tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76885788281332192792024-03-05T22:40:46.047-08:00Urban Hiker SFUrban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-3614086618587731442022-12-04T14:33:00.008-08:002022-12-13T11:37:49.887-08:00The top 14 sights I visited and re-visited in 2022<p><span style="font-family: arial;">December's always a good time to reflect on the past year and see how much you've learned, seen, and done. In this post, I'm sharing 14 places I visited or re-visited over the past year to motivate you to get you out there and explore during this holiday season or in 2023. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>January: Sausalito stairways.</b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you know there are some 40 stairways in Sausalito? While most visitors don't leave the Bridgeway promenade with Sausalito's shops and restaurants, there's much more to this bayside </span><span style="font-family: arial;">town. Climb into the hills to see epic stairways — some with amazing views. </span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1JgU3XorffibDjNXRoGyfTf-Sxcg&ll=37.85982536374152%2C-122.49244015&z=14" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Here is a map</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span>of many of them, and here are </span><a href="http://galomorro.weebly.com/stairways-are-heaven/stunning-sausalito-stairways" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">photos of many of them</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-05d1a40d-7fff-0b27-6bb1-661461a8962b" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-05d1a40d-7fff-0b27-6bb1-661461a8962b" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBNEk0e3BD3KrJjzU4elvVv41C-1uoFLq7Of9spk9R7he8vioJ0WkL2M_6S-A0K3kAYKTiZ6I_Osa4MTpWUB4edCzGSqMoyP7945xYJ3vrhXu7TgsS0cWvylmBqIYcK0ZCbhe-XZ654xYe4aqF-heMS_CYfcQV5KGEu45dY8gWIj-ZJe2OvFDBZV_YUg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Three women smiling on a stairway with a view of Angel Island in the background." data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="1087" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBNEk0e3BD3KrJjzU4elvVv41C-1uoFLq7Of9spk9R7he8vioJ0WkL2M_6S-A0K3kAYKTiZ6I_Osa4MTpWUB4edCzGSqMoyP7945xYJ3vrhXu7TgsS0cWvylmBqIYcK0ZCbhe-XZ654xYe4aqF-heMS_CYfcQV5KGEu45dY8gWIj-ZJe2OvFDBZV_YUg=w300-h400" title="Cable Roadway Stairs in Sausalito" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b>February 2022: Labyrinth above Rodeo Beach</b></span></p></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Rodeo Beach is a favorite destination for our family. There's an extensive network of trails here, but until February of this 2022, I had yet to visit to Tennessee Point, where I saw the Tennessee Point Labyrinth. </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Here are some directions</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> on how to get here. </span></div><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDPHmFqpTyUkiN9J6fJdAppf4MTRYE-kKYNNpznd0Q56QjdgAtVIVm22PhLz7UnMbsjWlHJ1n7mdKEih3_K3TbEttEMyWL_C2N1AmPoVIkvOTkKpXb7SbYTFtjeetnk8DSddnpPG6UvAnQ9OysvWDP-lvi4g42qfNZSWOu39vIhZt0yBENZ0OLaaXcJA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1425" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDPHmFqpTyUkiN9J6fJdAppf4MTRYE-kKYNNpznd0Q56QjdgAtVIVm22PhLz7UnMbsjWlHJ1n7mdKEih3_K3TbEttEMyWL_C2N1AmPoVIkvOTkKpXb7SbYTFtjeetnk8DSddnpPG6UvAnQ9OysvWDP-lvi4g42qfNZSWOu39vIhZt0yBENZ0OLaaXcJA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></b></span></div><b><br /></b><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">March 2022: Wildflowers at Fort Scott</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Fort Scott is one of my favorite spots in the Presidio, and it's overlooked compared to the Presidio Main Post. I highly recommend visiting </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Dragonfly Creek</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> and the stairways around the YMCA tennis courts. I visited this area in March of this year only to discover it was blanketed with gorgeous yellow oxalis. It was a perfect time to visit — and I had the place mostly to myself, too.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaM5M56gOeoBl6_1R8Yz3wKtNZ6dUfkd-O7IDvQaSTArDL3aakj8ZLIM689UyjjhXFokuT02VcdLVH8a_t1ye7P091yUhyXn8slFmlRZTiZ7ZLS1BYX2xCtI-n8z4LCvmGmJnheCqvmrXioB3dsxVBOS1XN1Qeev_qLdDc_Q_rbs-g0RmnOYlYyGd0kg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1082" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaM5M56gOeoBl6_1R8Yz3wKtNZ6dUfkd-O7IDvQaSTArDL3aakj8ZLIM689UyjjhXFokuT02VcdLVH8a_t1ye7P091yUhyXn8slFmlRZTiZ7ZLS1BYX2xCtI-n8z4LCvmGmJnheCqvmrXioB3dsxVBOS1XN1Qeev_qLdDc_Q_rbs-g0RmnOYlYyGd0kg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></b><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">April: </b><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Bring Your Own Big Wheel</span></b></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Held on Easter Sunday every year, this event is a tradition for my family. Bring a big wheel bike and careen down </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Vermont Street in Potrero Hill</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, the curviest street in the city. It's not too dangerous — on a Big Wheel you're just a few inches off the ground, and the event organizers line the street with bales of hay to protect you from crashing into concrete curbs lining the street. Many people wear costumes for this event, and have kids-only runs for the little ones who want to participate.</span></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRxn-9HWDkTb3mLK5zbD6SHBf4RHNisgkv2zdq4B1CPBUAa4IQQp4Yv2etgTTF6vHdg8hdfW6-wnqUhrVnrnkTzfVZkvnm_M3QJQjnIqf2ad8wI82hu2jNGu5jBlB_G7i6K0A5PZuIKhrnBH-e2D71YTEuc1khDZP1331i03DaB-xpe_9w2euC6vTaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1425" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRxn-9HWDkTb3mLK5zbD6SHBf4RHNisgkv2zdq4B1CPBUAa4IQQp4Yv2etgTTF6vHdg8hdfW6-wnqUhrVnrnkTzfVZkvnm_M3QJQjnIqf2ad8wI82hu2jNGu5jBlB_G7i6K0A5PZuIKhrnBH-e2D71YTEuc1khDZP1331i03DaB-xpe_9w2euC6vTaw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></span><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May: Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets Door</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I was prepping for a tour in Fisherman's Wharf, Russian Hill, and North Beach in May. As I wandered around, I found this amazing door on Leavenworth between Bay and North Point. For those in the know, it's inspired by </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</i><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. You can read more about the door </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">here</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHNxeDqCaIan8VKCabFKf6QwaqD0JlVm4i4sWrb8ga9JkTmIvunOtoUSNSeK9YT3APeQA3d-xjDws47KVnRiJVPlDxpVTFOe4dgVhAaLxKQwtqvaO7v2-kREw44YWn2aKO3XaUUQESl2lJz2Nyq0AuKyxMEjePBmCWoUWiwkl-rdjfhRxJlJ3zry_9A/s4032/IMG_0655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHNxeDqCaIan8VKCabFKf6QwaqD0JlVm4i4sWrb8ga9JkTmIvunOtoUSNSeK9YT3APeQA3d-xjDws47KVnRiJVPlDxpVTFOe4dgVhAaLxKQwtqvaO7v2-kREw44YWn2aKO3XaUUQESl2lJz2Nyq0AuKyxMEjePBmCWoUWiwkl-rdjfhRxJlJ3zry_9A/w300-h400/IMG_0655.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">June: Twin Peaks during Pride Month<br /></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I love seeing the giant </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">pink triangle go up on top of Twin Peaks</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> every year. For almost 30 years, volunteers have installed, maintained, and dismantled this symbol of pride on one of SF's highest peaks. While the triangle looks great from afar, I recommend heading up to the Twin Peaks overlook to see what it looks like up close.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzxaMRGEvWYX35IheViKz0Bg2-TQZ6wySMXzhT4IOE-kcC_QLX4TZpsN90OgfNdIh569yeKnH_jrKg4dmjSx4q7IM46hnsA7z0Is-cdD3a4OiUFjyzWYd_pe2FiSxXdUojiX71J_8yNnXHQ4ewxUQbu3PJtRLztoYZUr7r5te63zV4q5MtndjC-78Uzw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzxaMRGEvWYX35IheViKz0Bg2-TQZ6wySMXzhT4IOE-kcC_QLX4TZpsN90OgfNdIh569yeKnH_jrKg4dmjSx4q7IM46hnsA7z0Is-cdD3a4OiUFjyzWYd_pe2FiSxXdUojiX71J_8yNnXHQ4ewxUQbu3PJtRLztoYZUr7r5te63zV4q5MtndjC-78Uzw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">July: <a href="https://www.presidiotunneltops.gov/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Presidio Tunnel Tops</span></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In July, Presidio Tunnel Tops park opened. This 14-acre park is one of two new areas of the Presidio to be opened to the public this year. <a href="https://www.presidio.gov/places/battery-bluff" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Battery Bluff</span></a> is the other that opened in April of this year. There is something here for everyone: food trucks, a campfire for <a href="https://www.parksconservancy.org/events/crissy-field-presidio-san-francisco-presidio-tunnel-tops/park-ranger-campfire-talks" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">ranger talks</span></a>, a playground, a full slate of activities, a pedestrian connection to Crissy Field, and gorgeous bay and bridge views.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfylJYU-q3Bwg_jhS966fxUM-C8kpDqPf6id0evSSElciWVyuVCjBXUEsks9WFPoThGAECWnJTxt8J-Kedu7pGG9a9dl-06GRSkpPEyzcLCeGeIDQCaizDFJLQkQF3Jnkeg7rGzJux0CHH2fLRG0Uo6dHyBi8EUDQmC2g7HvnUFG_wtS9rUeHwiSWd2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfylJYU-q3Bwg_jhS966fxUM-C8kpDqPf6id0evSSElciWVyuVCjBXUEsks9WFPoThGAECWnJTxt8J-Kedu7pGG9a9dl-06GRSkpPEyzcLCeGeIDQCaizDFJLQkQF3Jnkeg7rGzJux0CHH2fLRG0Uo6dHyBi8EUDQmC2g7HvnUFG_wtS9rUeHwiSWd2g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">August: Bay Bridge Bike Path</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">If you're a cyclist, you'll definitely want to check out the Bay Bridge bike path if you haven't done so already. You can get here from West Oakland BART or from the new </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/7688578828133219279/361408661858773144#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Treasure Island Ferry</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. The views are fantastic, and there were only a few people here when we went.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUog_r_nWYorfS5UC7sN_vzFcRNaYi_3-hjcITLkpm6_VE1Mn_M_qYvBQk-vuwA4X5AN4KeS0BrM5fB4_VQOjlnsdci3XXFIACgvXHKMyEmBJniIam9pUm04fZYWm_tVv3S57V4_LGEZviG-x09Z4ukYC5PCkKIsnPYs-UPS6kwx18C946OMOcx6uYNQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUog_r_nWYorfS5UC7sN_vzFcRNaYi_3-hjcITLkpm6_VE1Mn_M_qYvBQk-vuwA4X5AN4KeS0BrM5fB4_VQOjlnsdci3XXFIACgvXHKMyEmBJniIam9pUm04fZYWm_tVv3S57V4_LGEZviG-x09Z4ukYC5PCkKIsnPYs-UPS6kwx18C946OMOcx6uYNQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></span><b style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: arial;">September: <a href="https://gpmural.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Burnside Stairway</span></a></span></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;">What was formerly a nondescript stairway in Glen Park just a few blocks from Glen Canyon Park is now a gorgeous mural designed and executed by the <a href="http://www.twinwallsmuralcompany.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Twin Walls Mural Company</span></a>. Phase I of this project was celebrated on September 17. The next phase of this stairway is to add tiles to the stairway. </span><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhto9lR_pQGbZj0OU2KPZRrl2ygP27lDqaMZQAy8KrhFxoVJpj00mkqnxSuWYbq1CN0H6CqB_Rp7Aj52ojy995Htr97r3GgLaFBlQuobLX3HDZO4j1996t4x4O_NMSWs-jLs6KlzzXJhqSHauNvEux2u3BBxxE5-APRMVHr8lEAo3Iw06LR4JFREkbn3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2344" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhto9lR_pQGbZj0OU2KPZRrl2ygP27lDqaMZQAy8KrhFxoVJpj00mkqnxSuWYbq1CN0H6CqB_Rp7Aj52ojy995Htr97r3GgLaFBlQuobLX3HDZO4j1996t4x4O_NMSWs-jLs6KlzzXJhqSHauNvEux2u3BBxxE5-APRMVHr8lEAo3Iw06LR4JFREkbn3Q=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b>September: Prayerbook Cross</b></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's easy to walk by this cross and not even know it's here. Across the street from Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, look for a sign for Prayerbook Cross and take the short path to the top of the hill. The Celtic cross was placed here in 1894 for the Midwinter International Exposition. You can learn more about the cross <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/prayer-book-cross-golden-gate-park">here</a>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFtrwHoFDZs0MQgyNQ0Yjx-_aUdGiGYmLvx4lgol9PUwWGX_X0Ps1gy81rONb1FfMZ-xdwbU0GmMvuBtPljD1rrz9QJyiNgXTXZh-PqhlE__LvsTPckx7gd8I_R36XI8LPC2yBS8V8mtP_-YL214FTksWnLEYbhdyg1V6U20ITshXI6DtqdKgAU5Iw4A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFtrwHoFDZs0MQgyNQ0Yjx-_aUdGiGYmLvx4lgol9PUwWGX_X0Ps1gy81rONb1FfMZ-xdwbU0GmMvuBtPljD1rrz9QJyiNgXTXZh-PqhlE__LvsTPckx7gd8I_R36XI8LPC2yBS8V8mtP_-YL214FTksWnLEYbhdyg1V6U20ITshXI6DtqdKgAU5Iw4A=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">October: <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/1538/JFK-Promenade" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">JFK Promenade</span></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The JFK Promenade is a 1.5-mile stretch of the major thoroughfare that is closed to cars and open to pedestrians and cyclists. There are little free libraries, food trucks, musical groups, and art! Definitely a great place to check out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtRPlFwvMDjsRaOYZGzMnoPYBJrNspKQcaIk8kPz6Gydwgcph2ODr9Rs_j027LkYS4Fmd6kdIE2rW_9eqsu79UXU_t2BzeodFNK-aSoq17ANWn4s95_yQRBoE8FqSnZpYKEnQgCY2ujMG6DaES4OsT2wW4jWzPJdM7atJMONSfTu_ROtcuk2bYSyQXag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtRPlFwvMDjsRaOYZGzMnoPYBJrNspKQcaIk8kPz6Gydwgcph2ODr9Rs_j027LkYS4Fmd6kdIE2rW_9eqsu79UXU_t2BzeodFNK-aSoq17ANWn4s95_yQRBoE8FqSnZpYKEnQgCY2ujMG6DaES4OsT2wW4jWzPJdM7atJMONSfTu_ROtcuk2bYSyQXag" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: arial;">October: Dolo Drip Stairway</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Dolo Drip stairway mysteriously appeared on the Sanchez Steps earlier this year, and I checked it out in October. This splash of color is a fun addition to the neighborhood. Go check it out if you're up for climbing a steep hill.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK3EUXLyz_5Kkai7ETNTK0zuSS6T-kriVs2jr9YEn3vJsOP-A02KzPQPjLp0K_hvVsvk5CUqTEg5QPofklb8atUfmwWzD_lBREFDgExaB0LFcrcTVKkYBCQmRwE6r1B5S_pxwGxj7XN2-noZ8ZM5mtMrqwUynFjlibskCDexjvvA301AhvBKCSlkOd3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK3EUXLyz_5Kkai7ETNTK0zuSS6T-kriVs2jr9YEn3vJsOP-A02KzPQPjLp0K_hvVsvk5CUqTEg5QPofklb8atUfmwWzD_lBREFDgExaB0LFcrcTVKkYBCQmRwE6r1B5S_pxwGxj7XN2-noZ8ZM5mtMrqwUynFjlibskCDexjvvA301AhvBKCSlkOd3w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></b></div><div><b></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">October: Hilltop Park<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Bayview neighborhood has countless spots to visit, and one of my favorites is Hilltop Park. There you'll find a great playground with epic concrete slides, a skatepark, and a giant sundial. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEG1lenAsW_Y4qrC4w3x9D07Uwbq-aYXn0b4yNoHAVSRf8UcC_ToMnIhrzREsO-_6C5FmJKmXs9DGAU1LtWp9mKRkFeuhkt6S9wXbAoBg49MllFgtpaIXxMDqttTKSwEGnb7Yi1_CwKAGGm6bpeKBz4W7fBFjvB_1UWKJ1ssIXCV-N9G8fMWruNWU4w/s4032/IMG_6996.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEG1lenAsW_Y4qrC4w3x9D07Uwbq-aYXn0b4yNoHAVSRf8UcC_ToMnIhrzREsO-_6C5FmJKmXs9DGAU1LtWp9mKRkFeuhkt6S9wXbAoBg49MllFgtpaIXxMDqttTKSwEGnb7Yi1_CwKAGGm6bpeKBz4W7fBFjvB_1UWKJ1ssIXCV-N9G8fMWruNWU4w/w400-h300/IMG_6996.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">November: <a href="https://franciscopark.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Francisco Park</span></a></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This park opened this year after <i>decades</i> of closure. Now it boasts a wheelchair and stroller-accessible wood walkway from the northern side, a large lawn, a dog run, a playground, and views for days.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWk4X666uXYr6zys_dQX7orhwjb-ACDz_zq5p3ZyHab3Sl7z3VM0ni_nDCjUddHRS5ldGq6mAZZ8vX8SVj37kUSdZQQgM-b7WvZY-DlD6B_yvN77l4-34Gqnbn_7tL4oUSxYXEEDaE6e81ld_NEOQmApvyi6ta-qmRgp9Nq_efcMFygH0HUHSghAu2hA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1425" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWk4X666uXYr6zys_dQX7orhwjb-ACDz_zq5p3ZyHab3Sl7z3VM0ni_nDCjUddHRS5ldGq6mAZZ8vX8SVj37kUSdZQQgM-b7WvZY-DlD6B_yvN77l4-34Gqnbn_7tL4oUSxYXEEDaE6e81ld_NEOQmApvyi6ta-qmRgp9Nq_efcMFygH0HUHSghAu2hA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p></p></div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.41841089.4383485638211511 -157.5746608 66.058816236178842 -87.2621608tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-35302479084101662672020-12-26T08:22:00.006-08:002020-12-26T08:22:42.301-08:00Three hiking podcasts to check out now<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I hike by myself...a lot...especially during COVID. While sometimes I like to just take in the surroundings, many times I like to listen to podcasts. Luckily for us there are a number of great hiking podcasts out there right now. Here are some of my favorites. Some of these have a feminine focus, but that doesn't mean everyone can't enjoy them.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsQZLFWhLZLYx0ewr_weiHfyZ7Bqa-CTxfJoTzedT-lXWY2CW7Xk5wnQ1rrs8aY9n41kVv9mgTQyB2lHRJsvBj5Zd6le7pAnIrBLFISawthnAbnI_khOVEp1fWm7OH9fxuu2TvEeCK2M/s600/GGH+Podcast.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsQZLFWhLZLYx0ewr_weiHfyZ7Bqa-CTxfJoTzedT-lXWY2CW7Xk5wnQ1rrs8aY9n41kVv9mgTQyB2lHRJsvBj5Zd6le7pAnIrBLFISawthnAbnI_khOVEp1fWm7OH9fxuu2TvEeCK2M/s320/GGH+Podcast.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></span>G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span>irl Gotta Hike</span></b><span><br />The</span></span> <a href="https://www.girlgottahike.com/podcast">Girl Gotta hike podcast</a> features "interviews with adventurous women and outdoor entrepreneurs" and is hosted by Melissa "Click" Goodwin. Melissa is </span><span>an accomplished day- and long-distance hiker who's completed the Appalachian Trail (2011), the John Muir Trail (2016), the Long Trail (2017), Mount Everest Base Camp (2018), and the Hundred-Mile Wilderness (2019). She's a professional photographer, but whenever she can, she leads hikes and backpacking trips in the NYC area, the Catskills, and beyond. You can listen to <a href="https://www.girlgottahike.com/podcast/ggh-podcast-episode-9-alexandra-kenin-urban-hiker-sf">my episode on the podcast</a>, and I loved the two episodes on forest bathing in NYC (<a href="https://www.girlgottahike.com/podcast/ggh-podcast-episode-7-brooke-mellen-forest-therapy-guide-and-founder-of-cultured-forest">Part I</a>, <a href="https://www.girlgottahike.com/podcast/ggh-podcast-episode-8-a-virtual-forest-bathing-shinrin-yoku-walk-on-the-high-line-in-new-york-city">Part II</a>). Really you can't go wrong with any of these episodes. Just pick one and listen!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://www.girlgottahike.com/podcast" target="_blank">Listen to Girl Gotta Hike the podcast</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5caG5CVH68WCvGkz8rUeRdPUcQUUoPGREHxXxeY6H2du7wvtkWlK31wzmFFmXP3u7wBG8xZRmvTNbepXVdRryxQ4qBz6xblgaW4GKH_Ikt6d06kTZ6eBlMpj9nplEq4jzkLkXVYMZRC4/s300/SheExploresPodcast.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5caG5CVH68WCvGkz8rUeRdPUcQUUoPGREHxXxeY6H2du7wvtkWlK31wzmFFmXP3u7wBG8xZRmvTNbepXVdRryxQ4qBz6xblgaW4GKH_Ikt6d06kTZ6eBlMpj9nplEq4jzkLkXVYMZRC4/s0/SheExploresPodcast.png" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span>She Explores</span></b><span><br />Founded by Gail Straub, the <a href="https://she-explores.com/podcast/" target="_blank">She Explores podcast</a> is about "</span>inquisitive women in the outdoors and the stories, art, and connection nature inspires<b>.</b> The podcast dates back to 2014, and there are now 500 episodes on hiking and camping, entrepreneurship, motherhood, aging, diversity and inclusion, and much more. I love California, but I'm originally from New Jersey, and I missed two planned trips to the East Coast during the pandemic. With my East Coast homesickness, I'm really loving "<a href="https://she-explores.com/podcast/introducing-where-we-walk-appalachian-trail/" target="_blank">Where we Walk</a>" miniseries She Explores has on women who have hiked the trail (sections or all of it) and the women who will be part of the trail's future. The first episode in the mini-series features many women, including Melissa from Girl Gotta HIke!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span color="rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.8)" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Bentham, serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://she-explores.com/podcast/" target="_blank">Listen to the She Explores podcast</a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv4GsVvOr1afjOgMTWqnHXGI4bJamrv7BSv5v_yA3aCkNiXgBay0X0cgSxnrFVumC6g8As5d2kLCMrdsGcrbIF2xKC8n_FtoizighdAqHIuAwHZCBc91CmC5FQ-k1D7Dq1mCTr32bieM2/s2048/outandbacklogo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv4GsVvOr1afjOgMTWqnHXGI4bJamrv7BSv5v_yA3aCkNiXgBay0X0cgSxnrFVumC6g8As5d2kLCMrdsGcrbIF2xKC8n_FtoizighdAqHIuAwHZCBc91CmC5FQ-k1D7Dq1mCTr32bieM2/s320/outandbacklogo.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span>Out and Back</span></b><span><br />If you're into extreme hiking—or if you like leaning about people who are, check out the <a href="https://www.gaiagps.com/outandback/">Out and Back podcast</a>. Its episodes with long-distance hikers, elite athletes, and other back country-loving</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> will inspire you to get out on the trail. My perfect hike is something between a 5-8-miler, so I'm impressed with the intense,</span></span> hardcore outdoors people on the show. Since I am an urban hiker primarily, I loved episode 7 on Liz "Snorkel" Thomas, aka the Queen of Urban Hiking. I also loved hearing from a hiker of color on episode 4 with </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Daniel "The Blackalachian" White. Lastly, in episode 12, I loved hearing about how R</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>ue McKenrick conceived of the Perimter Trail, a 12,000 mile trail around the United States Check out these episodes and more.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://www.gaiagps.com/outandback/" target="_blank">Listen to the Out and Back podcast</a><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>I'm starting to check out other hiking podcasts, too, such as <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/225790" rel="nofollow">Hike</a>, which features "</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">stories of people and places that inspire us to explore, wander, and live,"</span> and <a href="https://jennybruso.com/podcast/">Unlikely Hikers</a>, which features "</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating stories from people underrepresented in outdoor media and culture."</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />Do you listen to any hiking podcasts? If so, which ones?</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">__________________________________________________<br /></span></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Have you checked out our books? We wrote <a href="https://amzn.to/37NkXIy" target="_blank">Urban Trails: San Francisco</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3nQ0FE5" target="_blank">Urban Trails: East Bay</a> to help you explore the trails of San Francisco and the East Bay from Richmond to Fremont.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>And if you like stairways, check out our <a href="https://bit.ly/sfstairmap">map</a> and </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="http://bit.ly/sfstairsheet" target="_blank">spreadsheet</a> of</span></span> San Francisco's 1000+ public stairways.<br /></span></span></p>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-11834093835515980742020-09-05T14:59:00.007-07:002020-09-20T14:50:17.820-07:00My Corona Quest: Documenting all of San Francisco's ~1000 public stairways.<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In mid-March 2020, the coronavirus
began spreading rapidly across the United States, and here in
San Francisco we were the first city in the country to go into lockdown.
We were supposed to stay at home and only go out for the essentials,
such as food and exercise, but as per usual I was antsy AF. 🤣<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I
wanted to follow Mayor Breed's stay at home order, so I decided I would
go out, but I would only go as far as my legs would take me (no cars,
buses, or Lyfts). After a few walks throughout the Mission, Castro, Glen
Park, Diamond Heights, and Potrero Hill, I was reminded of all of the
amazing stairways scattered throughout the city.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Auspiciously, I had also checked out <a href="https://amzn.to/3jwQK3v" target="_blank"><i>Stairway Walks in San Francisco</i></a>
from the library. I thought to myself, "What if I could see them all?" I
then had the idea to document all of San Francisco's stairways. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the past five months, I have documented 800 stairways on a map (<a href="https://bit.ly/sfstairmap">https://bit.ly/sfstairmap</a>), a spreadsheet (<a href="https://bit.ly/sfstairsheet">https://bit.ly/sfstairsheet</a>), and photos (which you can find both the map and spreadsheet. It's a work in progress and I have 100-200 more stairways left to document.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Traveling through all of San Francisco's neighborhoods has given me a new appreciation for San Francisco. I hope
you'll check out my map, spreadsheet, and photos and share in my joy in
exploring the city.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Google map with pins representing every stairway in San Francisco" border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1844" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeMcMK9-GFUUVhgrtyqEpjvtsdXJdRzGKYkI8xdPtFJobe2oWPaFKVKVEzjVlytkK6WjbbDwD1xjvfKJ0bf7zAvHl-rYOFcRzydlfEafJGRObN9MA-SZdSxmFKExzWMIo2eyGRMcxbPyP/w625-h514/sfstairmap.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="San Francisco Public Stairway Map" width="625" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>A glimpse at the SF Stair Map </span></b></span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://bit.ly/sfstairmap" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In case you are interested in learning more about the project, here are some questions you might have about it. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0WZP5ycWeHPem18f764YdDpgDm9OE99Ve9vowf-xvTKtkprUT29Qfg1Svzj2IkrJYnFJ5oFG4m3dT3lTC0zTOcdajxx0n5cN7UuobNoe5Nf_omVDq2xq-roxqScTFfITV1il_LJXmitb/s2048/IMG_1217.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0WZP5ycWeHPem18f764YdDpgDm9OE99Ve9vowf-xvTKtkprUT29Qfg1Svzj2IkrJYnFJ5oFG4m3dT3lTC0zTOcdajxx0n5cN7UuobNoe5Nf_omVDq2xq-roxqScTFfITV1il_LJXmitb/w469-h625/IMG_1217.jpg" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Vallejo between Montgomery & Kearny</span></span></b></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></b></span>How
should I use your spreadsheet and map? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0WZP5ycWeHPem18f764YdDpgDm9OE99Ve9vowf-xvTKtkprUT29Qfg1Svzj2IkrJYnFJ5oFG4m3dT3lTC0zTOcdajxx0n5cN7UuobNoe5Nf_omVDq2xq-roxqScTFfITV1il_LJXmitb/s2048/IMG_1217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here’s my recommendation: Start
by choosing a neighborhood you want to explore. Some great stairway
neighborhoods are Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Dolores Heights, Bernal
Heights, Forest Hill, and Golden Gate Heights. Then look on the map and
identify some stairways you might want to see. You can decide which
stairways to visit based on their "rating" (see below) or by looking at
the photos when available. Make a route that connects the stairways you
want to see and start climbing!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Why stairways? </b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When I moved to
San Francisco, my dad got me a copy of the book </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3jwQK3v" target="_blank"><i>Stairway Walks in San Francisco</i></a></span> (then by Adah Bakalinsky, now by Mary Burk and Adah
Bakalinsky). Having lived in non-stairway-filled cities before moving to
SF, I thought stairways seemed to be an interesting, signature aspect
of this particular city. So I started noticing them, exploring them, and taking
photos of them. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>How did you become an expert in stairways?</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I
have done lots of city exploring on my own in my 13 years in San
Francisco. I also run a hiking company called Urban Hiker SF and have
written a book on hiking in San Francisco called <a href="https://amzn.to/2Zd7WmS" target="_blank"><i>Urban Trails: San
Francisco</i></a>. I have dedicated about 8 years of my life to exploring the
city’s outdoor spaces. That said, there may be people here who know much
more than I do! <br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Tell me about the rating scale you use.</b><br />I
used the rating scale from Burk & Bakalinsky’s book as a starting
point </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(see spreadsheet for more details on the rating system) </span>and then used my best guess to rate the stairways I added to the
list. I also
updated some of the ratings in the book if I didn’t agree with them. As
with all types of ratings, these stairway ratings are very subjective.
I’m not trying to upset anyone whose favorite stairway doesn’t have a
very high rating. You can make a copy of the spreadsheet and make your
own rating system! <br /> <br /><b>Did you take all of the photos and visit all of the stairways?</b><br />Yes,
I took all the photos beside the few that have photo credits attached to
them. I have been to 95% or so of the stairways with photos on the map and in
the spreadsheet. There are just a few I haven’t been to in Golden Gate
Park. <br /></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZk_SQP1dywJ_Tu7qSWU8BbKIrjU8-9s0fvO6sHxuOJM5jVMQtQa3AxRdEt4vxnRGvFB75IF3YnrEqw28qTnazijfgS3lXm24QHDg9reVtsRZEiWXjeIwJDSPZzsw0os0zCi3mexUd3G8t/s2048/IMG_3053.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZk_SQP1dywJ_Tu7qSWU8BbKIrjU8-9s0fvO6sHxuOJM5jVMQtQa3AxRdEt4vxnRGvFB75IF3YnrEqw28qTnazijfgS3lXm24QHDg9reVtsRZEiWXjeIwJDSPZzsw0os0zCi3mexUd3G8t/w469-h625/IMG_3053.jpg" title="Bengal Alley Stairway" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bengal Alley near Mount Davidson</b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span>What are your favorite stairways?</b><br />Of course, I love
the mosaic stairways as they bring life and color into neighborhoods
across the city. I also like some impressive, but lesser known ones like
Bengal Alley near Mount Davidson or a stairway in Bernal Heights
squeezed between two buildings that feels like you’ve discovered a city
secret. <br /> <b><br />How many public stairways do you think there are?</b><br />My best guess is over 1,000. <br /> <br /><b>What do you count as a stairway? </b><br />For
the purpose of this project, I’m looking at public stairways that
anyone can use at any time. A stairway is intended as a stairway—so
decorative steps that don’t go anywhere don’t count. If something has at
least 2-3 steps though, it counts! Don’t worry though, most of the
steps on the map and the spreadsheet have much more than 2-3 steps. <br /> <br /><b>I know a stairway you don't know about</b><br />I
bet you do! My map and spreadsheet are hopefully a good starting point
for most stairway explorers. If you know of a stairway I should know
about, email me at <a href="mailto:info@urbanhikersf.com">info@urbanhikersf.com</a> and I’ll get it added to my
list. <br /> <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsroo1MDCur3D88jwEZS194VolO0AtxEBkqWi7fuJndUNA9g3o1zYV8_F0HVIKQbl_t_mglPxuBgy96-F72sdgNn4J23NOU7Z4z60t9shK4KTsHpjXl5cbP-d-SvThc_GZXn6WCg-X3IL/s2048/IMG_3859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsroo1MDCur3D88jwEZS194VolO0AtxEBkqWi7fuJndUNA9g3o1zYV8_F0HVIKQbl_t_mglPxuBgy96-F72sdgNn4J23NOU7Z4z60t9shK4KTsHpjXl5cbP-d-SvThc_GZXn6WCg-X3IL/w375-h500/IMG_3859.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Normandie Terrace in Pacific Heights</b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Do you have a stairway map for the East Bay? </b><br />No I
don’t. The Berkeley Path Wanderers have a great <a href="https://www.berkeleypaths.org/buy-our-map-2" target="_blank">East Bay map</a> of stairways and paths and you
could read <a href="https://amzn.to/2Zd8hGa" target="_blank"><i>Secret<br /> Stairs East Bay</i></a>. If you’re just looking to hike in the
East Bay, I have a book for that! It’s called <a href="https://amzn.to/3jRcMhO" target="_blank"><i>Urban Trails: East Bay</i>.</a><br /> <br /><b>What's next?</b><br />Well, I still have over
200 stairways to check out, so that should keep me busy for a while.
After this is done, I’m thinking I’d like to create a resource (like an
ebook) featuring the 50-100 “best” stairways in the city that would include
photos, history, and more.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Where can I get more updates on you and this project?</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instagram: <a href="www.instagram/urbanhikersf" target="_blank">@urbanhikersf</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twitter: <a href="www.twitter.com/urbanhikersf" target="_blank">@urbanhikersf</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook: <a href="http://Facebook.com/UrbanHikerSF">Facebook.com/UrbanHikerSF</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Or join our mailing list - head to <a href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com">www.urbanhikersf.com</a> and look for the signup link at the bottom of the page.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can also email me directly at alexandra@urbanhikersf.com with comments or questions!<br /></span></div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-64845251670723371452020-07-02T21:55:00.006-07:002020-09-14T15:54:19.882-07:00The Best Places to Take Photos of the Golden Gate Bridge: SF Edition<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3b69e853-7fff-c50d-b3eb-dec39fbbb4f3" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether you're a tourist, an SF noob, or an old-timer (like I'm becoming 😱), we all want the same thing: killer photos of the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉. After 13 years in this city (and 8 of them guiding folks around on </span><a href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hiking tours</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alexandra-Kenin/e/B01J6DYMPU?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tpbk_p1_i0" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">writing hiking books</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), I've identified some special spots for memorable shots. This post covers 10 spots in San Francisco, and soon I'll post on where to take bridge photos in Marin County.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten <i>San Francisco</i> spots to take great photos of the Golden Gate Bridge</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "arial"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8ErDiWIXgKOe-zi2iOi44FtxD5Clls50UXtpqeXudUJ1TE__lC_CJ5emaiCG50zPohDzjvzfkJpPLg5FUzOw2yRcG1ozwUoq393R4i2-QsH5E3whRUC5wTY_B1YN0fYbTpzcusrOgTiv/s3963/BakerBeach.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3963" data-original-width="2972" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8ErDiWIXgKOe-zi2iOi44FtxD5Clls50UXtpqeXudUJ1TE__lC_CJ5emaiCG50zPohDzjvzfkJpPLg5FUzOw2yRcG1ozwUoq393R4i2-QsH5E3whRUC5wTY_B1YN0fYbTpzcusrOgTiv/w188-h250/BakerBeach.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baker Beach<br />Location:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B047'32.4%22N+122%C2%B029'01.0%22W/@37.792342,-122.485794,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x808586fc8b40f8a7:0x8b3d6b4d7dc0d519!2sBaker+Beach!3b1!8m2!3d37.7935724!4d-122.483638!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.7923418!4d-122.4836004?hl=en-US" target="_blank">Battery Chamberlin Road in the Presidio</a></span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The combo of the bridge, beach, and ocean make Baker Beach a classic choice for Golden Gate Bridge photos. The only issue you can run into here is that it can get crowded on warm days. To ditch the crowds, head north, but if you're shy, don't roam too far as the north end of the beach is known for its </span><a href="https://www.thrillist.com/venues/north-baker-nude-beach" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nude sunbathers</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> LARGE parking lot (rare for SF!) at the end of Battery Chamberlin Road.</span></p><br /></div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN5XKr_k6Obhp314FZXCEeRB5nfwBVh-Fof2lxYq-_gD7lUChwoeolPlh2LLvCpXtwLl9Na_61Oly9czlF7fMl1h66obtdBmynE1hclm5sIcCeYeRXfGvqJSnD0e-1nKnCLf57n6jzANc/s2853/BatteriestoBluffs.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2853" data-original-width="2853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN5XKr_k6Obhp314FZXCEeRB5nfwBVh-Fof2lxYq-_gD7lUChwoeolPlh2LLvCpXtwLl9Na_61Oly9czlF7fMl1h66obtdBmynE1hclm5sIcCeYeRXfGvqJSnD0e-1nKnCLf57n6jzANc/s320/BatteriestoBluffs.jpg" /></a></div>Batteries to Bluffs<br />Location:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7WRUokFQGFos8yHo6" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lincoln Boulevard in the Presidio</span></a><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I literally wrote the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2AuvNpc" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">book on hiking in San Francisco</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and in my opinion, this is the most scenic 0.7-mile stretch of trail in the entire city. If you can handle the 500 or so stairs, you’ll rack up countless bridge views on your way. See the next entry for another special spot along this trail.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Park near the </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/XmK6Vn652XPCqq1EA" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Immigrant Point Overlook</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to start at the south end of the trail or in the </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4yrevAh5wsCZdQbA" target="_blank">Langdon Court parking lot</a></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to start at the north end of the trail. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fun fact: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where I shot </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2AuvNpc" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Urban Trails: San Francisco</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’s cover photo.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ED3SPr6HSgzkDkmz3-RRinxzTPUg31X8SrrhN9Oaifi3DqcqdUyEfLMacIuHgBZJXePvmYf9Kohf8of_9HkGyAiO9mxLO3XUYFwp-yDmNMAOjVd491dT0LPmLA_j0FE0oPS_e7Fq" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Marshall's Beach</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/5fAmLLEGuwf5Ycib8" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Off the Batteries to Bluffs Trail in the Presidio.</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Marshall's Beach can only be accessed from the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. Given its remote location, it’s often empty! To get this shot, make sure you don't miss the turnoff: look for a sign 0.3 miles from either end of Batteries to Bluffs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Same parking areas as Batteries to Bluffs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3bwV5lPxAW-mutcnEOvNzeedQ4cWVmmqRx4DDEiE1fLTehO-fQNQkYfIexWqIFY0ULXMCf_718rbyp36ksD_NJAbeYwv35nVdWgCXSXddtz0lJsHgSE2xoYWs_e8A2cqt1d-rIzu" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">San Francisco National Cemetery Overlook</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/bbUXZjvqtzAYRPsU8" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Off Nauman Road in the Presidio</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The San Francisco National Cemetery Overlook provides a poignant setting for bridge photos and there are rarely more than a few people here at a time. From Nauman Road, follow the paved path into the woods. When the path splits, stay right. Keep following the paved trail and after a minute or two, you'll end up at a viewing area with benches. Walk in front of the benches to get this view.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Nauman Road (enter 474 Nauman Road into Google Maps.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="border: medium none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 224px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 320px;"><img height="224" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MdjcFY1O8wY_jPriaZK34Yw_35hmLVYwkhH57-RNLzGAKIhllCDz4Uq-8R9Aw3SYvTIkUW4YCsOawqEZ4F_1ZFNP7Cp-mT_YQcrBFhxkArzK4Cuk6-VOCrTKntYCrflDeVuL_9H6" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crissy Field</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Mk4kXdmSvRZQ47t58" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crissy Field</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It doesn't get much more classic SF than Crissy Field. Walk as far as you want to get as close to the bridge as you want! Take beachy shots, marshy shots, or shots with buildings. There is no way to mess this up. Continue to Fort Point (see below) to get views of the bridge’s arch.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Start as far east as the </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/pPvc8yTnkDGE9HFo6" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crissy Beach parking lot</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or as far west as the </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/95HJH3XU7CkkG3486" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hamilton Street parking area</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UUXoMy8PDrQy9WmELiSkV8YffBSFpC54aBvc9Md3C_Fk4dAtFxbZHL7rbsxSGGJY7bsNl7JijY5AtFHLlBMTCWRO_g2zEJMGGqclYyy90CDBlRzf2QID5PIyPZ2b_8tVYUXuqUh9" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Fort Point National Historic Site</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m9W86t19VjazoUnE7" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fort Point</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Built between 1853-1861, Fort Point predates the Golden Gate Bridge by multiple decades. When the bridge was being designed, there was talk of tearing down the military installation, but instead, a new plan was hatched...just redesign the bridge! If you wanted to know why there's an arch on one side of the bridge and not the other, it’s to accommodate Fort Point. Come here for military history and views of the first tower and arch. This is just beyond Crissy Field if you want to start or end your photoshoot there.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marine Drive. See </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m9W86t19VjazoUnE7" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fort Point</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on Google Maps.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wXzIWvdIRrwE2jgd-evgYZ6-jospLlh7fwi6NLfmLvrcXHl9GSALAHzGP-nJqRWnlXWMWESgDCklQZaua_Ix7ih1su5B--_WvArNLyZbZOMBRBZeHn7Iyrajl66hTy3HBId5HGIn" style="font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Coastal Trail Gun Batteries</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">California Coastal Trail leading up to the bridge. Look for </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6t9krYADEnkjdWvD7" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Battery Godfrey</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/G84gGt4zbgJPksR69" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boutelle</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6rWfikdCoMKRojRk7" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus Miller</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on Google Maps.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Visit old (never used) gun installations along the Pacific Coast with nonstop bridge views. Climb on top of the batteries to get unobstructed bridge views or take photos of the bridge with the batteries in the frame.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Park in the </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4yrevAh5wsCZdQbA" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Langdon Court parking lot</a> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and head north!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5AIvJmomSxYA1GHqfqoYuvd0VDKNMva84DINSUrMx2Q7WO9o5MJYAq5kYTttLEvyBpeV44ruZt09tYaeTlknhlb1RVSrMpBwRpavPbNhsXuWeW5YUPxw5Vi4uP3j7Z-vLEAmo4YCgCu4/s3813/TunnelView.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5AIvJmomSxYA1GHqfqoYuvd0VDKNMva84DINSUrMx2Q7WO9o5MJYAq5kYTttLEvyBpeV44ruZt09tYaeTlknhlb1RVSrMpBwRpavPbNhsXuWeW5YUPxw5Vi4uP3j7Z-vLEAmo4YCgCu4/s320/TunnelView.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-family: "arial";">Battery East Picnic Area</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/tEtpFD1sTvaPVfwT6" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Battery East Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> just west of the tunnel</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This special spot is sandwiched between two places called “</span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/mGZbjWQ67SzQTZQU9" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Golden Gate Postcard Viewpoint</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” and “</span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/qCiSw7nHTQPKtyAT7" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Viewpoint Golden Gate Bridge</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” on Google Maps. That said, those places can be crowded and everyone has those shots. I really love this spot as it’s crowded with tourists. On the Battery East Trail, look for the pedestrian tunnel (see location above). Make sure you’re on the </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">west</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> side of that tunnel. Walk behind the picnic benches and take this shot!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/sb9LSi6aKfuGEfna9" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Battery East parking lot</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjtRPGo85lMz1MFPzE_SC64LMTuWwDKBlenCV5OjJtsVLZ1HsWVG2_Y8fMJ-5ZWFci0Ek4E8iZiwqR9-zKd71-7oUMxqtDmvC-6x6QmgxPhU_msK1PJRpvcN2rbdicYPIyNlYvsvnf-L/s4898/PacificOverlook.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjtRPGo85lMz1MFPzE_SC64LMTuWwDKBlenCV5OjJtsVLZ1HsWVG2_Y8fMJ-5ZWFci0Ek4E8iZiwqR9-zKd71-7oUMxqtDmvC-6x6QmgxPhU_msK1PJRpvcN2rbdicYPIyNlYvsvnf-L/s320/PacificOverlook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pacific Overlook</span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B048'02.8%22N+122%C2%B028'40.6%22W/@37.800776,-122.4790263,18z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sbattery+east+picnic+area!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d37.8007762!4d-122.4779324" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lincoln Boulevard between Washington Blvd and Battery Dynamite Rd.</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Pacific Overlook was added to the Presidio in 2012. Here, you’ll get views spanning from Lands End to the bridge—and you’ll also get views of the Marin Headlands across the Ocean. There are benches here so take your time with these views.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m91XhTMVrSvAyG5z8" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WWII Memorial parking lot</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or the </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4yrevAh5wsCZdQbA" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Langdon Court parking lot</a>.</p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLYREk8Ho93wG5TI4gWCJqxLmTack9yRyC_eS4a-bYVfLgAojUe1xExHGDC5_ZK4M8gbK4HDoJP6nwZFfU6llazV_k3CWrgKCvhhP9u35rmnowRBWFXU_w0oOgpTW_LZj5JeKL9NKqfK8/s2048/BoatTour.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLYREk8Ho93wG5TI4gWCJqxLmTack9yRyC_eS4a-bYVfLgAojUe1xExHGDC5_ZK4M8gbK4HDoJP6nwZFfU6llazV_k3CWrgKCvhhP9u35rmnowRBWFXU_w0oOgpTW_LZj5JeKL9NKqfK8/s320/BoatTour.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-family: "arial";">The San Francisco Bay</b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Multiple spots around SF</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you want to take unique photos of the bridge, head into the bay for a boat cruise. I personally love riding with </span><a href="www.adventurecat.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adventure Cat</span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You’ll even go under the bridge for some seriously striking views. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Adventure Cat's tours depart from Pier 39.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></div></div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, USA37.8199286 -122.478255110.525794118300112 -157.63450509999998 65.114063081699882 -87.322005100000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-14581914370489003962020-05-24T18:10:00.005-07:002020-06-11T08:20:01.567-07:00Play tourist in your own town: Go on a sea lion "hunt."<div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lockdown day 1,000,000. Let's face it, it's going to be a long time before any of us go on a vacation with a plane, so I'm trying to get good at being a tourist in my own town. On the Sunday before Memorial Day, I decided to go on a sea lion "hunt" along the Embarcadero. (As a 20+ year vegetarian, I would never go on an actual sea lion hunt—this was a hunt for sea lion sculptures.)<br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu30yR95zkA3x-yNL-CpgVwmd_abvk7ew9UdQMHJ7ns3PRxfhXCBiXTwLacVwfK_njxkaZw7yH6jTGl3J-zEY7Ja_qfJR_2tTOCKEV3uZgsNYyuDNRE_Cb6yS5tWg3gxauStxwALzByiZ/" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu30yR95zkA3x-yNL-CpgVwmd_abvk7ew9UdQMHJ7ns3PRxfhXCBiXTwLacVwfK_njxkaZw7yH6jTGl3J-zEY7Ja_qfJR_2tTOCKEV3uZgsNYyuDNRE_Cb6yS5tWg3gxauStxwALzByiZ/s320/55DC0909-81CB-4DCA-B265-4DAE22CEEE0C.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2">Here's a little backstory....</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2">Last weekend, I decided to run home to the Mission from North Beach and explore some hills and stairways along the way. On my way back, I noticed a sea lion statue on the Embarcadero. (I originally thought it was a seal, but I was wrong. <a href="https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/the-difference-between-seals-and-sea-lions/">Here's the difference</a>.) I am a huge animal lover, so I crossed the street to get a closer look. It reminded me of the <a href="https://sf.curbed.com/2019/12/20/21031450/giant-hearts-union-square-2020-general-hospital">"I left my heart in San Francisco" sculptures</a> you can still see around town, so I figured this statue might be part of a series. When I got home from my run, I decided to learn more.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2">On the <a href="https://www.aquariumofthebay.org/sea-lions-30th/">Aquarium of the Bay website</a>, I found out that through January 2021, you will be able to find 30 hand-painted 6-foot-tall sea lion statues throughout San Francisco. The statues commemorate the 39th anniversary of the sea lions arrival at Pier 39. In order to be seen by a maximum of people, the sea lions have been placed in some of SF's most-visited areas.<br /></font></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2">I found a <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1CFnRxNCEyuArdcD9i4aXD2ZzAY75s-MH&ll=37.77399535383372%2C-122.39508454433599&z=13">map of their locations online</a> (and made a fun bit.ly link" <a href="http://bit.ly/sealionhunt" target="_blank">bit.ly/sealionhunt</a>) and decided to visit as many sea lions as I could. So I started out in Mission Beach and ran just under 5 miles to Aquatic Park. As this is lockdown, some places like Pier 39 (which houses an abundance of statues) are closed, but I still got to see a lot of them.<br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfZ8uhv8rKtAdYysZmmEAx8NCpR2Mxt5Q5q98cNpNzyUzKUZvO899aSBtcHtU706NHQYQ46U1TDlHKgqRu1H1zXuscV4yLGXvnrxbUIF5R2zYru94LdiYuTkYaPhkEdQywwZmbhBg_JA7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sea lion statues map" border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="928" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfZ8uhv8rKtAdYysZmmEAx8NCpR2Mxt5Q5q98cNpNzyUzKUZvO899aSBtcHtU706NHQYQ46U1TDlHKgqRu1H1zXuscV4yLGXvnrxbUIF5R2zYru94LdiYuTkYaPhkEdQywwZmbhBg_JA7/w400-h304/Screen+Shot+2020-05-24+at+6.04.35+PM.png" title="Sea lion statues map: bit.ly/sealionhunt." width="400" /></a></div><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;">I highly recommend taking yourself or your family on a sea lion "hunt." If you stay on the Embarcadero, you don't need to think about any directions and can just spot the statues alongside the path. For a short 1.5-mile walk, start at the Ferry Building and walk to Pier 39. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155-15.291199416981428 167.2680845 90 -52.1069155tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-77882007301974754682020-05-16T15:26:00.000-07:002020-05-16T15:26:09.860-07:00Quarantine wanderings, i.e. getting reacquainted wtih your neighborhood during the COVID-19 pandemic<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">It's been a LONG time since I posted. So long that in fact that since that last post, I have given birth to two babies: one human and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trails-East-Bay-Berkeley/dp/1680512560">one paperback</a>. </font></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial">Being a mom has been wonderful, but I do feel like I have a lot less time than before. And while some people feel like they have more free time during quarantine, my experience has been quite the opposite! In addition to holding down a job, I was now a house cleaner, nanny, dog walker, and chef.<br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial">One thing that has not just kept me sane, but also brought me great pleasure during COVID-19 is taking daily walks. During this pandemic, exercise in fresh air was always considered an essential activity, but for a while, the rule was that you were supposed to exercise in your own neighborhoods. Guided by the mantra "If you need a car, it's too far," I started taking off on walks and runs from my home in the Mission District seeing where I would go in any direction in a 2.5-mile radius—which roughly equated to the time I had off between shifts watching our toddler.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial">At first, I was BORED. I felt I had seen everything there was to see in my neighborhood, but then I looked at my surroundings with new eyes and I got creative—and I've found so many new things. It made me think that there's always more to see. You just have to be open to it.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial">If you're feeling a similar case of boredom right now and you live in San Francisco, here's what's helped me get out and explore.<br /></font></span></div><div><br /></div><font face="arial">1. <b>Visiting parks. </b>This is easy. Open up Google Maps and see what parks are near you. <span style="font-family: arial;">Walk to them. You'll get to see the park, but you'll also find interesting homes and places on the way. This is how I ended up in Corona Heights Park, Buena Vista Park, Billy Goat Hill, Walter Haas Playground, and more.</span></font><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TMp14YSAzUY12AO3TFb4OC1xlaU-AtjsdYfExvaKIihfLI57zPiFvAZTAfqQ03oBDDA0mOECXWSbt_J8H17sIt0V8lECHMjjS5f_G6ogcxSUlB9ilwKmiiiiXlXzPakZ3O5A1c-9ARkX/s320/53E0F950-6551-4337-B0CD-2BB0E66E6041.jpg" style="font-family: times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font face="arial" size="2">Billy Goat Hill</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <b>Visiting stairways.</b> San Francisco has some 700 or so </span><span style="font-family: arial;">public stairways, and I've decided to list them all in a spreadsheet and map them all out on Google Maps. This way, everyone in the city can use this as a resource to check out stairways whenever they want. (I will share this as soon as I'm done!) In mapping out the stairways, I was reminded that there are a lot of stairways close to my home, so I decided to check out a bunch of them in person. Some of them are basic and functional, but some are really elegant. And just as with visiting parks, when getting to your destination stairway, you see a bunch of other neat stuff on your way.</span></font></div><div><font face="arial"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="arial"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2pE_3h8uDuZ3DrzMxMbb6BY6J3oAUPS2466_Z1IHd5i8BlNx3zPBwaEAIztLxctPNgu5weIKNDtAN-acsBh5pXsZWCHHsnHefJjFd-GO-FT6l_6bqvkB3gZhUoocMhSlvFEaUQtl4cK0/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="2606" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2pE_3h8uDuZ3DrzMxMbb6BY6J3oAUPS2466_Z1IHd5i8BlNx3zPBwaEAIztLxctPNgu5weIKNDtAN-acsBh5pXsZWCHHsnHefJjFd-GO-FT6l_6bqvkB3gZhUoocMhSlvFEaUQtl4cK0/s320/C09F2A20-D05D-44DA-B8D1-56821ADEE151.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">Stairway in Noe Valley</font></td></tr></tbody></table></font></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial">3. <b>Wandering aimlessly.</b> Sometimes I just feel I can't be creative and come up with a new destination and I just wander aimlessly around the Mission, Noe, Hayes Valley, or Potrero. I think to myself, "I'll never see anything new...I'm close to home." But soon enough, I pick up a small sidestreet and see interesting things on the way. If I end up on main streets instead of small side streets, I take photos of boarded-up shops and restaurants to help future me remember what it was like to live through during COVID-19.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RAfy-gBOt1G9s5xrJfb3hNzbr2FD9zs1KVuL-m3Xpav8FHpkmyWV-ABsemjiC-LUI6WarWKKXckSYRuIDhoMmIJDhCnByAgaTg6ySnLRlpLFjlba-04ryBohDsr7jUvqo3wvu7pfMTfT/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="3377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RAfy-gBOt1G9s5xrJfb3hNzbr2FD9zs1KVuL-m3Xpav8FHpkmyWV-ABsemjiC-LUI6WarWKKXckSYRuIDhoMmIJDhCnByAgaTg6ySnLRlpLFjlba-04ryBohDsr7jUvqo3wvu7pfMTfT/s320/IMG_0888.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">Beautifully boarded-up buildings</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></span></div><div><font face="arial"><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope these ideas help you get out in your neighborhood. Even if you've lived in the same neighborhood as I have for 11 years, you can still find new things to </span><span style="font-family: arial;">see. And you can even use these tips when quarantine is over if you have just a short time </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to g</span><span style="font-family: arial;">et outside. Stay safe a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nd enjoy this strange time as much as you can. </span></font></div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-85016346281321375552018-12-05T09:59:00.000-08:002018-12-05T09:59:40.998-08:00Oakland Urban Wine Trail<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Distance: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">3.0 miles</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elevation Gain: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">10 feet</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">High Point: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">30 feet</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Difficulty:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Easy</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Time: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">2 ½ hours including stops at wineries</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fitness:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Walkers, hikers</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Family Friendly: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Yes. The tasting rooms allow children in them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dog Friendly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">: Yes, all wineries on this walk are dog friendly</span><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "" "arial" "" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "" "arial" "" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Amenities: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "" "arial" "" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Restrooms at all of
the wineries and in Jack London Square Marina, benches and picnic benches along
the Bay Trail.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Contact:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> City of Oakland</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">GPS:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> 37° 47' 49.5132'' N 122° 15' 57.816'' W</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Map to: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lake Merritt BART</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Strava Route: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1645656632</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Photos: </span><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/9qFaLGgRV61YoFZ8A" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://photos.app.goo.gl/9qFaLGgRV61YoFZ8A</span></a></span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Getting there:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Public Transit:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> The hike starts and ends at Lake Merritt BART</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Parking: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There is $3 parking at Lake Merritt BART station</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">A
short distance from the Bay Area are the world famous wine-growing regions of
the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. I love visiting wine country, but always wish it
were just a bit closer. Well, now it is! Every day, grapes of from all over
California are brought to the city of Oakland for blending, barreling, and
bottling at a number of urban wineries.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
2010, Oakland wineries and tasting rooms banded together to form an urban wine
route through the city. Visit Oakland, the city’s visitors bureau got involved in
2015 to infuse the route with a branding and marketing boost. Since then the
route—now known as the Oakland Urban Wine Trail—has gained popularity and
includes 10 wineries in a 10-mile radius. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
hike, inspired by the Oakland Urban Wine Trail, visits four wineries in three
miles as well as Jack London Square—an area named for the author who spent a
lot his early life on the Oakland waterfront. Today in the square, you’ll find
shops, restaurants, ferry service to San Francisco, a Sunday farmers’ market, a
former presidential yacht, an 1880s saloon, and even Jack London’s
cabin—rebuilt and relocated from the Klondike region of Canada’s Yukon
Territory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wine
lovers can sip tasty white and reds in industrial warehouses and on sunny
outdoor patios. And drinkers and non-drinkers alike will enjoy a waterfront
stroll infused with late-1800s history. This route is designed to be safe those
who are imbibing. It’s short, spaces out the winery stops, and starts and ends
at Lake Merritt BART so that no driving is required.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Get Moving</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Start
the hike at Lake Merritt BART, on the northeast corner of 8th and Oak Streets.
Head south on Oak until 4th Street, passing some charming Victorian homes
before passing under the 880 highway overpass. Turn left onto 4th Street to
arrive at the first winery on this route, Dashe Cellars (</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">55 4th Street)</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">. Dashe is situated in a red building that takes up the
second half the block.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you visit Dashe, head back to the intersection of 4th and Oak Street and turn
left on Oak. At 3rd Street, cross to the far side of Oak and continue south
(left). Pass 2nd Street and then cross over train tracks. Oak Street drops you
on Embarcadero West where walk to the far side of the street and turn left.
Stay on Embarcadero West 0.2 mile. Pass a building to your right with a striped
roof, the Jack London Aquatic Center. Then take your next right onto a
sidewalk, The San Francisco Bay Trail.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_lI876PNK6Op8vYzrEJHH6S6agyEdd9DkQ1G1zJwZmtYhlhzadXXK0ZOV_VRUGEo-Usw0u4kIri1rZJD0E9EdRzwbxZsQvmKifk1f4IFIyMwa6ADTG0rjQZduaWkmmpR-DiS_PYwgdSi/s1600/IMG_6275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_lI876PNK6Op8vYzrEJHH6S6agyEdd9DkQ1G1zJwZmtYhlhzadXXK0ZOV_VRUGEo-Usw0u4kIri1rZJD0E9EdRzwbxZsQvmKifk1f4IFIyMwa6ADTG0rjQZduaWkmmpR-DiS_PYwgdSi/s320/IMG_6275.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Follow
the Bay Trail along the water 0.1 mile, past the Aquatic Center and to a park,
Estuary Park. Pass a picnic area with a geometric wood overhang, then continue
along the waterfront path and follow it as it turns right, passing a few
sculptures as you continue. Stay on the path and exit the park, following a
Public Shore sign to pick up a more manicured part of the Bay Trail. Over the
next 0.6 miles, you’ll have iews of the Oakland Inner Basin and Alameda Island
across the water. Toward the end of this stretch, you’ll see cranes that have
become icons for the city of Oakland (no, they did not inspire the All Terrain
Open Transport [AT-OT] walkers from Star Wars), views of the San Francisco
skyline, and a marina.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUnAZd5mgP15_nvsi7PIzVqDlo407SYFGmMkr5VKUT1ttibW5bTwXEsfdm1Z3YWwyKNuBIO3J8Td9KAQS12wvT5zFVw-U4-G8Kz27YrmUcnHEEybCzAJCgdKrZUhuDEXWoGzsvP-Xw_E4/s1600/IMG_6291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUnAZd5mgP15_nvsi7PIzVqDlo407SYFGmMkr5VKUT1ttibW5bTwXEsfdm1Z3YWwyKNuBIO3J8Td9KAQS12wvT5zFVw-U4-G8Kz27YrmUcnHEEybCzAJCgdKrZUhuDEXWoGzsvP-Xw_E4/s320/IMG_6291.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">You
arrive at the Jack London Square marina, a building with a faux lighthouse
tower. Just past this building, you can walk left and out onto the pier for a
nice view of San Francisco. Whether you explore the pier or not, you’ll next
want to head into pedestrian plaza full of palm trees. In the middle of the
plaza, among other things, you’ll see Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon
and Jack London’s Cabin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">An 1800s saloon, still open today</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Built
out of an old whaling ship in 1880, Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon was
first a home for men working oyster beds on the San Francisco Bay. John
Heinhold purchased the building in 1883 for $100 in and turned it into a
saloon. When it first opened, waterfront workers frequented the watering hole
as well as local literary luminaries Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and
Joaquin Miller. The saloon has been in continuous operation since its opening and
became an Oakland landmark in 1975.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">A cabin from the Klondike</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Jack
London is often called a native son of Oakland, but he was born across the bay
in San Francisco in January 1876. His mother was Flora Wellman, and while it’s
not confirmed, many believe his biological father was astrologer William
Chaney. Flora Wellman married John London late in 1876, giving Jack London his
last name. London went to grade school and high school in Oakland, then
attended UC Berkeley.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">He
headed up to Canada’s Yukon Territory in 1897 looking for gold. While he didn’t
strike it rich, his adventures became fodder for his writing. London’s log
cabin was abandoned after he returned to California. It was later dismantled
and reassembled as two cabins—one in Dawson City, Yukon Territory and the other
right here in Oakland.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">By
age 30, London was internationally famous for Call of the Wild (1903), The Sea
Wolf, (1904) and White Fang (1876). Before he died at age 40, he had written
more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books and hundreds of short stories. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Continue
by the plaza and turn left at the large Water Street sign to stay along the
water and get more San Francisco views. When you reach a viewing area with an
old mast, turn right. Continue on the Bay Trail and look for a statue of Jack
London. Stay on the Bay Trail 0.2 more miles until the San Francisco Bay Ferry
is on your left and Rosenblum Cellars is your right. This is Clay Street.
Between the ferry and Rosenblum Cellars, look left out to the water where
you’ll see the the USS Potomac, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht
from 1936 until his death in 1945.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you like, take a break at Rosenblum Cellars or keep going on Clay Street past
Embarcadero West where you cross train tracks. Continue one more block to 2nd
Street where you turn right. You’ll be on 2nd Street for a total of 0.5 miles.
After two blocks, reach Broadway (no sign) where you look right to see a Jack
London Square sign. As you continue along 2nd Street, you’ll pass an area with
produce markets. Then four blocks later, at the intersection with Alice Street,
pass by the Oakland Amtrak Station. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Arrive
at Urban Legend Cellars on the corner of 2nd Street at Jackson Street. Take a
left on Jackson Street and once you get to 3rd Street, you can pop into
Brooklyn West Winery at 201 3rd Street. From here continue one block east to
Oak Street where you turn left. Stay on Oak until you arrive back at Lake
Merritt BART.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Go Farther</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Have
a picnic at Lake Merritt or walk around the lake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</style>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Oakland, CA, USA37.8043637 -122.271113737.4026477 -122.9165607 38.206079700000004 -121.6256667tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-44922337679660614452018-12-05T09:52:00.000-08:002018-12-05T09:52:43.789-08:00Redwood Regional Park - West Ridge Trail, Stream Trail, East Ridge Trail<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Distance: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">3.5 miles</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elevation Gain: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">690 feet</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">High Point: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1,330 feet</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Difficulty:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Moderate</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Time: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1 hour and 45 minutes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fitness: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Hikers, walkers, runners </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Family Friendly: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dog Friendly</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">: Dogs are allowed under voice control on park trails. There
is a dog fee of $2 per dog. (No fee for guide/service dogs.) Fees are collected on weekends and major holidays.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Amenities: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Numerous restrooms and picnic areas throughout the park.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Contact:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> East Bay Regional Park District</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">GPS:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> 37° 49' 53.9544'' N 122° 11' 5.6616'' W</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Map to: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Redwood Regional Park Skyline Gate Staging Area</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Strava Route: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1526132512</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There
is just something so calming about hiking through redwoods. Perhaps it’s
because as the tallest trees in the world, they make us realize just how small
we are. Perhaps it’s because their thick canopy seems to block out the noise
and chaos of the the outside world. Whatever it is, whenever I see them, I feel
very lucky to live in the Bay Area—one of the few places on earth where these
trees grow and thrive.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Redwood
Regional Park is a treasure and gives you access to a redwood forest that’s
close to the city, but free of the Muir Woods crowds. These redwoods aren’t
nearly as large as some of those in Muir Woods, but they are still tall,
majestic, and plentiful.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Redwoods
are native to this part of the East Bay, however, all of the area’s old-growth
trees were chopped down between 1845-1860 as people flooded into the Bay
Area during the Gold Rush. After that time, trees began to grow back and it was
thought that many of them grew to be over 100 feet tall. But these
second-growth trees were logged again—this time to rebuild San Francisco after
the 1906 earthquake. While some second-growth trees remain, many of the
redwoods you see in the park today are third-growth trees. They are far from
ancient, but they’re still over 100 years old, tall, and growing more with
every passing year.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are seemingly limitless possibilities for hiking in Redwood Regional Park. I
like this particular route, which includes the West Ridge Trail, the French
Trail, the Stream Trail, the Prince Trail, and the East Ridge Trail as it has a
nice variety of scenery (exposed sunny trails, redwoods, creeks, etc.)—and
because it comes with a special bonus in winter—thousands (hundreds of
thousands? millions?) of ladybugs converge here in the months of November
through March. The beetles fly into the park seeking a place to mate and to
feast on aphids, using pheromones left by previous generations to return to the
same spots year after year. Center stage for this annual phenomenon is the
junction of the Stream and Prince Trails.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But
there’s no need to wait until winter to do this hike. Whenever you do this
route, it’s an excellent escape from urban life just miles away from the city.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Get Moving</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Start
the hike in the Skyline Staging Area and head right. When the trail splits
almost immediately, head right to pick up the West Ridge Trail, a wide fire
road above a canyon. Be aware that trail is bike friendly, so you may be
sharing the trail with cyclists. You will also want to be on the lookout for
poison oak.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
one-half mile, see a first stand of redwoods on your left. 375 feet later, turn
left on the French trail, a single-track trail heading downhill. The trail is
shaded and lined with bay laurel trees, ferns, and abundant amounts of poison
oak. Watch your step as you descend—the trail is dotted with rocks and roots
and there are sometimes downed trees here.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuGvEQfLUDoaCS3nKfGEC0vVOEpbiAVi-By3jZod07y4anwZ7x6OV-HiFaVX0vO9NhoVs0aTC1OBwgSTxX4X0Wpy_MzvSJp_iV9xWLtWNTRgpv8Z5TLdATfUKE7o5do0DwnQ7FUswbzes/s1600/IMG_4470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuGvEQfLUDoaCS3nKfGEC0vVOEpbiAVi-By3jZod07y4anwZ7x6OV-HiFaVX0vO9NhoVs0aTC1OBwgSTxX4X0Wpy_MzvSJp_iV9xWLtWNTRgpv8Z5TLdATfUKE7o5do0DwnQ7FUswbzes/s320/IMG_4470.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.6 mile on this trail, turn left onto the Tres Sendas trail (a “senda” is path
or route in Spanish), a wide trail full of redwoods and running along Redwood
Creek. Continue 0.25 mile on the Tres Sendas trail, walking through a fallen
tree and bearing left to stay on this trail at its intersection with the Star
Flower Trail. After another 425 feet, cross Redwood Creek and turn right onto
the Stream trail. This is a wide, relatively flat trail, and due to the creek’s
sensitive habitat, dogs must be on leash here.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.45 miles on the Stream Trail, reach the Prince Trail. If you’re visiting
during ladybug season, feel free to take a little detour to continue farther on
the Stream Trail to catch more glimpses of the colorful beetles. Otherwise,
head left and uphill on the Prince Trail. You’ll be on this trail for 0.4 mile,
half of which is shaded and half of which brings you up and out of the trees.
Take your time on this steep trail as this is where you’ll gain back 300 of the
550 feet you lost on the first half of the hike.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27FZd1UOumjN14OJMxckCcjhkTT8LjtbSfQ09BIIJsiOjB0D-AuQGUxUOLAVBRpOQ96FDeJg0c8QA88dF7kwggZepQD2QxpwFo2OuLMWftF8cq3HVGalbk-WPt79GDyna1KWwP_Mk7SZN/s1600/IMG_4536.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27FZd1UOumjN14OJMxckCcjhkTT8LjtbSfQ09BIIJsiOjB0D-AuQGUxUOLAVBRpOQ96FDeJg0c8QA88dF7kwggZepQD2QxpwFo2OuLMWftF8cq3HVGalbk-WPt79GDyna1KWwP_Mk7SZN/s320/IMG_4536.jpg" width="320" /></a></span>Turn
left on the East Ridge Trail, a wide fire trail with no tree cover. After 250
feet, look for a bench with views of the tops of redwoods. Stay straight on the
East Ridge Trail when you pass a turnoff for the Philips Loop after 0.2 mile.
After you pass this intersection, start looking behind you for views of Mt.
Diablo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">From
here, there are two ways you can finish the hike. The most straightforward way
is to continue on the East Ridge Trail another mile to the parking lot where
you started. Like the West Ridge Trail, this trail is bike friendly, so be
aware that there may be cyclists here.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Another
option if the East Ridge trail is crowded or you feel like changing things up
is to turn left on the Eucalyptus Trail 0.3 mile after the Philips Loop
turnoff. If you do this, you’ll head downhill on the Eucalyptus Trail 0.1 mile
and then turn right on the Philips Loop. Follow the Philips Loop 0.65 mile,
enjoying this partially shaded trail lined with eucalyptus and some madrone
trees. This trail can get muddy after a winter or spring rain and can be lined
with poison oak. If it’s recently rained when you’re visiting, the East Ridge
Trail may be your best bet.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Then
turn left on the East Ridge Trail and continue 0.2 mile on the East Ridge Trail
back to the parking lot where you started.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Go Farther</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you’re up for more hiking, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve and Sibley
Volcanic Regional Preserve are close by. Or, if you’re done with hiking, feel
free to check out the Chabot Space and Science Center, an observatory with
exhibits, telescopes, a planetarium, and more.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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</style>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Oakland, CA, USA37.8043637 -122.271113737.4026477 -122.9165607 38.206079700000004 -121.6256667tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-20408364693898610212018-12-05T09:22:00.000-08:002018-12-05T09:22:37.228-08:00Tilden Nature Area: Laurel Canyon Trail to Wildcat Peak<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Distance: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">3.2 miles</span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Elevation Gain: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">700
feet</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">High Point: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">1,180 feet</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Difficulty: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Moderate </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Time: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">2 hours</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fitness:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Walkers, hikers</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Family Friendly: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes,
families who can’t hike too far can still visit the environmental education
center and Tilden Little Farm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dog Friendly</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">: No</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Amenities: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Visitor center, picnic
areas, restrooms, children’s playground, drinking water</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Contact:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"> East Bay Regional Parks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">GPS:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"> 37° 54' 29.9952'' N 122° 15'
51.5304'' W</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Map to: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Tilden Park Indian Camp,
Kensington, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Getting there:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Take AC Transit Route 67 to the Canon Drive and
Environmental Center stop, which leaves you just a few feet from the hike
start.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Parking: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">There is a parking lot with free parking at the end of
Central Park Drive, but it can be very busy on weekends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">William
Penn Mott, the former director of the National Park Service and former Regional
Parks general manager said that 740-acre Tilden Nature area and its
environmental education center (EEC) were established to create the “most
Innovative, creative interpretive program ever devised.” The park <i>is</i>
well appointed and is especially popular with families—most likely due to the
Tilden Little Farm, which includes cows, sheep, goats rabbits, chickens, and
pigs. (Bring some celery to feed the animals!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Tilden Little Farm isn’t billed as a zoo, but the crowds at this park on
weekends will make you feel like you’re in one. Take a deep breath—once you
pass the farm, the crowds thin out dramatically, and you can enjoy nature and
quiet trails.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
hike heads to the top of Wildcat Peak, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the
East Bay. In addition to the panoramic views you’ll take in from the top, the
route involves narrow shaded trails, creek crossings, a lake, and the Berkeley
Rotary Peace Grove, a grove of sequoias with individual trees dedicated by
Rotary International to people and organizations who have worked for peace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Note
that the trails can be very muddy after a rain. Bring good shoes you can get
dirty if you’re hiking during the rainy season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Get Moving</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">From
the parking lot on Central Park Drive, follow the road until it ends in a loop
and where you’ll see the Tilden Nature Area sign. Enter the park using a path
on your right marked with two short wood posts. Then head uphill and straight
in the direction of the Little Farm. Pass the cow barn on your right and stay
straight on the paved trail.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you reach a building labeled the Nature Lodge at 0.13 mile, turn left on a dirt
path in front of the lodge. Pass the lodge and look for the Laurel Canyon Trail
on your right. Continue about 50 feet on the trail, turn left on the Loop Road,
and take a quick right to stay on the Laurel Canyon Trail. You are now in
a fragrant eucalyptus forest that feels far from the crowds at the park
entrance. As you continue on this trail, there are ferns and poison oak lining
the trail.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.23 mile, reach another junction with the Loop Road where you turn left. After
100 feet, turn right on the Laurel Canyon Trail. Laurel trees are now lining
the trail. (Get close to one and smell its leaves!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.24 mile, reach a junction with the Pine Tree Trail. Continue straight and
downhill on the Laurel Canyon Trail another 0.11 mile. The trail continues
downhill, narrows, and for a short time, and is surrounded by blackberry
plants. On this stretch, you’ll also may cross some small, seasonal tributaries
of Laurel Creek.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you reach a trail marker for the Laurel Canyon Trail, Laurel Canyon Road,
Nimitz Way, and the Peak Trail, head straight and downhill. On this 0.16-mile
stretch, you’ll cross Laurel Creek and climb a flight of stairs. You then take
a few steep narrow switchbacks uphill. You’ll feel like you’re climbing out of
a canyon as the first rays of sunlight hit your face.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDyJONkSPcyDyipknxboBabSJGfNVAGXkKnE8Pig4FepBIJ6Y42Czx494K4k7TTPcjvWsdSIuM1RxIk8zdQbibuRQHZjgxWgrSEEkhMu1ex16X-gpQUR0pqCoQaNk0nsJ7rv0M8cXzoCK/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDyJONkSPcyDyipknxboBabSJGfNVAGXkKnE8Pig4FepBIJ6Y42Czx494K4k7TTPcjvWsdSIuM1RxIk8zdQbibuRQHZjgxWgrSEEkhMu1ex16X-gpQUR0pqCoQaNk0nsJ7rv0M8cXzoCK/s320/IMG_3150.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing Laurel Creek</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you reach a wide fire trail, Laurel Canyon Road, head right and uphill. After
0.15 mile, turn left to pick up the Peak Trail, a narrow singletrack trail.
Climb to the top of the trees. Ater 100 feet, reach a T where you turn left to
stay on the Peak Trail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.05 mile, reach the Rotary Peace Grove on your right. There is also a bench,
which is a nice place to have a picnic (but I suggest waiting to wait for a
break at Wildcat Peak). If you’re interested, read the plaque at the opening of
the grove and to enter to visit the dedications.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">100 Years of Peace</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
1955, 100 great sequoia trees were planted in this area, a former NIKE missile
base. Now, each year Rotarians name a person or organization from anywhere in
the world who has worked for peace. A plaque is then placed in front of one of
the trees. Past honorees include Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and Malala Yousafzai.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8IyxUMr3IxPjrFImEihKiiYUDl68oXCcXtddtxfwmyFpI8vPYtYn2x-hFCiIPYYqOatqy3bCLGdbNCcyuGVYXjpsaAbhtaHkzmazM58MwWbYriNlUOghD5EGs6JWtaoRm94WfSA7plAH/s1600/IMG_3169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8IyxUMr3IxPjrFImEihKiiYUDl68oXCcXtddtxfwmyFpI8vPYtYn2x-hFCiIPYYqOatqy3bCLGdbNCcyuGVYXjpsaAbhtaHkzmazM58MwWbYriNlUOghD5EGs6JWtaoRm94WfSA7plAH/s320/IMG_3169.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Rotary Peace Grove</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you’re done visiting the grove, continue on the Peak Trail for another 0.2
mile. Now you have views of San Francisco; the Bay Bridge; the Golden Gate
Bridge; and Angel, Alcatraz, and Treasure Islands. You can also look behind you
to get views of Mt. Diablo. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjmtbPwXFv_cI9XPS1jmkIFToElvrX_wll_4B7ebIW4CH0v6JbHyjhy6j-8MJx77xUwoxxzWlG84dGkswrxRXMl1IUcHTFTjg23VR-wYAua_-mnLfMfxDhLcfBG8eThhi_WSP0UNx1H3s/s1600/IMG_3183.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjmtbPwXFv_cI9XPS1jmkIFToElvrX_wll_4B7ebIW4CH0v6JbHyjhy6j-8MJx77xUwoxxzWlG84dGkswrxRXMl1IUcHTFTjg23VR-wYAua_-mnLfMfxDhLcfBG8eThhi_WSP0UNx1H3s/s320/IMG_3183.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from the Peace Grove Look-Out</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you reach the next marker for the Peak Trail, even if you’re sick of climbing,
it is a must to head right to the top of Wildcat Peak and the Peace Grove
Look-Out where you get 360 degree views of the entire area from 1,180 feet in
the air. In addition to the sights mentioned just before, you can also see San
Pablo Reservoir from here. This is one of the best panoramic viewpoints I’ve
seen in the entire Bay Area. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">When
you’re done visiting the overlook, head back to the last Peak Trail marker you
passed. This time, turn right and head down the hill. You’ll be on this trail
for a total of 0.97 mile (downhill all the way)! For the first part of this
stretch, you’ll continue to have views. You’ll then head back into the woods,
eventually visiting a nice eucalyptus grove. When you reach a marker for the
Sylvan Trail, turn right.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Follow
the Sylvan Trail for .27 mile to reach a T with a fence and marker for the
Jewel Lake Trail. Turn right (though both left and right will take you to Jewel
Lake) and continue 0.05 mile to reach marker #9 where you head left toward the
Visitor Center. You are now on a wide fire trail that leads to a rest area and
bench on your left after 0.03 mile.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Across
from the rest area, turn right on the Pack Rat Trail, crossing over a bridge
and dam. Jewel Lake and redwoods are on your left. After you pass the lake,
follow the trail as it bends left. You will soon get a view of the lake from
the other side.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
0.1 mile, follow the Pack Rat trail left toward the Visitor Center. This part
of the trail is lined with blackberry bushes, ferns, and laurel. For the last
0.35 mile of the trail, walk along Wildcat Creek until you reach the parking
lot and the end of the hike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Go Farther</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Have
a picnic by Jewel Lake or visit the Tilden Little Farm or the environmental
education center. If you feel like hiking more, visit Tilden Regional Park.</span></span></div>
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</style>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-21905137778815210942018-11-29T17:42:00.003-08:002021-06-24T17:02:49.649-07:00Five (Plus) Books for People Who Live in and Love San Francisco<div>When I moved to San Francisco in 2007, my dad got me a copy of that year's San Zagat restaurant guide and a copy of <a href="https://amzn.to/3jfglB8" target="_blank"><i>Stairway Walks in San Francisco</i></a>. These books became part of a growing collection of books that helped me explore my then new home. <br /> <br /> With the holiday season coming up, gifts are on many of our minds. Here I've chosen five of my favorite books about San Francisco, any of which would make a great gift for people who live in and love San Francisco. Full disclosure, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXL6WDL/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">my own book is in here</a>, but I think it does make a fun gift!At the bottom of this list, I suggest some other books that I have not read yet, but that may also be great for lovers of San Francisco.<br /> <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b>My Favorite Books for Lovers of San Francisco </b><br /></div><div> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0899978541&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3jfglB8" target="_blank"><i>Stairway Walks in San Francisco</i></a> is a classic for urban explorers. The ninth edition of this book includes 34 walks in neighborhoods as diverse as the city itself: Forest Knolls, Dogpatch, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and more. What the walks all have in common is that they highlight the stairways in each neighborhood they visit. The book comes with turn-by-turn directions, quick turn-by-turn directions, and black-and-white photos and maps.<br /> <br /> <img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1680510207&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /><br /> <br /> Inspired by <a href="https://amzn.to/3jfglB8" target="_blank"><i>Stairway Walks in San Francisco</i></a>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXL6WDL/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">Urban Trails San Francisco</a></i> helps you explore the city's stairways, hills, and hiking trails. The book includes stairway walks, but also trails through eucalyptus forests, sand dunes, and rocky cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. The book features 40 hikes in San Francisco, six in Marin County, and four south of the city. Urban Trails: East Bay, a companion book with hikes in the East Bay was published in May 2020.<br /></div><div><br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=3954516098&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Places-Francisco-That-Updated-Revised/dp/3954516098/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=11+places+in+sf+you+must+not+miss&qid=1624579102&sr=8-1">111 Places in San Francisco That You Must Not Miss</a> delights even old-time San Franciscans with novelty. From restaurants like Foreign Cinema to oddities like the Ingleside Terrace Sundial to experiences like the Glide Memorial Church to local institutions like Heath Ceramics, the book helps you explore new places or see a new side of old favorites. This book serves as a great inspiration for a San Francisco bucket list you can check off one item at a time.</div><div><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1620401266&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a> <br /> Named for the George Sterling <a href="http://www.idiom.com/~cxarli/english/sterling/bulletin/coolgrey.html">poem by the same name</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cool-Gray-City-Love-Francisco/dp/1620401266/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cool+gray+city+of+love&qid=1624579166&sr=8-1">Cool Gray City of Love</a> is a beautifully-written poem to the city. 49 neighborhood-focused vignettes explore different views of the city. Author Gary Kamiya was a co-founder and longtime executive editor of the website Salon.com, and the former executive editor of San Francisco Magazine. He now writes a bi-monthly column called "Portals of the Past" in the San Francisco Chronicle. This book is great as you can devour it all at once or one short story at a time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0061358304&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a> </div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/28-Barbary-Lane-Tales-Omnibus/dp/0062499017/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tales+of+the+city+book+1&qid=1624579205&sr=8-1">Tales of the City</a>, the only fiction book on this list is a must read for residents and lovers of San Francisco. The first book in Armistead Maupin's 9-book series transports readers to the wild, gender-bending, drug-infused San Francisco of the 1970s. Our unlikely heroine Mary Ann Singleton takes a vacation to San Francisco and decides to move here from the midwest...and the adventure goes from there. This book is addictive and so hard to put down. It features <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ie=UTF8&t=m&oe=UTF8&msa=0&mid=1jmAV5IXVLD0UgT88lLrELo0iO5M&ll=37.78499495199054%2C-122.45638399999999&z=13">many places you can visit today</a> like Macondray Lane and Washington Square Park.<br /> <br /> <br /><b> Other Books for Lovers of San Francisco </b></div><div><b> </b><br /> As mentioned above, I haven't read these, but I mean to! They seem like great additions to any San Francisco book collection.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0615912583&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a> </div><div>I just bought this book, but haven't fully explored it yet. The Amazon description says, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wildsam-Field-Guides-Francisco-American/dp/0615912583/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=wildsam+guides+sf&qid=1624579262&sr=8-1">Wildsam Field Guides: San Francisco</a> leads travelers into the most authentic experience of the California city, working closely with a team of trusted locals." <br /> <br /> <br /> </div><div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1439108242&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a><br /> </div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Season-Witch-Enchantment-Terror-Deliverance-ebook/dp/B005C6FDFY">Season of the Witch</a> has been on my Kindle for over a year, but I just haven't gotten to it yet. The Amazon description says, "Salon founder David Talbot chronicles the cultural history of San Francisco and from the late 1960s to the early 1980s when figures such as Harvey Milk, Janis Joplin, Jim Jones, and Bill Walsh helped usher from backwater city to thriving metropolis."<br /> <br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0520262506&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-City-San-Francisco-Atlas/dp/0520262506/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=infinite+city%3A+a+san+francisco+atlas&qid=1624579343&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas</a> looks like a book I could pour over for hours. The Amazon description says: "What makes a place? Rebecca Solnit’s brilliant reinvention of the traditional atlas, searches out the answer by examining the many layers of meaning in one place, the San Francisco Bay Area. Aided by artists, writers, cartographers, and twenty-two gorgeous color maps, each of which illuminates the city and its surroundings as experienced by different inhabitants, Solnit takes us on a tour that will forever change the way we think about place."<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Maybe I'll put this last one on my holiday wish list this year. ;) Happy holidays and happy reading.<br /> <br /> </div>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-48020956819365271222018-10-26T17:04:00.026-07:002020-12-12T14:22:05.712-08:00Visiting San Francisco's TEN Mosaic Stairways<div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"> San Francisco is home to TEN beautiful mosaic stairways (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1lX1mc9RqqjRpShXa3iBHbs4hEh0vt6aS&usp=sharing" target="_blank">see map here</a>), but they were all inspired by one. </span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><img alt="The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I0s2I6-8hvukFxVNYaPy9t75OdZ1gobjJyjnOf6kSufreNWhc87qdlrxnNQBEDS_v8f-Utcqun3HaO3ee5eaLLR6S5iX6PvbgMAbCNaXwIjnhocSK_kYgW9y7NK9PVklwhPCUeH-=w240-h320" style="border: medium none; transform: rotate(0rad);" title="The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps" width="240" /></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project (2005)</span></span></font><br /><div dir="ltr" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0pt;">
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></span></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="http://www.16thavenuetiledsteps.com/" target="_blank">16th Avenue Tiled Steps project</a> began in early 2003 when Sunset residents Jessie Audette and Alice Xavier decided to bring people together while beautifying their neighborhood. Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher were chosen as the project artists. The 163-step mosaic features a landscape that spans from the bottom of the ocean all the way to the sun in the sky. The inspiration for the steps came from<a href="https://freewalkertours.com/selaron-staircase/" target="_blank"> Selarón’s staircase</a>, a mosaic staircase in Rio de Janeiro named after artist Jorge Selarón. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 27, 2005–which the mayor’s office proclaimed “16th Avenue Tiled Steps Day.” </span></font><br /></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font><div dir="ltr" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Location: Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenues<br /></span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmENEVHhKV8P-saqv3zOe03Z1p-oBef67k1jBdu2mWoGN-b1gAhB810oCkiFcnE5-MNdWIJ1l6Id5dKi2qFyHHBB_KDufLI4CT0-EMrMP27l3gGSN2cY8aOhZOuJ2YftjB0PGUa04jmVav/s1600/%25232-HiddenGarden.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Hidden Garden Steps" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmENEVHhKV8P-saqv3zOe03Z1p-oBef67k1jBdu2mWoGN-b1gAhB810oCkiFcnE5-MNdWIJ1l6Id5dKi2qFyHHBB_KDufLI4CT0-EMrMP27l3gGSN2cY8aOhZOuJ2YftjB0PGUa04jmVav/w320-h213/%25232-HiddenGarden.jpg" title="The Hidden Garden Steps" width="320" /></a></b></span></font>Hidden Garden Steps (2013)</b><br /></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inspired by the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, the <br /></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">neighboring <a href="http://hiddengardensteps.org/" target="_blank">Hidden Garden Steps</a> were conceived in January 2010 and completed in November 2013. Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher were brought in again to create this 148-step mosaic depicting flora and fauna, including flowers, ferns, butterflies, and a salamander that extends up 26 stairs.<br /><b> Location: </b>15th Avenue between Kirkham and Lawton Streets</span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-qtye0hMHgLvvKcs-SIYkRrTB7iOgsFMrGd4zmNgFmmbzqWObNfBkPgiSfj1LEkg5uHHDr_oGPtKMVxhAElpq2SQJr6sCjgo7lSQHpKYO2ykFNaBSpV8ur6t_CyPy5Ur3tHN1jXYLSF0/s1600/%25234-FlightsofFancy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Fligths of Fancy Steps" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-qtye0hMHgLvvKcs-SIYkRrTB7iOgsFMrGd4zmNgFmmbzqWObNfBkPgiSfj1LEkg5uHHDr_oGPtKMVxhAElpq2SQJr6sCjgo7lSQHpKYO2ykFNaBSpV8ur6t_CyPy5Ur3tHN1jXYLSF0/w320-h213/%25234-FlightsofFancy.jpg" title="The Fligths of Fancy Steps" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Flights of Fancy Steps (2014)</span></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">Barr and Crutcher won yet another competition to design the 87-step <a href="https://inspiredimperfection.com/adventures/flights-of-fancy-staircase/" target="_blank">Flights of Fancy</a> stairway in the Bayview neighborhood. This mosaic pattern was inspired by decorative patterns from Ghanaian Adinkra cloth, Central American weaving, Middle Eastern tile and Native American pottery. This stairway is on Aurelious Walker Drive, a street named for a pastor and champion of the Bayview neighborhood.</span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Intersection of Aurelious Walker Drive and Innes Avenue</span></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lincoln Park Steps (2015) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC6oNCrdqwMfbmk1AnONSUqhF2RRHiScy9NtOL50pSKnEHlwPBawbHYZCMf-gFflgirShQZAIFbMvNRtbFhj_Bpy2-LReDPoOVD_8USTlD6oSGHhB7d7kgfkt2xmDtyVXfxjwd7BuSK_Y/s1600/%25233-LincolnPark.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Lincoln Park Steps" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC6oNCrdqwMfbmk1AnONSUqhF2RRHiScy9NtOL50pSKnEHlwPBawbHYZCMf-gFflgirShQZAIFbMvNRtbFhj_Bpy2-LReDPoOVD_8USTlD6oSGHhB7d7kgfkt2xmDtyVXfxjwd7BuSK_Y/w320-h240/%25233-LincolnPark.jpg" title="The Lincoln Park Steps" width="320" /></a></span></span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next there's the <a href="http://www.lincolnparksteps.org/" target="_blank">Lincoln Park Steps</a>, which sits alongside the Lincoln Park Golf Course. In 2007, the Friends of Lincoln Park, a neighborhood organization, began a seven-year-long renovation of the 52-step-stairway. Barr and Crutcher came back for their fourth mosaic, which was inspired by historic photographs of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/sutro-baths.htm" target="_blank">Sutro Baths</a> and buildings of the 1890 World’s Fair in San Francisco. The renovated steps debuted their new design on May, 28, 2015. </span></font><br /><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Location: 32nd Avenue between California Street and the Lincoln Park Golf Course<br /></span></font><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Quesada Gardens Tiled Steps (2016)</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs9Mf0m_cNLnhe7C9lFXLzVACaBiUTKy6V62opxvGi2yEs-eFpHyQi4oyayTElr5EJF1MhyYzFE6l2Kwpg8yzffAtLqA9IjLWgGVBRT0nxgjj4g3SnFQk0m8T6vhsmRHODMEkG8vYkFN3/s2048/IMG_7026.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Quesada Gardens Steps" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs9Mf0m_cNLnhe7C9lFXLzVACaBiUTKy6V62opxvGi2yEs-eFpHyQi4oyayTElr5EJF1MhyYzFE6l2Kwpg8yzffAtLqA9IjLWgGVBRT0nxgjj4g3SnFQk0m8T6vhsmRHODMEkG8vYkFN3/w300-h400/IMG_7026.jpg" title="The Quesada Gardens Steps" width="300" /></a></div>The Quesada Gardens initiative was designed to beautify a block of Quesada Avenue between 3rd and Newhall Streets<b>. </b></span></span></font><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Quesada Gardens Initiative (QSI) was founded in 2002 as resident-led network to </span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“build community and connect people through community-defined public art and gathering spaces, gardens, events and organizing.” QSI’s vision manifested itself on a block of Quesada Avenue between 3rd and Newhall Streets. The project includes a charming garden spanning the entirety of the block's median, a mural by</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diedre DeFraceaux with Santie Huckaby</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> situated at the north end of the block, and a tiled stairway leading up from the murall. The stairway features nearly 600 colorful ceramic tiles painted in 2007 by children living in Bayview. The tiles feature fish, flowers, trees, water, and more, and were inspired by an environmental education program led by Heidi Hardin of Think Round Inc. The tiles were finally installed in 2016 after sitting for nearly 10 years in a Quesada Gardens member's garage as the group sought funding for their installation. QSI received initial funding through a grant from the SF Community Challenge Grant program and later received a gift of DPW labor facilitated by Supervisor Malia Cohen. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Unity Plaza (2016)</b> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiZ8_B05vWPKVKlSjfkcFyY9lddx_sFwDx3-jV1K4-319vS5_4cxHu-_9AOGGU1DBQbQJUxq1mQhBxWOCId2xt9jzOuSkUu5L9lnJoTkUKQj3incBZS94nYV_3rWjnbs0VIe3Lkbn63aL/s2048/IMG_6273.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A small tiled stairway with historic black and white photos printed on it." border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="2048" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiZ8_B05vWPKVKlSjfkcFyY9lddx_sFwDx3-jV1K4-319vS5_4cxHu-_9AOGGU1DBQbQJUxq1mQhBxWOCId2xt9jzOuSkUu5L9lnJoTkUKQj3incBZS94nYV_3rWjnbs0VIe3Lkbn63aL/w320-h290/IMG_6273.jpg" title="Unity Plaza Stairs" width="320" /></a>B</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">uilt in 2016, Unity Plaza sits at the start of the Ocean Avenue business corridor, and connects Ocean Avenue with City College. When the plaza was being developed, there was a contest to name it, and Ms. Chaeneice Evans chose the winning name. </span></span><br /></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Within the plaza, the small mosaic stairway features tiles with black and white photos printed. The photos, sourced from the community, showcase glimpses of the neighborhood's people and places, including elementary school students, students at City College, a local church, the Ingleside Sundial, and more.<br /><br />Wowhaus Studios printed the images on porcelain enamel tiles and the San Francisco Arts Commission financed the project. </span></span><p></p></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Kenny Alley Steps </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>(2017)</b></span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6dS9BqYLp10UWIBApRH7JNLAINDUmT_PJ6pw6f91F9NrrOOOwCw3zJnW4OEYJUcw-JqU9XEO07iiVlHDLzm0D95H_00X12LHKh15A3AbJJ54dmrDrS4ErryI1P04ZYrWiMsR8OxWfDgH/s1600/IMG_2466.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Kenny Alley Steps" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6dS9BqYLp10UWIBApRH7JNLAINDUmT_PJ6pw6f91F9NrrOOOwCw3zJnW4OEYJUcw-JqU9XEO07iiVlHDLzm0D95H_00X12LHKh15A3AbJJ54dmrDrS4ErryI1P04ZYrWiMsR8OxWfDgH/w320-h320/IMG_2466.jpg" title="Kenny Alley Steps" width="320" /></a></b></span></b></span></b></span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kenny Alley was a forgotten stairway across the street from the Excelsior Safeway grocery store. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.eagsf.org/kenny-alley.html" target="_blank">The Kenny Alley Steps</a></span> project was started in 2016 to beautify the area and increase foot traffic to the grocery store, local businesses, and public transit.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The
design is represents flowing water and hearkens back to the time when the
Excelsior was part of a watershed. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kim Jensen, a l</span></span>ocal artist and
teacher at the City Arts & Tech High School, led the design work. And</span> another local artist, <b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt
Christenson, created a complimentary mural alongside the steps.</span></span></b></span></b></span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Location: </b>Kenny Alley is situated between France and Italy Avenues</span> </span></span> </b></span></b><br /></span></font>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuzsxCb6jZSKOYNGg-t_Qr4-StrF0lmJJHHYc2PKkDzezzFxGVNqLmUtWo_I1xqf8QKCrJqDrzccMXW6da1T2t3U01nUzcgNiE_qULkbwGh5Coihb8OhM-0wOrioDQVRak4hoxUoGSfef/s1600/IMG_9221.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Athens-Avalon Greespace Steps" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuzsxCb6jZSKOYNGg-t_Qr4-StrF0lmJJHHYc2PKkDzezzFxGVNqLmUtWo_I1xqf8QKCrJqDrzccMXW6da1T2t3U01nUzcgNiE_qULkbwGh5Coihb8OhM-0wOrioDQVRak4hoxUoGSfef/w298-h320/IMG_9221.jpg" title="The Athens-Avalon Greespace Steps" width="298" /></a></span></font></div>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Athens-Avalon Greenspace Steps (2017)</b></span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Opened in mid-2017, the <a href="http://athensavalongreenspace.org/index.html" target="_blank">Athens-Avalon Greenspace</a><b> </b>has
transformed a former undeveloped plot of land and former dumping ground
into a beautiful green space and neighborhood attraction for the
Excelsior. This stairway was a long time coming. The original idea for
improving the stairway came about in 2008 and the design was finalized
in 2010. The stairway is lined with gardens full of drought-resistant
plants and is just a few blocks away from San Francisco's second largest
park: John McLaren Park.</span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Location: </b></span></span></span></b></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Athens-Avalon Greenspace is situated at the c</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">orner of Athens Street and Avalon Avenue</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></b></span></b><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></b></span></b><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></b></span></b><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tomkins Stairs (2019)</b> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYos4W5pSu2VKEfFtYSg8J653qQxXcBWRpcVJuBwM79yViOlTpngnoLsFNvYw3dYrgTn4PyT-DWFusscsZYyyLgBx7B4RH-Enwpv_S9pepMSfr7E1n6ZWCnBUl7fSmb3_RhhN_dvMQWTIG/s1600/IMG_5849.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Tompkins Stairs" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYos4W5pSu2VKEfFtYSg8J653qQxXcBWRpcVJuBwM79yViOlTpngnoLsFNvYw3dYrgTn4PyT-DWFusscsZYyyLgBx7B4RH-Enwpv_S9pepMSfr7E1n6ZWCnBUl7fSmb3_RhhN_dvMQWTIG/w240-h320/IMG_5849.jpg" title="The Tompkins Stairs" width="240" /></a></span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Opened in spring 2019, the <a href="http://www.tompkinsstairs.org/" target="_blank">Tompkins Stairs</a> bring a vibrant splash of color to the southeast corner of Bernal Heights. The tiled stairway has a multicolored zigzag design inspired by the <a href="https://www.designboom.com/art/syrian-students-paint-the-longest-staircase-in-their-town-10-09-2013/" target="_blank">Steps to Peace</a> in Deir Atieh, Syria. It is surrounded by a drought-tolerant garden and leads people to nearby schools and the Alemany Farmers Market. </span><br /></span></font>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Location: </b></span></span></span></b></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Tompkins Stairs are on Tompkins Avenue between Nevada and Putnam Streets.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></b></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Miraloma Mosaic Stairs (2020)</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GZyb_M837tOswprqYzzEkDF5Egm4kGiQ4c-3voKi1erAZE1GObX7zMJTOxf5XxHzej8qAFI9-qinH0NR6IwejcCOofzlrM_ZovjTQtIUuHWMSj58fJtq8OavqubHqo5FpqEKE6EgbmjH/s2048/75CBBB09-D567-4F83-9FB7-6A10FA55D037.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Miraloma Mosaic Stairs" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GZyb_M837tOswprqYzzEkDF5Egm4kGiQ4c-3voKi1erAZE1GObX7zMJTOxf5XxHzej8qAFI9-qinH0NR6IwejcCOofzlrM_ZovjTQtIUuHWMSj58fJtq8OavqubHqo5FpqEKE6EgbmjH/w328-h328/75CBBB09-D567-4F83-9FB7-6A10FA55D037.jpg" title="The Miraloma Mosaic Stairs" width="328" /></a><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></b></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This cheery stairway popped onto the scene in July 2020. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It has a serene organically-inspired design featuring plants and flowers. You can easily combine a visit to this stairway with a hike in Mount Davidson, taking stairway Avoca Alley to get part of the way there. You could also head to nearby Lulu Alley, one of San Francisco's 10 or so dirt roads.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Location: </b></span></span></span></b></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bella Vista Way</span></span></span></span> across from Dorcas Way.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">W<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hich stairway is your favorite? Where would you like to see the next mosaic stairway? What would be your chosen design?</span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Updated: </b>8/4/2020</span></span></font></div><font size="3"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></font>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-51672096707736064402018-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:002018-02-09T14:36:00.761-08:00Tilden Regional Park - The Seaview and Big Springs Loop<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Distance: </b>3.6 miles<br /><b>Elevation Gain: </b>740 feet <br /><b>High Point: </b>1,630 feet <br /><b>Difficulty: </b>Moderate <br /><b>Time: </b>1 hour 15 minutes<br /><b>Fitness: </b>Walkers, hikers, runners <br /><b>Family Friendly: </b>Yes <br /><b>Dog Friendly: </b>Yes, off-leash walking is permitted.<br /><b>Amenities: </b>Picnic
benches and a portapotty are available at the Quarry Picnic area where
the hike starts and ends. A few other benches are found along the trail.<br /><b>Contact:</b> East Bay Regional Park District <br /><b>GPS:</b> </span></span></span></span><span class="coordinatetxt" id="dms-lat">37° 54' 1.4868'' N</span>
<span class="coordinatetxt" id="dms-lng">122° 15' 0.2952'' W</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Map to: </b>Quarry Picnic Site, Wildcat Canyon Road, Berkeley, CA </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Strava Route: </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1378805274</span><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>About Tilden Regional Park:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once Ohlone ancestral land, this area then was used by the Spanish and then Mexicans who began ranching here. Americans continued the ranching tradition and eucalyptus forests were planted around 1910 by </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frank C. Havens' Eucalyptus, Mahogany, & Land Company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tilden </span>Regional Park became a </span>park </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on July 16, 1936 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and was named for Charles Lee (1857-1950), an attorney and businessman. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the 1930s, he championed the creation of a system of regional parks, and became the first president of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2,079-acre park has almost 40 miles of trails, some of which allow not only just hikers, but bikers, and horses, too. (Dogs are allowed off-leash on all trails, but are <i>not </i>allowed in Tilden Nature Area.) Tilden also features a number of other attractions including a steam train, a botanic garden, an antique merry-go-round, an entertainment space called The Brazilian Room, and an 18-hole golf course. The park is situated just south of the Tilden Nature Area, a separate 740-acre park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seaview and Big Springs Loop reminds me of the three bears in Goldilocks—and not just because you can see part of the much-loved "Three Bears" biking route from the trail—it's because in many aspects it's "just right". It's short, but moderate. It includes both open meadows and periods of shade and trees. It climbs enough to give you views of San Francisco, the bay, the San Pablo Reservoir, but it doesn't tire you out too much.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFAPUdQOJjjxrCAAtfdwsFt1B1GuVuCIZHTefsi9TDBNQjRLsTqL_vrnK3SZ_mmm7WN8yOGGP0zW6Ue0cVOsByB3m8vOS8i-qcv107CiTLa-QaOmt6_j6PMcVycqt6NsQwUsYycE4ydX7/s1600/TildenRouteMap.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="945" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFAPUdQOJjjxrCAAtfdwsFt1B1GuVuCIZHTefsi9TDBNQjRLsTqL_vrnK3SZ_mmm7WN8yOGGP0zW6Ue0cVOsByB3m8vOS8i-qcv107CiTLa-QaOmt6_j6PMcVycqt6NsQwUsYycE4ydX7/s640/TildenRouteMap.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Route overview</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Get Moving:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Locate the trailhead for the Quarry Trail in the back of the Quarry Picnic Site. Turn left to follow the trail uphill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 0.1 miles, reach a junction with the Seaview Trail. Stay straight here and continue uphill. After 0.3 miles total, you'll see a singletrack trail on your right, the Big Springs Trail. Stay on the Seaview Trail here, but you'll be on the Big Springs trail later on on this route.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Even though you haven't climbed very far yet, if you turn around, you should already see great views of the San Francisco skyline. Continue to follow the trail. It will be tree-lined and shaded, which will make the climb nice during summer. If you look left as you climb, you'll eventually see the San Pablo Reservoir.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtskvC1Xal9N_dMLQDMiiEKMIp-xnPYDn1sqpGs2vIuQR4EjJ3o56rDt84RfgU8NkQI9spNSt30_k4-6BjeGev6byEP7MEzsRKQSGRWxJDf2URRXqoTNDuTlCtXm3DHxukoh_m5_3ysoi/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtskvC1Xal9N_dMLQDMiiEKMIp-xnPYDn1sqpGs2vIuQR4EjJ3o56rDt84RfgU8NkQI9spNSt30_k4-6BjeGev6byEP7MEzsRKQSGRWxJDf2URRXqoTNDuTlCtXm3DHxukoh_m5_3ysoi/s640/IMG_1166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">San Pablo and Briones Reservoirs</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 1.1 miles total, reach a low concrete wall in the shape of a circle. There is a bench here and in front of the bench is a small stone inth. At this stage, you're at 1,600 feet of elevation—almost at the high point of this hike. This—and the views of the San Francisco skyline and bay make this a perfect spot to rest and take in the views.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7AIf0LjVjQw9ot0rBVKZQFrsViRVn6AeiVSJEVQIvZE5CMc15Ug3Cdzr9gDPxbNU76wkIeCb4TMS2l8uJTpVr-CUJvgaCPFz7ozgKThMlZtAN0PcTAswpM7L7qeVGihPogPTOca9Ec-x/s1600/IMG_1162.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7AIf0LjVjQw9ot0rBVKZQFrsViRVn6AeiVSJEVQIvZE5CMc15Ug3Cdzr9gDPxbNU76wkIeCb4TMS2l8uJTpVr-CUJvgaCPFz7ozgKThMlZtAN0PcTAswpM7L7qeVGihPogPTOca9Ec-x/s640/IMG_1162.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Overlook. A good place to rest and check out the views.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hE_qj1mbl1Ai4dNuCsV7QipTunI8MO8w3XcYJrkC8KwZn-35sLOe1gxhZHm35_Q3lJJihttGE_0inuFfQ7XTgvmY8iGkaLHdBYEc6QXLQi86khBy6ukI47XzDYcsPr2L_cVxcSDaQ3fx/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hE_qj1mbl1Ai4dNuCsV7QipTunI8MO8w3XcYJrkC8KwZn-35sLOe1gxhZHm35_Q3lJJihttGE_0inuFfQ7XTgvmY8iGkaLHdBYEc6QXLQi86khBy6ukI47XzDYcsPr2L_cVxcSDaQ3fx/s640/IMG_1163.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small labyrinth has great views of San Francisco and the bay.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trail's elevation tops out at 1.2 miles where you'll find another bench overlooking the bay. You should also be able to see both the San Pablo and Briones Reservoirs on your left as well as Mt. Diablo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From here (despite one small climb of 20 or so feet), you start a long descent. At 1.6 miles, you'll reach a trail marker where you turn right on the Upper Big Springs Trail (the other way is a continuation of the Seaview Trail that is also part of the: East Bay Skyline Trail, the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the American Discovery Trail, and the</span><a href="https://mc2ct.org/" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail</u>.</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the next 0.7 miles, you continue to descend, losing 400 feet in elevation. Here you arrive at briefly at South Park Drive, a road with a few parking spaces along it. Continue along the side of the parking area. As the parking area ends, pick up the Lower Big Springs Trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In less than 0.1 mile, you reach a junction with the Quarry Trail. Stay right to head slightly uphill on the Lower Big Springs Trail. As you climb, you'll go through some eucalyptus groves and start to get views of Mt. Tamalpais and eventually the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco's Sutro Tower and the Salesforce Tower.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This climb will take you 0.7 miles to 3.1 miles total, at which point you cross the Quarry Trail again. Here, turn left to take the Quarry Trail downhill a final 0.4 miles back to the start.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go Farther</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out the nearby <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden/tna" target="_blank">Tilden Nature Area</a>.</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
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<br />Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0780 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Berkeley, CA 94708, USA37.9004158 -122.2500817999999812.586248799999996 -163.55867579999997 63.2145828 -80.941487799999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-84234385055779417732018-01-19T08:33:00.000-08:002018-01-19T08:33:43.560-08:00Wildcat Canyon - Exploring the trails of the dog-friendly East Bay<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Distance: </b>6.8 miles<br /><b>Elevation Gain:</b> 1,055 <abbr class="unit" title="feet"></abbr>feet<br /><b>High Point:</b> 1060 feet<br /><b>Difficulty:</b> Moderate to Challenging<br /><b>Time: </b>2 hours 45 minutes<br /><b>Fitness:</b> Walkers, hikers, runners<br /><b>Family Friendly:</b> Parents with small children can do an out-and-back on the Wildcat Canyon Trail for an easier hike.<br /><b>Dog Friendly: </b>Off-leash; on-leash walking on Nimitz Way. Watch out for coyotes if you have a small dog.<br /><b>Amenities: </b>Porta potties and picnic area at in the Alvarado Staging Area; picnic area; a few benches along the trail.<br /><b>Contact:</b> East Bay Regional Park District <br /><b>GPS:</b> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">37° 57' 7.2396'' N </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">122° 19' 6.3912'' W</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Map to:</b> Alvarado Staging Area, Park Avenue, Richmond, CA</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Strava Route: </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.strava.com/activities/1360164196</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>About Wildcat Canyon:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Covering 2,427 acres, Wildcat Canyon is a popular destination for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, horseback riders—and wildlife. The park houses a wide range of animals including, but not limited to: deer, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, and snakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until the 1920s, Wildcat Canyon was a water source for the East Bay, but in 1935, the East Bay Regional Park District began acquiring this land as parkland. Alvarado Park—the northern section of Wildcat Canyon where this hike starts—used to be a private park, and was taken over by the City of Richmond in 1923. It was once home to an open-air pavilion, a dance hall (later converted into a roller rink), and the Grande Vista Sanitarium, a center for people struggling with addiction and other mental health issues. Wildcat Canyon contains WPA-era stone masonry work, which has earned the park a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. It was transferred to the East Bay Regional Park District in 1985..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The featured route starts out slowly, but builds to be much more interesting as it goes along. From the wide fire trails of the Wildcat Creek Trail, you’ll take the single track Havey Canyon Trail to enjoy a tree-lined ascent. After a short stint on paved Nimitz Way, you arrive at the San Pablo Ridge Trail, where you’ll take in views of Mount Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, the San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This hike is pretty in the winter after a rain when the grass on the hills is green (though the trails can be muddy). In spring, with good timing, you can expect to see a number of wildflower species. In summer, expect to be hot and bring enough water to last you 6.8 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzASUrZGIKKpD_-oodGGAiwaXbeoYZ_orTbDg6y8e3Q0eFTNIDhDYULcYWNlaaLl5DvFO6X2dDocQOr3MggyIJymHtL9ojfYuQ-0rn6xeuEapBdbTFDKVVkiCPVaPNzWsLlkJyfB0MR7t0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-18+at+10.39.06+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzASUrZGIKKpD_-oodGGAiwaXbeoYZ_orTbDg6y8e3Q0eFTNIDhDYULcYWNlaaLl5DvFO6X2dDocQOr3MggyIJymHtL9ojfYuQ-0rn6xeuEapBdbTFDKVVkiCPVaPNzWsLlkJyfB0MR7t0/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-01-18+at+10.39.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Route Map</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Get Moving:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pick up the Wildcat Creek Trail from the Alvarado Staging Area parking lot at the end of Park Avenue in Richmond. <br /><br />After 0.2 miles, you'll see a junction on the left for the Belgium Trail. Stay straight on the Wildcat Creek Trail, but you'll come back to this trail later. Continue on the wide paved and then dirt trail. If you're treading quietly, you may hear Wildcat Creek below you to your right. At 1.8, 1.9 miles, and 2.0 miles, you'll pass the Mezue and Leonards Trails to your left and then Rifle Range Road to your right. At the intersection with Rifle Range Road, take a quick detour to your right to see a WPA-era stone arch bridge across Wildcat Creek.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSE-vRYpS3fwu3ds1BDwutGxnDvHS799e8YVQRkb7WPO5eIbvQAQIV8t1khMu3myFy_AW6tJRC_XDJUlpJ1qmPBAwNxbppV-GteHSYs8LnWKlnOQs2rK7WsYbtW1-KDEqTo1xl1Vqb7vZ/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSE-vRYpS3fwu3ds1BDwutGxnDvHS799e8YVQRkb7WPO5eIbvQAQIV8t1khMu3myFy_AW6tJRC_XDJUlpJ1qmPBAwNxbppV-GteHSYs8LnWKlnOQs2rK7WsYbtW1-KDEqTo1xl1Vqb7vZ/s400/IMG_0991.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remain on the Wildcat Canyon Trail for 0.1 more mile until you reach a junction with the Havey Canyon Trail on your left. Take that left and stay on the Havey Canyon Trail for 1.5 miles, during which time you'll climb 540 feet. For the first mile of this singletrack trail, you'll enjoy a wooded area lined with bay laurel trees, blackberry, and poison oak. For most of this time, the creek is on your left, but at 2.7 miles total, you'll cross the creek for the last time on this route. At 3.1 miles total, you emerge from the woods and enter a grassy area that you'll stay on for the next 0.5 miles. When I hiked this route, my hike, I saw a number of cows on this stretch—and coyotes. While this area is off-leash for dogs, I kept my dog close here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 3.6 miles total, you'll reach paved Nimitz Way (where you'll have to put your dog on leash temporarily). </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nimitz Way is named for Chester William Nimitz, Sr. an admiral in the United States Navy who was </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet in World War II. You'll stay on Nimitz way for 0.4 miles, and during this time you'll climb an additional 100 feet. Above you on the hill to your right is a former Nike Missile site, and as you pass this site, you can start to see Mount Diablo to the southeast and the Golden Gate Bridge to the southwest across the bay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 4.1 miles total, you reach the San Pablo Ridge Trail. For me, this 1.5 mile stretch of trail is the highlight of this hike. Though you've already done most of the climbing on this route, you still have to contend with a few rolling hills on this section. Here you'll also get more views of Mount Diablo and then San Francisco.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 4.5 miles you reach your highest point on the hike—1055 feet. And at 4.9 miles, you climb to a last hill before starting a 400 foot descent to reach the Belgum Trail at 5.6 miles total.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow the Belgum Trail 0.9 miles—all the way down back to the Wildcat Canyon Trail. Along your way, you'll pass the Clark-Boas Trail and the Monte Cresta Trail on your right, but stay straight. For the first 0.3 miles of this trail, you'll encounter the last incline of this route. And 0.4 miles into your route, head off the trail just for a moment at 6.0 miles total to stop at a bench and get great views of San Francisco.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A room with a view:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Belgum Trail is named for the Belgum—or Grande Vista Sanitarium, which stood here from 1914-1977. Founded by Dr. Hendrik Belgium, the sanitarium housed drug and alcohol addicts as well as people with mental health issues. You'll know you're entering the sanitarium's former grounds when you suddenly see palm trees along the route. Dr. Belgum perished in a fire that raged through the center in 1948. After his passing, his brother, Bernard Belgum and sisters, Ida Belgum, Ruth Belgu, and Christine Heiman tended to the estate—though they had no medical training. Bernard Belgum died in 1963 and there were no heirs to inherit Grande Vista. The grounds were abandoned and the rest of the buildings were burned down in 1977. In 1978, the East Bay Regional Park District acquired the land. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_______________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stay on the Belgum Trail until 6.5 miles total. Then, once back at the Wildcat Canyon Trail, turn right and continue the final 0.3 miles back to the start.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com2Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, 5755 McBryde Ave, Richmond, CA 94806, USA37.9380049 -122.2892431999999937.8877924 -122.36992419999999 37.9882174 -122.20856219999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-37505784687767769352017-11-21T22:05:00.001-08:002017-11-21T22:05:38.588-08:00Urban Hiker SF's 2017 Holiday Gift Guide<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The holidays can be fun—or stressful—if you're trying to pick out the perfect gift for a loved one. To make your job a little easier, we at <a href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com/" target="_blank">Urban Hiker SF</a> have compiled a list of gifts for your favorite urban explorers. These are my own personal recommendations and are not sponsored by these companies. I've organized this list into a few categories: fitness trackers, hiking gear, clothing, books, and misc. in case you want to scroll down to the category that's most relevant for what you're looking for.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>FITNESS TRACKERS</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W9MN1BF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06W9MN1BF&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=e46d6b59afe434bccf10c59f1d64861b" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B06W9MN1BF&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fitbit:</b> I wear a <a href="http://www.fitbit.com/" target="_blank">Fitbit</a> every day and love how it tracks my sleep, measures my heart rate, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reminds me to move, and lets me use the Fitbit app to enter friendly competitions with friends (or solo). Though it's one of the more expensive models, I wear and recommend the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W9MN1BF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06W9MN1BF&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=b126e650b4c2ab1f8518667c361d3b78" target="_blank">Alta HR</a> because I love seeing how my resting heart rate goes down after a few days of activity or how the amount of sleep I get affects my mood for the rest of the day.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><b style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01CHZWCYM&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></b>Amazfit: </b>If y</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ou're looking for a tracker that doesn't look like a fitness tracker, some people (including my mom!) prefer the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://us.amazfit.com/shop/equator?variant=45" target="_blank">Amazfit Equator</a>, which looks like an design-y bracelet. It doesn't have a display, but you can always open up the Amazfit app to track your progress.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01CHZWCYM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7688578828133219279" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>HIKING GEA<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">R/SUPPLIES</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FX2JCU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B013FX2JCU&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=a774fe324e2a0432c4cadb16681c4fad" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B013FX2JCU&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="136" /></a></span></span>Backpack: </b>Every hiker needs a good backpack, and I have an older version of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FX2JCU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B013FX2JCU&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=47e0ae5bcd2cc0556235c6d30d13f1bb" target="_blank">Deuter Speed Lite</a>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The backpack has two easy-to-reach pockets for water bottles on each side as well as another easily-accessible top zip-up pocket where I store my wallet and phone. The pack is light enough to carry for long hikes but large enough to fit layers, snacks, and anything I'd need for a full day of hiking.<b> </b>Another great thing is that it has a special pocket for a hydration reservoir (see below) and a drink tube holder on one of the backpack straps for easy drinking access.<br /><b></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5IADN6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F5IADN6&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=41f0d737a173596793d7f0e552041f94" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00F5IADN6&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hydration reservoir: </b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00F5IADN6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're going on a lo</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">nger hike, you will need a good </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hydration-system.html" target="_blank">hydration reservoir</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
I have a three-liter one as I know I never want to run out of water on the
trail. Three-liter reservoirs are common and there's a wide selection of them <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=node%3D2204506011&field-keywords=hydration+reservoir&rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A706814011%2Cn%3A3400371%2Cn%3A2204506011%2Ck%3Ahydration+reservoir" target="_blank">here</a>. I've got <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5IADN6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F5IADN6&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=fc9e2533e905b4087ab69a5be4f604d5" target="_blank">this one from Platypus</a> and it works great for me.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UAJ0Z3I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00UAJ0Z3I&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=e62c3b5a79bb048c51fecb52eabe8f13" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00UAJ0Z3I&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Headlamps:</span></b> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Headlamps let you keep the urban exploring going long after sundown. I have this basic <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UAJ0Z3I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00UAJ0Z3I&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=10e4fdd63225db0780aefc976cdec553" target="_blank">Petzl model</a>, which <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for </span></span>hiking and camping. When buying a headlamp, just make sure you get one with >50 lumens,
so it's bright enough to see <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on</span> the darkest nights. If you want a
detailed buying guide for headlamps, check out <a href="http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/headlamp.html" target="_blank">this one</a> from REI.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CGSQZ70/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01CGSQZ70&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=e77702a061d55a054c8e6acef0e9abd7" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01CGSQZ70&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hiking Poles: </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hiking or trekking poles are great for a <a href="http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/a/11089/Ten-Reasons-for-Trekking-Poles" target="_blank">number of reasons</a>, including reducing the impact </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">of </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">hiking on your body. They can also propel you forward and </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">can </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">be a big help on hills. </span>I personally like adjustable, collapsable poles, so you can stow them in your <span style="font-size: small;">backpack
when you're not using them. And while so<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">me people swear by anti-shock
hiking poles, they can be significantly heavier than regular poles and
therefore<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> not</span> ideal for longer routes. Again, check the <a href="http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/trekking-poles-hiking-staffs.html" target="_blank">REI guide</a> for more details.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't necessarily have a recommendation here, but here is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CGSQZ70/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01CGSQZ70&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=9f841610a86892fd08e5758669d01314" target="_blank">Amazon's pick for poles</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E5YFAMO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01E5YFAMO&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=a92c943d751a57cceb20ec891a7ff28a" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01E5YFAMO&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Tecnu: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to the <a href="http://www.americanskin.org/resource/poisonivy.php" target="_blank">American Skin Association</a>, 85% of the population is allergic </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">poison
ivy, oak, and sumac—and 10-15% is extremely allergic. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
great thing is that you can prevent reactions from these plants even
after exposure with something called Tecnu. This product wipes away the </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="_Tgc">urushiol oil that causes the reaction, and keeps you away from annoying (and potential harmful) rashes. </span>I buy 50-packs of the stuff like this: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E5YFAMO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01E5YFAMO&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=68b0870596c63872ec66beb9bbe97e7e" target="_blank">Tecnu Oak-n-Ivy Cleanser, Box of 50 0.5 oz. Packets</a> and throw a few packs in my bag before every hike.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CLOTHING </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clothing is very personal, so I'm just offering two ideas here that should work for most people.<b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F8DXGO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001F8DXGO&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=c2559d040c5ce5403810da36c097882c" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B001F8DXGO&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wool arm warmers:</b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B001F8DXGO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I discovered <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F8DXGO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001F8DXGO&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=53a56490f5974a0b58e3313351f0b6bb" target="_blank">wool arm warmers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B001F8DXGO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> when I was more of a biker than a hiker. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I don't understand why more hikers don't wear these. I much prefer putting on and taking off these than wearing a long-sleeved shirt. If you live in a warmer climate, you can always opt for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S9QFU7U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00S9QFU7U&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=299b6000b3e30593796887d9b2afad81" target="_blank">fleece arm warmers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00S9QFU7U" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> instead of wool ones.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C2THAIQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01C2THAIQ&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=e723894d4da70af4c40f50f67da9b88a" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01C2THAIQ&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="127" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Scarf with built-in insect repellent</b>:<b> </b>I am lucky—when I'm in </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the outdoors, mosquitos leave me alone. But I know most aren't so lucky. I don't personally <i>need</i> this item, but received one for free, and I just love it because it's really cute! The clothing includes Insect Shield® repellant and you can even <a href="https://www.insectshield.com/FAQ.aspx" target="_blank">wash it up to 25 times</a>.</span></span></span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01C2THAIQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07649D5WK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07649D5WK&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=c0496b6a8014c632c985d0b484aa2db6" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07649D5WK&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="200" /></a></span>Urban Hiker SF T-Shirts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We created a new line of <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=w_bl_sl_s_ap_web_7141123011?ie=UTF8&node=7141123011&field-brandtextbin=Urban+Hiker+SF" href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=w_bl_sl_s_ap_web_7141123011?ie=UTF8&node=7141123011&field-brandtextbin=Urban+Hiker+SF" target="_blank">urban hiking-themed t-shirts</a> that help you show off your love of SF. T-shirts either feature our logo or our favorite SF landmark, Sutro Tower.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>BOOKS</b></span></span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899977499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0899977499&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=ed5da8161d4842a9c4a802dfc87a3362" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0899977499&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="129" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0899977499" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899977499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0899977499&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=d1a9b3dea38b556a4ff58f8530a38858" target="_blank">Stairway Walks in San Francisco</a>. My dad bought me this book when I moved to San Francisco 10 years ago, so for me, this is the quintessential urban exploring book for our city. The fact that this book is in its eighth edition is a testament to its enduring success. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1680510207/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1680510207&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=d661b4a414ef1288740072ca6101a921" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1680510207&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="114" /></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And of course I need to suggest my book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1680510207/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1680510207&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=e825fd925cd4e66853332fe56ea73057" target="_blank">Urban Trails: San Francisco</a>! If you want to explore not just stairways, but also the 70 miles of hiking trails that San Francisco has to offer, this is a great book for you. The book includes 50 different routes, 40 right in the city, 6 north of the city, and 4 south of the city.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3954516098/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=3954516098&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=250a2b78a3fa2226a5a093b7af4b1dac" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=3954516098&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=urbanhikersf-20" width="132" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be fair, I do not have this book yet: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3954516098/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=3954516098&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanhikersf-20&linkId=4983e4f4ec542b181c060f43634a47c4" target="_blank">111 Places in San Francisco That You Must Not Miss</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=urbanhikersf-20&l=am2&o=1&a=3954516098" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, but I've been intrigued by its title and think this could be fun for people </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">new </span>to the city as well as seasoned veterans who are looking for new things to do.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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I'm going to stop here with the books, but could mention so many more! Maybe I'll do a whole post on books for urban explorers. :)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
MISC.</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><b>
</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_82JQDHFl_q4hOyhEmNf2mTW8qY44J44v_duYJq5mvAUWUNY9DZMYieOYNOzOXk5Zkw1Kl8vmNMfmDFnAj1HOiFIbOAzfUA5KytlCdz380r0z_zNRljUSRl_2EJf3c9Qaj5hnKEHnnXN/s1600/1507619508-logo+300+x+300.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_82JQDHFl_q4hOyhEmNf2mTW8qY44J44v_duYJq5mvAUWUNY9DZMYieOYNOzOXk5Zkw1Kl8vmNMfmDFnAj1HOiFIbOAzfUA5KytlCdz380r0z_zNRljUSRl_2EJf3c9Qaj5hnKEHnnXN/s200/1507619508-logo+300+x+300.png" width="188" /></a>365 Mile Challenge:</b> This year I joined the <a href="http://www.365milechallenge.org/" target="_blank">365 Mile Challenge</a>, an online community (run </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on facebook/over email) where the goal is for everyone to strive for 365 self-powered miles in one year. As someone who runs a hiking company, I knew I'd hit 365 miles, but I joined anyway to meet other hikers. The community is well-run and has lots of giveaways too for hiking gear. I ended up winning a swag bag with probably $200+ worth of stuff! You can <a href="http://www.365milechallenge.org/" target="_blank">sign up to be notified when 2018 registration opens</a>. I gave this to myself this year and it was a blast to be a member. While anyone can join, I'd say 99% of the people in the group are women. For people looking for more of a challenge, it looks like there is a <a href="https://www.1000milechallenge.com/#!/" target="_blank">1,000 mile challenge</a> too (run by another group)!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Urban Hiker SF Gift Certificate<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gift Certificates are available on the <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com/book" href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com/book" target="_blank">Gifts & Merch</a> page of our website. Gift certificates are sent to your recipient—or you—instantly, so they're great for even the most last minute of shoppers. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you've en<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">joyed this <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">holid<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ay gift rou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ndup for hikers. Happy <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trails and H<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">appy Holidays from <a href="http://www.urbanhikersf.com/" target="_blank">Urban Hiker SF</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-47717768669182092682017-10-31T15:07:00.000-07:002017-11-11T11:57:21.686-08:00Mt. Umunhum—Open to the Public at Last<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At a book signing for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trails-Francisco-Presidio-Stairways/dp/1680510207" target="_blank">Urban Trails San Francisco</a> in early 2017, an attendee asked me if I </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">had heard of Mt. Umunhum. Um...unhum? Um...no.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had done a fair bit of hiking in the Bay Area to research and write my book, so I was perplexed as to why I hadn't heard about this mountain. When I returned home, I Googled it and realized that Mt. Umunhum had been closed to the public since 1958. Lucky for me, it was set to re-open in September 2017. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Gl7NzwBSgngGGARu4-YhuvZa0RZw47n_fX0zZ3nV7RGgsBknI5NkeTfz3Ac9oMjMUxba2t0bmKhX_BpYfOJzlt7EASm7jJI84XhMNemxbH5QuarclaK0BRBYucyvYyqGPDm8Tydwkzdu/s1600/IMG_2599.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Gl7NzwBSgngGGARu4-YhuvZa0RZw47n_fX0zZ3nV7RGgsBknI5NkeTfz3Ac9oMjMUxba2t0bmKhX_BpYfOJzlt7EASm7jJI84XhMNemxbH5QuarclaK0BRBYucyvYyqGPDm8Tydwkzdu/s400/IMG_2599.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Silicon Valley is somewhere there under the clouds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resting Place of the Hummingbird</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That gave me some time to learn more about this place. At 3,486 feet, Mt. Umunhum is the fourth highest peak in the Santa Cruz mountains and the highest point on the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=bay+area+ridge+trail&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8" target="_blank">Bay Area Ridge Trail</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mountain's name means "resting place of the hummingbird" in the Ohlone language. In fact, at one time, this was a large Native American population centers—with 70 diverse tribal units.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a timeline of what happened to the mountain since then: </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mid-1800s: </b>the area was part of a nearby mining operation.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1870s: </b>German and Austrian immigrants poured into the area to escape the Franco-Prussian War.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1957-1980: </b>The US government built and operated the Almaden Air Force Station here. It was part of a network of radar stations used to watch over the area during the Cold War. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1986: </b><a href="https://www.openspace.org/" target="_blank">Midpeninsula Regional Open Space</a> bought the land for $260,000.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2009: </b>Federal funding helps restore the peak.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2014: </b>Santa Clara County Measure AA provided funding to complete road and trail improvements, parking areas, and weather shelters.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>September 2017: </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mt. Umunhum opens to the public!</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So finally...after months of waiting...not long compared to the years others have waited...</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got to hike Mt. Umunhum this past weekend. Here's a bit more about my hike:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About the hike</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Distance: </b>8.4 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Elevation: </b>1,401</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Difficulty: </b>Challenging according to <a href="http://www.nwhiker.com/HikeEval.html" target="_blank">this calculator</a>, but I felt it was moderate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Trail type:</b> Multi-use (we saw a fair # of mountain bikers on the trail)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dogs allowed:</b> No :(</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Route:</b> https://www.strava.com/activities/1253931464</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Official Map:</b> https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_SA.pdf </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We started our hike in the Mount Umunhum Summit Parking Area at the end of Mt. Umunhum Road. We had initially planned to park in the Bald Mountain Parking Area lower down on Mt. Umunhum Road, but all 20 or so parking spots were already taken by the time we got there....at 9:30 am. So off to the summit we went. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpZD2pbGJUU1nV2xWzPTcZcIphH4Ktd6ApwixdruA2L95lkJaE4g8u0NaFY61CLxsdQ243vJO5YslKgnbhyIomOnMFXae32EVYztsEdQahoaXDlzE-a37MRHAYJ5ynt4_KXEigu4cyqXQ/s1600/IMG_2589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpZD2pbGJUU1nV2xWzPTcZcIphH4Ktd6ApwixdruA2L95lkJaE4g8u0NaFY61CLxsdQ243vJO5YslKgnbhyIomOnMFXae32EVYztsEdQahoaXDlzE-a37MRHAYJ5ynt4_KXEigu4cyqXQ/s640/IMG_2589.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Summit Parking Area</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The summit parking lot offers some nice views of Silicon Valley below. Once you've explored those views, climb 159 stairs to the actual summit. There, you find "<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mt-umunhum-cube" target="_blank">The Cube</a>" a Cold War era radio building. Behind the cube, you'll find the start of the Mt. Umunhum Trail. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqjnhNF_HhqxK6JGnDMsJDxk0V9kAlVZAIC8F546yofV4krmMpPI1QPyypnYlMsk_vPkV9qGYVrc4r4m22SRCpoKW0LWPt3l4ngAvAbr0mdSHhhOSJK4FqxFksBhHjvCAcsUjlrd58PlN/s1600/IMG_2595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqjnhNF_HhqxK6JGnDMsJDxk0V9kAlVZAIC8F546yofV4krmMpPI1QPyypnYlMsk_vPkV9qGYVrc4r4m22SRCpoKW0LWPt3l4ngAvAbr0mdSHhhOSJK4FqxFksBhHjvCAcsUjlrd58PlN/s640/IMG_2595.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Cube</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trail is in good condition and is wide enough to walk two abreast. It has some overlooks with views of the valley below, but is mainly wooded and surrounded by trees. It took us about 1.25 hours to get back to the Bald Mountain Parking Area where we originally tried to park. We stopped in the parking area to take a quick lunch break and then headed uphill. Our return trip took about 1.5 hours. While I was scared about doing the uphill with 4 miles already in my legs, the grade is gentile with 350 feet of elevation each mile.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Parting thoughts</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, I enjoyed this hike and am glad we did it. I wanted to make sure I saw this peak for its significance for the area, but I might not drive 3 hours each weekend to do this unless it's a spectacularly clear day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up for a visit? Visit the <a href="https://www.openspace.org/mount-umunhum-sierra-azul" target="_blank">Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve</a> website for park hours, directions, and info on an audio tour.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span>
Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Mt Umunhum, California 95120, USA37.1605016 -121.8985665999999811.837682600000004 -163.20716059999998 62.4833206 -80.589972599999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-37071422021990621762017-10-22T11:09:00.009-07:002020-09-12T14:23:06.300-07:00Two Great Hikes Near Cavallo Point and Fort Baker<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">L<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">ast year, I
went to a wedding reception at the <a href="http://www.cavallopoint.com/" target="_blank">Cavallo Point Lodge</a> and my boyfriend
and I decided to spend the night there. The morning after the reception,
we wanted to take advantage of our location and get some exercise, so
we decided to explore some local trails. I revisited these trails again
recently and wanted to write about them so you can take advantage of
them, too.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Hike 1: Cavallo Point Loop</b></span><br /></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1.9 miles, 300 feet elevation gain</span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1039600861" target="_blank">Shortened version on the trail on Relive </a> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.strava.com/routes/2739971103723182716 " target="_blank">Strava route</a> to download or duplicate</span></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">From
outside the hotel’s main building (where the valet stand is) walk
diagonally across the large lawn to reach the intersection of Murray
Circle and Center Road. There you'll see a (small) trail sign for the
Bay Trail. Head straight here onto Moore Road and then take your first
left onto Sommerville Street. Start walking along Horseshoe Bay. </span><br />
<br />
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">When
you reach the Presidio Yacht Club after about 0.1 mile, take a wood
walkway in front of the building. Then continue walking along the bay
through a parking lot, and at the end of the parking lot, take a dirt
path on your left near point Cavallo that leads to a stairway up Battery Yates. Walk on a
path along the battery, and then at the other end of the battery, climb down a
few stairs.<br /> <br /></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQaD8rt-e4ouOMBsi5aAyslekbQ9eyPg8wSEps87U6WLe-Gg6gPcSjUjo9pcbqQkJdds3_1axA5u_6DHKaSoejteNMZeEl2fNysnrS1C7jKKQ-VM8cCLMWyURZ-5xt_O8M5M3AlFm2m9H/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-19+at+6.31.13+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQaD8rt-e4ouOMBsi5aAyslekbQ9eyPg8wSEps87U6WLe-Gg6gPcSjUjo9pcbqQkJdds3_1axA5u_6DHKaSoejteNMZeEl2fNysnrS1C7jKKQ-VM8cCLMWyURZ-5xt_O8M5M3AlFm2m9H/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-10-19+at+6.31.13+PM.png" width="291" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Here's where the path gets tricky!</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Pick up a wide dirt path and turn on narrow path to
your right (see below: you probably won't think this is a trail). This
narrow path will take you to a wide dirt area (see below). Walk to the
back of the wide dirt area and look for a narrow (often overgrown) path
that takes you up stairway and then to East Road (no sign).</span><br />
</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Across
East Road and to the left is a trail sign for the Drown Road Trail.
Continue uphill for 0.6 miles on this trail. The first 0.4 miles will
mainly be in eucalyptus groves and the last 0.2 miles are exposed.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<br />
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNb7xW2K6zmg73X0GcoaqWqSx6t-qPwGZUBXCSv8JJyEzpCSilrzogK83vYnPfNdosEeBUiVkUpjZMbtXjyoDI4Zwe9wWxzMpuU08pYq1RJkmTwdrxFXzxId2SglY1Iugc6AcSXEMJG4w/s1600/IMG_2228.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNb7xW2K6zmg73X0GcoaqWqSx6t-qPwGZUBXCSv8JJyEzpCSilrzogK83vYnPfNdosEeBUiVkUpjZMbtXjyoDI4Zwe9wWxzMpuU08pYq1RJkmTwdrxFXzxId2SglY1Iugc6AcSXEMJG4w/w625-h416/IMG_2228.jpg" width="625" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Eucalpytus trees on the Drown Road Trail</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<br />
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrJiflpWK6rirf-a5iTHgWxdHaR22QsrAtfocwGP3SL7nKMrXuWteZv9-VJ1S1Tla_vOC-hQS7yrlPNso4DTHCo9ZsL4yzuijIwzfRdImYVansPST6W8h0IljnX1ov8760WW9lhbyZoOB/s1600/IMG_2231.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrJiflpWK6rirf-a5iTHgWxdHaR22QsrAtfocwGP3SL7nKMrXuWteZv9-VJ1S1Tla_vOC-hQS7yrlPNso4DTHCo9ZsL4yzuijIwzfRdImYVansPST6W8h0IljnX1ov8760WW9lhbyZoOB/w625-h416/IMG_2231.jpg" width="625" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">View of Fort Baker and the GGB from the Drown Road Trail</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">After
this, you'll see the Chapel Steps Trail on your left. Follow this trail
for a short 0.1 miles to a flight of stairs that leads you by the
Mission Blue Chapel. Continue on the trail until it ends at the
intersection of Merrill Street and Settler Road. Take Settler Road and
then take your first left on Kober Street (no sign). You know you're on
the right street when you see the large lawn peeking into view. Turn
left onto Murray Circle to finish your hike.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b>Hike 2: Slacker Hill</b><br /></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">3.5-5.4 miles, 900-1,100 feet elevation gain</span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1039600877" target="_blank">View on the trail on Relive </a></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1039600877" target="_blank">Strava route</a> to download or duplicate</span></span> <br /></span></span></span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">If
you have access to a car or the hotel shuttle, you can do the shorter
version of this hike (seen in linked Relive video above), which starts
at the North Tower Golden Gate Parking area. If not, you'll have to
climb Conzelman Road (see here) up to the Golden Gate Bridge. If
you're starting at the parking area, walk to the back of the parking lot
away from the highway. You’ll soon see a sign for the Coastal Trail. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Head
up a few stairs and enter a small grove of trees—your only shade on
this route. At 0.1 mile, reach Conzelman Road. Cross at the crosswalk,
and pick up the SCA Trail (Coastal Trail) on the other side of the road.
For 0.3 mile, you’ll walk along a few long uphill switchbacks lined
with coastal scrub as you climb high above busy US 101. Across the
highway, you can see Fort Baker, the bay, and Angel Island. When the
switchbacks end, your route heads north in the direction of the Robin
Williams Tunnel.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">When
you reach a junction with the Coastal Trail at 1.1 miles, stay left to
follow it toward McCullough Road. The din of car traffic will finally
die down. After 0.3 mile, reach a sign for McCullough Road. Right after
this, turn left and climb 0.2 miles to the top of Slacker Hill -
elevation 930 feet. Here you'll get some of the best views of the Golden
Gate Bridge. Return the way you came. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N47VgffIDdAEGruk8-JwxYzDTHQiTyoVH3jNwc72Ob50cbEs6DtUY-lYeD_Wpi3yJ866gyWq-GDOPKhnXwJWY3tFN7PQrSG8Y5dCdXqZoHL-Fn_zuhcKW1sN6cW_jTffGKAFJRY02Q0F/s1600/IMG_5340.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N47VgffIDdAEGruk8-JwxYzDTHQiTyoVH3jNwc72Ob50cbEs6DtUY-lYeD_Wpi3yJ866gyWq-GDOPKhnXwJWY3tFN7PQrSG8Y5dCdXqZoHL-Fn_zuhcKW1sN6cW_jTffGKAFJRY02Q0F/w625-h416/IMG_5340.jpg" width="625" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">View from Slacker Hill</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><br /></span></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-90177590508418690432017-09-12T09:17:00.000-07:002017-09-12T09:26:45.005-07:00Can you walk across an entire country? Yes, yes you can. Enter: Liechtenstein.<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every year, one of my goals is to leave the US and to visit a new country. In March 2017, I was still feeling the energy behind my new year's resolutions, and wanted to take care of this goal early in the year.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My boyfriend had a business trip in London that month. And while I often join him on these trips, the scheduling just didn't work out this time. But we decided to take advantage of his being in Europe for me to fly over there and for us to visit a new country together: LIECHTENSTEIN.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ___________________</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">___________________</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">___________________</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A tiny bit about the tiny country of Liechtenstein... </b></span></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtisEYGSrn4w51r7UZaBBz7qcvuVeTlGwl784sBJ7HzJjY6w4MlQR9hgMbMi4zJHwfqtG-cTYBSXxaaQrQmw4soyN4qjo8alX4qtlxJaE8GVeGUdWFPH-f8cO6WhbZcNNKKQXjeuQxw7FD/s1600/IMG_1988.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtisEYGSrn4w51r7UZaBBz7qcvuVeTlGwl784sBJ7HzJjY6w4MlQR9hgMbMi4zJHwfqtG-cTYBSXxaaQrQmw4soyN4qjo8alX4qtlxJaE8GVeGUdWFPH-f8cO6WhbZcNNKKQXjeuQxw7FD/s400/IMG_1988.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Schloß Vaduz or Vaduz Castle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy. At the head of the monarchy is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serene_Highness" title="Serene Highness">His Serene Highness H</a><span class="fn"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Adam_II,_Prince_of_Liechtenstein" title="Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein">ans-Adam II</a></span>. The prince and his heir apparent, prince Alois, still live in an actual castle, Vaduz castle.<span style="font-size: small;"> Liechtenstein appears to be so safe, that you can walk right up to the front door of the castle. (<i>Can you imagine doing this at the White House?!</i>)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Liechtenstein is the 6th
smallest country in the world. At 62 square miles, it's just 20% larger than San Francisco. It is also highly developed: it has more registered
companies than citizens and boasts has a literacy rate of 100%! (Other Liechtenstein fun facts <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/69736/13-fascinating-little-facts-about-liechtenstein" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ___________________</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">___________________</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">___________________</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Now, back to the story of our hike..<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From London, Brett headed to Zurich where I met him. The day after my arrival, we took a quick train ride to Lucerne, where we climbed Mount Pilatus....in sneakers....in knee deep snow (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/916802386" target="_blank">route on Strava)</a>. In our defense, we did not know it would be covered in snow until about halfway through the hike, and by that time, we didn't feel like turning around.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPlVIKchjj7EVRx0L6VI8ccwcnDqPnQmDLVe51bVhar6L2yX39v_TDXcK7nSqDoO76ePKOOsmbHzC2QpGteZXSd3acZtNFpBsn99mARsq6Zau5vBLOcADbvMgaqoqaqV44UIkVCo6jql0/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPlVIKchjj7EVRx0L6VI8ccwcnDqPnQmDLVe51bVhar6L2yX39v_TDXcK7nSqDoO76ePKOOsmbHzC2QpGteZXSd3acZtNFpBsn99mARsq6Zau5vBLOcADbvMgaqoqaqV44UIkVCo6jql0/s400/IMG_1913.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pedestrian bridge across the Rhine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In order to hike across Liechtenstein, we were going to start in Switzerland and end in Austria. So a </span></span>few days after our Pilatus hike, we found ourselves on a train to Buchs with some friends of ours—two of whom live in Berlin and two of whom live near Fribourg, Switzerland.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Buchs+SG,+Bahnhof/@47.1654619,9.47596,15.56z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x479b31c9a3f351b5:0x2928953d8190354!8m2!3d47.1680416!4d9.4782182" target="_blank">Buchs train </a><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Buchs+SG,+Bahnhof/@47.1654619,9.47596,15.56z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x479b31c9a3f351b5:0x2928953d8190354!8m2!3d47.1680416!4d9.4782182" target="_blank">station</a> is just 0.4 miles from the Rhine River and the Liechtenstein border. After getting off the train, we walked toward the river and headed north for on a bike and pedestrian path to reach a pedestrian bridge.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the bridge, we crossed over into Liechtenstein. My 2017 goal was accomplished and I was feeling good!</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love locks: a global epidemic</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the other side of the bridge, we continued north on another path along the Rhine. After about 2.5 miles, we began to bear right to get off the riverside path to enter a town called Bendern where we took a small detour to look at a church. The church was perched on a hill and gave us a nice view of the valley below.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDUgvvXRYmMp6e8hWuZ9dCh3pEKDBf1Os5XvlB_DsRGB8v34jXMtw2MgktX23pkGIaHAs1Kiyf_yyP023VaMEJJAI7eppmcqxQPqjxI0vQoR0IX1tBGidacRhJ6_BKMAQ0JHYwo5NfY1Y/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDUgvvXRYmMp6e8hWuZ9dCh3pEKDBf1Os5XvlB_DsRGB8v34jXMtw2MgktX23pkGIaHAs1Kiyf_yyP023VaMEJJAI7eppmcqxQPqjxI0vQoR0IX1tBGidacRhJ6_BKMAQ0JHYwo5NfY1Y/s400/IMG_1924.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We continued on main roads to head east across the country. We decided to take a lunch break in the town of Eschen. There were just a few restaurants there and many of them were closed. We loaded up on food, and reinvigorated by the calories (many of which came from Pringles), we soldiered on, starting our post-lunch walk with a long staircase. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Snow in the Alps, smiles on our faces</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We passed many adorable houses on our way. I don't think it gets much quainter than this.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quant surrounds all around</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We eventually reached a stairway with a view of the next valley, which was in Austria!</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ9Y5f11qZOg-w_Xjb6_P-SdA1AbTtFOeys1RqVx8ViS-vhD9cAIBVp_9XZuix6u-_NhtNhum_k2wJPzFyHfu9ypY1KXjUaPMDegrms4AuxZvV8nAVqyq_eFeUBkWz5ZB03sNQ4glOI3G/s400/IMG_1951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking down at Austria</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the bottom of
the stairs, we approached the Austrian border. While most people drive,
we, of course, were walking. We also saw a cyclist ride through. Now we were in a small city called Feldkirch (population ~30,000). </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJHwuWAR2hKG-T1_yPgnt3iltbLc8m01XZ90Hnvi-mIcUbq-TPm1kCoWl-gr7DA0REDCQfKGnvuA8rSlSul44ayp368BmrBZIk81RvBVTbFaTpXafz_t9FVxLSkohjofuiaTIvYHuEBtB/s1600/IMG_1954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJHwuWAR2hKG-T1_yPgnt3iltbLc8m01XZ90Hnvi-mIcUbq-TPm1kCoWl-gr7DA0REDCQfKGnvuA8rSlSul44ayp368BmrBZIk81RvBVTbFaTpXafz_t9FVxLSkohjofuiaTIvYHuEBtB/s400/IMG_1954.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the border on foot</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
reached a serene path lined by fields. There was a garbage cleanup crew
with an adorable border collie. I think there were two pieces of trash
in the whole country.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXLFhA71Kp336X3m4L3OgGH0kl_lgjf8wFxaoNctBgP3Da1rBgWlrMDa-0BhkVVkzDMU6itP5wqSO8eKzP40rAPx7H_H8ReDEGHSjKn9dDiYKM_T-vhB_FggkoI-s1PGjRY3N4B-z_8Y/s1600/IMG_1970.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXLFhA71Kp336X3m4L3OgGH0kl_lgjf8wFxaoNctBgP3Da1rBgWlrMDa-0BhkVVkzDMU6itP5wqSO8eKzP40rAPx7H_H8ReDEGHSjKn9dDiYKM_T-vhB_FggkoI-s1PGjRY3N4B-z_8Y/s400/IMG_1970.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nature's glory. Why did I leave this place?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We continued into town and headed to a bus stop to get to Vaduz, Liechtenstein's capital, where we spent the night. The next day, we got our passports stamped at the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190371-d1700060-Reviews-Liechtenstein_Center-Vaduz.html" target="_blank">Liechtenstein Center</a> for a few € and hiked to the ruins of an old castle, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schalun_Castle" target="_blank">WildSchloß</a>, also known as Shalun Castle.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a summary of our hike! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Distance:</b> 9.8 miles</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Time: </b>4.5 hours total including lunch; 2.5 hours moving </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Start:</b> Buchs, Switzerland</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>End:</b> Feldkirch, Austria</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Strava<span style="font-size: small;"> track</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>:</b> https://www.strava.com/activities/916801849</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you ever get a chance to hike across Liechtenstein, I highly recommend it. The walk was lovely and you'll get bragging rights for crossing a whole country on foot. </span></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-73799169082453910402017-07-03T09:36:00.000-07:002017-07-03T10:01:37.598-07:00Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes: Elk, Sun, and Sand<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Fourth of July weekend was a great time to do a day trip outside my normal stomping grounds. My friend Alex was game for an adventure, so we decided to hit up the Tomales Point Trail in <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm">Point Reyes National Seashore</a>.<b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixs1JDK6lzJZlNwyFsqH-UEqasqFxRC8Qo_vYz7kc0IKVq_OIqf71F9E5Rf8jIAmwZnj-Fpb6Qf28v8q70KZDhrOnLqznAVFaT0uSu65rtZVwlfH8aQeHx40cuYyoYqvkKt0xN18zj7i7u/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-02+at+9.21.52+PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixs1JDK6lzJZlNwyFsqH-UEqasqFxRC8Qo_vYz7kc0IKVq_OIqf71F9E5Rf8jIAmwZnj-Fpb6Qf28v8q70KZDhrOnLqznAVFaT0uSu65rtZVwlfH8aQeHx40cuYyoYqvkKt0xN18zj7i7u/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-07-02+at+9.21.52+PM.png" width="320" /></a></span></span>Hike Stats: </b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Distance:</b> 9.5 miles </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elevation gain:</b> 1,223 feet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Moving time:</b> 3:14</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elapsed time:</b> 4:13 </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trailhead: </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="short-url">goo.gl/kaMAE3</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to <a href="http://www.nwhiker.com/HikeEval.html" target="_blank">this site</a>, the hike is rated as <b>Challenging</b>, but I'd rate it as <b>Moderate</b>. Though there were some hills, but I didn't find them particularly difficult<b> </b>or steep. That said, I do live in San Francisco, so my view on hills is likely skewed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Why this hike was awesome:</b> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrelgtGxw2zGdyg4wLa4107PsfJXOfxx1phz3Bg2iYYc2wqxXbvpgiEeLoI0Mzq_X8fjaF6idWlqXHBw_wrS_VxY5JJkJ1uC40xuu9_O6oCEtElFPeIKod3KHc-d453REF8mtf7Yommyc/s1600/IMG_9516.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrelgtGxw2zGdyg4wLa4107PsfJXOfxx1phz3Bg2iYYc2wqxXbvpgiEeLoI0Mzq_X8fjaF6idWlqXHBw_wrS_VxY5JJkJ1uC40xuu9_O6oCEtElFPeIKod3KHc-d453REF8mtf7Yommyc/s320/IMG_9516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tomales Point</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>1. Non-stop ocean and bay views: </b>This hike follows a narrow peninsula between Tomales </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This means you are surrounded by water for the entire route. The first part of the hike ends at Tomales Point, a great place to have a picnic lunch while soaking in the views.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2. Wildlife: </b>The hike goes through a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/tule_elk.htm" target="_blank">Tule elk</a> preserve. I mean look at these guys! After speaking with a bunch of hikers, it seemed that people who hiked earlier in the day saw more elk than we did (we started at 11 am). The early hikers mentioned that the crowds that come later sometimes scare the elk away. We were lucky to hike at a time of year when there were many babies among the adult elk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to the elk, another hiker saw sea lions and I saw an adorable gopher.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEh5ryN60nAZQN6Zcw91iiCgkEB94ytnSuGsFhJgxP3syunx62MH_D6SJXBVVp6-hfLAaHOiEBbi56qv7wnOT7MMauE02vNDos5EnmLINgxdZcYBZ-KENpNqfg6v_XDo9QAlCr21OoeOV/s1600/IMG_2331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEh5ryN60nAZQN6Zcw91iiCgkEB94ytnSuGsFhJgxP3syunx62MH_D6SJXBVVp6-hfLAaHOiEBbi56qv7wnOT7MMauE02vNDos5EnmLINgxdZcYBZ-KENpNqfg6v_XDo9QAlCr21OoeOV/s640/IMG_2331.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFhOxolkmA7xQ1Xdxt8R3bUJA0HtprrZhdbW72utyFnbdv2a3nOREdcfkiGk2zlUNd92z5h9LfBKqmxbgF7pjeOqAFNkh3uCzj1WQ2WBklOGE2A_Dhp9rpZbFg7xnWGWCobxP0uO4SRRH/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFhOxolkmA7xQ1Xdxt8R3bUJA0HtprrZhdbW72utyFnbdv2a3nOREdcfkiGk2zlUNd92z5h9LfBKqmxbgF7pjeOqAFNkh3uCzj1WQ2WBklOGE2A_Dhp9rpZbFg7xnWGWCobxP0uO4SRRH/s640/IMG_2332.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UrnFk9gsIAOzsZuSRD5ynGSZQl_X5rI934d2sEa-yQOOgpdSpD3al7Zf9sB3Q-XrE8yiq6uW-mxfwpunQ4LFAIaxpdxqHixIHIKeL_Ry8Gw9QcytZmnZOeNFQduTXd4LXN8iPTYGN6V7/s1600/lupin.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UrnFk9gsIAOzsZuSRD5ynGSZQl_X5rI934d2sEa-yQOOgpdSpD3al7Zf9sB3Q-XrE8yiq6uW-mxfwpunQ4LFAIaxpdxqHixIHIKeL_Ry8Gw9QcytZmnZOeNFQduTXd4LXN8iPTYGN6V7/s320/lupin.png" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yellow bush lupine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Wildflowers: </b>There were a lot of lovely flowers including wild radish and <span class="_Tgc"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus_arboreus" target="_blank">yellow bush lupine</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/prsf/learn/nature/wild-radish.htm" target="_blank">wild radish</a>. While the rest of the trail was covered in dead grasses, the flowers added a lot of beauty. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="_Tgc"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="_Tgc"><b>4. Easy to follow: </b>I venture to say it's almost impossible to get lost on this trail. You find the trailhead by walking in a straight line from the parking lot, and there are zero turns on the trail. It was super easy to find our way into, out of , and around the area.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What could have been better:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really enjoyed this hike, but if I could come up with a few minor critiques, they would be the following:<b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Crowds: </b>There were a lot of people on this trail. I did do the hike on the Fourth of July weekend, so maybe that was my fault. :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2. Out-and-back instead of a loop: </b>I am a novelty seeker, so I prefer loop hikes that don't double back over repeat territory.<b> </b>But honestly, this out-and-back trip didn't bother me.<b> </b>I enjoyed it!<b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Walking in sand. </b>From miles ~4-7, the trail is unmaintained. It's marked as such, so you know when you're getting to the unmaintained section. This wasn't a huge bother, but parts of the trail were very sandy and sand is not my favorite terrain. Still, not a big deal! You can just empty your shoes after the unmaintained section. And you can't really be surprised to see sand when you're walking on a narrow peninsula between two bodies of water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Overall assessment:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As an animal lover, I really enjoyed this hike. The elk sightings were a true highlight as were the ocean and bayside trails. The<b> </b>hike was also just hard enough to be satisfying, but not hard enough to be too tiring. I would definitely do this hike again as the elk sightings would be different every time. As long as the weather is good, this is a unique hike I'd bring out-of-town friends on, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>View this trail on Relive: </b><a href="https://www.relive.cc/view/1065011721">https://www.relive.cc/view/1065011721</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note: No restrooms at the start of the trail, so stop 5 miles before this trailhead at the Abbott's Point Lagoon trailhead.<b> </b></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-30079987635581479582017-05-30T14:35:00.001-07:002018-01-19T17:30:56.529-08:00Exploring Oakland's Redwood Regional Park<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Distance: </b>8.7 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elevation: </b>1,627 feet </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Time:</b> 3.5 hours </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Route:</b> <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1012052562">https://www.strava.com/activities/1012052562</a></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaknu34YCblmHqpGwNyziM4DvJTllcnDZTGeoTfbGMwjV3yeoKwyrVWoAEwlNcILmXU-M18Mch6XDo0vBklRiRTJqkRXDXbag8oMtr-H4K7hdaM5crNpkQHcGgUS0VnHv2Ju99cTKIzV4/s1600/IMG_9067.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaknu34YCblmHqpGwNyziM4DvJTllcnDZTGeoTfbGMwjV3yeoKwyrVWoAEwlNcILmXU-M18Mch6XDo0vBklRiRTJqkRXDXbag8oMtr-H4K7hdaM5crNpkQHcGgUS0VnHv2Ju99cTKIzV4/s320/IMG_9067.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wide Stream Trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday, two friends, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jodie_the_dog_sf/">my dog Jodie</a>, and I headed to <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/redwood">Redwood Regional Park</a> across the</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> bay from San Francisco in Oakland. I'd wanted to visit this park for years to see redwoods in a less busy and hectic setting than Muir Woods.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For our route, we chose two longer trails that would create a large loop around the park. We started our hike on the southern side of the park near the Wayside Picnic Area. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(You can <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/Assets/_Nav_Categories/Parks/Maps/Redwood+map.pdf">click here</a> for a trail map.)</span></span> The entry fee was $5 for our car and $2 for the dog. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>From the parking lot, we picked up the wide and peaceful Stream Trail that took us on a 3-mile ascent to the northern edge of the park. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Along our way, we </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>found plentiful restrooms and groves of redwoods to duck into.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh3Py_EfPLxEkf_CIY0FvkY2fJNYY8tDMWcI3UeWyCgqK2gU_cr5cn3XC2NiLhL4pe_oFdyyCOlrODnLxSxgBjDSVytumSkagjiCAiZnL1dSnS2MH9WtCrvZQ9xEQzQX5EetszaF2Mhc_/s1600/IMG_9066.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh3Py_EfPLxEkf_CIY0FvkY2fJNYY8tDMWcI3UeWyCgqK2gU_cr5cn3XC2NiLhL4pe_oFdyyCOlrODnLxSxgBjDSVytumSkagjiCAiZnL1dSnS2MH9WtCrvZQ9xEQzQX5EetszaF2Mhc_/s320/IMG_9066.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Redwood grove off the Stream Trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trail ended at a<span style="font-size: small;"> parking lot, the Skyline Gate Staging Area. To return to our start, we climbed 0.5 miles on the West Ridge Trail and then turned left onto the French Trail. For about 0.5 miles, the trail was narrow, downhill, and covered with rocks and roots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After this section, the trail widened and we encountered a number of rolling hills through more redwoods. As we were on higher ground here, there were no more restrooms in sight. We continued on the French Trail for another 3.5 miles, passing a number of trail junctions on our way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At 7.7 miles total, the French trail met up with the </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Orchard Trail, where we turned left, dropping 400 feet in just 0.3 miles. At 8 miles, we turned right on the Bridle Trail, and continued back to our car for a flat last 0.7 miles of the hike.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qduZ3A5xPgyxbr_0WFA6h-HF9h0WK1_2bF3F_zSKEcgOH_840mVHw1rPo_NkSMDXCdZJebEPIJoM9wlc5OkWzpk94WUxWl-A9OYWKO378QTNjZk9GpjPVjuHCFyHrkkUSbJBo0ldkrIj/s1600/IMG_9074.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qduZ3A5xPgyxbr_0WFA6h-HF9h0WK1_2bF3F_zSKEcgOH_840mVHw1rPo_NkSMDXCdZJebEPIJoM9wlc5OkWzpk94WUxWl-A9OYWKO378QTNjZk9GpjPVjuHCFyHrkkUSbJBo0ldkrIj/s320/IMG_9074.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jodie on the French Trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This hike was a nice break from the hustle of the city. It was a cool summer day in the Bay Area, so I could imagine this trail being much more crowded on a warmer typical summer day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As this is a dog-friendly trail and we saw a number of off-leash dogs running around, I'd avoid this trail if you're not a lover of our four-legged friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com1Oakland, CA, USA37.8043637 -122.271113737.4026477 -122.9165607 38.206079700000004 -121.6256667tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-80407376558992782892017-04-26T10:44:00.000-07:002017-04-26T17:28:46.259-07:00Hills of San Francisco - Mint Hill<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzwdenv-EW4HS9eQI6GWPXK6HS1Nc_ArZJ-umtYsajt2leFOJO0q1xbedncDvxqIWysauygeWXxqjIW7ygw0N9HlhR7Eb9uOFzajDhSOY9WG_zQT6GmvfzuUClQu6FAeKL9Jbzyl1rFpH/s1600/IMG_8362.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzwdenv-EW4HS9eQI6GWPXK6HS1Nc_ArZJ-umtYsajt2leFOJO0q1xbedncDvxqIWysauygeWXxqjIW7ygw0N9HlhR7Eb9uOFzajDhSOY9WG_zQT6GmvfzuUClQu6FAeKL9Jbzyl1rFpH/s320/IMG_8362.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Name:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Mint Hill</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Neighborhood: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Duboce Triangle/Lower Haight<b> </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Elevation:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> 150 feet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
The history of Mint Hill is the history of the San Francisco Mint...or
mints...there have been three in San Francisco so far, the last of which is the
one on Mint Hill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
The need for a mint in San Francisco came about due to the Gold Rush. At the
time, there was so much gold flowing through the city that President James Polk
asked Congress to allow for a new Mint to be built in the city, so that gold
from California would no longer have to be sent to Philadelphia or New Orleans
to be turned into coins.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Congress voted for the creation
of the new mint in 1852, and it was opened in 1854. The coins all bore the
letter "S" for San Francisco. The mint remained in operation for just
20 years and was replaced wiht a second one in 1874.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
Then the second mint was then deemed too small in the 1930s, so a third mint
was built in 1937 on a hilltop that's now called Mint Hill. This third mint
closed down in 1955. It was opened again in 1965 when the US was experiencing a
coin shortage. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Today, the San Francisco
Mint no longer create coins for general circulation. It's still used, however,
for printing proof coins, including regular proof coins and silver proof coins.
The mint is closed to the public as all of its floor space is dedicated to
printing coins. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com2San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-73597197679437610442017-04-06T22:47:00.003-07:002020-09-13T21:21:59.059-07:00Four Quick Steps For Identifying Poison Oak<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It's that time of year again, and poison oak leaves are sprouting out all over the Bay Area. Getting poison oak is no fun, so if you don't know what poison oak looks like, today is your day to learn!<b><i> </i></b></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i>Poi<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">son </span></i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">oak, you say...</span></span></b><br />So first, why is poison oak so poisonous? It's not that it's actually poisonous, but it does contain <i>urushiol</i>, an oil that can irritate the skin, causing rashes or blisters. The frustrating thing about poison oak (well, one of many frustrating things) is that it's hard to know immediately if you've had contact with the plant. It normally takes 24-36 hours for any skin irritation to appear.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I have a </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">quick four-step system to identify poison oak. Feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. (Remember, I am not a medical professional.<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> This is not medical advice. :))</span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>The four-step system</b></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Step 1:</b> Listen to the old adage, "Leaves of three, let it be." Poison oak has clusters of three leaves on the entire plant. While many plants have clusters of three leaves, poison oak <i>always</i> does. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Step 2: </b>Shiny leaves. Poison oak leaves aren't always shiny, but they can be. They can <a href="https://d12m281ylf13f0.cloudfront.net/images10/oak.jpg">red red and shiny</a>, <a href="http://www.backyardnature.net/n/09/090607po.jpg">green and shiny,</a> or not very shiny at all. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Step 3: </b>To
distinguish poison oak from other plants with clusters of three leaves (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberry#/media/File:Wild_Blackberries.jpg">like blackberry</a>),
remember that poison oak leaves have smooth, rounded edges, rather than jagged
ones.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Step 4: </b>Poison oak has smooth branches with <i>no </i>thorns. If you're looking at a plant with thorns, it's definitely not poison oak. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnaRU_jQfnzjOeAI50s1QzwBwa_Rdm050YQcGIff5PgHsmCZv10qMqdqT2Lzae00cT1dBAk7X6C6ekaDnqdAbJ5iauZsbJ6CmfTGDOtIdLhK4b2I7s2W2NkFvb4QFndNm8YeEotXgIujL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-06+at+11.19.39+PM.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnaRU_jQfnzjOeAI50s1QzwBwa_Rdm050YQcGIff5PgHsmCZv10qMqdqT2Lzae00cT1dBAk7X6C6ekaDnqdAbJ5iauZsbJ6CmfTGDOtIdLhK4b2I7s2W2NkFvb4QFndNm8YeEotXgIujL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-06+at+11.19.39+PM.png" /></a><br /> </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">While just one of these steps can't help you decide whether a plant is poison oak, combining all four steps can get you well on your way to preventing a very un-fun rash. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>So what if you've been exposed?</b> </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On official trails, you are unlikely to come into direct
contact with poison oak. If you think you have been exposed,
wash your clothes and your skin as soon as you can. Products
like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Aid-Only-18-024-Cleanser/dp/B002JEOK5Q/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1491543482&sr=1-1&keywords=tecnu+wipes">Tecnu</a> are also handy to have around as they can remove poison oak oil from your skin—but if you're near soap and water, a good scrub will do the trick too. </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />Stay safe out there, urban hikers! Now you can impress others with your poison oak identifying skills.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com1San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000136.9717915 -123.71030900000001 38.578067499999996 -121.12852200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-7893805286658936192017-03-18T09:14:00.002-07:002017-03-22T09:32:52.253-07:00The Merced Heights Park with Two Names: Lakeview and Ashton Mini Park/Orizaba Shields Rocky Outcrop<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Name:</b> Lakeview and Ashton Mini Park</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Neighborhood: </b>Merced Heights</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Elevation:</b> 515 feet </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March 5, 2017</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our quest to climb all the hills in San Francisco, Brett and I took a five-mile walk one-way walk to reach a few San Francisco neighborhoods I'd never visited, including Merced Heights and Ingleside, and Westwood Highlands.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">still <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">trying</span></span> to determine what counts as its own hill and what is a foothill of another larger hill. This led us to explore a bunch of hills, only <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">two</span> of which will actually<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> remain on our work-in-progress <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n229X7DkZRIVftNpmWZtHbWPjVeBG6QjS436CuLYDCU/edit#gid=0">final list</a>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post is about <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one of th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">es<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e two hills, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">situated in what's called<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakeview and Ashton Mini Park or Orizaba Shields Rock Outcrop Park<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a small 0.5-acre <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">natural area</span> situated <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a</span>top <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Franciscan sandstone knob. Though this <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is the tallest point <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">area, it stand<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s just 25 feet <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bove the rest of the n<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eighborhood.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span>As we visited in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the rainy season, the shor<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t trails to the top <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">were<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> surrounded by lush, green grass.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7jBuWQJLRkRHfMC-6h0EI6DbFLW7cmEv7xlt8_Fg8pOV12tFLvjWA5soNNnGxMGNFASOu5-botXRkTVAPAHsj55O_xnAYplWBkmZuoIrpi-UpLUl1C3Ag6rrmztPJ-VIj5nIPIp2R3zZ/s1600/IMG_1763.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7jBuWQJLRkRHfMC-6h0EI6DbFLW7cmEv7xlt8_Fg8pOV12tFLvjWA5soNNnGxMGNFASOu5-botXRkTVAPAHsj55O_xnAYplWBkmZuoIrpi-UpLUl1C3Ag6rrmztPJ-VIj5nIPIp2R3zZ/s400/IMG_1763.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking north from Orizaba Shields Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gh the park is small, it</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">offered<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span>impressi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ve </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">panoramic views.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span>To the north, we could see Mt. Davidson, Sutro<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Tower, and Mt. Tam. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To</span> the south, we <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">could see<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">San Bruno Mountain. </span></span></span></span></span>To the east, we could see as far as Mt. Diab<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And</span> t</span></span>o <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>west, we could see the Farallon Islands and</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the Pacific<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Ocean.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you want to visit this hill and park<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, you can enter from <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">izaba <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avenue, Shields S<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">treet, or Lakeview Avenue.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xxhXBkTa0LAgFBkD-_RRUdaP6LlL38UmjEINZGwBYXAGV34j-Fr-eOoLVKQbSb9LqZHZgGO6VWnQCxMHhx86YnK6p1p15pP9rhFE7TUyUhrnTN819MmgDEdKBMTGSXExRJ8BjG0PbrdT/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xxhXBkTa0LAgFBkD-_RRUdaP6LlL38UmjEINZGwBYXAGV34j-Fr-eOoLVKQbSb9LqZHZgGO6VWnQCxMHhx86YnK6p1p15pP9rhFE7TUyUhrnTN819MmgDEdKBMTGSXExRJ8BjG0PbrdT/s320/IMG_1800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of Mt. Tam through the trees in Brooks Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Since you <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">probably won<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'t s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pend more tha<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n 1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 minutes<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on this hill</span>, I recommend heading to n<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eighboring </span>Brooks Park<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from here<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Brooks <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Park was named for<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesse and Helen Brooks, who bought the la<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd where the hill<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> sits in 1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">936.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>It's now a 3.77<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-acre park and community <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">garden. It has <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a shaded picnic area and a grassy hillside with unobstructed western views. You can enter <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brooks Park from Shields Street. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 9+ years of li<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ving in San Francisco, I ha<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dn't visited th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is area of the city. It<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was great to explore<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> somewhere new and find amazing parks. I'm excited to see what else this project bring<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-58840123347031048882017-02-20T17:29:00.002-08:002017-03-22T09:39:44.987-07:002017 Goal: Climb Every Hill in San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2014, I made my it my new year's resolution to hike every trail in San Francisco. After exploring the city's trails and blogging about it, my experience turned into a book deal with <a href="http://mountaineersbooks.org/">Mountaineers Books</a> for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trails-Francisco-Waterfront-Presidio/dp/1680510207/ref=sr_1_1">Urban Trails San Francisco</a>. I spent most of 2015 and the first half of 2016 writing, editing, and finalizing my book, which finally came out on November 15, 2016. Since that time, I've been <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ble to t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ake</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> some time off. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After all that work, it<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'s also been fun</span></span></span> to do book some book talks and to see my book in stores.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TNMngCEsfZ-9HeACDWLiiV_Yq94rfUNoQsmfL1ZcgiogYbuJuI3pWb9JDbxlPwAEC70xErDg3jgPsvGd0sTBi_Sm-X7Y0vBPrz4oHWu7KNTVwMIadBjoipKaIvJwNiK0uhHRnJc9pf9p/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TNMngCEsfZ-9HeACDWLiiV_Yq94rfUNoQsmfL1ZcgiogYbuJuI3pWb9JDbxlPwAEC70xErDg3jgPsvGd0sTBi_Sm-X7Y0vBPrz4oHWu7KNTVwMIadBjoipKaIvJwNiK0uhHRnJc9pf9p/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Buena Vista Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But now, a few months after publication, I feel myself itching for another goal or quest to </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">keep me occupied for 2017. I wanted my goal to be a challenge, but also achievable. And I wanted it to be a way to learn more about San Francisco. Finally, after about a month and a half of 2017, going by I finally came up with an idea: <b>this year, I will climb every hill in San Francisco.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now climbing every hill in San Francisco may seem like a pretty concrete task, but isn't as easy as it seems because no one can seem to agree on how many hills there are! (This page from <a href="http://sfgazetteer.com/how-many-hills-in-san-francisco.html">SFGazeteer</a> explains the dilemma well.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My persona<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l</span> goal meant I'd need to create my personal list of hills, so I did this drawing from a few sources:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">SF Gate Article: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/PEAK-EXPERIENCE-2636879.php"><i>Peak Experience</i></a> (53 hills)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://sfgazetteer.com/how-many-hills-in-san-francisco.html">How Many Hills Are There InSan Francisco?</a> (74 hills)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.47hills.com/">47 Hills blog</a> (47 hills)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hills_in_San_Francisco">Wikipedia</a> (50 hills)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Using these sites and articles, I came up with <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n229X7DkZRIVftNpmWZtHbWPjVeBG6QjS436CuLYDCU/edit">my own list</a>. At first, I had 53 hill<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s, and then my boyfrie<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd added <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a lot more</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> using topographic maps <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to complement the sources listed above. While this feels exhaustive now, </span></span></span></span>I realize this list may change<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and </span>I may add some new hills<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to/</span>take out some others<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from this list.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As with my 2014 goal, my plan is to blog about this quest as I complete it. I post photos, history, and key stats about each hill. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I'm a little behind in my quest—not starting <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this</span> until late February—I luckily have a good head start—I've already climbed 36 hills. I'll write about the hills I've been to—and hopefully visit the remaining <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ones</span> before January 1, 2018. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">D<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o you want to join me in my quest? If so, copy </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n229X7DkZRIVftNpmWZtHbWPjVeBG6QjS436CuLYDCU/edit">my list<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>in Google Spreadsheets<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, empty my "Been <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There?" column, and start using this a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s a checklist<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to track your pro<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gres<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s. All right, who else is in?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt9RFSbiwA5S468kEdJQSqGsfgTjjxl88W9QfiyBJGWNeSoh4Mmm8aiJaLwj8nTXZHws8ZFP7wOGL7IMUq3L6Lny09I7OEERzx8aAcS5bUabwu8QNs9_WEAcJ2Cvl60I7MxzBvcO0t7be/s1600/uvnWj6A942UlXAybALCU3bpxLSoDmyxGOB0Q2KlWRcw%252Cf3RgQLcV9hjOez30cCHcPT-PWzQ1flkL_LL433tJsOg.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt9RFSbiwA5S468kEdJQSqGsfgTjjxl88W9QfiyBJGWNeSoh4Mmm8aiJaLwj8nTXZHws8ZFP7wOGL7IMUq3L6Lny09I7OEERzx8aAcS5bUabwu8QNs9_WEAcJ2Cvl60I7MxzBvcO0t7be/s320/uvnWj6A942UlXAybALCU3bpxLSoDmyxGOB0Q2KlWRcw%252Cf3RgQLcV9hjOez30cCHcPT-PWzQ1flkL_LL433tJsOg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View from Bayview Hill</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7485824 -122.418410837.6983609 -122.4990918 37.798803899999996 -122.3377298tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-15347171726137439882017-02-18T08:31:00.000-08:002017-04-26T10:43:01.718-07:00Two Great Hiking Loops From the Presidio Main Post<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">When I first moved to San
Francisco in 2007, I didn't really know what to do in the Presidio. Since that
time, this neighborhood and former military fort has become a lot more
interesting. A </span><a href="https://www.nps.gov/prsf/planyourvisit/presidio-visitor-center.htm">new
visitor center</a> <span style="color: #444444;">opened recently, and it now houses </span><a href="http://www.for-site.org/project/goldsworthy-in-the-presidio/">four Andy
Goldsworthy's artworks</a><span style="color: #444444;">, fantastic restaurants like</span> <a href="http://www.thecommissarysf.com/">The Commissary</a><span style="color: #444444;">, and other draws like</span>
<a href="https://offthegrid.com/event/presidio-picnic/2017-3-19-11am">Off the
Grid</a> <span style="color: #444444;">and</span> <a href="http://waltdisney.com/">The Walt Disney Family Museum</a>.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A<span style="color: #444444;">nd then there is
hiking...</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">With over 25 miles of
trails, The Presidio is quantifiably the best neighborhood for hiking in San
Francisco. For this reason in</span> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trails-Francisco-Waterfront-Presidio/dp/1680510207/ref=sr_1_1">my
book, Urban Trails San Francisco</a>, <span style="color: #444444;">there is an entire chapter on hiking in
the Presidio—with seven routes in that neighborhood alone.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>And while following one of
the </span><a href="http://www.presidio.gov/Trails-internal/">Presidio's trails</a><span style="color: #444444;"> is
great, sometimes it's nice to create loops that combine a number of different
trails.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">In the spirit of creating
new hikes, here are two great loops that start and end right in the Presidio
Main Post. For simplicity, I'll call the shorter one, Presidio Express and the
longer one, Presidio Plus<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><u><b>Presidio Express</b></u><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Distance: </b>4 miles<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWJjEODHIcvFRr6XPV9T2HkqFga5pT-FX5UFKFxOf9NQ-1iNzqfw6Fu7Jw4q4k6Xl3ZLEWZOSrWYewjEGJWEct0hZ5VMv6Vg0mEjiQ3EG-MNEzClGPNW8Yh-PTd0uFwoyfJI8JtXPj-4d/s1600/SquareShortRoute.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWJjEODHIcvFRr6XPV9T2HkqFga5pT-FX5UFKFxOf9NQ-1iNzqfw6Fu7Jw4q4k6Xl3ZLEWZOSrWYewjEGJWEct0hZ5VMv6Vg0mEjiQ3EG-MNEzClGPNW8Yh-PTd0uFwoyfJI8JtXPj-4d/s320/SquareShortRoute.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Trail - Presidio Express</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Time: </b>1 hour 10 minutes<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Start Point:</b> Presidio Main Post Lawn<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Route:</b></span><b> </b><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1n0jQLu44MT08Ulc1oGYjaN7u1NY&usp=sharing">Google
My Map</a><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Description: </span></b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">From the Main Post, you’ll head to the San Francisco
National Cemetery, which dates back to 1884 and serves as the final resting
place for some 30,000 soldiers and their families. You then reach National
Cemetery Overlook, one of the Presidio’s best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Next, you take a wooded trail through cypress groves and past the Presidio pet
cemetery on your way to Crissy Field. You’ll make a final climb on the Battery
East Trail before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge. Your return trip takes a
different route back to the Main Post, passing the old cavalry stables and
visiting an overlook with great views of Crissy Field and downtown San
Francisco.</span><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><u>Presidio Plus</u> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Distance: </b>5 miles</span><span style="color: #444444;"><b><u><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBxRJ35YAFV4BVvfBes-M-Oeihy4VE9sz6_kYAiBK2z0B2KnrMLlg07xyJatL9-eAZHktBWX80gHfICVPeLK-taSRdtEN7utpAO2qjOYyEYbAMg3XlIfLj264ZLQX7T7zC11ftMBa3xFD/s1600/SquareLongRoute.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBxRJ35YAFV4BVvfBes-M-Oeihy4VE9sz6_kYAiBK2z0B2KnrMLlg07xyJatL9-eAZHktBWX80gHfICVPeLK-taSRdtEN7utpAO2qjOYyEYbAMg3XlIfLj264ZLQX7T7zC11ftMBa3xFD/s320/SquareLongRoute.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bay Area Ridge Trail - </span> Presidio <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plus</span></span></span></td></tr>
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</u></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Time: </b>2 hours 20 minutes<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Start Point:</b> Presidio Main Post Lawn</span><b><span style="color: #595959;"> </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #595959;">Route:</span></b><b> </b><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1L9yhFqxKiQSNQ1ckP5an7_xsYTc&usp=sharing">Google
My Map</a><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Description: </span></b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">From the Main Post, you’ll hike the Ecology Trail to
Inspiration Point and Andy Goldsworthy’s 100-foot-tall artwork, Spire. You’ll
then hike through eucalyptus and cypress-lined trails that will make you forget
that you’re in the middle of a city. You’ll pass the National Cemetery Overlook
with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Rob Hill Campground, the only
overnight campground in the city. As you reach the Pacific Coast, you’ll walk
along former gun batteries until you reach the Golden Gate Bridge. Your return
trip takes a different route back to the Main Post, passing the old cavalry
stables and visiting an overlook with great views of Crissy Field and downtown
San Francisco.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2fAsIebbhvmLs2kHNnlSEIopTYvCiPJd58SJHYJDuWVoKPzkWOHMNJfvwOF6PcoFUYpXWDxdzUPbDiLir6ucD2bZRnF1QBbad7noTB_rQCBfi9CplhYjbXzZG4s4MYl8AtD1McOZD8cD/s1600/SquareBothRoutes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2fAsIebbhvmLs2kHNnlSEIopTYvCiPJd58SJHYJDuWVoKPzkWOHMNJfvwOF6PcoFUYpXWDxdzUPbDiLir6ucD2bZRnF1QBbad7noTB_rQCBfi9CplhYjbXzZG4s4MYl8AtD1McOZD8cD/s320/SquareBothRoutes.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of the National Cemetery - both routes</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEE4NkxtJF4gBot-0_8vBbw09DLpRt9055doJ8PsxbjuRmF9YL6DGvbsGaUpTIpLJoxUOemLElDWZYCQg5-OccnEh57Gt5klDv0jHEw7w9ro_3P6oUAmvnlFby2vyS7Le1g0-7uPbjYcj/s1600/SquareBothRoutes2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEE4NkxtJF4gBot-0_8vBbw09DLpRt9055doJ8PsxbjuRmF9YL6DGvbsGaUpTIpLJoxUOemLElDWZYCQg5-OccnEh57Gt5klDv0jHEw7w9ro_3P6oUAmvnlFby2vyS7Le1g0-7uPbjYcj/s320/SquareBothRoutes2.jpeg" width="314" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of the Golden Gate Bridge - both routes</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqOC73SY1vy8Yfr-E7TBm_ARvj9JnaAWjQp1OwOLX0-Lo0bWa_YW6EUqjVscU6_8ssr8hqX2MhXoT4DYdUPCJCVzFhTgEQzJ5XyL6aOLBlTbIfkdM3QkT0R2npl-rEE-noZqaKDjsBsz8/s1600/SquareBothRoutes3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqOC73SY1vy8Yfr-E7TBm_ARvj9JnaAWjQp1OwOLX0-Lo0bWa_YW6EUqjVscU6_8ssr8hqX2MhXoT4DYdUPCJCVzFhTgEQzJ5XyL6aOLBlTbIfkdM3QkT0R2npl-rEE-noZqaKDjsBsz8/s320/SquareBothRoutes3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of the Crissy Field Overlook - both routes</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span>Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Presidio, San Francisco, CA, USA37.7988737 -122.4661937000000237.773780200000004 -122.50653420000002 37.8239672 -122.42585320000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7688578828133219279.post-38797226709715935432017-01-16T14:17:00.000-08:002017-01-16T14:17:45.759-08:00Exploring the Dragonfly Creek Trail<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a confession to make: sometimes I get a bored with San Francisco. I thrive on novelty, and after writing <a href="http://goo.gl/o6a0Tw" target="_blank">Urban Trails San Francisco</a>, I began to feel like I had seen all that the city had to offer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luckily, that's not quite true. While I have explored a lot of San Francisco, there's always something new to see. I just have to look a little bit harder than before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, I fired up my novelty sensors by checking out new place, Dragonfly Creek, in the Presidio's Fort Scott district. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the creek
has been around for quite some time, it got its name in the late 1990s
when a biologist saw a dragonfly in the area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The creek used to flow freely, but was channeled underground by the US Army. It remained hidden until 2011 when <a href="http://www.presidio.gov/presidio-trust/" target="_blank">Presidio Trust</a> began restoring it. In addition to restoring the creek, the organization also replaced non-native and invasive eucalyptus with native willows and wetland vegetation. You can read more about the restoration in this <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Presidio-s-Dragonfly-Creek-undergoing-restoration-2327993.php" target="_blank">article in SF Gate.</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHWajsx9HkL63OOYWxMT8gFVV99ZU2vuMTWVAsG930JgCkFOX1QjK4Jzo7HUkUsvlNeIOhJpzfQDP5iBiZnb076iOOl-7pmpjcEJNgSDYZaHEmExFOs5FehPb_Lvf5LUhbnQ-upq78uGV/s1600/IMG_1697.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHWajsx9HkL63OOYWxMT8gFVV99ZU2vuMTWVAsG930JgCkFOX1QjK4Jzo7HUkUsvlNeIOhJpzfQDP5iBiZnb076iOOl-7pmpjcEJNgSDYZaHEmExFOs5FehPb_Lvf5LUhbnQ-upq78uGV/s320/IMG_1697.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fence near Dragonfly Creek</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you visit the area, here's what you'll see. From Schofield Road in the Presidio, you'll know you're approaching the creek when you reach this fence lining your walkway and a fork in your path. You can either continue straight or to your right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="DeltaPlaceHolderMain">If you head right, you'll end up at the <a href="http://www.presidio.gov/places/presidio-nursery" target="_blank">Presidio Nursery</a>. Founded in 1995, the nursery grows up to 85,000 native plants each year which are replanted throughout the Presidio. The nursery welcomes drop-in volunteers on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 1-4 pm. It was closed when I visited, but I did get to enjoy this mosaic walkway on its grounds.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliCJ3X2avrFMQfnvbIaGfkat4CgOfuTkF0RDFOB89rXfhrTxM51g1smkvHLK4XlJUNOxrNXNfuvQpEJn6pvFSGTFwd59dVSQoGjAPKk5iSIb2XpDU0JbOBqJLK63e_PkvBqy5huIPFKax/s1600/mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliCJ3X2avrFMQfnvbIaGfkat4CgOfuTkF0RDFOB89rXfhrTxM51g1smkvHLK4XlJUNOxrNXNfuvQpEJn6pvFSGTFwd59dVSQoGjAPKk5iSIb2XpDU0JbOBqJLK63e_PkvBqy5huIPFKax/s320/mosaic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic walkway outside the Presidio Nursery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After checking out the nursery, I retraced my steps to the fork and went in the other direction to explore Dragonfly Creek (which was still hard to see even post restoration). After a short distance on the dirt path, I found myself in a small grove of redwood trees. There was no one else around, and I felt like I had stumbled upon a tranquil, special place.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0HI7EL2MY_VlGZo5cvS5Cd-osY_c7UsmgtEt18nF5LpL_lHDqGRrDKS75jwEH6J4JoXCUenBG3GIIC9AAIU76J2nQa5yQ1QiIUFWWDQr2yhs9oVoIOGzvIq08AlXCkGco13VQ2mRXW3g/s1600/IMG_1705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0HI7EL2MY_VlGZo5cvS5Cd-osY_c7UsmgtEt18nF5LpL_lHDqGRrDKS75jwEH6J4JoXCUenBG3GIIC9AAIU76J2nQa5yQ1QiIUFWWDQr2yhs9oVoIOGzvIq08AlXCkGco13VQ2mRXW3g/s320/IMG_1705.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The stone walkway</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I continued on the path and found a stone-lined walkway that crossed the creek. I loved the look of this walkway and hadn't seen anything quite like it before. I walked around the area a bit more on similar walkways and headed back to Schofield Road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />While this was just a small exploration, I felt energized by seeing something new. I can't wait to find another new place to explore so I can get those novelty sensors firing again.</span><br />
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Urban Hiker SFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06924630607945673029noreply@blogger.com0Dragonfly Creek, San Francisco, CA, USA37.8003216 -122.471246237.7987531 -122.4737677 37.801890099999994 -122.4687247