The PaddlerUK magazine September 2015 issue 4 | Page 68

PADDLERUK 68

Did you know: San Francisco was originally named Yerba Buena
Back in 1835.Yerba Buena is Spanish for “Good Herb”, a fragrant mint plant that grew
along the shoreline of the bay. In 1847 the name was changed to San Francisco after
Saint Francis.

What is it about the San Francisco Bay
that lures so many? As far back as 10,000 years ago, it was the Ohlone and
Miwok Indians that enjoyed this rich and bountiful landscape. Sir Francis Drake
sailed through in 1579 charting the coast and commented about the fog! The
Spanish arrived in 1775, bringing the catholic church and building a fort at what is
now known as the ‘Presidio’ later, tens of thousands came around the ‘Horn’ on
clipper ships eager to stake their claim during the wild Gold Rush of 1849.
Whether it was the turn of the century brothels of Sausalito, the ‘flower power’
hippie generation of the 70s, or the current high tech of Google,Apple, Oracle,
HP and many other in SiliconValley, the San Francisco Bay Area has had a rich
and diverse past. For those of us who enjoy sea kayaking, it’s
probably the best little spot on earth!