Presidio Trails - South Side

     I'm always late. I have awful time management skills, and it's something my manager at work and my mother at home always complained about. But I try! I really do. Alas, it prevented a JAG hike yesterday, since I kept pushing it back and then Greg couldn't deal with me anymore (sorry, Greg). Annie was avoiding us as per usual, so it was just going to be the two of us. Since JAG fell apart - I asked Kelly (honorary member of JAG) if she was free - and as luck would have it, she could join me for a quickie impromptu hike.

     For a quick NEW hike, I used the app Transit and Trails (available on iPhone and Android). This way, I was able to sit in the car wash (the Mini was filthy) and do a 'hikes near me' search to see a map of all local hikes. I picked something in the Presidio, so that we wouldn't have to drive to far, but it was still far enough away that I wouldn't have walked there. We ended up starting with the Mountain Lake Trail, and parking on 12th street, just at the edge of the park (although it gets so congested that I'd recommend parking on California so that you don't get boxed in).

The hike:
     Starting at the end of 12th St around 3:45pm, we walked through the park and then turned right at the lake (it looks like there's some construction, on the West side of the lake, so we didn't go that way). All of this is considered the Mountain Lake Trail. However, it turns out that we veered off of the path and ended up on a few different trails - all detailed here. After going around the East side of the Lake, we made it onto the Park Trail - which takes you on the West side of the golf course. This leads down to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, where we headed East. I really liked this one - and saw a few other people, plenty of them with dogs. On this one, you'll walk through some beautiful wooded areas - which culminate in a wood masterpiece called 'The Spire".

Looking up at this will make you dizzy because of the clouds moving so quickly above. Try it!

And here is Kelly, emulating The Spire...

     Soon after (and still along the Bay Area Ridge Trail), we came upon the Presidio Cafe...which was probably a sign that we needed a drink - we took it. It looks like table service is closed after 3, but you can still order at the bar and sit down wherever you like. Note to single girls: this place is crawling with men...take advantage. After a rewarding glass of wine each, we were back on the trail which then re-connected us with the Mountain Lake Trail - heading West back to the park. It was pretty chilly by then (around 5:30 pm), so we were happy to be back in the car. We were only gone for maybe 2 hours, and it was all easy to slightly moderate at points - perfect for squeezing in a late hike on Sunday...when you realized that all you did all weekend was eat, drink, and lounge around. But not so if you make it to the Presidio trails!

Discover SF Bay all over again!

     Taking a hint from Weekend Sherpa today, we went on a hike in Pacifica on the Sweeney Ridge trail. Greg pushed the timing back and Annie already had plans, so with my two 'AG' members fighting...I ended up hiking alone with Greg. We were planning on hiking closer to the South Bay, but with the change in participation - we decided to go somewhere closer...Pacifica! What a gorgeous hike - sweeping views of both the Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
     The beginning was rough...especially since I haven't been doing much exercise. It was all uphill for about the first mile or so but then leveled out and was then downhill on the way back. There were some pretty wildflowers along the way, and then the Nike Missile site full of abandoned buildings all graffiti-ed up. So strange to think that at one point - we had a nuclear missiles pointing at the clouds to protect the SF Bay. That part isn't as picturesque - but you can see the monument to where Spanish explorer, Portola, discovered the Bay...and then turn around and head right back down to the Orchid Nursery.
     Although we didn't shop for Orchids today, we DID go to Gorilla BBQ for some pulled-pork sando's with that delicious BBQ sauce.

Here is Greg taking a break from waiting in line to pose (DO expect a long line and wait)

It was good - but I wouldn't say amazing. Still, a solid sandwich after a moderate hike. The corn on the cob was fresh and tasty - but don't expect anything extra added on. The mac and cheese was yummy (I stole a bite from Greg), but he seemed to love the cornbread muffin even more. Go for a hike, enjoy the beautiful views, and then stuff your face with BBQ!

Walk from SF to Sausalito?!?

     Walk to Sausalito!?! That's crazy talk...but Kelly said that she'd done it and I trust Kelly. I've biked, but have never done the hike. Honorary JAG member and the JA of JAG decided that we should hike across the Golden Gate bridge to get wine and play bocce. I'm always a fan of exercise with the greatest reward of wine, so I was in.
     We walked from the Pac Heights area down the Lyon street steps (I'm a fan of going down...not up), past the Palace of Fine arts, and along Marina Blvd towards the GG bridge. Walking across the bridge is actually kind of annoying - a ton of tourists and people blocking your way or pushing past you. But then you get some awesome views of dolphins, boats, and the city...so I still think it's worth it.

Yes, I know - I'm not good at taking pictures. Here are Kelly and Annie...and San Francisco in the background that you can't see due to my shoddy photography skills.

     It wasn't a bad walk at all - especially because we were chatting the entire way...for 8 miles! We never planned on walking back, so a one-way hike works when you have so much to look at. We finally got to Bar Bocce (the destination...a hike and drink type of situation), but they were PACKED and we were given a 45min.-1hr. wait. After hiking 8 hours, that's unacceptable. Although the goal was to get to this bocce place, we had to eat something fast - so we went across the street to Taco Bar and had some sangria (which I wouldn't really recommend - it's just okay) and food. So that we didn't miss out on the ultimate goal of the day, we went to Bar Bocce to check out the drink situation but ultimately left because it was just too busy. Fail. Still - fun walk and we learned that Sausalito is just a hop, skip, and hike way. Called a cab to pick us up and split the fee so that it was almost like paying for the ferry. I'm thinking that a stroll over the bridge would be a good option for the next annual Art Festival, when it's just too congested with cars to drive.