I'm glad you decided to show what was there. I first visited SF in 1990 and the freeway was in the process of being torn down, but you could still sense the constricting character of the freeway. I was there next in 1992 with the open space; it very much changed the character of The Embarcadero for the better. Today's area with the PCC streetcars renewed the city.
Nice ride and great track. Reminds me of Chuck Loeb mixed with Paul Brown. I liked the tour and the view of the Bay Bridge really captures why that crossing is so magnificent. I kind of like seeing it from this vantage point more than being on it.
My god, your choice of music is killing me, dude! Makes me wish I was there. Reminds me of when me and my dad would just cruise through metro NY; no reasons, no destinations. You make me miss those days...
Thanks, Jim. I enjoyed this video just like all of your others. About the Embarcadero Freeway: even though it was a humongous eyesore, it handled the traffic between the bridge/80 and Washington/Clay and Broadway much more efficiently than the system in place now. Granted, the waterfront looks 100 times better than it did in the 80s (I really like all of the palm trees) but, it really has hurt commuters a lot.
Great video and you even swiveled the camera to show AT&T Park. I used to work for the Calfiornia Legislature and I learned that the Embarcadero Fwy. originally was supposed to connect to the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a proposal to even put a freeway through Golden Gate Park, but both plans were scrapped due to public oppoisiton in the mid 1960s.
What a beautiful drive! On a side note, SF has, imo, the most intriguing climate in the whole US. Extremely cool for its latitude in summertime, and also one of the northernmost cities by far in the US that goes years and years without even a frost in winter
Sorry we weren't able to do our planned collaboration on this video; simply too many responsibilities with my job right now. I'm sure we'll be able to collaborate on something else, soon enough. Anyway, I really enjoyed watching this! The transformation of the waterfront has been nothing short of remarkable. Simply put, the waterfront would be still a no-go zone, had CA 480 not become a victim to the Loma Prieta earthquake. Great video!
i agree with your quote heartly,"even though I love freeways,they should never be along and travel waterfronts" this should be used for people walking attractions family areas Great Job in the Bay Area Jim
lovely, lovely drive. Thanks for all the info about history etc. I remember the films you mentioned with the old freeway, without all the talk in the FJ group and the videos I would never have known about its decline and dismantling. Thanks again Jim for a great video
I walked The Embarcadero with friends from beginning to Pier 39, long walk, beautiful weather in a beautiful city. Love the video, the music matches perfectly.
Interesting side-note about AT&T Park: Before the completion of the park, Nash Bridges starring Don Johnson and Cheech Marin, had filmed literally less than 250 yards away while it was under construction mid-way in Season 4 (1998-1999). Beginning in Season 5 (1999-2000), they would move production to another location nearby as AT&T Park opened.
Nicely done! I lived in SF in the 80's and drove (or rode as a passenger) on the double-deck freeway many times. I remember the cracks in it after the 1989 quake--they had it reinforced with wood/metal beams and plywood to protect pedestrians walking under it, such as if you were crossing under it to get to the Ferry Building. It took them years to tear it all down, but it looks so much better now.
Sensational ride (FWJ), the jazzy tune being played as we cruse down the water front where the old elevated doubled decker highway used to be, was very exhilarating. I admired the cyclist at (6:39) in the right lane who didn't care about the vehicles behind him, and just totally took over that lane, gotta love the drivers behind him for giving him that respect, (GVJ), as usual!!!
That section of King Street from 1:37 to 2:16 with all the new buildings used to be occupied by the disused stub end of the I-280 Southern Embarcadero Freeway as I could tell in the aerial photo shown at 0:34.
Nice ride- love how the area looks without that double-decker eyesore now! SFO did a great job with restoring the road and it looks like an interesting ride! Loving your California videos!!!!
Great Job Jim and I was at the Fisherman's Wharf back in April 2012. Also I think the trolley line was built from 1989 to the mid 1990s when the CA-480 freeway was demolished and at 4:49 you are seeing PCC trolley Cars of the F line
Well, except for one October evening in 1989, it was an ok drive. I drove on it in 1971, and rode busses on it in 1970. Also crossed the Bay Bridge several times. It was during my active military service from 1969 through 1971.
Interesting tidbit, the lot on your right right before Bryant Street (piers 30-32), with all the Oracle Racing stuff on it right now is supposed to be the lot for the new Golden State Warriors Arena. Its set to open in 2017. On another note, it really is amazing that they ever thought a freeway along this stretch would be a good idea.
You can also tell how removing the Embarcadero has changed the area for the better from the photos and your video. Thanks for the ride and keep up the good work, Jim!
I must say that I knew very little the highway system in San Francisco (with the exeption of the Golden Gate Bridge). Through this series, I learned a lot on the highway system of San Francisco and his history (the Embarcadero highway, construction of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge). Obviously, this serie was very interesting, and I wait to see the series on Los Angeles!
Great ride! I cruised the Embarcadero in May to check out the Exploratorium at Pier 15, and both the area and the exhibit were awesome. The viewing of the Bay Bridge was spectacular too. Perhaps it should have been this way, that double-decker just didn't belong along the waterfront. Traffic and parking are the only gripes there, but otherwise iconic!
I really enjoy your work Freeway. Now after viewing & writing about your footage, I must now site your work for a college paper using that great MLA formatting. Thanks Freeway Jim!! -The Evil Genius.
Thank you, yes one day we'll put something spectacular together. I really enjoyed the drive through there, it was before I met up with the "hills", lol.
Thanks, yes that is the Coit Tower....I've been on FDR several times, that double deck section is not the same as what was here, apples and oranges IMO. In this case the double deck was just plopped there in front of the Ferry Building, with FDR it had to be built that way or not at all.
The reason for the 480 was at the time of planning the Port of SF was a real working port, not a tourist destination, as it is today. The traffic along the Embarcadero was horrendous, as you experienced, the traffic is still stop and go,and it is no longer a working port. Alameda serves that role now. The Embarcadero was an undesirable neighborhood, and putting a freeway that was to connect both bridges made sense fiscally and from a planning POV, and it still makes sense. The freeway which was NOT heavily damaged in 1989 was always a point of contention since the freeway revolts. But, the city being controlled by the real estate developers, delayed the demolition of the 480 to allow select developers to buy the adjacent property for pennies on the dollar. The real crime here is that the freeway which served the city and its residents should have been completed connecting the 280 with the 480 and extending the 480 to the GG Br. Instead, the city chose to favor the real estate developers. The question remains as to whether the freeway made the waterfront undesirable, or the waterfront was already that way, which it was dotted with cheap fleabag hotels and boarding houses, is a chicken - egg situation. But, the freeway should have been kept and finished.
I'd say it was a bit of both. San Francisco voters in 1987 actually rejected a proposal to tear it down amid fears that closing it would cut off easy access to Chinatown. IIRC it wasn't seriously damaged in the Loma Prieta quake (despite present-day claims otherwise); but it was so similar structurally to the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland, whose collapse was blamed largely on poorly designed piers, that many believed 480 would collapse in a quake that was stronger or had a closer epicenter. That, on top of preexisting opposition due to it being an eyesore, finally overcame its support from Chinatown (and Caltrans plans to repair & retrofit it) and pushed the city to order its demolition.
@@Freewayjim Thanks. I remember watching the World Series game live when the earthquake struck. They were at Candlestick Park for that game. I was living in Memphis at the time. I currently live in south Florida.
The embarcadero freewway, as built, was not the originally planned Embarcadero freeway. It was part of a much bigger freeway plan which would have seen Richarrdson Ave, parts of Van Ness, Bay, Embarcadero and King St become a much better embarcadero freeway which would not have been the kind of eyesore like the one that was built.
So the Embarcadero Freeway must have been a lot more intrusive on SF's waterfront than the Alaskan Way Viaduct is on Seattle's waterfront! At least the Alaskan Way Viaduct was set a bit further back from waterfront buildings than the Embarcadero Freeway was.
***** I'm at least hoping they preserve the northern section of the viaduct and turn it into a park. That section is in the best shape compared to most of the viaduct.
awesome video , can you tell me how can i write down in a video, just like you video ? and i will watch this night all your videos from San Francisco. thank you
I came across an interesting story about the Embarcadero Freeway. San Francisco's Board of Supervisors had a number of votes to demolish the freeway, yet a powerful lobby out of Chinatown opposed it because the freeway, ugly as it was, provided easy access to Chinatown. The earthquake of 1989 changed that. I was wondering who must have thought that those double-decker freeways were a good idea? Had all those proposed freeways been built, there would have been two double-deckers running through San Francisco, the Central Freeway and the Embarcadero/Golden Gate Freeways.
Originally, the Embarcadero freeway was supposed to run the length of the bayfront up to the Golden Gate Bridge, but residents in the Marina District, and business owners along Fisherman's Wharf quickly revolted. It would've been even more of an eyesore for San Francisco.
I agree what were the city planners of Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Buffalo and so on thinking in the 50s and 60s building these double decker monstrosities. To think the 89 quake did for San Francisco what the Big Dig did for Boston
wait the Embarcadero is considered a eyesore, but FDR drive is also a double decker along the river and it isnt considered an eyesore? you people and your double (decker) standards! >_>" LMAO (also, great video 5/5)(also also at 6:04, is that coit tower in the far left distance?)
Also, that ugly freeway that finally got torn down after the 1989 earthquake must have been like living next to the Berlin Wall, which also came down the same year.
I Love that freeway
I'm glad you decided to show what was there. I first visited SF in 1990 and the freeway was in the process of being torn down, but you could still sense the constricting character of the freeway. I was there next in 1992 with the open space; it very much changed the character of The Embarcadero for the better. Today's area with the PCC streetcars renewed the city.
Nice ride and great track. Reminds me of Chuck Loeb mixed with Paul Brown. I liked the tour and the view of the Bay Bridge really captures why that crossing is so magnificent. I kind of like seeing it from this vantage point more than being on it.
My god, your choice of music is killing me, dude! Makes me wish I was there. Reminds me of when me and my dad would just cruise through metro NY; no reasons, no destinations. You make me miss those days...
Thanks, Jim. I enjoyed this video just like all of your others. About the Embarcadero Freeway: even though it was a humongous eyesore, it handled the traffic between the bridge/80 and Washington/Clay and Broadway much more efficiently than the system in place now. Granted, the waterfront looks 100 times better than it did in the 80s (I really like all of the palm trees) but, it really has hurt commuters a lot.
Great video and you even swiveled the camera to show AT&T Park. I used to work for the Calfiornia Legislature and I learned that the Embarcadero Fwy. originally was supposed to connect to the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a proposal to even put a freeway through Golden Gate Park, but both plans were scrapped due to public oppoisiton in the mid 1960s.
What a beautiful drive! On a side note, SF has, imo, the most intriguing climate in the whole US. Extremely cool for its latitude in summertime, and also one of the northernmost cities by far in the US that goes years and years without even a frost in winter
Man I swear I was just there a month ago I'm from hot and humid Memphis so the weather is like paradise to me out in San Fran and Sacramento
Sorry we weren't able to do our planned collaboration on this video; simply too many responsibilities with my job right now. I'm sure we'll be able to collaborate on something else, soon enough. Anyway, I really enjoyed watching this! The transformation of the waterfront has been nothing short of remarkable. Simply put, the waterfront would be still a no-go zone, had CA 480 not become a victim to the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Great video!
i agree with your quote heartly,"even though I love freeways,they should never be along and travel waterfronts" this should be used for people walking attractions family areas Great Job in the Bay Area Jim
lovely, lovely drive. Thanks for all the info about history etc. I remember the films you mentioned with the old freeway, without all the talk in the FJ group and the videos I would never have known about its decline and dismantling. Thanks again Jim for a great video
Loved this video, and so much I didn't know! Thank you for the memories of when I lived in the South Bay. Warm wishes from Perth, Western Australia.
I walked The Embarcadero with friends from beginning to Pier 39, long walk, beautiful weather in a beautiful city. Love the video, the music matches perfectly.
Thank you very much!
Interesting side-note about AT&T Park: Before the completion of the park, Nash Bridges starring Don Johnson and Cheech Marin, had filmed literally less than 250 yards away while it was under construction mid-way in Season 4 (1998-1999). Beginning in Season 5 (1999-2000), they would move production to another location nearby as AT&T Park opened.
Nicely done! I lived in SF in the 80's and drove (or rode as a passenger) on the double-deck freeway many times. I remember the cracks in it after the 1989 quake--they had it reinforced with wood/metal beams and plywood to protect pedestrians walking under it, such as if you were crossing under it to get to the Ferry Building. It took them years to tear it all down, but it looks so much better now.
+scheis123 Thank you!
Sensational ride (FWJ), the jazzy tune being played as we cruse down the water front where the old elevated doubled decker highway used to be, was very exhilarating. I admired the cyclist at (6:39) in the right lane who didn't care about the vehicles behind him, and just totally took over that lane, gotta love the drivers behind him for giving him that respect, (GVJ), as usual!!!
Thank you, wish I could have seen the old double-decker before it was taken down but thems the breaks :)
Too bad, unfortunately it was demolished, I would have loved to see your video of it while it was still erect!!
That section of King Street from 1:37 to 2:16 with all the new buildings used to be occupied by the disused stub end of the I-280 Southern Embarcadero Freeway as I could tell in the aerial photo shown at 0:34.
Nice ride- love how the area looks without that double-decker eyesore now! SFO did a great job with restoring the road and it looks like an interesting ride! Loving your California videos!!!!
That's a wonderful downtown area that you captured in this nice ride.
Great Job Jim and I was at the Fisherman's Wharf back in April 2012. Also I think the trolley line was built from 1989 to the mid 1990s when the CA-480 freeway was demolished and at 4:49 you are seeing PCC trolley Cars of the F line
Thanks, I would have loved to seen the freeway there just once.
Published on Feb 13, 2015
Well, except for one October evening in 1989, it was an ok drive. I drove on it in 1971, and rode busses on it in 1970. Also crossed the Bay Bridge several times.
It was during my active military service from 1969 through 1971.
Another wonderful ride! There are some similarities and ambiance of the Embarcadero along the lines of certain sections of Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.
Thanks for the ride, Jim! I could feel the "ghost" of the Embarcadero Freeway and I felt like I was in the car with you.
Excellent video. Love all the extra facts. Thank you!
Interesting tidbit, the lot on your right right before Bryant Street (piers 30-32), with all the Oracle Racing stuff on it right now is supposed to be the lot for the new Golden State Warriors Arena. Its set to open in 2017. On another note, it really is amazing that they ever thought a freeway along this stretch would be a good idea.
I loved that freeway 🛣!!!!
You can also tell how removing the Embarcadero has changed the area for the better from the photos and your video. Thanks for the ride and keep up the good work, Jim!
There is an instance in video 13-17 turning from Mission Street to Van ness that has that as well, first time I've ever seen it .
Thanks, glad you are enjoying the SF series, the LA series will be just as, if not more extensive.
exelent video with all the info and everything you name it thanks jim nice video was a sunny day
I must say that I knew very little the highway system in San Francisco (with the exeption of the Golden Gate Bridge). Through this series, I learned a lot on the highway system of San Francisco and his history (the Embarcadero highway, construction of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge). Obviously, this serie was very interesting, and I wait to see the series on Los Angeles!
4:46 is that on the left a building from the embarcado complex?
Tao Tao Liu Not sure I understand your question?
+Tao Tao Liu Yes, that is Embarcadero Four.
Thanks, I enjoy rides like you described as well.
Great ride! I cruised the Embarcadero in May to check out the Exploratorium at Pier 15, and both the area and the exhibit were awesome. The viewing of the Bay Bridge was spectacular too. Perhaps it should have been this way, that double-decker just didn't belong along the waterfront. Traffic and parking are the only gripes there, but otherwise iconic!
I really enjoy your work Freeway. Now after viewing & writing about your footage, I must now site your work for a college paper using that great MLA formatting. Thanks Freeway Jim!! -The Evil Genius.
You're welcome, good luck with your paper!
Freewayjim I would like to read your paper if possible.
10-4, I'll send you a link to my Blog Post once this thesis is complete. Your videos have been a great help w/ this assignment.
EvilGenius501 Cool, thanks.
Thank you, yes one day we'll put something spectacular together. I really enjoyed the drive through there, it was before I met up with the "hills", lol.
This Freeway eyesore & demolition reminds me of the Big Dig back at my home state.
I did not know that, thanks, cool place for an arena.
Fun road trip for California!
I like the vid FreewayJim. I'm a big fan of the City/San Francisco.
I'd like to see more vids on SD/San Diego. My favorite city in Cali.
Thanks, yes that is the Coit Tower....I've been on FDR several times, that double deck section is not the same as what was here, apples and oranges IMO. In this case the double deck was just plopped there in front of the Ferry Building, with FDR it had to be built that way or not at all.
Respectful, beautiful, awesome!
Cute dogs at 3:11
You had a nice day for cruising SF, come back any time
Very impressive job!! I'm no fan of freeways being removed but, in this case it case it defiantly worked.
Amazing!
ahhhh,cool. i'll look for them..any shots of La Jolla?
The reason for the 480 was at the time of planning the Port of SF was a real working port, not a tourist destination, as it is today. The traffic along the Embarcadero was horrendous, as you experienced, the traffic is still stop and go,and it is no longer a working port. Alameda serves that role now. The Embarcadero was an undesirable neighborhood, and putting a freeway that was to connect both bridges made sense fiscally and from a planning POV, and it still makes sense. The freeway which was NOT heavily damaged in 1989 was always a point of contention since the freeway revolts. But, the city being controlled by the real estate developers, delayed the demolition of the 480 to allow select developers to buy the adjacent property for pennies on the dollar. The real crime here is that the freeway which served the city and its residents should have been completed connecting the 280 with the 480 and extending the 480 to the GG Br. Instead, the city chose to favor the real estate developers.
The question remains as to whether the freeway made the waterfront undesirable, or the waterfront was already that way, which it was dotted with cheap fleabag hotels and boarding houses, is a chicken - egg situation. But, the freeway should have been kept and finished.
Thanks for the comment and insight, I thought they wanted 480 torn down because it was an eyesore, nothing more, interesting.
I'd say it was a bit of both. San Francisco voters in 1987 actually rejected a proposal to tear it down amid fears that closing it would cut off easy access to Chinatown. IIRC it wasn't seriously damaged in the Loma Prieta quake (despite present-day claims otherwise); but it was so similar structurally to the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland, whose collapse was blamed largely on poorly designed piers, that many believed 480 would collapse in a quake that was stronger or had a closer epicenter. That, on top of preexisting opposition due to it being an eyesore, finally overcame its support from Chinatown (and Caltrans plans to repair & retrofit it) and pushed the city to order its demolition.
It was a double deck freeway as seen in the photos.
Thank you!
Thanks, yes the Bay Bridge does look pretty awesome from ground level, I had Erik firing away on the camera as we passed by on his side.
Thanks!
Thank you, and I agree.
Thanks, I have 5 videos from San Diego coming next month.
I can't think of any but I will say there are probably several that were planned that never got built but should have.
Traffic is worse and I prefer the freeway over this 6:17
I did not film in the San Jose area but I will have 5 videos from San Diego coming later next month.
2:33 ... Is that what used to be called "Candlestick Park"?
No, Candlestick Park was a good 8-10 miles south of there, this is a completely new ballpark built in 2000.
@@Freewayjim
Thanks. I remember watching the World Series game live when the earthquake struck. They were at Candlestick Park for that game. I was living in Memphis at the time. I currently live in south Florida.
San Diego videos start at #13-34
The embarcadero freewway, as built, was not the originally planned Embarcadero freeway. It was part of a much bigger freeway plan which would have seen Richarrdson Ave, parts of Van Ness, Bay, Embarcadero and King St become a much better embarcadero freeway which would not have been the kind of eyesore like the one that was built.
GH ll
J
Thanks. wish I could have seen this one before it got taken down.
Close, one video has CA-52 merging with I-5 near La Jolla, that's about it.
In a word: WOW! The City of San Francisco should embed this in their website.
Come and do a video of San Diego and I would also love to see one of San Jose / Silicon Valley.
So the Embarcadero Freeway must have been a lot more intrusive on SF's waterfront than the Alaskan Way Viaduct is on Seattle's waterfront! At least the Alaskan Way Viaduct was set a bit further back from waterfront buildings than the Embarcadero Freeway was.
Very much so.
***** I'm at least hoping they preserve the northern section of the viaduct and turn it into a park. That section is in the best shape compared to most of the viaduct.
I've never seen triple left turning lanes from a surface street to another surface street. But there they are, 2:10 to 2:15.
awesome video , can you tell me how can i write down in a video, just like you video ?
and i will watch this night all your videos from San Francisco.
thank you
I love the hill streets in San Francisco
I came across an interesting story about the Embarcadero Freeway. San Francisco's Board of Supervisors had a number of votes to demolish the freeway, yet a powerful lobby out of Chinatown opposed it because the freeway, ugly as it was, provided easy access to Chinatown. The earthquake of 1989 changed that. I was wondering who must have thought that those double-decker freeways were a good idea? Had all those proposed freeways been built, there would have been two double-deckers running through San Francisco, the Central Freeway and the Embarcadero/Golden Gate Freeways.
Originally, the Embarcadero freeway was supposed to run the length of the bayfront up to the Golden Gate Bridge, but residents in the Marina District, and business owners along Fisherman's Wharf quickly revolted. It would've been even more of an eyesore for San Francisco.
Are there any over freeways you felt were a bad idea from the start?
What kid of freeway is it? I liked your video. Loved the music.
Thanks for watching!
I would love to take a trip to California. I have plans to not only go to hollywood, but head over to "The World Famous Comedy Store".
SF or downtown SD ?
I agree what were the city planners of Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Buffalo and so on thinking in the 50s and 60s building these double decker monstrosities. To think the 89 quake did for San Francisco what the Big Dig did for Boston
Elevated West Side Drive in NYC was an eyesore and unsafe and it was taken down in the 1970's.
wait the Embarcadero is considered a eyesore, but FDR drive is also a double decker along the river and it isnt considered an eyesore? you people and your double (decker) standards! >_>" LMAO
(also, great video 5/5)(also also at 6:04, is that coit tower in the far left distance?)
The freeway was a good idea only if the Golden Gate Bridge was double decked and was not that close to the waterfront
St. Louis should do this: Search for "City to River."
Also, that ugly freeway that finally got torn down after the 1989 earthquake must have been like living next to the Berlin Wall, which also came down the same year.
Hope you loved San Francisco where homeless people are loco.
Thank you!
Thanks!
I love the hill streets in San Francisco
Thank you!
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you very much!