City Walks SF #50: Fort Funston

That's right! We finished our 50 city walks this year, just like we'd planned.

Thanks again to Karen and Bernie for getting us such a great gift last Christmas! This deck was a phenomenal way to get to know our city (The City) and get exercise at the same time! Now we just have to figure out what to do with all of our weekends next year!

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Fort Funston is a stretch of coast on the south side of the City, managed by the National Park Service. Like all NPS lands in the Bay Area, it features many military installations of WWII era or earlier. Here's one that the observation deck was built around:



There's the north side of Fort Funston, where dogs seem to outnumber people:



And here's the descent to the beach:





More beach - and fewer dogs here:







And back on top, heading through a battery:



This was a nice place, but for the distance from our house, I feel we might as well just go to Marin - so many fewer people there! Definitely a gorgeous asset for the City though.

And a lovely way to end our City Walks.

City Walks SF #41: Mount Davidson and West Portal

This walk was rather anticlimactic for our second to last City Walk. That's right - we are almost done. At 927 feet, Mt Davidson is the highest peak in the City. However, I firmly recommend Twin Peaks regardless of the few feet shorter it is. Twin Peaks features 360 degree views, rather than just the north side that Mount Davidson offers. In addition, there is also no giant cross on the time. (I will admit though, Mount Davidson appeared to have some cute stone-step trails through the eucalyptus forests.)



Due to our country's supposed separation of church and state, in 1997, the City of San Francisco sold the 1/3 acre on which this cross sits to the highest bidder. Problem solved.



This walk also involved the neighborhood of West Portal, which we have visited several times for the cute 3 screen movie theater just two subway stops from the Castro. We went there just this past weekend to see the Fantastic Mr. Fox.

City Walks SF #42: Glen Canyon

I love Glen Canyon! I know have blogged about this before, but I can't find it in my archives. This time we went here for the actual city walks. I mean really, can you believe these pictures were taken right in the middle of the City?

City Walks SF #47: Bernal Heights

Here's another area of town we had never been to before. Bernal Heights Park was very nice - filled with joggers and dog-walkers, and with great city views. I really enjoyed it. Bernal Heights is also a cute little neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and bakeries. There are so many little streets like this sprinkled throughout the City, right in the middle of residential areas - I love it.

City Walks SF #48: Potrero Hill

This is an interesting residential area with great views of downtown, but it is oh-so-remote from good public transit. We walked by the Anchor Brewery, but they have no tap room here, and tours are so limited you have to take vacation from work to get one.



We also saw the real curviest street in San Francisco. Not as picturesque or as close to other things as it's famous counterpart, Lombard Street.

City Walks SF #49: South Park and the Embarcadero

Ah, we did this walk so long ago that I have forgotten so much. For some reason this walk involved a chain - Gordon Biersch, but since Matt and I so rarely turn down beer, we stopped in anyway.

We also took a short walk along the bay, stopped by AT&t Park and then headed into this strange area called South Park. Situated smack in the middle of an industrial area, this is an oval-shaped green area with a playground, cafes, and commercial spaces for the creative types. Strangely, it's just a block or so from Matt's office and we had never seen it before.

City Walks SF #46: The Latino Mission

Now, this part of the Mission I actually like. It isn't as trendy as the northern part, Spanish is still spoken most places, and you can purchase Mexican pastries on the cheap. Of course we have yet to find a panaderia as tasty as Golden Crown.

The area is also apparently famous for its murals. Here are just a few:






I think the one below is Matt's favorite. He loves Mr. Burbujas.



Also a soda fountain that supposedly dates back to 1918. I am a big fan of soda fountains, being a lover of milkshakes, fries, and other such treats.



If you have to get off the BART in the Mission, I definitely prefer 24th street.

City Walks SF #45: Valencia Street

Hmm, I seem not to have any pictures of this walk.

Valencia Street is the trendy part of the Mission District. I am a little baffled by this, since it is still quite overrun by crack addicts and crazy people in general. You will not find Matt and me joining the hipsters in this neighborhood anytime soon.

However, Dave Eggers did found a writing center there, which also houses a pirate-supply store. Odd.

Also, one can get some good burritos on the cheap in this neighborhood.

City Walks SF #44: Dolores Park and Mission Dolores

This walk involves one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.

Here is the city's "largest and most colorful" mural, located on the Women's Building. Personally I am rather afraid of it.



Next up: Mission Dolores. Do you recognize it at all from Vertigo? We didn't at first, until we saw the second tower.



A building in the complex dates from 1788 - apparently the city's oldest! Not quite the history New Mexico has, I guess.



And finally, Dolores Park. We always happen to be here on a super nice day, and I am always surprised at how many people can fit in a city park. I have a feeling it is not just a place to enjoy the weather, but a place to see and be seen.

City Walks SF #43: Noe Valley

Well we apparently did these walks way back at the beginning of August, and I've failed to post them until now.

This picture certainly doesn't do Noe Valley justice; we completed this walk after at least three others. I was starved and demanded to be taken to dinner - Haystack Pizza. Remarkably tasty and affordable, and a cute little hole-in-the wall.

Noe Valley is a fairly pricey neighborhood featuring, as far as I can tell, a lot of stay-at-home mothers with toddlers. It's a short bus ride away from our house, but we hardly ever go there. We still haven't found anything exceptional in the food department, and the stores aren't really up my alley. But a nice neighborhood.

City Walks SF #39: The Castro

I can't remember when we did this walk; it was over a week ago now. However, since we practically live in the Castro, it was easy to fit it in after work. The walk featured the main part of the neighborhood along with some shops and a bar we call the Glass Coffin; we were also sent up a giant hill to enjoy some Victorians and views. Yet another part of the City where the rich people live.

And just for fun, here is Matt picking blackberries on Kite Hill, between our house and the Castro.

City Walks #40: Twin Peaks

This walk was obviously nothing we hadn't done before, since we practically live on Twin Peaks, but we enjoyed it anyway. And true to the card's word, there was a snack truck on top from which we purchased ice cold beverages to overcome the severe heat in which we'd been hiking with dark shirts and long pants. Who knew?

First, the Pemberton Stairway. Absolutely gorgeous, but the light was not great for pictures.



Then the pink triangle erected for Pride. (Gay men in concentration camps were required to wear pink triangles during the Holocaust, resulting in beatings, torture, and extra-long prison stays.)



Looking down over the city and the festivities.



And a rare picture of Matt:

City Walks #32: Sacramento Street

And on this one we learned where all the rich people shop. (Even richer than all the other fancy, pricey shopping areas I've discussed on these walks.)

Sadly enough, no pictures. Just imagine furniture you could never afford.

City Walks SF #31: Pacific Heights

And now we know where Danielle Steel lives. And all the other rich people in the city (as if anyone who owns a house in this city isn't rich). They have nice views and lovely hydrangeas. However, Matt was very bored with this walk and apparently didn't take any pictures of the mansions. Use your imagination.






You can see the pink triangle on Twin Peaks in this picture. More on that later.

City Walks SF #38: Duboce Triangle and Upper Market

I loved this walk. Noe turns out to be a beautiful tree lined street with extra large sidewalks featuring little groups of benches and planters. So peaceful. And still so close to the Castro. After I decided I wanted to move here, we saw a house for sale for about $2.15 million. Considering that's about twice as much as in our neighborhood, I think we might be a bit short on the proportional rent.

Duboce Park is also very nice, although we didn't manage to get a good picture of it. (Clearly it's very close to transit though.)



And not featured on our walk card, but also noteworthy - the US Mint.

City Walks #37: Market Street and Hayes Valley

This walk featured a surprising neighborhood of upscale shops and eateries, hidden in what I would consider to be a not very nice part of town. I'm glad I know it's there. Not that I'll likely go back. There are so many other places where I might actually be able to buy something. I feel like the last several walks have been hitting up the high priced, trendy neighborhoods. I'd rather go to the Sunset for shopping and food.

City Walks #36: Civic Center

We've been through the Civic Center many times, on buses, on foot, on trips to the library and farmers market. This time we took the time to meander through the UN Plaza, and we attempted to go check out the dome in City Hall, but it was closed. The Asian Art Museum is being saved for the Samurai exhibit. The Civic Center is definitely a neat place that many tourists avoid. Maybe because of all the homeless people and the lovely smell...

The Civic Center also features the Veterans Building - where the United Nations Charter was signed, an opera house, a symphony hall, and the main library.

City Walks #35: Alamo Square and the Lower Haight

You may recognize the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, made famous by Full House. And maybe some other shows and movies. Alamo Square is a pretty nice park - playground, dog play area, nice views. I love all the green spaces in the city.



Lower Haight is full of supposedly good restaurants, although we didn't try any. Also tattoo parlors and houses with funny facades.





The card refers to Lower Haight as "the Upper Haight's rougher, scrappier counterpart."