Discuss Northern California's Bay Area here.

Cool. To make it easier, here's Donnie's and my last couple responses.

Isn't that funny, how complex the Bay Area is?  The Bay Area, I'd say is the closest thing in the West to the East Coast.  Nowhere else out West can you go 8 miles in any direction, and feel 100 miles away LOL.

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Definitely. I've often told people San Jose is like Super Mario Bros 3, where you can be in one area that has a distinct feel to it, then turn and go down the street, or up a ramp, etc. and it's like, Where'd this 'world' come from?

I think it's because alot of the streets change names, and there's alot of different topography. You can go from a shopping center or a busy street, to what looks like a deserted country road in half a mile.

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What's also interesting is the terrain changes.  Most of the Bay Area is either urban, grassy, or oak woodlands, but in some places you hit areas that are almost rainforest-ish/have redwoods.  For instance, if you're ever been to Muir Woods, it sure doesn't seem like it's only a few miles from San Francisco.  Also, in some ways San Jose seems closer to LA than SF.

^ Yeah, I took a walk up there once I think in '94. The Santa Cruz mountains between here and the beach, have that mountainous feel, even though the summit is only 15 miles from each big city, or so.

I agree, too - I always thought there was a certain "central coast" feeling that has its origins in San Jose. Of course, it's only very basic (like 1986 is with the first 21st century feel), but the honest to God Bay Area seems to be more San Franciso to Milpitas or so.

Cool. To make it easier, here's Donnie's and my last couple responses.

Isn't that funny, how complex the Bay Area is?  The Bay Area, I'd say is the closest thing in the West to the East Coast.  Nowhere else out West can you go 8 miles in any direction, and feel 100 miles away LOL.

***

Definitely. I've often told people San Jose is like Super Mario Bros 3, where you can be in one area that has a distinct feel to it, then turn and go down the street, or up a ramp, etc. and it's like, Where'd this 'world' come from?

I think it's because alot of the streets change names, and there's alot of different topography. You can go from a shopping center or a busy street, to what looks like a deserted country road in half a mile.

***

What's also interesting is the terrain changes.  Most of the Bay Area is either urban, grassy, or oak woodlands, but in some places you hit areas that are almost rainforest-ish/have redwoods.  For instance, if you're ever been to Muir Woods, it sure doesn't seem like it's only a few miles from San Francisco.  Also, in some ways San Jose seems closer to LA than SF.

^ Yeah, I took a walk up there once I think in '94. The Santa Cruz mountains between here and the beach, have that mountainous feel, even though the summit is only 15 miles from each big city, or so.

I agree, too - I always thought there was a certain "central coast" feeling that has its origins in San Jose. Of course, it's only very basic (like 1986 is with the first 21st century feel), but the honest to God Bay Area seems to be more San Franciso to Milpitas or so.


Yeah I'd agree with that.  I think San Jose to San Luis Obispo is more "central California". NorCal is like the immediate San Francisco area up to the Oregon border.

IT'S BEEN RAINING NON STOP FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS!!!  :(

IT'S BEEN RAINING NON STOP FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS!!!  :(


I know, man -- it's crazy, isn't it? If you have to take the bus all the time, that means you especially know what it's like! I've always tended to complain about the hot weather in summer, but I don't think I'm gonna mind at all.

I saw something on the news that the number of days of rain in March beat records from as far back as 1904 in certain cities.

Yeah I'd agree with that.  I think San Jose to San Luis Obispo is more "central California". NorCal is like the immediate San Francisco area up to the Oregon border.


That's true. North of Santa Rosa, it's almost like the same era - that real "northern" third or so, is way more rural with craggy hillsides and such, than anywhere else. Almost feels like a different state. Santa Rosa to SF feels like the transitional part (i.e. Novato is a different Bay Area than, say even Walnut Creek). If the north coast was the '70s, and the Bay Area was the '80s, this is the 1979-81 of that! ;)

I know, man -- it's crazy, isn't it? If you have to take the bus all the time, that means you especially know what it's like! I've always tended to complain about the hot weather in summer, but I don't think I'm gonna mind at all.

I saw something on the news that the number of days of rain in March beat records from as far back as 1904 in certain cities.


I have to walk to and from school... about an hour's worth of walking a day.

I have to walk to and from school... about an hour's worth of walking a day.


My old high school is just over a mile from here, I did that every day, too -- usually took 18-20ish minutes one way (faster if I was late, LOL). It feels like a freakin' eternity when it's pouring, though. Those were the times I'd wished I was further, just to get a bus! ;D

My old high school is just over a mile from here, I did that every day, too -- usually took 18-20ish minutes one way (faster if I was late, LOL). It feels like a freakin' eternity when it's pouring, though. Those were the times I'd wished I was further, just to get a bus! ;D


Doesn't bother me, cools me off.. Though it seems to mysteriously stop when i walk...

MAGIC?!

^ That's weird. But yeah, in general, I don't mind raining at all (it's almost like a mini shower, I just try to look at it that way - and in some ways, it is preferrential to blazing hot), but when it's every day for months, then it starts to be like enough already.

^ That's weird. But yeah, in general, I don't mind raining at all (it's almost like a mini shower, I just try to look at it that way - and in some ways, it is preferrential to blazing hot), but when it's every day for months, then it starts to be like enough already.



Yeah, it's tiring... I want a weather change.. We were good for a day! Then we lost it...

Cool. To make it easier, here's Donnie's and my last couple responses.

Isn't that funny, how complex the Bay Area is?  The Bay Area, I'd say is the closest thing in the West to the East Coast.  Nowhere else out West can you go 8 miles in any direction, and feel 100 miles away LOL.

***

Definitely. I've often told people San Jose is like Super Mario Bros 3, where you can be in one area that has a distinct feel to it, then turn and go down the street, or up a ramp, etc. and it's like, Where'd this 'world' come from?

I think it's because alot of the streets change names, and there's alot of different topography. You can go from a shopping center or a busy street, to what looks like a deserted country road in half a mile.

***

What's also interesting is the terrain changes.  Most of the Bay Area is either urban, grassy, or oak woodlands, but in some places you hit areas that are almost rainforest-ish/have redwoods.  For instance, if you're ever been to Muir Woods, it sure doesn't seem like it's only a few miles from San Francisco.  Also, in some ways San Jose seems closer to LA than SF.

^ Yeah, I took a walk up there once I think in '94. The Santa Cruz mountains between here and the beach, have that mountainous feel, even though the summit is only 15 miles from each big city, or so.

I agree, too - I always thought there was a certain "central coast" feeling that has its origins in San Jose. Of course, it's only very basic (like 1986 is with the first 21st century feel), but the honest to God Bay Area seems to be more San Franciso to Milpitas or so.


I went to Muir Woods on July 4th of last year and it was misty and foggy and cold. It was such a far cry from the weather we had just experienced in Tiburon - which was warm, crips air. It just goes to show how these microclimates work. I think the redwoods play a part in it, for sure.

I know, man -- it's crazy, isn't it? If you have to take the bus all the time, that means you especially know what it's like! I've always tended to complain about the hot weather in summer, but I don't think I'm gonna mind at all.

I saw something on the news that the number of days of rain in March beat records from as far back as 1904 in certain cities.


The rain has become a bit tiresome this year. I don't mind it when I'm sleeping, as it's relaxing, but I'm ready to go out and about and have some fun, but the weather hasn't been able to permit. Plus, walking to class in this weather has not been easy on me. Not good weather to handle presentations and stuff, lol.