Twin Peaks (San Francisco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twin Peaks |
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The Twin Peaks
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| Type | Municipal (San Francisco) |
| Location | San Francisco |
| Area | 34 acres (14 ha) |
| Operated by | San Francisco Recreation & Parks |
| Status | Open all year |
 Twin Peaks
Location in San Francisco County
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) NAVD 88 |
| Listing | San Francisco Hill |
| Geography | |
| Location | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS San Francisco North |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Paved road, hike |
The Twin Peaks are two tall hills in San Francisco, California. They stand about 925 feet (282 m) high. These peaks are almost in the middle of the city. They are the second and third highest natural spots in San Francisco. Only Mount Davidson, which is 928 foot (283 m) tall, is higher.
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Exploring Twin Peaks: Location and Climate
The Twin Peaks are made up of two hills. They are called "Eureka" (North Peak) and "Noe" (South Peak). These two peaks are about 660 ft (200 m) apart.
Weather Patterns on the Peaks
The peaks act like a wall against the summer fog. This fog blows in from the Pacific Ocean. The sides of the peaks facing west often get foggy and windy. But the east-facing slopes get more sunshine and warmth. Both peaks are just over 900 feet (270 m) high.
Soil and Snow on Twin Peaks
The soil on Twin Peaks is thin and sandy. This means it can easily wash away. Sometimes, it even snows a little on Twin Peaks. For example, it got several inches of snow on February 5, 1976. More recently, a few snowflakes fell on February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2019.
The History of Twin Peaks
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Long ago, before Europeans arrived, the native Ohlone people lived here. They might have used Twin Peaks as a lookout spot. It was also a good place to hunt. The area had many different plants and animals. The Ohlone found plants for medicine or ceremonies. They also gathered grains and berries.
Naming the Peaks Through Time
In the early 1700s, Spanish explorers and settlers came. They called the area "Los Pechos de la Chola." This means "Breasts of the Indian Maiden." They used the land for raising animals. Later, in the 1800s, San Francisco became part of America. That's when the hills were renamed "Twin Peaks."
What to See at Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks offers amazing views and is home to important natural areas. It's a great place to visit and learn about San Francisco's nature.
Amazing Views from Christmas Tree Point
Christmas Tree Point is a popular spot. It's about 70 ft (20 m) below the North Peak. From here, you can see all of San Francisco. You can also see the beautiful San Francisco Bay. On a clear day, you can see very far. To the north, you might spot Cobb Mountain, which is 120 km (75 mi) away. Looking southeast, you might even see Santa Ana Mountain, 143 km (89 mi) away.
Water for Firefighters
North of the peaks, there is a large reservoir. The San Francisco Fire Department owns it. This reservoir holds water for fighting fires. It's part of a special water system. This system was built after the big 1906 earthquake and fire. It helps keep the city safe.
Protecting Nature at Twin Peaks
The very top of Twin Peaks is undeveloped. It is part of the Twin Peaks Natural Area. This area is 31 acres (13 ha) big. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department takes care of it. These protected lands are home to many plants and animals.
One special resident is the Mission blue butterfly. This butterfly is an endangered species. Twin Peaks is one of the few places where it still lives. Many different kinds of birds, insects, and plants also live here.
Getting Around Twin Peaks
The Muni Metro Twin Peaks Tunnel runs under the peaks. This tunnel connects downtown San Francisco to the western part of the city. There is no public bus that goes all the way to the very top of the peaks. However, the 37 Corbett Muni bus stops near a path up the hill.
The San Francisco Police Department Academy is also located at the base of the peaks. The name "Twin Peaks" is also used for the neighborhood around the hills.
Education Near Twin Peaks
The San Francisco Unified School District runs schools in the area. The Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts is in the Twin Peaks neighborhood. Rooftop School is the closest SFUSD school to the top of Twin Peaks.
Images for kids
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View to the northeast towards downtown San Francisco
