Urban Trek USA is an excellent resource for your San Francisco visit; providing self-guided directions for visitors to explore San Francisco like a long-time resident would, plus tips on whatever would be helpful to those who are visiting San Francisco.
Over a year ago, I posted what one would experience walking from Battery Bluff to the Presidio Pet Cemetery. I intended to post this right after but never got it done so here it is.
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Crissy Field and a trail to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge with a nice way is something one can do after the Presidio Pet Cemetery. The video above shows what you can experience walking from the Pet Cemetery to the stairs that lead to the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Here are the directions:
From the Pet Cemetery walk along Crissy Field Ave towards Crissy Field / Golden Gate Bridge.
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When you reach Mason St, cross to the other side where the grass is and turn left.
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Walk along the paved path along Mason St until you get to where the paved path end and the dirt path begins and the entrance to the parking lot is to your left. Follow the dirt path towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Follow the dirt path pass the Warming Hut. It might be a good idea to check out the stuff sold at the Warming Hut if you are looking for souvenirs. (Note: There are public toilets just past the Warming Hut. The video above show where they are as I pointed the video to their location.)
When you reach the fence with the big chains (shown in the video), turn left and walk towards the stairs.
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When you get to the top of the stairs, walk to the right.
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Follow the trail and make sure to stop now and then to admire the view or sit and rest on one of the benches along the way. This is a video of the view.
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Keep walking along the path until you see this sign and walk right and follow the dirt path.
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Continue on the dirt path until you see the entrance to a tunnel and enter the tunnel.
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BE CAREFUL and MAKE SURE TO BEND as you get to the other side of the tunnel because the exit of the tunnel at the other side is a lot lower.
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When you get to the other side of the tunnel, this is what you will see. A nice spot to rest and relax for a while.
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Follow the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge
Enjoy!
Links to other self-guided directions that can be combined with this post:
Note:On the video, there is a message when you see the photo below to watch a video about this amazing discovery:
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It was thought that the Franciscan Manzanita was extinct in the wild until someone discovered this plant in the Presidio before the old Doyle Drive was to be demolished and replaced by the Presidio Parkway. Click on this link to the YouTube video by Melissa Peabody documenting the amazing set of circumstances ("divine intervention" as said by one person in the documentary video) that lead to saving the Franciscan Manzanita from being extinct: Click here for the link to YouTube video
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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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.
This installment of things to do in San Francisco #TuesdayTips as part of #UrbanTrekUSATips features Crissy Field. Today, in addition to tips on Crissy Field, this post also includes how to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge and see one on Urban Trek USA's secret spots.
(Update March 8, 2022)
This video is an update after I took photos on a gorgeous clear day. San Francisco does not always have clear skies, especially during summer, so I am leaving the original video below with photos showing a bit of fog to give viewers a more realistic expectation.
This is the original video with some photos showing some fog.
Crissy Field usually is a place were bikers pass when biking to the Golden Gate Bridge. However, I think bikers miss the essence of what Crissy Field has to offer when simply biking and not walking the promenade in Crissy Field. I am a firm believer that walking is the best way to experience a place. (Note: One of the best memorable experience I had was when children that was part of my urban trek saw a baby sea lion (or seal?) distressed and would not leave until we made sure the pup would be okay. I had to call the Marine Mammal Center and we waited until the volunteers came to rescue the pup. If we were not walking this experience would not have happened.)
East Beach is where most people hang out. If you walk farther towards the Golden Gate Bridge, my favorite spot is where the benches are (shown below) because it is quieter and less crowded so you can enjoy the scenery and tranquility of the place. (Note: There are public toilets in East Beach if you need to use them.)
(When walking along the promenade, you see these cluster of Cypress Trees, walk towards the beach. Click to enlarge the photo.)
(The benches are my favorite spot. Click to enlarge the photo.)
(This is the view from my favorite spot. Even on a somewhat foggy day, it's still awesome.)
(Update March 8, 2022)
On a clear day, it's spectacular!
After, keep walking to toward the Golden Gate Bridge. When you get to the Warming Hut, that would be another spot to admire the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and The City.
(This is the Warming Hut. Click to enlarge the photo.)
(This is the view form the Warming Hut.)
The Warming Hut offers nice souvenirs and also good fast food. (Note: There are public toilets near the Warming Hut if you need to use them.)
After you walk past the Warming Hut and the public toilets, you should see this pedestrian crosswalk and stairs:
(Cross to the other side and go up the stairs. Click to enlarge the photo.)
When you get to the top of the stairs, walk to your right:
(Walk to the right at the top of the stairs. Click to enlarge the photo.)
These benches would be a good spot to take seat and rest and enjoy the view:
This is a video taken along the paved paved path after passing the benches so make sure to look back after you make a turn around the bend:
March 8, 2022 update
Keep walking on the paved path until you see this sign and walk right and follow the dirt path:
(This is the sign mentioned above and the dirt path. You will see this dirt path when the paved path ends <click to enlarge the photo>. Do NOT continue on the paved path because you will miss the secret spot.)
You will then see this entrance to a short tunnel:
(This is the entrance to the tunnel. Click to enlarge photo.)
Please make sure you crouch down when you see this warning because the other end of the tunnel is low and you do not want to bump our head:
(Click to enlarge photo.)
When you exit the other side of the tunnel, you will have a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge and there will be two picnic tables for you to sit and rest or admire the view or a perfect spot to have lunch/snack.
(Click to enlarge photo.)
(Click to enlarge the photo.)
(Click to enlarge the photo.)
After, walk up the paved path that leads to the Golden Gate Bridge. Most people will be at this vista area which is usually crowded., In my opinion, my old secret spot has a better angle for a better photo and without the crowd.
(Don't you think the view from my old secret spot <above> is better than this where most people are?)
Keep following the paved pedestrian and biker's trail toward the Golden Gate Bridge. If you want to proceed walking to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, walk under the bridge following the Coastal Trail and then follow the directions detailed in the Batteries to Bluffs post.
(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.)
This installment of things to do in San Francisco #TuesdayTips as part of #UrbanTrekUSATips features Baker Beach. Today actually has two tips but since I had previously posted about the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, I just updated that post and am adding this post on Baker Beach. Check out the Batteries to Bluffs Trail post as it complements Baker Beach.
Baker Beach is pretty well-known except maybe that there is a section of Baker Beach (closest to the Golden Gate Bridge) that is clothing optional. Therefore, if you have children you do not want to expose to nudity then be aware. If you like to sunbathe without clothing then this is one of the spots in San Francisco that allows you to do so (also refer to Marshall's Beach <see video towards the very bottom below> in the Batteries to Bluffs Trail post).
Baker Beach has an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The water is pretty much ice cold so swimming is not what most people do. Also the currents are very strong so be very careful when wading in the water.
In a prior #TuesdayTips post that I did on Lands End Trail, I mention one can walk from the Lands End Trail to Baker Beach and provided directions to do so. Therefore, if you want to walk to the Lands End Trail from Baker Beach, simply do the directions I provided previously in reverse order.
(Note: Public toilets are available in Baker Beach)
From Baker Beach you can also walk to the Golden Gate Bridge via the Coastal Trail. If you are fit, I recommend taking the Batteries to Bluffs Trail to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. By fit I mean you will have to go down a whole lot of steps and then have to go up a whole lot of steps on the other side. Also, the trail is narrow and a bit rocky. A few steps on the stairway are a little loose so be CAREFUL especially when going down the stairs.
To get to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, walk up the path shown in the photo below. This is just before or just where the nude sunbathers are located.
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If you do not want to walk close to where the nude sunbathers are located, take the path by the old batteries as shown in the photo below.
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When you get to the part in the photo shown below, walk up the path.
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When you get to the top where Lincoln Blvd. is (Coastal Trail), make a left until you see the sign in the photo below.
(Note: When walking from Baker Beach towards the Golden Gate Bridge, this sign is facing a little bit the other direction so make sure you are looking for this sign on your left side.)
Walk down the stairs and stop whenever you want to admire the beautiful view. If these chairs are still on one of the old batteries, check them out:
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Also, this is very interesting about the field note for this area:
(Note: For more information about the field notes in various places in the Presidio, click here.)
If you want to visit Marshall's Beach, watch out for the sign in the photo below and walk down the path.
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Note: As mentioned earlier, Marshall's Beach is a clothing optional beach.
From Marshall's Beach, backtrack to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and make a left and go up the steps. Before you get to the top, stop by this bench that you will see on your left (a little bit hidden) that has a pretty nice view:
(Click photo to enlarge)
After, walk up to the top where the Coastal Trail meets the Batteries to Bluffs Trial. Turn left on the Coastal Trail, which will lead you to the Golden Gate Bridge.
(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.)
The Batteries to Bluffs Trail is a trail that goes up and down the hillside (bluffs). Therefore, you will have to be fit to do this trail or you will have to keep resting especially on the way up. On a clear day, you will have a great view of the Golden Gate, Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Most of the year, it will be windier and colder in this area so dress accordingly.Click this link for more information about the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
This self-guided instructions for the Batteries to Bluffs Trail can be done in conjunction with the instructions for the Lands End Trail and then hike all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. If you do the Lands End Trail first (see the Mar. 5, 2018 post, updated July 19, 2021), you will have to do the Batteries to Bluffs Trail instructions backwards because the Batteries to Bluffs Trail directions starts from the Golden Gate Bridge area. If you do the Batteries to Bluffs Trail directions first then you will have to do the Land End Trail directions backwards.
Note: If I were to do both the Lands End and Batteries to Bluffs trails, I would start with the Lands End Trail and then after Baker Beach hike the Batteries to Bluffs trail and then walk to the Golden Gate Bridge. If you follow this suggestion, I also recommend that you get to the Golden Gate Bridge no later than 2:00 pm so you can take nicer pictures because of where the sun is positioned. Depending on how fast you hike and how long you want to linger at certain spots, I think you will have to start from the Lands End Lookout by 12:00 pm because according to Google Maps, it will take most people 1 hour and 13 minutes to walk approximately 3.4 miles from the Lands End Lookout to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Also, for other things to do in the Presidio, click on the label = Urban Trek USA Tips Presidio. And for specifically just the hiking trails in the Presidio,click on the label =Presidio Trails.
Note: Pdf version of directions available upon request.
From the Golden Gate Bridge walk south along the Coastal Trail. After you pass Battery Godfrey, you will see this marker:
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Continue walking south along the Coastal Trail until you see this garbage can and the sign for the start of the Batteries to Bluffs Trail on your right side:
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Go down the stairs and look on your right side for this bench (a little bit hidden) that has a pretty nice view:
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Go back to the trail and keep walking down until you see the sign for Marshall's Beach:
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Turn right when you see the sign and walk down to Marshall's Beach (Note: Marshall's Beach is a clothing optional beach so if you are with children and you do not want them to see naked people then do not go unless there are no naked people there.)
After you enjoy the view from Marshall's Beach, walk back to Batteries and Bluffs Trail and turn right. There will be several spots with nice views so make sure you look back towards the Golden Gate Bridge every now and then.
As you are headed up the hill, watch out for this interesting Field Note:
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Note: There are several Field Notes around the Presidio. For more information about them, click here.
Continue on up until you get to Battery Crosby. If these chairs are still there, check them out:
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After Battery Crosby, keep going until you get to the Coastal Trail where Lincoln Blvd. is and turn right.
Keep walking along the Coastal Trail (Lincoln Blvd) until you pass this sign:
(Note: Do not take Sand Ladder to Baker Beach unless you want to see the naked people.)
After you pass the sign above, you will see another trail on your right that will lead you to Baker Beach. When you get to this point follow the trail to the left to the G rated part of Baker Beach:
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Go own this path to the beach:
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PLEASE READ: If you do not want to proceed to the Lands End Trail and want to go back downtown, the Muni #29 bus has a bus stop at the upper entrance to Baker Beach. You will have to walk to the gate at Gibson Rd and Bowley St and there will be a bus stop as shown below:
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Take the Muni #29 bus to 25th Ave. and California St. (Note: This is the fourth stop from where you will start so it will be a short ride.)
After you disembark, cross to the other side of California St. so you will be where the gasoline station is located. There will be a bus stop for the inbound Muni #1 bus (Stop ID 13840). Take the Muni #1 bus headed to Drumm & Clay. The Muni #1 bus will pass the Inner Richmond, Laurel Heights, Presidio Heights, Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, Chinatown and Financial District neighborhoods so you can disembark wherever you want to go.
Another way to get to downtown is via the PresidiGo Presidio Hills & Downtown shuttles. Due to the pandemic, it seems service have been (temporarily?) discontinued on weekends. Click here to the web page showing the service cut announcement. Hopefully, weekend services will resume when things go back to pre-pandemic days.
These are the two PresidiGo Presidio Hills shuttle stops near Baker Beach as shown in the photo below:
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Take the Presidio Hills Shuttle to the terminal in the Presidio and then take the Downtown shuttle to go downtown. Outside the Presidio, the Downtown shuttle stops at Van Ness & Union, Davis & California Streets (near the Hyatt Embarcadero) and SF Transit Center (Howard & Beale Streets).
Click here for PresidiGo shuttle Rider Guide and other important information like when visitors are allowed to ride for free and when visitors are not allowed to ride. (Note: The Muni #43 bus does NOT go to the Presidio at this time (as of August 16, 2021) but that might change when things get back to pre-pandemic days.)
(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.)
