Urban & Bay Hikers (Hiking)

We take an adventure with cafe and Art Open Studios and Hidden sites through a forgotten neighborhood of San Francisco….. In the southeastern corner of the city is Bayview Hunters point, where you will find Heron’s Head Park and you’ll see some of the city’s only remaining tidal marsh habitat, which hosts an astounding array of birds. At last count, over 100 species have been spotted from this tiny 27-acre park, home to the only nesting American avocets in San Francisco proper. Hunter's Point Park features the Mildred Howard Frame at one end of the park and a nautical swing round shape holding up to 14 people at the other end the park. The Hunters Point crane is one of the cities most underrated landmarks, Visible from the East Bay, Peninsula and parts of San Francisco, the giant gantry crane measures 380 feet high with a red and white-striped arch at the top. The arch was built relatively and used to test-launch hydrogen bomb-tipped missiles. Be prepared to stop and buy drinks food, wine, pastries along the way ….. We will stop for at least 30min at the Hunter Points Art Open Studios, "The Point" over 100 artists open their studio doors to the public. Free admission, rare opportunity to meet the artists, see where they create their work

Trailhead / Meeting Point: Starting point, Evans and Keith Street (in front Speakeasy Ales & Lagers), 1195 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124

Level: Intermediate Plus
Total Distance: 6.8 miles Loop
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 200 feet
Parking: Street Parking Free
Information: Dogs on leash, Restroom and Water at Heron Park and at Art Open Studios

Hiking Directions: Starting Point; right on Evans Street, left on Jennings Street, right in the Herron Park continue to the end, (group photo) take a left pass back left at the bridge follow the coastal Trail through India Basin and out to the Box shop, continue hunters point Boulevard, left Innes Avenue stop at Café Alma (Chai Tea Latte), continue on Innis to Hunter's Point Park, Left along the back of park Left on Lockwood street, Left on Donahue street, Right on Inns ave, continue uphill on Inns ave, Right uphill on Middle Point Road, Left uphill on Inns ave, view point, then continue downhill on Inns ave, and return to the starting point.

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead: 1195 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
Latitude: N 37.739601° Longitude: W -122.382072°

Map:**https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/pressreleases/2015/Muni%20Map%202015.pdf

Directions: From 101 take Caesar Chavez exit go East, Right on Evans Street, Right on Keith street

In the San Mateo Parks Department we will explore Half Moon Bay Beach and the Coastal Trail from Princeton Pillar Point Harbor and we visit the hidden quite peaceful Quarry Park. This 517-acre park is located in the community of El Granada. We will stroll among eucalyptus and climb up to Vista Point and South Ridge and enjoy spectacular views of Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Trailhead / Meeting Point: Princeton Pillar Point Marina,
parking lot C, 270 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. Enter Princeton Pillar Point Marina entrance turn left and park in lot C which is on the left-hand side.

Level: Intermediate
Total Distance: 8.1 miles Loop
Hiking Time: 3- 3.5 hours
Elevation: 650 feet Vista Point, steep sloops
Parking: Free
Information: Dogs on leash,Restroom and water near Meeting spot Parking Lot C, and Restroom at start of beach.

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead:
Latitude: N37.504493° Longitude: W -122.48387°

**Map:**https://parks.smcgov.org/sites/parks.smcgov.org/files/Quarry_Mirada_v070814.pdf

Hiking Directions: Starting Point; Princeton Pillar Point, Harbor Village Parking Lot, Head South out of the Parking Lot cross over at signal walk toward the beach and take the Coastal trail along beach, continue on the trail past the beach, at picnic tables just before bridge and homes, Left across the grass and carefully cross over highway 1, then through the gate and uphill on the Miranda East Fire Road, Right on Vista Point Trail, at junction Right uphill on Vista Point Trail, at ‘T’ Right uphill on Junction opening on Left (Group pic) back on down then uphill South Ridge Trail at, Left Trail onto Middle Ridge Trail (Trail end at boundary, so if you reach this too far), continue straight on Middle Ridge trail at Junction, then Right on Quarry Trail, then Left at Meadow Trail, (Break at Picnic tables and restroom), then Right up Quarry Trail (Labyrinth), at fork Right on Vista Trail, Right on Miranda East Fire Road, then carefully cross over highway 1 and over the grass and take Right on Coastal trail and return back to the starting point.

Directions: From US Highway 1 South or North in Half Moon Bay, turn into Princeton Point Marina

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/bvkj72

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.
Thank you .......

This Urban Hike is in the heart of the young Hip part of the Mission District right next to the old Latin Mission District with its cool and gritty underbelly. We will first travel through the Castro and up to panoramic views on Kite Hill, then down through the always happening Delores Park. We will cover many of the best Murals in the Mission, with two Mural Alleys Balmy and Claron Streets. You will enjoy the Latin feel and gritty shops of Mission Street, while also experiencing the young hipster upscale specialty stores and fusion foods. You will see fun shops, the Bone shop (Paxon Gate), Pirate Store, Galleries and great food to nibble on every foot of the way on along Valencia street and amazing Mexican and south American bakeries, restaurants, Pawn shops and Fruit and Verdura stands, and my favorite Asian fish markets on Mission. Remember be prepared to see anything along our hike.

Trailhead / Meeting Point: Starting point, 18th street & Delores Street, Meet on the corner in front of the Tennis courts (Delores Park)

Level: Intermediate
Total Distance: 8.2 miles Loop
Hiking Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Elevation: 413 feet Kite Hill, Corona Heights Hill 318
Parking: free Sunday Street Parking
Information: Dogs on leash, stores everywhere for water, Restroom at Delores Park, Public pay Toilet near both 16th street and 24th street & Bart.

BART: Probably one of the best and easiest ways to meet us. 16th street Bart station is only a few blocks away from the starting point and you wont have to search for street parking or worry about Parking tickets.

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead:
Latitude: N 37.7612178° Longitude: W -122.4262994°

Map: https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/pressreleases/2015/Muni%20Map%202015.pdf

Hiking Directions: Starting Point; Take 18th street along Delores Park, Left on Clover Street (Garden at end), Right on Caselli Ave, Left on Yukon Street, then uphill on Yukon street Kite Hill top (Group photo with city in back), then downhill onto Corwin Street, Left through Steward Park, through the park, then Right on Steward Street and then Left on Douglas Street, Left on 17th street, Right on Ord street, Left up Satarn Steps, Right on Lower Terrace, Right on Levant Street, then down Vulcan Stairway, through Ord way and up State street stairs, enter state street community gardens, Left up Museum way, Right up Corona Heights to the top, after view, back down, into state street community gardens, exit Flint street go Right, Left on 16th Street, Right on Delores Street, Past Mission Delores, Left on 17th street Right on Dearborn street (Women's Center Murals), Left on 18th street, Left on Valencia Street, and Right Claron Street (Mural alley), Right on Mission Street, Right on 18th street, Left on Valencia Street, visit Paxton Gate & Pirate store, Left on 24th street, Right Cypress Alley (Murals), Left on 25th street, Left on Balmy Street (Mural alley), then Left on 24th Street, Right on Folsom Street, Left on 22nd Street, Right on Mission Street, at 19th mission back to the starting point.

Directions: From 101 north take Caesar Chavez exit, left heading West, Right Valencia Street and look for parking near 16th street. Bart – Get off 16th Station walk 1 block West to Valencia Street.

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/deqi8z

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.
Thank you .......

Russian Ridge Preserve is 3,137-acre in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Los Altos its known for its showy display of wildflowers in spring.wildflowers – primarily poppies and lupine – put on a showy display. By May and June, gumweed, mules ears, farewell-to-spring, and brodiaea bloom. Diverse plant communities, miles of forest edge, and abundant springs make Russian Ridge an outstanding habitat for wildlife. Large numbers of raptors soar over the lush grasslands, and coyotes patrol the ridges. The steep forested canyons create a secure refuge for a tremendous variety of animals. In summer, the hills turn to gold with the late evening sunlight. Autumn, when the fog recedes, is the ideal time to enjoy the ridge views of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Special note: Since we are so far away from everything I will bring a picnic for all .... Please stay and enjoy

Level: Intermediate
Total Distance: 5.5 miles loop
Hiking Time: 2- 3 hours
Elevation: Approximate 500 feet, Borel Hill 2,572
Information: Free Parking, No Water, Restroom at trailhead, Dogs are not allowed in Preserve, Additional parking outside gate on Skyline & Alpine Roads. Limited Number; During this wildflower period, The park limits groups to under 25 and have rangers checking.