Woodland Presbyterian Church

Hiker, Redwood Trees, Muir Woods
San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge

HikersWoodland Outdoor Wanderers (WOW)

San Francisco Presidio, Tunnel Tops Park & Beyond
Saturday, March 9, 2024

2024 Hiking Schedule
 

WOW’s early spring urban hike will venture to a corner of San Francisco to discover new and hidden treasures. Join historian David Wilkinson and architect Roger Klemm on Saturday March 9 as we travel by car across the Golden Gate Bridge through the Highway 101 tunnels and surface at the historical Presidio, founded by the Spanish in 1776. Our first stop will be the new Tunnel Tops Park above the tunnels we drive through, a beautiful setting with gorgeous landscaping and interpretive signage, and a stunning view of the Golden Gate and the Marina District. From there we will begin our 6-7 mile leisurely looped hike upwards through the restored Presidio grounds and dense forest, the scene of California’s first Arbor Day held in 1884. Presidio Forest is lush and man-made, filled with Monterey Cypress and Eucalyptus trees, planted mainly by soldiers stationed at the former military outpost. Within this serene environment we will explore the sculpture of renowned artist Andy Goldwworthy, who creates magical installations from natural materials.  

Traversing a moderately steep-sloped Arguello Blvd. we emerge at Presidio Terrace, a posh circular neighborhood of large period-revival houses built for San Francisco’s moneyed class beginning in 1905. Former residents include the late Senator Dianne Feinstein and her husband Richard Blum, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and former mayor Joseph Alioto.  Nearby, we will explore the very unique Columbarium, a copper-domed Neoclassical building, filled with 8,000 private niches containing the urns/ashes and memorabilia of loved ones. This unique space is the only non-denominational burial place within San Francisco's city limits that is open to the public and still has space available. From there it’s a short walk to busy Clement and Geary Streets filled with a variety of restaurants to choose from for lunch.

Post-lunch we will  make our way back to the Presidio with stops to include, scenic Lone Mountain, home of the Gothic-Revival style former women’s college, now part of the University of San Francisco campus; Swedenborgian Church, a National Historic Landmark, which holds the story of the founding of the Arts & Crafts movement in California. From there it’s is a gentle downward glide back through the Presidio to our starting point along Goldsworthy’s “Wood Line” installation, a 1,200 foot zig-zag path on the forest floor beneath century-old Eucalyptus trees.   

For participants desiring a shorter hike, there is a direct route back from lunch to the parking lot.

Participants will meet at the Woodland Presbyterian Church’s parking lot on the corner of Road 98 and West Gibson Road at 7:30 a.m.  After an overview of the day and arranging carpooling, hikers will drive to the San Francisco Presidio by taking I-80 to Highway 37 (near Vallejo), to Highway 101 South, across the Golden Gate Bridge, taking the first exit right after the second tunnel, turning right on Girard Road and immediately turn right into the parking lot. Cost is $16.

Wear good walking shoes and dress in layers as the weather is changeable.  For more information, contact David at davwilk@pacbell.net or (916) 712-9461.

The Woodland Outdoor Wanderers is a community-based organization open to all, and dedicated to introducing Yoloans to their natural and cultural environments, and to each other. For more information visit https://www.woodlandpresbyterianchurch.org/woodland-outdoor-wanderers.html for information on future hikes.

 Call if you have questions (530) 312-0100 or email kathyjtrott@gmail.com