PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Though you’d have to be from another planet not to know about the Golden Gate Bridge, you may not know that the Promenade is a 3 ½ mile trail between Fort Point and Aquatic Park with some of San Francisco’s most famous historical landmarks and shoreline sites. The beautiful and scenic path passes through Crissy Field, and at certain points gives great views of the bay, the Marin Headlands, and even Alcatraz. Pause at Marina and Baker to peek at the Palace of Fine Arts, a structure equally impressive to adults and children alike. The Promenade’s pathway easily accommodates walkers, bikers, skaters, skateboarders, and scooterers. It is a perfect trail for families of all ages to trek—the pathway is mostly dirt (nice for unexpected spills) and is (key word here:) flat.

The Fort Point Pier along the way offers picnic tables set up on a grassy field and, although sometimes rather windy, gives a quiet place to eat or rest or snack while eyeing the amazing views. Most of the pathway is grass-lined, and unobstructed by nearby trees, allowing for Frisbees, kites, and ball-tossing along the way.

Next to the Fort Point Pier is Crissy Field’s warming hut (building 603 in Presidio at Mason and Halleck St). Considering itself a community center and not a museum, the facility (open 9-5 on weekends and Tuesdays) provides a variety of public resources such as hands-on exhibits, an information center, a bookstore, and a café. Stop off for breakfast, lunch, snacks (or a bathroom break!). Browse the bookstore for guidebooks and green toys. The community center even offers urban environmental junior day-camps, and family workshops on weekends such as Turn Trash into Treasure. Along the water’s edge, Crissy Field offers a great view of sailboats and the Golden Gate Bridge; a side trail even leads directly to the bridge.

Plan to hit the Golden Gate Promenade earlier in the morning, where the crowds are the sparsest. Parking is relatively easy, with spaces normally available at Fort Point, off of Lincoln Avenue. For smaller excursions, park halfway along Marina Green. The excursion is definitely worth the planning: fresh air never felt so good.