Things to do in San Francisco: Let's Glow SF 2023 - Tips from Urban Trek USA #UrbanTrekUSATips

Let's Glow SF 2023 kicked off on Dec. 1, 2023 and will go on until Dec. 10, 2023 from 5:00 - 10:00 pm. This Urban Trek USA tip includes Pier 14 and the Embarcadero Center walkways as part of how to experience Let's Glow SF because they complement the video projection experience.

This video gives a glimpse of what you will experience if you follow the recommendations below:

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Note: The video does not include the projection at the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange building because it has a different orientation and also the scenery from the back of the Ferry Building. Separate video/photo are provided for them.

Start by going towards the end of Pier 14 after dark. This video gives more of a panoramic view of what you will experience if you walk towards the end of the pier:

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After Pier 14, head on to the back of the Ferry Building by taking the ramp (see photo below) after you pass the Pier 14 gate:

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Make a left at the end of the ramp and walk until you get to the back of the Ferry Building where there's a good view with the San Francisco sign in lights:

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If you want to get something to eat or drink, the Ferry Building is a good place with all the delicious stuff vendors offer. Check their website for operating times of the vendors.

Note: This would be a good place to use the toilet before proceeding.

Head on to the plaza in front of the Ferry Building to watch the video projection. The video below is the full video of the video projection at the Ferry Building:

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Head on to the Embarcadero Center and walk through the plaza towards the Vaillancourt Fountain where you will see stairs (see photo below) leading to the walkways. Go up two flights of stairs to the top:

  

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Walk along the walkways all the way to the stairs that lead down to Battery Street. The video at the very top shows what you will experience starting from 3:21 to 7:04. 

Note: This is the sign as shown in the video showing the stairs that will lead down to Battery Street:

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When you get to Battery Street turn left (head south) on Battery Street until Market Street. Make a right on Market Street and you will see the building at One Bush Plaza where the video projection is shown. The video below does not show the entirety but is almost complete:

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After, head on to the Hobart Building by walking along Market to Montgomery Street. The Hobart Building is at the corner of Market, Montgomery and Post Streets. There is a section along Post Street where you can sit and where I was sitting when I took this video:

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After the Hobart Building, walk north on Montgomery Street to Pine Street and and turn right on Montgomery Street. The Pacific Coast Stock Exchange building (now Equinox) is at the corner of Pine and Sansome Streets. This is a video of the video projection there:

(Click on video to enlarge)

After the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange building, take Leidesdorff, an alley across the street from the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange building, and walk north until you pass Sacramento Street and get to an alley right after called Commercial Street. Turn left on Commercial Street and you will see the Station J building where the video projections is:

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The Landing at Leidesdorff is the last Let's Glow SF video projection. From here you can walk to North Beach or Chinatown.

#LetsGlowSF #LetsGlowSF2023 #UrbanTrekUSATips #UrbanTrekUSATipsLetsGlowSF 

  

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. 

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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. 

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. 

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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:

1. Batteries to Bluffs Trail to Baker Beach

Things to do in San Francisco: Grandview Park & 16th Ave Tiled (Mosaic) Steps #UrbanTrekUSATips #TuesdayTips #SanFrancisco

Today's Tuesday Tips by Urban Trek USA a top-rated San Francisco private walking and city tour is for Grandview Park and the 16th Ave (at Moraga) Tiled/Mosaic steps.

Grandview Park in San Francisco's Sunset District is between 650 - 700 feet above sea level. The best way to get there is via the 16th Ave (at Moraga) tiled / mosaic steps if you are very fit because - per my count - there are 334 steps to climb (i.e. 162 of the mosaic steps plus 28 steps between the lower and upper part of 15th Ave plus another 144 steps to the top). 

(Click on video to enlarge)

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The sunset neighborhood is very susceptible to fog especially during the summer when most people visit San Francisco. It is also usually very windy. The photos and videos posted on this blog were taken on clear and not too windy days. How can you tell if it's foggy at this location? I would say if it is foggy at the Golden Gate Bridge then it will also be foggy at this location, although there are times when the Golden Gate Bridge is clear but Grandview Park has fog. (Tip: The best way to determine if there is fog at the Golden Gate Bridge is to visit their website as they have a 24-hour webcam to see the conditions. Click here to link to their website.)

Note: The good thing about the 16th Ave tiled steps is that there are landings wide enough for you to rest without being in the way of people to much.

VERY IMPORTANT: The good thing about resting on your way up is the opportunity to look back and see the view of the Pacific Ocean. So don't rush and take your time.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Directions on how to get to the 16th Ave tiled steps and to the Hidden Garden steps:

There are two buses that will take you close to the bottom of the 16th Ave tiled steps:

•  The #66 Quintara bus will drop you off right at the bottom of the stairs. This bus departs from the stop at 9th Ave & Judah (Stop ID 13215). Disembark at 16th Ave & Moraga (Stop ID 13277). If you are coming from downtown, the best way to get to 9th Ave & Judah is to the the westbound N Judah Muni Metro wherever it stops and disembark at Judah & 9th Ave. (Note: The bus stop at 9th Ave & Judah is close to Golden Gate Park for it will be a good idea to visit Golden Gate Park and Grandview Park / 16th Ave tiled steps at the same time.) 
• The #28 Daly City BART bus will drop you off at either 19th Ave & Lawton or 19th Ave & Noriega and you will have to walk 4 blocks to get to 16th Ave & Moraga. (Note: The #28 Daly City BART bus also stops at the Golden Gate Bridge. Therefore, if you are going there you can add Grandview Park and 16th Ave tiled steps to your itinerary.)

Stop and read the information board along the way before starting to climb the wooden part of the stairs.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Before you get to the summit make sure you explore the sandy path just below the summit. The section where the bend is located as shown in the photo below is the best place for a panoramic photo or video as there are no trees obstructing the view below. 

(Click on photo to enlarge)

(Click on video to enlarge)

 After you've had your fill of the scenery, take the stairs at the other side from where you went up. Therefore, do not go down the same stairs you used to go up. The stairs will lead you to 14th Ave (see photo below):

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When you get to the upper part of 14th Ave cross to where you will see stairs leading to the lower part of 14th Ave. When you get to the lower part of 14th Ave, turn left on 14th Ave and walk to 15th Ave and then turn right on 15th Ave and walk to Aloha Ave and turn left on Aloha Ave and walk to Lawton and turn left on Lawton and you will soon see the Hidden Garden steps on your right side. Refer to map below:

(Click on photo to enlarge)

You can also click on this link to Google Maps with walking directions to the Hidden Garden steps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kufScKxsHJm3iMs69

Go down the 15th Ave Hidden Garden steps. Since you are going down, make sure you stop every now and then to look at the beautiful mosaic tile workmanship.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

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When you reach the bottom you will be at Kirkham Street. Cross Kirkham and continue walking on 15th Ave to Judah. If you want to go downtown, there is a stop at Judah & 15th Ave for the N Judah Muni Metro (Stop ID 15197) headed to Caltrain Depot. You can take the same Metro line to go near Golden Gate Park or close to Haight Street. (Note: If you want to go to Ocean Beach, take the N Judah Muni Metro headed to Ocean Beach at the Metro stop at Judah & 16th Ave <Stop ID 15198>.)

If you want to get a snack, coffee, ice cream, lunch, dinner, etc. disembark the N Judah Metro headed to Caltrain Depot at Judah & 9th Ave (Stop ID 15194). There are a whole bunch of good places along 9th Ave and also along Irving Street.

The following are my recommended places in the Inner Sunset neighborhood:

• Pacific Catch at 9th Ave & Lincoln (1200 9th Ave)

• Gordo Taqueria at 1239 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Marnee Thai at 1243 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Ebisu at 1283 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln) 

• Tartine at 1226 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• San Francisco Homegrown Creamery at 1290 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Arizmendi Bakery at 1331 9th Ave (between Judah & Irving)

• Fresca at 737 Irving (between 9th Ave & 8th Ave)

•  Hahn's Hibachi at 535 Irving (between 7th Ave & 6th Ave)

 There are very likely a lot more good places that I haven't tried yet.

 

#SanFrancisco #TuesdayTips #UrbanTrekUSATips #GrandviewPark #16thAveTiledSteps 

 

 

 

 

Best spot to sit or stand riding the California Cable Car #SanFrancisco #UrbanTrekUSATips

Click on this link to YouTube for a video of the ride segment from Drumm Street to just past Jones Street

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.

(Click on video to enlarge)

#SanFrancisco #UrbanTrekUSATips #UrbanTrekUSATipsNobHill #UrbanTrekUSATipsCableCar #CableCar #CaliforniaCableCar #UrbanTrekUSA #CalbeCar150

Updated: Feb. 14, 2024

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 - 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.

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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:

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

 

Last updated: May 7, 2023