.— Walking through the dark, winding stairs whose walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful and amazing pictographs will give visitors the impression of walking back in time. And when reaching the top of the Desert View Watch Tower, the smallest windows reveal some of the most breathtakingRead More…
Historic El Tovar offers elegant lodging
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Ariz.— When first walking up to the historic El Tovar Hotel in Grand Canyon National Park, one can immediately understand why it is considered superior. The front porch is intricately designed using native rock, complete with arched window openings. An inscription that lines the edge of theRead More…