Contact: Eric Young, San Francisco County Transportation Authority 
Office: 415-522-4816
Cell: 415-306-4509

Download this press release (PDF)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The San Francisco County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with the Bay Area Toll Authority, Caltrans and Treasure Island Development Authority, announced the opening of the Vista Point visitor area on Yerba Buena Island.

Situated at the San Francisco (western) terminus of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge bicycle-pedestrian path, Vista Point is designed as a relaxation and rejuvenation area for visitors to Yerba Buena Island. Featuring restrooms, benches, a hydration station and bike racks, Vista Point offers sweeping views of the east span of the Bay Bridge and Oakland.

A shuttle equipped to transport up to 8 bicycles operates 15- to 20-minute service between Vista Point and Treasure Island on Saturdays and Sundays. (See below for more details on access to Vista Point.)

The opening of Vista Point comes as Caltrans extends the hours of the Bay Bridge’s bike-pedestrian path to weekdays as well as weekends. Vista Point will be open the same hours as the Bay Bridge bike-pedestrian path: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m.- 8 p.m. (The bike-pedestrian path is named after the late East Bay Bicycle Coalition founder, Alex Zuckermann.)

Coordinating with the Treasure Island Development Authority, Caltrans, and Bay Area Toll Authority, the Transportation Authority led construction of Vista Point under a lease agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard, which owns the site. The Transportation Authority and Bay Area Toll Authority each contributed $1 million to design, build and maintain the Vista Point facility.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin chairs the San Francisco County Transportation Authority Board and hailed the collaborative effort: “Thanks to the support of our many Federal, state, regional and local partners, the Transportation Authority is pleased to deliver Vista Point to complement and complete the East Span bicycle and pedestrian connection to San Francisco. This connection was first envisioned by the East Bay bicycling community and later embraced more broadly within the region, and successfully delivered by Caltrans last fall. It is a great example of what the region can do when we all work together.”

“The opening of Vista Point highlights what is possible when our talented and committed regional transportation agencies unite behind a vision that aligns our goals for diverse transit, safety, infrastructure and the environment,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “As Oakland this week welcomes Ryan Russo, our city’s first Director of Transportation, I am confident that our region will continue to make incredible progress on our path to create safer streets, improve transit, increase pedestrian and biking space, and spearhead more transformative projects like Vista Point.”

“In addition to being an outstanding regional connection and showcase of sustainable infrastructure, the East Span bike-ped path and Vista Point are another great way for the public to enjoy the beauty of our city and the bay,” said Jane Kim, a member of the regional Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Supervisor for District 6, which encompasses both Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. “In coming years, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island will be home to thousands of new residents, and this is just one early example of the affordable and accessible transportation that we are preparing to support that growth.”

“Vista Point is a graceful amenity and gateway to San Francisco and our community on the Islands,” said Linda Fadeke Richardson of the Treasure Island Development Authority Board. “We appreciate the creativity and partnership of the multitude of agencies that worked together to design and fund this facility. The Bay Area region is extremely blessed to have these beautiful islands to visit, recreate and cherish.”

Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans District 4 Director said, “Caltrans is proud to partner with the Transportation Authority to enhance the Bay Bridge path with this Vista Point, providing bicyclists and pedestrians a gathering area for a wonderful view of the new bridge.” Caltrans Bay Bridge Program Manager Dan McElhinney added, “With the help of innovative contractors removing the adjacent old bridge twice as fast as planned since October, we were able to safely open the path one year earlier than anticipated on weekdays, resulting in sustainable public access for all.”

Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island are undergoing ongoing construction until 2020 to realize development plans that call for 8,000 new units of housing on the Islands. The construction—which will upgrade roads and add new bicycle infrastructure like a bike lane on Macalla Road—means temporary road closures and detours. Currently there are no pedestrian facilities beyond Vista Point and it is recommended only experienced cyclists use local roads beyond Vista Point.

How to Access Vista Point

Vehicle parking is not allowed at Vista Point or in the vicinity. The chart on the next page shows the recommended way to access Vista Point depending on direction and day of the week.

Future Projects

Vista Point adds to the list of projects the Transportation Authority is leading on Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. In collaboration with the Treasure Island Development Authority and Caltrans, the Transportation Authority opened the new westbound I-80 on- and off-ramps connecting Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in October 2016. Later this year, the Transportation Authority will start work on the Southgate Road Interchange project. In 2018, the Transportation Authority will start construction on the I-80 West Side Bridges project, which will retrofit eight existing bridge structures along Treasure Island Road. During this period, planners are also preparing for new AC Transit bus services and WETA ferry services, and a range of supporting local services including carshare, bikeshare and circulator shuttles.

About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority

Created in 1989, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (Transportation Authority) is responsible for long-range transportation planning for the city, and it analyzes, designs and funds improvements for San Francisco’s roadway and public transportation networks. The Transportation Authority administers and oversees the delivery of the Prop K half-cent local transportation sales tax program and the Prop AA $10 annual vehicle registration fee program, serves as the designated Congestion Management Agency (CMA) for San Francisco, under state law, and acts as the San Francisco Program Manager for grants from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA). The Transportation Authority Board consists of the eleven members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Commissioners. For more information about the Transportation Authority, visit sfcta.org.