San Francisco Bay, Tidal estuary in California, US.
San Francisco Bay is a tidal estuary in California, US, that spreads over more than 1,000 square kilometers and connects rivers such as the Sacramento and San Joaquin to the Pacific. The Golden Gate strait forms the single opening between bay and ocean.
The Ohlone lived along the shores of the bay before Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá reached it in 1769 during an expedition. The following decades transformed the region through the establishment of settlements and harbors.
The waters draw anglers throughout the year who catch Dungeness crab, halibut and salmon. Fresh seafood from the bay appears on menus at many restaurants along the shore.
Several bridges cross the water and link communities on both sides. Access to shoreline areas varies by location, with some sections open to the public.
The bay received recognition as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2013. This designation acknowledges the role of the waters as a resting spot for migratory birds traveling between continents.
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