San Francisco Off the Beaten Path Tips by mikeocalla

So, you're downtown in Union Square, or someplace in Chinatown or North Beach, rubbing elbows with all the other tourists doing the northeast quadrant thing in the City, right? You vaguely suspect that less than six miles from this tiny urban jungle lies the Pacific Ocean and the splendid Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You look on your map and see that Geary St. goes all the way to ocean, so you go for broke and jump on the express bus. A half an hour later you see the ocean and suddenly realize that this little exploration was worth it.

You chose right.

Most tourists don't get out to the end of the city. True, it really doesn't compete with all the touristy stuff downtown because, well, San Franciscans live out here, not downtown with all the other New York refugees and tourists. The Richmond district, where you are at this point if your following my lead, is not a very exciting neighborhood. It's typically foggy and brisk out here, and the population is primarily Asian or Russian, but it has it's charms. The Sutro baths are a great place to begin walking along the coast trail that will lead you through some of the most scenic parts of the G.G.N.R.A... Walk along past Fort Miley and find the Coast Trail that will take you to Land's End, and then past the Palace of the Legion of Honor. On a clear day, with the bridge in the background, one can argue this area easily defeats any of San Francisco's scenic attraction. It can't be beat. Keep walking along and you will pass through Sea Cliff (the Beverly Hills of S.F.) and along past Baker Beach and you will be even closer to the Bridge. After a few turns and up Lincoln Ave., you will be in the Presdio... and then, just a little further ahead...

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