Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Things to do in San Francisco - The San Francisco You Missed private walking & city tour #TheSanFranciscoYouMissedUrbanTrek

Things to do in San Francisco - The San Francisco You Missed 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 in advance is a plus.)

The San Francisco You Missed urban trek itinerary consists of places in San Francisco that most visitors probably missed during their prior visit(s). Even at the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a spot that most visitors don't know about, but is the best place for a view, in my opinion, because it captures the essence of the Golden Gate Bridge. For first time visitors, you can skip all the usual places and experience San Francisco like a well-informed local would (i.e. Urban Trek Leader).

On the way to the first two "secret spots," you will walk through a neighborhood with some awesome examples of well-maintained Victorian houses and learn why this is one of the areas that has more Victorians that other places.

The first two places are the same as in the San Francisco Secret Spots itinerary, where you will be able to experience awesome views of San Francisco without the crowd. Check out the videos below:

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After experiencing a couple of beautiful San Francisco sceneries, you will walk through one of San Francisco's desirable neighborhoods.

You will then take a bus to Tunnel Tops in the Presidio where you will have your lunch break while experiencing a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge among other things. 

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Tunnel Tops in the Presidio has one permanent cafe, Il Parco (click here for their website), but depending on the day of the week, there can be one to a whole bunch of other options for food trucks/tents. Click here for a list of the regular food trucks/tents. Click here for their current schedule. (Note: There are more options on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tuesdays seem to have the least options.)

If you prefer to have lunch in a casual indoor setting place close to Tunnel Tops, there is Colibri Mexican Bistro (click here for their website). There is also Dalida (click here for their website). Finally, there is the Presidio Bowl Bar and Grill (click here for their website) only for Saturdays and Sundays.

After lunch, you will explore other parts of the Presidio that are less popular but have awesome views. Of course, the highlight will be the "secret spot" near the Golden Gate Bridge. Check out the videos below:

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(Click on video to enlarge)

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The last (maybe?) place in the itinerary will be Fort Mason, which is another hidden jewel of San Francisco. And withing this hidden jewel are more "secrets spots." 

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(Click on video to enlarge)

If you feel like extending your San Francisco experience, you have the option of going to another "secret spot" in Russian Hill.
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If you want Fort Mason to be the last place in your itinerary, you can be taken to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39 where you can enjoy the rest of your day on your own. Of course, if you want to be taken any place else in San Francisco, that can be done.

If you want Russian Hill to be the last place in your itinerary, it will be very simple to enjoy the rest of your day in North Beach and/or Chinatown. If you want to also explore Telegraph Hill on your own, you will be provided with detailed self-guided directions for doing so.

How to make a reservation:

  • Send an e-mail to anton@urbantrekusa.com
  • Include the date you want to reserve and the private urban trek you want to do.

Additional information:

  • Start time: 10:00 am (or mutually agreed upon time)
  • Approximate length of urban trek: 6 to 7 hours which includes one-hour lunch break.
  • To make a reservation, send an e-mail to anton@urbantrekusa.com or text message via 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 for this urban trek:

This is a little above moderate urban trek mostly because it is a whole-day urban trek (with bus rides) and a few uphill walks to get the best vantage points and being San Francisco is a very hilly city and having to go down a lot of steps and up several steps. The trails around the Golden Gate Bridge area can also be narrow and uneven (dirt trail). But there is a one-hour lunch break to relax halfway though the urban trek. Everyone has to be fit in order to walk uphill for at least one city block and can spend hours on their feet. Of course, walking will not be constant since there will be a whole lot of standing stops while you hear commentaries and short stops to admire and take photos of the scenery. Resting will be fine but it will be hard for people who cannot walk for about 10 minutes without stopping to rest to do this urban trek and enjoy it. Each stretch of walking will be approximately 10 minutes before a short standing break while the Urban Trek Leader explains or says something about the place.