Mission Bay

Why go

Mission Bay is defined by the form, materials, and setting of Mission Bay. Another layer comes from the sightlines that connect Mission Bay with its surroundings. Plan Mission Bay by remembering to confirm public access to Mission Bay and local conditions. After Mission Bay, choose a geographic companion near Mission Bay; this keeps Mission Bay geographically coherent and avoids forcing Mission Bay into an unrelated crossing.

What to look for

• Look closely at the form, materials, and setting of Mission Bay.
• Notice the sightlines that connect Mission Bay with its surroundings.

The full story

Mission Bay is roughly bounded by Townsend Street on the north, Third Street and San Francisco Bay on the east, Mariposa Street on the south, and 7th Street and Interstate 280 on the west. Before urbanization, Mission Bay was nestled inside of a +500 acre salt marsh and lagoon, and was occupied by year-round tidal waters. This area was a natural habitat and refuge for large water fowl populations that included ducks, geese, herons, egrets, ospreys and gulls. The Native American tribes who resided in this area were the Costanoan people who spoke eight different languages which delineated between the various tribelets. The tribe most prevalent in the Bay area was the Patwin people who resided in the area for over 5,000 years. Beginning in the mid-1800s, in attempts to make this area suitable for building, Mission Bay was used as a convenient place to deposit refuse from building projects and debris from the 1906 earthquake. As the marsh quickly stabilized with the weight of the infill, the area quickly became an industrial district. By 1850 the area was used for shipbuilding and repair, butchery and meat production, and oyster and clam fishing. With the addition of the railroad, Mission Bay became the home to shipyards, canneries, a sugar refinery and various warehouses.

Useful to know

• For Mission Bay, confirm public access to Mission Bay and local conditions.
• Pair Mission Bay with a geographic companion near Mission Bay when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.