San Francisco, CA: Northern California Chapter, Lands End Hike

Let’s welcome the New Year exploring some beautiful areas of San Francisco on this hike through the west side of the city. A little Crosstown, a little Ridge Trail, and a whole lotta fun! We’ll begin at the end of Judah Street at Ocean Beach and walk on the car-free Great Highway, through Golden Gate Park, and up to the Legion of Honor for fantastic views of the bay from the Golden Gate and Mt. Tam to downtown and its iconic urban towers: Transamerica, Salesforce, and more. From there, we’ll hook up with the Crosstown Trail at Lands End and wind our way past multi-million dollar vistas and homes to Baker Beach. We’ll then continue up to the Presidio’s Arguello Gate and connect with the Bay Area Ridge Trail that will take us back into Golden Gate Park for a stroll on the car-free JFK Promenade before returning to our starting point on Judah Street. Take the entire 13-mile route or walk what you can – this is an urban hike with public transportation options to get you where you need to go!

Schedule: Meet us at 9:30 AM in front of the Java Beach Café. We’ll stop for lunch at Baker Beach and expect to arrive back at the café by 4:30 PM. This is a rain or shine event! However, severe weather will cancel.

Level of Difficulty: A moderately difficult hike of about 13 miles and 950 feet of total elevation gain. A combination of dirt and paved trails, city streets, and a little beach walking with a few steep trail stairs on the Lands End Trail. This hike is ideal for those who can hike for 4-5 hours and have some recent experience with inclines/steps.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register button to sign up. Because space is limited, please register if/when you are certain you can attend. Thank you!

Cancellation: If you are unable to attend, please email us as soon as possible at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can update our list.

Getting There: Take BART to the Embarcadero Station (or Civic Center, if coming from the Colma direction). Go up two floors to the Concourse level and enter the Muni station. Take an N Judah/Ocean Beach train all the way to the last stop at La Playa Street (~45 min ride). Java Beach Café is at the last stop at the end of Judah Street. NOTE: Be sure NOT to go to the second Java Beach Café location on Sloat Blvd across from the zoo.

Carpooling: On the registration form is a link to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if you need a ride or can give one.

Parking: Free, unlimited parking is available on the streets surrounding Java Beach Café (La Playa, Judah, 48th Avenue, etc). Be sure to double check signs for any restrictions.

What to Bring: Bring a bag lunch (or arrive early and buy at the café), snacks, water and rain gear, if weather calls for it (we walk, rain or shine). Hiking poles will be helpful for the dirt trails and steep steps (that may be slippery). Clipper card or app if you take BART and/or Muni. Cash if you plan to attend the post-walk social (see below).

Post-Hike Social: For those interested, we’ll stop for drinks and pizzas near our end location at Golden Gate Indian Cuisine & Pizza.

Leaders: Adelina Aramburo and Sue Lopez

The Ruff Stuff: For insurance purposes, we are unable to welcome dogs, except service animals, at our events.