Sojourn (Digital Magazine)

By Teresita Santos
The Sutro Baths is somewhat of a
hidden gem in San Francisco. Just a
short drive or walk up from Ocean
Beach, this Land’s End landmark is
home to the ruins of the once largest
saltwater poolhouse in the city, which
burned down during demolition in 1966.
A hike down a dirt path staircase leads
visitors to two saltwater pools with
some of the old building’s walls peaking
through from deep inside the ground. At
the bottom of the stairs, the path splits
into two - the left leading back up the hill
to the Cliff House restaurant and to the
right is a more scenic path to the caves
and sandy beach. One could get lost
in the beauty and magic of these ruins.
The Sutro Baths can be a laid-back
or fun place to visit in San Francisco.
Many come for the photo opportunity
of this beautfil spot while many other
people visit to take advantage of the
dirt path trails for a good nature walk.
Because of its extremely close proximity
to the Pacific Ocean, during high tides,
water has overflown into the saltwater
pools. Also, because of this, it is advised
that locals and visitors not stand on
or near the edge of the ruins near the
ocean water for safety precautions as
there is no lifeguard on duty at any time.
To learn more about the history of the
Sutro Baths, please visit https://www.
nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/
sutro-baths.htm.

“One could get lost in the beauty and magic of these ruins.”
The Sutro Baths shin gloriously in the daytime.

“...San Francisco’s most iconic landmark.”
Words & Photographs by
Teresita Santos

The Golden Gate Bridge is, perhaps,
San Francisco’s most iconic landmark,
welcoming 10 millions visitors each year.
The bridge itself connects the city
of San Francisco with Marin County,
considered to the northern part of the
Bay Area. Motor vehicles, bicyclists,
and pedestrians are welcome to
travel across the span of bridge.
The Art Deco-inspired bridge features
746-foot tall towers with thick steel
cables connecting each one on either
of its sides. Its colour is a strong burnt
orange, which oddly enough, does
a nice job of colour complementing
the blue ocean bay right below it.
There are various viewpoints to get the
perfect snapshot of San Francisco’s
most famous landmark. To the southwest
is Baker Beach. While an attraction spot
itself, the point of view from this area
offers visitors a nice angled view of the
bridge as it spans from the north to the
city. To the southeast is Chrissy Field,
where the photograph above was taken.
This point of view highlights the stunning
green hills of Marin County to the north
and an almost infinite background of
the bay as it disappears into the ocean.
To learn more about this iconic
landmark, please visit http://
goldengatebridge.org.

The jellyfish exhibit at the
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Words and Photographs by Teresita Santos
The San Francisco Bay Area, besides
being one of the most diverse and
largest sections of California, is
conveniently located to other mustvisit
locales. Monterey, a small beach
town located approximately 114 miles
south of San Francsico, is a holiday
within a holiday as many residents
and tourists alike make the short road
trip down to this quaint little town.
are performing sustainable practices.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium works to
educate children on marine biology
and the ocean sciences in addition to
the importance of ocean and ocean
wildlife conservation. In fact, students
and their teachers are welcome to
visit the aquarium for free to further
their education in those subjects.
It is home to one of the most famous
aquariums in the country, the Monterey
Bay Aquarium, which is where many
prestigious marine biologists have
conducted their research for the
ocean sciences. The aquarium leads
the way for California ocean health
and conservation movements, with its
multi-nonprofit organisations working
to improve and preserve the Pacific
Ocean and its wildlife as well as make
sure any fisheries both near and far
The aquarium also works to provide
the best educational resources for
students, putting together an ocean
curriculum of ocean explorer guides,
self-guided exploration guides, sea
searchers handbooks, and games
and activities making the learning
process both interesting and fun.
All visitors are able to visit a multitude of
live exhibits, daily shows and feedings of
some of their popular ocean animals, and

participate in group activities. People
of all ages can find under the sea fun!
While there are numerous beach towns
all up and down the California coast,
Monterey is known for its small town allure
and close connection to marine wildlife.
Charming inns and bed and breakfast
homes fill the town and offer visitors and
nearby locals a chance to experience
a home-like stay while on holiday.
Endearing seaside restaurants offer big
portions of locally-caught seafood. Golf
lovers will enjoy a chance to play at the
famous Pebble Beach and shoppers can
indulge in some gift buying at Cannery
Row. The 21 and over crowd can sip on
tasty adult beverages at the brewery or
winery in town while the kiddos can try
out the Mirror Maze & Lazer Challege.
The beaches are mere steps away from
the cement-paved streets of the town,
where visitors can capture picturesque
photos Instagram addicts will envy.
Whether you are a small tot or a
grown adult, Monterey offers a
wide variety of by the sea fun and
leisure that is sure to make for an
exciting part of any holiday itinerary.
View from the Monterey Bay Aquarium dock
“Whether you are a small tot or a
grown adult, Monterey offers a wide
variety of by the sea fun and leisure
that is sure to make for an exciting
part of any holiday itinerary.”
To learn more about this lovely little
town of Monterey, California, please
visit their official website at http://
www.monterey.org.

Words & Photographs by
Teresita Santos
The oldest Japanese tea garden in
the United States is situated in San
Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Just
a short walk south of the De Young
Museum and California Academy of
Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden
has become a hidden gem within
a gem - a piece of an Asian oasis
in the middle of an urban jungle.
Originally a temporary exhibit as a
“Japanese Village” for an international
exposition in 1894, the garden was made
permanent and housed its creator and
family until World War II. Designed by
landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara,
this particular tea garden contains
authentic pagoda architecture and
plant-life shipped over from Japan. The
Springtime is especially a season to
visit as the cherry blossoms are in full
bloom. Koi-filled ponds are scattered
throughout the property, bright orange
fish just swimming about. Wooden
bridges of all sizes span over the small
man made ponds offering visitors a
fun way to maneuver through the site.
At the centre of the garden sits a
small outdoor Japanese tea house
and restaurant serving traditional teas
and cuisine by its kimino dressed wait
staff. Those that dine there get a 360
view of the Japanese garden all around
them while sitting at their tables.
To learn more about San Francisco’s
Japanese Tea Garden, please
visit their website at http://
japaneseteagardensf.com.

“...a piece of an Asian oasis in the
middle of an urban jungle.”