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:

(Click on video to enlarge)

(Click on video to enlarge)

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. 

(Click on video to enlarge)

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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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." 

(Click on video to enlarge)

(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.

(Click on video to enlarge)

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.

Things to do in San Francisco: Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco #TuesdayTips

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.)

(Click on video to enlarge)

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.

#SanFrancisco #UrbanTrekUSATips #UrbanTrekUSATipsNobHill #UrbanTrekUSATipsCableCar #CableCar #CaliforniaCableCar #UrbanTrekUSA

Things to do in San Francisco: Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco #TuesdayTips

Today's Tuesday Tips for things to do in San Francisco features Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill. 

(Click on video to enlarge)

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. 

(Click on photo to enlarge)

 

(Click on photo to enlarge)

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. 

Click here for more Urban Trek USA tips with regard to the 150th anniversary of the San Francisco cable cars.

#SanFancisco #UrbanTrekUSATips #UrbanTrekUSATipsNobHill #TuesdayTips #GraceCatheral #NobHill #ThingsToDoSF #CalbeCar150

Updated: June 27, 2023

Walking from Presidio Pet Cemetery to Crissy Field then Golden Gate Bridge #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco

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. 

(Click on video to enlarge)

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.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• When you reach Mason St, cross to the other side where the grass is and turn left.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• 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.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• 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.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• When you get to the top of the stairs, walk to the right.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• 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.

(Click on video to enlarge)

• Keep walking along the path until you see this sign and walk right and follow the dirt path.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• Continue on the dirt path until you see the entrance to a tunnel and enter the tunnel.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• 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.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

• 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.

(Click photo to enlarge)

• Follow the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge

Enjoy!

Links to other self-guided directions that can be combined with this post:

1. Batteries to Bluffs Trail to Baker Beach

Things to do in San Francisco: Golden Gate Park JFK Dr Promenade Play Area #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco

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. 

Other things you can do along JFK Dr Promenade in Golden Gate Park are depicted in this video:

This #UrbanTrekUSATips by Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tour.

#SanFrancisco #GoldenGatePark #JFKDrPromenade #UrbanTrekUSATipsGGP 

Last updated: May 17, 2023

Things to do in San Francisco - Fuchsia Garden in Golden Gate Park #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco

 This #UrbanTrekUSATips by Urban Trek USA a private San Francisco walking and city tour  is about the Fuchsia Garden.

The Fuchsia Garden is not as popular as the Rose Garden, Dahlia Garden, Botanical Garden, etc. but it is worth the visit especially if you want to be in a place of solitude. 

The Fuchsia Garden is located near the entrance to Golden Gate Park at Stanyan and Hayes Streets. Taking the #21 Muni bus and disembarking at the Hayes & Stanyan bus stop <Stop ID 15009> is the easiest way to get there via public transportation. After you disembark, cross Stanyan Street to the entrance to the Golden Gate Park and you will soon see the sign showing the entrance to the Fuchsia Garden (shown in the video below). And if you follow the path heading west, you will end up near the Dahlia Garden & Conservatory of Flowers. 

Click here for other things to do in Golden Gate Park.

#GoldenGatePark #FuchsiaGarden #SanFrancisco #UrbanTrekUSATips 

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2022

Things to do in San Francisco to feel that Christmas spirit (holiday joy) #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco

 I wasn't feeling the Christmas spirit so I decided to do something yesterday evening to capture that feeling and I am happy I did it because today I am more in a holiday frame of mind. 

This is the whole video showing what I did:

In my opinion, it's best to do this in the evening especially if you plan to check out the events at Grace Cathedral (e.g. Dec. 23, 2022).

Here's what I did:

1) I started at Hallidie Plaza (where the Powell Metro & BART station is located) where there is the Holiday Winter Wanderland until Dec. 24, 2022. Click here for more information about the shows done daily. 

2) Head up the escalator to the cable car turn around and check the cable cars with holiday decorations.

3) Walk up Powell Street to the St. Francis Hotel and check out their holiday decorations.

4) Walk across the street to Union Square where the ice skating rink and giant Christmas tree are located. 

5) Take the cable car or the bus (or walk?) to the top of Nob Hill to the Fairmont Hotel. (Note: Taking the bus is cheaper than the cable car. Walk to the bus top at Stockton & Sutter and take any bus headed into the tunnel. Disembark at the very next stop in Chinatown <Stockton & Sacramento> and take a short walk to the bus stop at Sacramento & Stockton and take the #1 bus and disembark at Sacramento & Sproule/Mason and take a short walk to the Fairmont Hotel. Check out their holiday decorations and the giant ginger bread house.

.6) Walk to Huntington Park and check out the Christmas lights. 

7) If the music and screen projection is on at Grace Cathedral across the street from Huntington Park, cross the street and check it out. Also, click here for the calendar of events at Grace Cathedral. 

Enjoy the holidays!

#SanFrancisco #HappyHolidays #SanFranciscoChristmas #SanFranciscoHolidays 

Things to do in San Francisco - Let's Glow SF #UrbanTrekUSATips #SanFrancisco

Things to do in San Francisco - Let's Glow SF kicked off Dec. 2, 2022. It is "America's largest holiday projection mapping festival." This year is the second time for this event in San Francisco. The projection installations will be running until Dec. 11, 2002 from 5:00 - 10:00 pm. I highly recommend it if you will be visiting the downtown area. 

Click here for more information and list of artists with bios.

There are 5 locations and this is the order I recommend to see them:

1. Mechanics Monument Plaza (Market & Battery)

2. 1 Bush Street (Best to watch from across the street at 525 Market St)

3. Hobart Building (Market & Montgomery)

4. Pacific Stock Exchange Building (Pine & Sansome)

5. Station J (222 Leidesdorff)

When you end at Station J, you will be within walking distance to Chinatown, Jackson Square and North Beach where you have a whole lot of choice to eat or get some cocktails.

Here are a few of my recommendations in the following areas:

Chinatown

1. Hong Kong Clay Pot at 960 Grant Ave (Food)

2. R&G Lounge at 631 Kearny St (Food & Cocktails)

 Jackson Square

1. Cotogna at 490 Pacific Ave (Food & Cocktails)

2. Bix at 56 Gold St (Food & Cocktails)

3. Bask at 42 Columbus Ave

North Beach

1. Comstock Saloon at 155 Columbus Ave (Food & Cocktails)

2. Specs at 12 William Saroyan Pl (Cocktails)

3. Vesuvio at 255 Columbus Ave (Cocktails)

4. Stella Party & Cafe at 446 Columbus Ave (Italian desserts & coffee) 

5. Trestle at 531 Jackson St (Food & wine) 

6. Caffe Trieste at 601 Vallejo St (Coffee)

 

 

 

 

 

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Scenery Private Walking and City Tour #SFSceneryUrbanTrek #SanFranciscoScenery

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Scenery 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.)

The San Francisco Scenery urban trek includes two of the most iconic San Francisco attractions (i.e. Golden Gate Bridge, crooked part of Lombard Street) plus the also popular Palace of Fine Arts and the less popular billionaire's area of Pacific Heights. All of the places have beautiful views, but most important is you will get to experience some of the "secret spots" with awesome views without the crowd. In addition to the awesome views, you will also learn some historical information about the places and, as always, the insider's scoop on more recent events about them. 

(Note: Maybe if the promotional video for this urban trek goes viral then the "secret spots" will be less of a secret so do not share it. LOL.) 

The first place you will experience is Russian Hill where you will see the crooked part of Lombard Street, a very steep street and a couple of the "secret spots" noted above. 

The Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina neighborhood is the next stop, which has a beautiful architectural design and park for the neighborhood. 

After the Palace of Fine Arts, lunch break will be on Chestnut Street in the Marina neighborhood where you will have a wide variety of good choices for lunch. The Urban Trek Leader will provide you with excellent recommendations to help you make a good choice. (Note: The cost of your lunch and snack break, when applicable, is not included in the urban trek price and will be your responsibility.)

After lunch will be the Golden Gate Bridge. There will be quite a bit of time devoted to this area so you will see it from far and near, left side, right sie and under. You will have the option to walk to the first tower (closest to San Francisco) if you want to do so. Therefore, you will be very familiar with the bridge after you leave. Did I mention the "secret spots?"

After the Golden Gate Bridge is the billionaire's area of Pacific Heights which has a nice view and you will see where the ultra rich live in San Francisco. You will be given some scoop on who owns some of the mansions.

The itinerary for this private urban trek ends at this point. You have the option to stop for an afternoon coffee, tea, ice cream, snack at one of the places along Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights. Or the Urban Trek Leader can take you back to your hotel or take you to a location you want to go as long as it is within a reasonable distance and accessible by public transportation.

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: 9:30 am (or mutually agreed upon time)
• Approximate length of urban trek: 6.5 to 7 hours which includes one-hour lunch break and, if you want, an afternoon break for ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate, beer/wine.
• 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 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.

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Neighborhoods Private Walking and City Tour #SanFranciscoNeighborhoodsUrbanTrek

Things to do in San Francisco - San Francisco Neighborhoods 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.)

The San Francisco Neighborhoods urban trek has a good mix of history and beautiful scenery, well-known tourist and not so famous interesting places, some art and architecture by combining five San Francisco diverse neighborhoods plus brief walk-throughs of two more neighborhoods. You will get a local perspective from your Urban Trek Leader who has lived in San Francisco for decades. You will definitely get the insider's tips on what you can do in these neighborhoods should you want to revisit them after your urban trek experience. This particular urban trek is a true well-rounded San Francisco experience for visitors, especially first-time visitors.

Our goal for this private urban trek is for you to experience five different and diverse neighborhoods of San Francisco plus a brief walk through in one neighborhood in a full-day walking and city tour:

Chinatown for its rich historical and cultural aspect. Click here for a more detailed description of the Chinatown experience.

 

North Beach for its uniqueness and a place with a whole bunch of legacy businesses (over 50 years old). Click here for a more detailed description of the North Beach experience. (Note: The coffee break in North Beach is not part of the San Francisco neighborhoods itinerary, but you will get recommendations on what cafes are worth visiting on your own.)

A brief walk through in the Cow Hollow neighborhood to transfer buses. Cow Hollow is a neighborhood with Victorian houses that have been converted into boutiques, restaurants and offices.

Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights has a whole bunch on good places to eat so this is an excellent place to have a lunch break. You will have a choice from varied cuisines: American, Mediterranean, Italian, Seafood, Vietnamese, etc. (Note: The cost of lunch and snack break, when applicable, is not included in the urban trek price and will be your responsibility.)

After lunch, you will explore Pacific Heights which can be considered the premier neighborhood of San Francisco because most of the city's elite live in this neighborhood. Click here for a more detailed description of the Pacific Heights experience. 

Alamo Square neighborhood has the famous "Painted Ladies" Victorian houses and NOPA (North of the Panhandle) has been going though quite a transformation (gentrification?) in the past years. The name NOPA is part of said transformation (LOL). Click here for a more detailed description of the Alamo Square / NOPA experience. 

 

Hayes Valley is the neighborhood that had gone through a huge transformation and used to be called an up and coming neighborhood, but I believe it has already arrived to be a desirable place to live. Click here for a more detailed description of the Hayes Valley experience.

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: 9:30 am (or mutually agreed upon time)
• Approximate length of urban trek: 6.5 to 7 hours which includes one-hour lunch break and, if you want, an afternoon break for ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate, beer/wine.
• 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 for this urban trek:

This is a 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. 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.

Things to do in San Francisco - Presidio Pet Cemetery #TuesdayTips

This installment of #TuesdayTips part of #UrbanTrekUSATips by Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours features how to walk from Battery Bluff Park to the Presidio Pet Cemetery.

This video pretty much shows how to walk from the overlook at Battery Bluff Park to the Presidio Pet Cemetery:

Note: On the video, there is a message when you see the photo below to watch a video about this amazing discovery:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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

For more information and history about the Presidio Pet Cemetery, click here for the link to the Presidio website page for the Pet Cemetery.

Note: Click here for self-guided directions from Pet Cemetery to the best scenic way for walking  to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Last updated: June 16, 2023

Things to do in San Francisco - Francisco Park in Russian Hill #TuesdayTips

This installment of #TuesdayTips part of #UrbanTrekUSATips by Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours features the newly opened Francisco Park in Russian Hill.

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.

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

Picnic tables:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

https://sfstandard.com/community/loose-herd-of-goats-near-san-franciscos-ghirardelli-square-stops-traffic/

 

Last updated: May 7, 2023

Things to do in San Francisco - Battery Bluff Park in the Presidio #TuesdayTips

This installment of #TuesdayTips part of #UrbanTrekUSATips by Urban Trek USA San Francisco private walking and city tours features the newly opened (Apr. 23, 2022) Battery Bluff Park in the Presidio. 

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. 

(Note: The PresidiGo Downtown shuttle is free on weekends. On weekdays it is mostly free but there are certain times a PresidiGo Pass is required. Click here to go to the PresidiGo website showing the PresidiGo Downtown shuttle schedule.) 

The most convenient PresidiGo shuttle stop downtown is the one on Drumm & California at shown in this photo:

(Click on photo to enlarge)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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): 

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

(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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

Follow the path shown above towards the Golden Gate Bridge until you get to the overlook as shown in the photo below:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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:

(Click to enlarge photo)

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.

Last updated: May 2, 2022