Spare the Air: Promoting Eco-Friendly Travel

edited by Leslie Lee

The newly renovated Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco has the environment top of mind with its newly introduced “Spare the Air Explore” package. The package is designed so that conscientious travelers can simply park their belongings at the hotel and explore San Francisco with a minimized impact on the city’s environment, by walking to nearby attractions or utilizing the myriad of public transportation options.

Available from November 1, 2009 through – January 31, 2010, these environmentally-friendly packages include: guest room for one night; a list of attractions along the public transportation routes and within walking distance (from the hotel); and two all-day passes for unlimited use of the landmark Cable Cars, Historic Streetcars and a fleet of other alternative fuel and electric public transportation vehicles.

San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) was founded in 1912 and is one of America’s oldest public transit agencies, carrying over 200 million passengers a year.  MUNI provides transit service within the city and county of San Francisco, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

MUNI operates 80 routes throughout San Francisco with stops within two blocks of 90% of all attractions and residences in the city.  Operator of San Francisco’s legendary, landmark Cable Cars, MUNI also operates historic streetcars, modern light rail vehicles, diesel buses, alternative fuel vehicles and electric trolley coaches.  MUNI’s fleet is among the most diverse in the world.

Popular Attractions: Anchoring the Bay (within walking distance or a historic streetcar ride away from the hotel)

Anchoring San Francisco’s #1 destination, the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf is in the center of one of the most popular destinations in the entire United States. San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and bay waterfront boast the most desirable attractions in this city-by-the-bay, making the hotel a convenient home away from home for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint on this world-class tourist destination.  Below is a comprehensive list of Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf’s suggestions.  

Shopping:

The Cannery and The Anchorage: Both centers are located along Fisherman’s Wharf and are filled with unique stores, selling boutique items not available elsewhere.

Jackson Square: One of the city's oldest districts, this area features several antique shops, art galleries and fine-dining. www.jacksonsquaresf.com

Embarcadero Center: featuring over 70 stores, 36 restaurants, a five screen cinema, art walk tour, fountains and gardens.  www.embarcaderocenter.com

Art and Culture:

San Francisco Railway Museum:  The new museum features a permanent display of artifacts depicting the City’s transportation www.streetcar.org  

Attractions, Landmarks and Points of Interest:

AT&T Park San Francisco: Home of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants, this new stadium hosts baseball games, musical concerts, special events and tours. 

Ferry Building: Today in all its refurbished glory, the Ferry Building houses a gourmet food marketplace with shops and restaurants and a farmer’s market every Tuesday and Saturday. 

Piers 1½, 3 & 5: Featuring a Bayside History Walk with maritime photographs around the entire parameter of the Piers, these refurbished piers reconnect the public with the waterfront. 

Cable Cars: Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf not only anchors the bay, but the hotel is also conveniently located at the turn-stiles for the Mason/Powell lines. www.sfmta.com

San Francisco’s F-Line Streetcars: Re-introduced in the 1980s, these vintage streetcars travel six miles, from Fisherman's Wharf along the Embarcadero and up Market Street to Castro Street.                                                    

Filbert Steps: This unique stairway “to Heaven” leads up to Coit Tower, with gardens and sculptures guiding the way up to a phenomenal, panoramic view of the bay at the top.

Bay Trail: This path connects all regions of the bay with over 240 miles of space to jog, roller blade and hike.

Pier 39: A shopping and entertainment complex with a myriad of shops, restaurants and attractions, including: Aquarium of the Bay, a $40 million aquarium, where guests can view the marine life in San Francisco Bay; a large colony of sea lions that have made their “stage” on floating platforms west of Pier 39; the thrilling adventures of Turbo Ride; a carousal; and street performers.

Wax Museum: Home to over 250 international personalities, this is one of the largest museums of its kind. A millennium of history is represented in fabulous scenes from the birth of Christ through the dramatic milestones in man's history.

Guinness Museum of World Records: Displays from the famous record-breaking book.

Boudin Bakery: Bakers still make bread with a recipe the company has nurtured since 1849, making it San Francisco's oldest continuously running company. The newly renovated facility boasts a Bakery & Cafe in Baker's Hall, gourmet gifts in the marketplace, a comprehensive museum, the full-service Bistro Boudin and the Bistro bar.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum: 10,000 square feet filled with the strange, the unusual, and the unbelievable.

Ghirardelli Square: Once a chocolate factory, this shopping center attraction is home to  The Chocolate Manufactory & Soda Fountain as well as shops, selling everything from apparel to folk art.

Fisherman’s Wharf: During the day, street performers entertain onlookers with a number of different acts, including talented magicians, human robots, musicians, jugglers, clowns and fire-eaters, while at night enjoy live music, dancing and comedy clubs as well.  Additionally, the myriad of shops, restaurants and attractions line the streets between Aquatic Park and Pier 39.

Aquatic Park:  A popular attraction where residents and visitors alike enjoy the opportunity to picnic, promenade or play bocce ball.

The Maritime Museum: Once Aquatic Park's palatial bathhouse, memorabilia from the West Coast's seafaring days are displayed, including giant masts, painted figureheads and detailed ship models.

Hyde Street Pier:  Walk the decks of the tall ships and stroll along the U.S. National Park, home of the world's largest collection of historic ships by tonnage, where visitors can board several National Landmark vessels.

Attractions in America: Take a roller coaster ride at an exhibit tracing the fascinating history of Amusement, now open at Pier 45.

www.fishermanswharf.hyatt.com,  or call (415) 563-1234 or toll free (800) 233-1234

Photographs courtesy of Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf.