Midwest Adventures: Fish For Fun In Washington Island, Wisc.
Your Guide To San Francisco
By BILL GORMAN Special to the Journal & Topics Newspapers
Bill Gorman stands in front of San Francisco's world famous Golden Gate Bridge.
San Francisco offers no shortage of leisure activities so here is a two-day itinerary for your next trip:
Day 1: Pack a backpack with water, some snacks and head across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County and Stinson Beach. This quiet beach community is the perfect launching point for a seven-mile hike through the rolling hills of Mt. Tamalpais.
The hike is a compilation of three trails: the Dipsea, Steep Ravine and Matt Davis and is consistently described as one of the most spectacular and varied treks in Marin County. The seven-mile loop features a bit of everything with waterfalls, redwoods, oak forests, pastures, canyons and, as you will discover, views galore.
The 20-mile drive from San Francisco to Stinson Beach alone offers scenic vistas that parallel any in the world. Start out by heading north on the Golden Gate Bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge take the Highway One/Stinson Beach exit. Follow the signs to Stinson Beach and enjoy one the most scenic highways in the nation.
Once in Stinson Beach park near the fire station and walk south on Shoreline Highway (Hwy. 1) for about 300 yards where you will see the trailhead for the Dipsea trail.
After a short walk the Dipsea trail breaks into a clearing that provides eye-stopping views of the Pacific coastline south to San Francisco and north to Point Reyes National Seashore. Continue on Dipsea to the Steep Ravine trail. At this point you will have covered about 1.5 miles, with just a modest incline.
When you reach the junction for the Steep Ravine trail take the turnoff. While the Steep Ravine trail provides more strenuous hiking, you climb about 1000 feet, the trail is well maintained and very manageable. The scenery on Steep Ravine immediately contrasts with the more barren Dipsea as an impressive, lush redwood forest greets you. The redwood groves provide a respite of cool and refreshing shade. The trail, littered with downed trees, follows a stream and winds along a narrow ravine by way of numerous bridges and stone steps. Watch your footing as the trail can be somewhat slick due to moisture.
Within a mile a 14-rung ladder appears for access to the next leg of the trail. After climbing the ladder pause and take in the spectacular views of the waterfall and stream cascading down the canyon.
Steep Ravine continues for about 1.5 miles to the Pantoll Ranger station. This is a good spot for a break.
Next, cross the parking lot to the Matt Davis trail. This trail starts with a gradual descent through a wooded area that opens to provide a panoramic view of Stinson Beach. Further on the trail opens to an immense clearing. Head off the trail to the knoll on the left and ascend to the ridgeline. The view to the south encompasses the Marin Headlands, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and its spectacular coastline. To the north Point Reyes is in clear sight. Be sure to pause and savor this wonder.
Continue down the Matt Davis trail and its endless number of bridges and cutbacks. You will cross a stream that splits the trail down the middle several times and end up back in Stinson Beach near the fire station. Our total hiking time was about three hours.
As your reward, head a few blocks south to the Sand Dollar restaurant where you can sit on the deck and enjoy a well deserved cold beer and lunch.
Day 2: If a hike doesn't completely satisfy your outdoor desires this next outing will. For an exhilarating trek, which includes speeding down hills and winding roads rent a bike and saddle up for the eight mile ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Bike rentals are available near Fisherman's Wharf or at Crissy Field
While some of the hills are challenging you don't have to be Lance Armstrong to do this ride. In fact, if you are too tired at the end of the day there is a shortcut for the return trip to San Francisco.
Once you have rented your bike head along the promenade to the Golden Gate Bridge. You can be assured that the wind will be gusting as you cross the bridge. Continue across the bridge but be sure to snap some shots of Alcatraz and the breathtaking panoramic views of San Francisco. Just north of the bridge stop at Vista Point for another incredible view of San Francisco Bay.
Then it's on to Sausalito. This is the easy part of the ride; all downhill. As you coast into Sausalito, on the main boulevard, you will be treated to sweeping views of San Francisco. Park your bikes and explore the numerous boutiques and art galleries that Sausalito has to offer.
There are many lunch options in Sausalito and if you decide the hills present to great a challenge for the ride back you can always take the ferry back to San Francisco.
However, before you jump on that ferry consider another option. Start by riding the main boulevard out of Sausalito back to San Francisco.
When you are just outside of Sausalito take the turnoff to Fort Baker. The Fort lies just under the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Fort sits on prime real estate and has been converted into a luxury hotel that contains a restaurant and cooking school. Here, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy lunch while soaking in the views of the city.
For a shortcut back to the San Francisco head around the coast guard station and up the service road.
This will drop you on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge, which in the later afternoon is open to bike traffic only. Enjoy the sweeping views of the west bay and ships coming into port. This ride will leave you feeling tired but exhilarated.
(Ed. Note: Mr. Gorman lives with his family in Park Ridge.)