Things to do in San Francisco - Fort Mason (upper part) #UrbanTrekUSATips #TuesdayTips

Updated to include newly opened (August 25, 2021) Black Point Historic Gardens

The second installment for things to do in San Francisco #TuesdayTips is (upper) Fort Mason. Fort Mason is just a place most visitors pass through when biking or walking to the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman’s Wharf. Therefore, most visitors just bike or walk along the main promenade and see the awesome view of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. However, there are three things that you should also check out:

• Black Point Historic Garden opened on August 25, 2021 has an awesome view. When the native plants are fully grown and in full bloom, it should also be an awesome thing to see. Click here for a link to an article from SFGATE regarding Black Point Historic Garden. 
• The Fort Mason Community Garden is my favorite spot especially when the flowers are in full bloom (click here for history of the community garden). It is somewhat of a secret spot. I bring my lunch and sit at my favorite bench and just relax, admire the view and sometimes contemplate on how lucky I am to live in San Francisco and these surroundings. Click on this link to a prior post regarding the community garden.

• The supposed haunted house, Haskell House. Read these two online articles:

 a. From SFGate: 150th anniversary of duel haunts California

b. From FoundSF: Haskell House

• The area near the Haskell House with a nice view, Black Point Battery. 

Note: As seen in the video and photos, there usually is no crowd during the weekdays. However, on weekends and holidays, Fort Mason turns into “Frat Mason.” As this nickname suggests, the Grand Meadow is crowded with a party atmosphere as noted by this SFGate article.

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How to get to Fort Mason via Muni bus from downtown:

• Take the outbound Muni #30 bus and disembark at the bus stop at Van Ness & North Point / Bay Streets. (Note: This is the stop right after North Point & Polk so make sure you pull the cord by the window or press the red button to request a stop.)

There is an entrance gate at the corner of Van Ness & Bay Streets (refer to map above). When you enter the gate, just follow the sidewalk until you reach the tennis court and you will see the Commanding General house:

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Walk through the driveway around the small rotunda until you get to the top and walk right:

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When you see the big tree in front of you, walk towards it and you will have your first awesome view of the area:

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After, go back to the paved path until you get to this fork follow the paved path to your left: (Note: The reason for walking left instead of going straight is so you can do a complete circle as see the best parts.)

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Keep walking along the paved path towards the house with the red roof, Haskell house:

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When you get to Haskell house, stop to see if you feel any ghostly presence as this house is purported to be a haunted house: (Note: Refer to two links at the top of this page about articles on this house.)

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Continue walking on the paved path until you reach this point and walk right:

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Walk down to the Historic Gardens: (Note: Since this place just opened on August 25, 2021, the flowers and plants are not yet fully grown but will be awesome in the near future.)

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When you get to this point where there are stops down, go down and then up the other side. (Note: Do not walk left as that will lead you to Aquatic Park.)

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Continue on the paved path until you reach the stairs that will take you back to the top:

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(View from top of stairs. Click to enlarge photo.)

When you get to the top of the stairs, you have walked around so walk right on the paved path back towards Haskell house and keep walking on the paved path and walk straight ahead instead of walking right earlier:

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The paved path will lead you to Black Point Battery. You will have a better view of Alcatraz as you walk along the paved path. When you get to the stairs, go up the stairs and walk right towards the old cannon:

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There will also be a nice view when you get to where the cannon is located:

When you get to the end of the dirt path and reach the paved road, make a right and walk toward the small street, Bunker Rd., and turn left:

When you pass the hostel building at the top of the Bunker Rd turn left on Funston and turn right on Pope:

When you see the yellow fire hydrant, turn right to the gate of the Fort Mason Community Garden:

(Enter the gate. Click to enlarge photo.)

After you enter the community garden, turn right:

When you see these steps on your right, go up and walk towards the bench:

The bench is my favorite spot because it is a quiet spot and has a nice view

This is the view from my favorite bench

Have a look around and enjoy the colorful flowers and beautiful peaceful surroundings. When you want to leave, go back to the area where you entered and walk to the other side where there is a small gate:

After you exit, walk straight ahead and when you get to the top of the mound, you can walk toward the statue of John Burton where there will be a nice view of the Great Meadow and the Golden Gate Bridge:

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Note: There is a public toilet not to far from the John Burton statue if you need it.

Next, walk toward the bay and you will see lower Fort Mason below and more nice views. 

Follow the paved path and walk in the direction towards the Golden Gate Bridge. The path will lead you to the Marina Green. If you keep walking, you will pass the Palace of Fine Arts (refer to Google map below showing about 1.1 miles, 22 minute walk):

You can then walk to the East Beach in Crissy Field (refer to Google map showing 1/3 mile, 7 minute walk:

You can then walk to the Golden Gate Bridge (refer to Google map showing 1.7 miles, 37 minute walk):

In the future, I will do another Tuesday Tips on Crissy Field and my favorite spots there and the path I recommend taking to the Golden Gate Bridge. And also stuff to do in lower Fort Mason.

Enjoy!

Public transportation at Crissy Field:

As of July 26, 2021, only the Muni #30 bus goes to Crissy Field. The Sports Basement parking lot is the end of the line for outbound and the starting point for the inbound buses. Other bus stops in or close to Crissy Field are: Mason St & Halleck St and Mason St & Yacht Rd.

If the PresidiGo shuttle restores the Crissy Field shuttle, that would be a way to go to the Presidio Transit Center. Click here for more information on the PresidiGo. 

Note: As of July 26, 2021, there are no Muni buses that go to the Presidio Transit Center. In the past, the Muni #43 did. Maybe it could be restored. In the past the outbound #43 went to the Haight neighborhood and the inbound went to the Marina neighborhood / Fort Mason. 

Note: Entire directions herein can be provided to you on PDF and Google Docs format upon request.

Click this link for directions if you want to continue exploring the lower part of Fort Mason (available Aug. 3, 2021).

Update: After the #TuesdayTips post for Crissy Field, if you combine all #TuesdayTips for lower Fort Mason, Marina Green, Crissy Field, Batteries to Bluffs Trial, Baker Beach, Lands End Trail and upper Fort Mason, you will be able to walk from Fort Mason all the way to the Lands End Lookout or vice versa. 

(Note: I personally would do the Lands End Trail to Baker Beach to Batteries to Bluffs Trail to Golden Gate Bridge to Crissy Field to Marina Green to lower Fort Mason to upper Fort Mason. Or if you want to split into two, then Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge and then upper Fort Mason to Crissy Field. The directions were done the way they are because most people are coming from the Fisherman's Wharf area and not the Lands End Lookout area.)

#UrbanTrekUSATips

Last updated: August 30, 2021

Things to do in San Francisco - Union Square

Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours has been the premier San Francisco tour for over a decade.

Union Square is considered the heart of San Francisco where the majority of the hotels and shopping is located. Hence, the most suitable meeting place for Historical San Francisco private urban trek.

These are the things you will learn at this location:

1. How this neighborhood has evolved over the years (and boy has it evolved)

2. What happened during the great earthquake and fire of 1906

3. A woman’s rags to riches story and the mark she left here

4. The notorious and seedy past of the alley next to the square

5. A building remodeled by a very famous architect

Although this place is the meeting place, this area has a lot of history to it so sign up for the Historic San Francisco private tour (urban trek) and learn about and experience Union Square.

#UnionSquareUrbanTrek

Things to do in San Francisco - Telegraph Hill

Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours has been the premier San Francisco tour for over a decade.

Telegraph Hill is the neighborhood the Urban Trek Leader plans to buy property should he be blessed with winning several millions of dollars playing the lottery. Seriously, this neighborhood pretty much has everything:

1. Awesome views

2. History and some historic houses that survived the great fire of 1906

3. Fresco art inside Coit Tower

4. Uniqueness from other neighborhoods

5. Beautiful flowers in the gardens

6. Locations where a few movies and two TV shows where shot (e.g. The Wedding Planner, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Streets of San Francisco, Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist)

What Urban Trek USA delivers that most other tours do not:

1. Finding spots that are the best places for photos so you do not have you pay the fee to go to the top of Coit Tower (and waiting in a long line during peak tourist season)

2. Taking you to the area with historic houses and where movies and TV shows were filmed

Other things you can expect;

• The truth about Coit Tower

• History on how this place has evolved over the years

• The easiest way to walk up with a scenic view should the bus not be available

So experience Telegraph Hill with an urban trek instead of just visiting like most people do.

#TelegraphHillUrbanTrek

San Francisco Cable Cars Scheduled to Resume Service Aug. 2, 2021 #UrbanTrekUSATips

 The famous cable cars of San Francisco are scheduled to resume service on August 2, 2021 (refer to UPDATE below) and fare will be FREE for the entire month 😀

UPDATE: Click here for more information about the resumption of cable car service from SFMTA blog. (Updated Aug. 1, 2021)

Check out the photos below with good tips on riding the cable cars.

Tips courtesy of Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours. 

#UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco #CableCar 

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Secret Spots Private Walking & City Tour by Urban Trek USA #SanFranciscoSecretSpots

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Secret Spots private walking and city tour by Urban Trek USA. (Note: Urban Trek USA is a one-man operation and takes only approximately 3 reservations a month so making a reservation in advance is a plus.)

Our goal is for you to experience the ultimate "secret spots" private San Francisco walking and sightseeing city tour. "Secret spots" defined as places with spectacular / awesome views without the crowd.

This itinerary will be a good fit for you if you are someone who prefers to explore the less touristy places and experience a more local perspective of San Francisco and/or you have already been to San Francisco before and have seen all the famous places and want to experience something different. 

Urban Trek USA has been the premier San Francisco tour for over a decade. 

First "secret spot" has a spectacular view from approximately 350 feet above. Learn how this open space was preserved for everyone to enjoy. A bonus along the way are some beautifully painted and maintained Victorian houses and a community garden with an awesome view. You will also be provided with a brief explanation on the different types of Victorian houses.

Second "secret spot" has even a more spectacular view from approximately 650 feet above. A bonus after will be seeing some modern houses that you would want to own if have a few million dollars.

Before heading to the next place, if you choose to do so, you will able able to stop at one of the cafes in a quaint neighborhood and use their toilet. Please note that most establishments require that you purchase something in order to use their toilet. Also, keep in mind that there will be no public toilet for another hour to hour and a half (until we will have lunch) so do not drink or eat too much. (Note: There is a public toilet in a park prior to getting to the quaint neighborhood if you are not  particular about using a public toilet.)

Third "secret spot" has a fabulous view of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz. The bonuses along the way are seeing a work of art made from nature by a pretty well-known artist and some of the biggest mansions in San Francisco. 

An added bonus is this pretty awesome view on the way to the street where you  will have a lunch break. For lunch you can choose from a wide variety of types of very good food (i.e. American, Italian, Mediterranean, Vietnamese, Seafood, etc.). One hour lunch break will be approximately between 12:30 - 1:30 pm and you can enjoy your lunch and relax. (Note: The cost of your meal will be your responsibility and is not included in the price of your private urban trek.)

After lunch, a bonus on the way to the next "secret spot" is you will see where the very first cable car started and you will be given a brief history about the famous San Francisco cable cars.

Fourth "secret spot" has another spectacular view. A bonus will be seeing the street were a famous car chase scene was filmed and a scene from another movie with a princess having a car incident.

After the fourth spot, you will have a choice of:

1. End the urban trek and return to the meeting place.

2. Go to the crooked part of Lombard Street and have a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from another "secret spot" and return to the meeting place.

3. Have a mini tour of the North Beach neighborhood and return to the meeting place.

Additional information:

• Start time: 9:30 am (or mutually agreed upon time)
• Approximate length of urban trek: 5.5 hours (or 6.5 hours for longer option) which includes one hour lunch break.
• To make a reservation, send an e-mail to anton@urbantrekusa.com or WhatsApp and Viber 1-415-265-8229
• Price: 1 to 4 people $210 (total) plus $15 for each additional person (Note: Price does not include the cost of your meals, but it includes the cost of Muni fares <no cable car rides>)

Fitness level:

Everyone has to be fit in order to walk uphill for at least two city blocks and can spend hours on their feet. Of course, walking will not be constant since there will be trips on public transportation and short breaks to take photos and admire the views. Resting will be fine but it will be hard for people who are not fit to do this urban trek and enjoy it. Each stretch of walking will be approximately 15 minutes before a short standing break while the Urban Trek Leader explains or says something about the place. There will also be approximately 5 to 15 minutes for photo and relax to admire scenery time at each scenic place.