Urban Hike San Bruno Mountain - San Francisco, CA

July 2, 2017

San Bruno Mountain, rising between the southern end of San Francisco and the northern end of Santa Cruz Mountain Range, offers a very unique urban hike experience with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the central Bay, and the San Francisco skyline. The mountain provides twelve miles of hiking, riding, and jogging trails. The area is also an ecological haven for several species of rare and endangered plants and butterflies, including the Mission blue butterfly.

I hiked Summit Loop trail. It was fun to see many wildflowers blooming and native plants growing all along the trail. It's an evidence that the moisture from the ocean fog sustains the life of vegetation and wildlife in the mountain maintaining ecological balance. For great views of the SF skyline and the ocean, choose a clear day. It was amusing to see a family of skunk crossing the trail!

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Hiking Tiburon Part 2 of 2 - Tiburon, CA

June 25, 2017

Explore beautiful Tiburon by visiting Old St. Hilary's and hiking through Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve and Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve.

Old St. Hilary's is Tiburon’s iconic hillside landmark. It was originally a mission church named for St. Hilaire, Bishop of Poitiers. The church was built as a place of worship for local railroad workers in 1888. The building retains significant architectural importance because it is one of the few remaining Carpenter Gothic churches to survive in its original setting. Hiking up Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve offers wildflowers along the trail and breathtaking views in all directions from the top.

Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve is located on the west side of the Tiburon peninsula and can be hiked from several access points. The best approach is to start at the trailhead on Paradise Drive and follow the Phyllis Ellman Loop Trail to the top. Views of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area from the top are stunning. Ring Mountain Open Space was preserved to benefit future generations and saved from development due to the efforts of concerned citizens led by local conservationist Phyllis Ellman.

Hiking Tiburon Part 1 of 2:
https://youtu.be/haJvZORbaQo

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Hiking Tiburon Part 1 of 2 - Tiburon, CA

June 20, 2017

 

Hiking beautiful Tiburon peninsula! Views are amazing from every spot in town! This quaint and easygoing town offers wonderful hikes with incredible vistas and local history.

Hike up Tiburon Open Space Preserve for breathtaking views...SF Bay and the city, Angel Island, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tam, Richmond Bridge and Bay Bridge with east side cities. There is a big tree called Hippie Tree with a rope swing. "Hippie Tree"....the origin of the name is unknown(?), but you'll be likely inspired by amazing views seen from there.

Trekking along the shoreline via Old Rail Trail from Blackie's Pasture and through McKegney Field to the east end of the Tiburon peninsula is another way to explore the beauty of the peninsula and its old history....fantastic views, historic Ark Row and beautiful homes in Belvedere as you hike along the bay. Read information boards along the trail for interesting history of Tiburon. You can also take a ferry to Angel Island or to the city if you want to extend your adventure.

 

Hiking Tiburon Part 2 of 2:
https://youtu.be/u_QEauNOVwk

 

 Video by Lifeisamt

San Francisco Urban Hike - Painted Ladies, Mt. Sutro and Sutro Tower

June 19, 2017

 

Painted Ladies, also known as Postcard Row, are Victorian houses located near Alamo Square in Haight Ashbury. These colorfully painted Queen Anne-style homes are one of the most well-recognized examples of California Victorian architecture.

Mt. Sutro is a mountain forest in the heart of San Francisco. The 900 ft mountain is a dense eucalyptus forest. The trees (Australian natives) were planted by Adolph Sutro, who at one time owned one-twelfth of San Francisco. Much of the mountain is owned by the University of California, and also the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. Trails are many and trail map is handy for hiking directions.

Sutro Tower (977 ft high) stands on the hill and its base is Mt. Sutro, which is named after Adolph Sutro, a Prussia-born Gold Rush engineer and real estate investor who was elected mayor of San Francisco in 1894.

 

 Video by Lifeisamt

Bernal Heights Park - Best view of San Francisco

June 18, 2017

 

Want the best view of San Francisco? Ditch the crowd at Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks! Bernal Heights offers spectacular vantage points for the best views of SF...."wow" moments no doubt. The hike to Bernal Heights is short and easy. For the views, choose a clear day. Bernal Heights may be a hidden gem for viewing July 4th fireworks.

 

  Video by Lifeisamt