One of the United States' premier educational establishments, Stanford University's heritage, expansive curriculum and highly-qualified faculty attracts some of the brightest minds from all across the planet. Founded in the year 1891, student life is given tremendous importance by fostering a love for the literary, performing and visual arts, while athletics and fitness facilities abound throughout the campus. Spread across close to 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of hilly land, its Spanish architecture inspired residential campus is one of the finest in California. The Stanford Memorial Church, the Lou Henry Hoover House, the Hoover, and 'The Dish' are some of its campus' most famed attractions. Notable alumni include the likes of Elon Musk, Reese Witherspoon and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Located on the Stanford University campus, Hoover Tower offers a small museum at its base and excellent views of the Bay Area at the top at an extremely reasonable price. Visit the museum and then take an elevator ride to the top while a guide tells tidbits of trivia about the tower's history. At 285 feet (87 meters) tall, the tower is a must-visit attraction. Be sure to check out the carillon of 48 bells housed at the top of the tower. Stanford students get in free with ID!
Under the direction of Jane Stanford, the Stanford University Memorial Church was completed in 1903 in memory of her husband Leland Stanford. Located in the center of the university, it is a jewel of the campus and a beautiful attraction. It is one of the oldest interdenominational churches in the western United States. The building was designed by Charles A. Coolidge in the Romanesque style, and constructed by John McGilvray, who also was in charge of San Francisco's City Hall.
Cette monumentale structure surplombant Nob Hill fut construite sur le site du manoir Crocker, détruit en 1906 par le tremblement de terre et le feu. Ses vitraux sont l'une des principales attractions de la cathédrale. Les fenêtres représentent environ 1000 visages, dont certains datent des années 1930. Les bas-reliefs dorés qui ornent les portes de l'entrée principale sont coulés à partir des moulures d'origines du sculpteur Lorenzo Ghiberti, ayant servi pour les Portes du Paradis du baptistère de Florence. Cet endroit possède aussi deux labyrinthes. Celui à l'extérieur est fait de pierres Terrazzo, tandis que celui à l'intérieur est composé de calcaire. L'intérieur contient des vitraux bleu-poudres, rouges éclatants et jaunes. Il y a aussi des fresques présentant l'histoire de San Francisco et des scènes de la vie du saint patron de San Francisco, Saint François d'Assise.
Le marché du Ferry Building est un lieu incontournable pour les visiteurs de San Francisco. Ce complexe de plusieurs millions de dollars propose de nombreuses activités pour toute la famille. Ce merveilleux bâtiment de style Beaux-Arts fut conçu par le célèbre architecte Arthur Page Brown. Similaire à celui de l’emblématique minaret de Giralda à Séville, le beffroi de ce bâtiment est un monument populaire visible de loin. Faites une visite de l’historique Ferry Building, flânez dans les magasins d'antiquités, profitez de la vue sur la baie, dégustez un bol de soupe au Ferry Plaza Seafood, ou achetez des produits biologiques au Farmer's Market. Profitez des vues et des sons qui font du Ferry Building l’unes des destinations les plus populaires de la baie pour ses divertissements, sa gastronomie et ses animations.
This huge, multi-domed church was originally built in 1877 and was restored to its original splendor in 1990. This is actually the fifth location of the parish seat; the first was built in 1803. The present structure is a monumental building. Incredible stained glass work renders the sanctuary into a lovely, almost mystical space when the sun causes the colors to play across the walls, pews and floor. Masses are held in Spanish and English.
St. Patrick's Seminary & University is a seminary located in Menlo Park. The historic building of the seminary is quite an attraction for its architectural nuances and its neatly landscaped campus that is complete with old marble statues at some places. The seminary offers a number of academic courses and programs for all those interested in exploring theology. Refer to their website for details.
Interested in architecture? These tours explore the rich architectural heritage of the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Explore the neighborhood of some of the city's finest "painted ladies", as the polychrome Victorian and Edwardian homes are called. Led by members of the San Francisco Architectural Heritage Foundation, the tours focus on those Victorian and Edwardian houses, though examples of other styles are also noted. The foundation offers a variety of tours at a variety of prices throughout the year.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is the oldest church in San Jose and has been designated a Historic City Landmark for its architecture. Architect John W. Hammond created the design for this church, which was built in 1861 in the Carpenter Gothic architectural style. It is rich in history and is a different type of religious establishment, as it is the Cathedral Church for the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. It is also a Downtown parish church and includes both Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Previously renowned as Mary Avenue Bridge, Don Burnett Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge is admirable for its unique design. You can take a stroll, jog, or admire the city views from this bridge. Located in a lavish residential area, strollers, cyclists and joggers are a common sight at this bridge. Besides, you can enjoy panoramic city views from the bridge. The bridge is a sight to behold at night when it is all lit.
Telegraph Hill is a neighborhood in San Francisco and represents one of the many famous hills dotted throughout the city. Some well-known tourist spots here are Coit Tower, Filbert Street Garden and the world-famous flock of feral parrots. Telegraph Hill is one of the more low-key residential regions in San Francisco compared to other more rambunctious areas of the city.
This imposing Byzantine-style structure is crowned with five onion domes, each covered in 24-karat gold leaf. On a bright day with the sunlight hitting the Holy Virgin Cathedral, the view is absolutely dazzling. Inside one gets a glimpse of a period back in time. The interior, consecrated in 1977, could just as easily date from 1577. Through the incense gleams the gold of more mosaics, these depicting various saints, and the precious metals of the icons that are everywhere.