Urban Trek USA is a 5-star one-man operation San Francisco private walking and sightseeing city tour for a real IMMERSIVE San Francisco EXPERIENCE. Why just simply visit when you can experience it?
Get off the tour bus, urban trek with us!
The Presidio has a whole lot of excellent vistas and now everyone has to definitely add Battery Bluff Park to the must things to do in San Francisco as the video below shows:
How to get to the Presidio (eco-friendly way):
Coming from downtown, the best way to get to the Presidio is to take the FREE PresidiGo Downtown shuttle from one of the three stops: Howard & Beale, Drumm & California (near Embarcadero BART station), Van Ness & Union. The PresidiGo Downtown shuttle departs every 30 minutes.
The most convenient PresidiGo shuttle stop downtown is the one on Drumm & California at shown in this photo:
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How to get to Battery Bluff from Presidio Terminal:
Disembark at the Presidio Terminal (last stop in the Presidio).
Follow the Presidio Promenade by walking in between the two buildings as shown in the arrow in this photo:
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The Presidio Promenade will lead to the Presidio National Cemetery. Once you get there, you will see the entrance to Battery Bluff as shown in the video at the bottom of this page. (Note: The video at the bottom will show you exactly what you will see if you follow these directions.)
Follow the paved path when you enter Battery Bluff. You will immediately see an awesome view as shown in the video.
After a little bit of walking, you will see a paved path to your left (as shown in the photo below):
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Turn left and follow the path (shown above) until you see steps on your left leading to the picnic tables at the top. This is a panoramic view from the area where the picnic tables are located:
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(Click to enlarge photo)
Follow the path where the picnic table are located and walk towards the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge until you see the bench shown in the photo below:
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The spot shown above is another vantage point. Walk back to the picnic tables and when you see steps on your left leading to the lower path, go down the steps and make a left at the bottom and follow the path as shown in the photo below:
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Follow the path shown above towards the Golden Gate Bridge until you get to the overlook as shown in the photo below:
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You can make your way back to the entrance by taking the path at the lowest part of Battery Bluff. From the overlook, turn left as shown in the photo below:
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The path shown above will lead you back to the entrance on Lincoln Blvd.
Do not miss:
The views are definitely the main attraction. However, do not miss reading the story boards along the path:
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If you follow the directions above, this video shows what you will see:
Public toilets: The closest public toilet is at the Transit Center near the Main Post, which about a 10-minute walk from Battery Bluff. For a list of other public toilets around the Presidio, click on this link to the Presidio website.
Tips:
Even though it is sunny, this area can get windy and that means the temperature will be much cooler than other parts of San Francisco (e.g. downtown).
It is always a very good idea to dress in layers so you can add or remove pieces of clothing as the temperature changes. A hooded sweatshirt can be your best friend in San Francisco.
As a rule, it is usually windier in the afternoon than in the morning. However, when there is fog, is is usually foggier in the morning and the fog burns out in the afternoon after 12:00 pm.
Enjoy!
Coming next will be how to walk to the Pet Cemetery and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Alamo Square is famous because of the beautiful Victorian houses commonly called the "Painted Ladies" and the panoramic view of the skyline of the downtown buildings. However, the Westerfeld Mansion is also a stunning Victorian house with an interesting history. Revolving art by local artist is another interesting aspect not well-known by most tourists. You will learn about the history of the famous "Painted Ladies" Victorian houses (e.g. listing on how much they were originally sold) and more current sales (at outrageous prices) of the famous houses. Also learn about the Westerfeld Mansion and, when available, some information on the local artists that have their art on display.
There will be a short walk-through the NOPA neighborhood (North of the Panhandle). This neighborhood has evolved (still evolving) into one of the places where the people in their 20s and 30s have moved and hang out especially during the weekends. Today, there are a whole bunch of very good places to dine, have coffee & desserts, cool bars and other forms of entertainment. You will get some information on the evolution of this neighborhood and why the long-time locals are not quire sold on the NOPA name.
Although Alamo Square has been written about in all the tour books on San Francisco, it is likely that you will still get some interesting information about this area that will enhance your appreciation of this neighborhood.
Pacific Heights is considered by most as the elite neighborhood where the socialites and the well-connected residents of San Francisco live because of the awesome view from this neighborhood.
Highlights of what you will experience here:
View of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and a little bit of the Golden Gate Bridge
Well-preserved Victorian houses
Homes (mansions) worth multi-millions
Other things you can expect:
History on how this neighborhood evolved (i.e. why the wealthy moved to this neighborhood)
Brief historical information about a couple of Victorian houses and mansions in the neighborhood
See the house used in the movie, "Mrs. Doubtfire"
Note: On a whole-day private urban trek, this neighborhood is a good place to stop for a lunch break because there is a wide variety of good food and cuisine to choose from along Fillmore Street.
When you do an urban trek with Pacific Heights as part of your itinerary, you will experience a part of San Francisco that is not a popular tourist destination, but knowledgeable locals know this neighborhood is a gem if they know the best spots to visit.
