"Some d--m place across the Bay"

OAKLAND, the eighth-largest city in California, has been the birthplace of numerous notables of the stage, screen, playing field and letters: Buster Crabbe, Robert Duncan, The Pointer Sisters, Max Baer Jr., MC Hammer, Galen Rowell, Jimmy Rollins, Dontrelle Willis, Erik Hogstr-- Oh OK, I'll stop.
Oakland grew from a railroad terminus to become a major West Coast port and industrial center, as well as a cultural melting pot of some renown.
Mark Twain famously struggled to reach Oakland for an 1868 speaking appearance. According to contemporary reports, Samuel Clemens madly rushed around the Oakland and Alameda ferry landings, on the San Francisco side, frantically inquiring about he could reach the site of a dinner "at some d—m place across the Bay."
Why didn't Twain simply follow the example of his namesake MARK TWAIN AWARD? Mark Twain Award had no problem reaching Oakland. He just hopped on BART and rode it through the TRANSBAY TUBE. It was easy!
Mark Twain Award toured the LAKE MERRITT area, even stopping at the famous proto-theme park, CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND.
Then, after a morning in the city, Mark Twain Award hopped on BART and rode back to SAN FRANCISCO. No problem!