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.
Today's Tuesday Tips features the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill. This year, 2023, is the 150th anniversary of the San Francisco cable cars. The very first cable car was tested on August 2, 1873. The Clay Street Hill Railroad Company opened to the public on September 1, 1873. For the first two days, free rides were offered and on the third day passengers had to pay 5 cents. The original line was from Kearny to Leavenworth. As of today, the cable car fare is $8.00. (Note: $.05 back in 1873 would be approximately $1 in 2023.)
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The Cable Car Museum is located at 1201 Mason Street (@Washington). As of right now, they are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Cable Car Museum is FREE.
Note: Make sure not to miss going downstairs as shown in the beginning of the video so you can see what goes on underneath the street. Also, watch the video <shown towards the end of the video above> because if shares a lot of interesting information about the cable cars.
If you are taking the California cable car, disembark at California and Mason and walk heading north on Mason for 3 blocks. If you take the Powell/Hyde or Powell/Mason cable car going towards the Fisherman's Wharf area disembark at Jackson and Mason and walk heading south on Mason for 1 block. If you are taking the Powell/Hyde or Powell/Mason cable car going to Union Square area, they both stop in front of the Cable Car Museum at Mason and Washington.
Today's Tuesday Tips for things to do in San Francisco features Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill.
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Grace Cathedral is located on top of Nob Hill and is a beautiful Gothic architectural style building. The best thing to see is the "Gates of Paradise" doors, which is a replica of the original at the Baptistry in Florence, Italy that was done by Lorenzo Ghiberti. It is said that the term "Gates of Paradise" came from Michelangelo himself because he thought the beautiful gates were worthy to be the gates to Paradise.
Grace Cathedral has a $12 admission fee at this time if you want to see the interior architecture as well as the beautiful stained glass windows. The admission fee includes a self-guided interactive tour. They also offer a docent guided tour for $20.
(Courtyard of Grace Cathedral - click on photo to enlarge)
Another interesting this to check out are the black scorch marks on the walls (see photos below) that are remnants of the great fire of 1906 that burned the mansion of Charles Crocker that was on this land before the April 18, 1906 great earthquake and fire.
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Note: A good book to get with self-guided walking tours and a lot of interesting stuff about Nob Hill and other San Francisco neighborhoods is "Historic Walks in San Francisco" by Rand Richards. This is one of the most useful books I read when researching information for my Urban Trek USA walking & city tours.
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:
The California cable car in San Francisco runs between Drumm Street at the Embarcadero Center to Van Ness. This particular cable car is a double ended cable car, which means it has two grips (i.e. one at both ends of the cable car). Therefore, it does not have to be turned around like the cable cars on Powell (i.e. Powell & Hyde, Powell & Mason). Hence, one can ride the California cable car from the Embarcadero to Van Ness and then back without having to disembark.
Note: Each cable car ride costs $8 -as of Feb. 14, 2024- meaning riding it from Embarcadero to Van Ness is $8 and going back is another $8 <4 years old or under is free>. My tip is cost effective ONLY when one has a Muni monthly fast pass or one of the visitor Passports which includes unlimited rides on cable cars.
Urban Trek USA Tip: Sit or stand on the left side of the California cable car and start at the station at California & Drumm Street. Make sure you are looking back most of the time especially when the cable car starts to go uphill because -as the video shows- the view is behind the cable car when going towards Van Ness. Also, as one gets higher up Nob Hill it would be good to look downhill (left side) when the cable car crosses Powell, Mason, Jones and Taylor Streets for nice views. When the cable reaches the end at Van Ness, just stay where you are because the cable car will go back without you having to disembark. This time you will be in the front and ride side of the cable car. I suggest that you do not get off until Chinatown on Grant Ave because the steepest part of this route is between Powell at the top and Grant at the bottom of Nob Hill. It's fun experiencing this steep part of the ride.
Check out this video from the kick off event held at the California cable car station at the Embarcadero Center (California & Drumm) on June 13, 2023.
Things to do in San Francisco: Golden Gate Park JFK Dr Promenade play area. With the permanent closure of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park, one of good additions is the play area near the Music Concourse where you can play ping pong, corn hole and bring out the kid in you by spinning on one of those spinning seats.
Hayes Valley is one of the hippest neighborhoods in San Francisco with a whole bunch of good places to eat with outdoor seating; neat bars, beer garden and wine shops; excellent coffee and hot chocolate places; and trendy boutiques. Another neat thing about this neighborhood is the contrast of old Victorian buildings and more contemporary architecture style buildings mixed together. This neighborhood used to be considered an up and coming neighborhood but today it has definitely arrived. In my opinion, the gentrification that happened in this neighborhood was a good thing. You will learn about the transformation that happened and the main reason for the transformation.
If you are doing the San Francisco neighborhoods private urban trek, this neighborhood is where it ends. This was done intentionally because you have the option to hang out here and shop or browse at the many of the trendy shops or have coffee or hot chocolate or beer or wine to unwind after your full-day urban trek of San Francisco neighborhoods. You will be given directions on how to get to where you want to go (e.g. your hotel) if you decide to end your private urban trek here. You will also get excellent recommendations of what to do in this neighborhood.
Hayes Valley is also a good place to have a lunch break if you do a customized urban trek because you will have a whole bunch of good choices for a place to stop for lunch.
Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and sightseeing city tours. (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.)
What is an Urban Trek?
Short definition: It's like having a knowledgeable friend giving you the insider's scoop on San Francisco vs. just a tour guide.
Long definition: An urban trek is a unique walking and city tour. This walking tour immerses oneself in the various San Francisco neighborhoods, history and culture of the city. Part of this tour includes taking public transportation to cover distant & uphill locations.
Joining an urban trek will give you a better perspective of what makes San Francisco unique from most cities because you will get information that might not normally be found in tour books or websites about San Francisco.
The Urban Trek Leader (Anton) has been a San Francisco resident for decades. Anton will provide you with an experience that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city of San Francisco.
Urban Trek USA has been the premier walking tour of San Francisco for over a decade.
- Sending an e-mail to anton@urbantrekusa.com will be the best way. In you e-mail, include the date you want to reserve and which itinerary you want to do if you already know the itinerary you want (e.g. Historical San Francisco, San Francisco Neighborhoods, San Francisco Secret Spots, San Francisco Scenery).
- Send a text message to (415) 265-8229. You can also use WhatsApp and Viber. Provide the same information noted above.
Links to itineraries offered with detailed information:
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
Francisco Park is a park along Hyde Street where the famous Powell & Hyde cable car runs; bounded by Hyde, Francisco, Larkin and Bay Streets. The best view is at the entrance of the park at the top of the hill at Hyde and Francisco Streets.
Francisco Park is just two city blocks away from the very famous crooked part of Lombard Street. Make sure to check out Francisco Park when visiting Lombard Street's crooked portion.
Tips:
If you are coming form the lower portion of the crooked part of Lombard Street, walk to the top of the crooked street (to Hyde Street). When you get to Hyde Street, turn right and walk down the hill to Francisco Street. Make sure to walk on the sidewalk at the western side of Hyde Street (i.e. when you get to the top of the crooked street, cross to the other side of Hyde Street and turn right). There is no crosswalk at the intersection of Hyde and Francisco so it will be more dangerous to cross there. You will see the entrance of Francisco Park where the stairs is located that goes down to the main section of the park. Go down the stairs and check out the various exhibits in the park (see photos below). If you have children, they will definitely want to play in the playground. Then take the wooden ramp leading down to where the dog play area is located. Make sure to check out the plants and flowers in the garden. The exit is at the corner of Hyde and Bay Streets.
If you are coming from Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park or Fisherman's Wharf, walk up the hill (going south) on the sidewalk of Hyde Street along the cable car route on the western side. When you get to the southwest portion of Hyde and Bay Streets, you will see the entrance to Francisco Park where the dog play area is located. You will also see the wooden ramp that leads to the top of the park. Take the ramp and check out the plants and flowers in the garden. Also, make sure to check out the various exhibits along the way (see photos below). If you have children, they will undoubtedly want to check out the playground.
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This is the wooden ramp and the dog play area
These are the various exhibits that have interesting things to know:
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Maria Manetti Shrem Community Garden:
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Picnic tables:
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Public toilets:
There are public toilets in this park. Being a brand new park (opened April 27, 2022), they are nice and new at the moment.
Miscellaneous (quite funny):
On Apr. 20, 2023, a herd of goats that were hired to eat the vegetation above Francisco Park escaped and caused a little traffic jam. According to the article, the herd possibly went all the way down to Ghirardelli Square. LOL. Click on the link to the San Francisco Standard story about this incident:
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.
