San Francisco’s Outer Richmond District
San Francisco’s Outer Richmond District is surrounded on three sides by Golden Gate Park (located on the south side), the Pacific Ocean (the west side), and the Golden Gate Bridge (the north side). Pretty much any direction you turn you’re surrounded by nature, beauty, or iconic symbols of the West. Some of the most spectacular views and scenery are on display in the Outer Richmond, easily accessible and well worth a visit.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco’s largest city park, is approximately 1,100 acres of well-maintained hiking trails, gardens, and meadows. Starting at Stanyan Street, the Park unfolds in a stunning display of Pacific Northwest nature at its finest. The Park also holds tennis courts, the newly opened and exciting de Young museum, the Japanese Tea Gardens, horse stables, several lakes, and even a herd of buffalo. Throughout the year concerts, festivals, and gatherings are held on a regular basis. You could easily spend an entire weekend just exploring Golden Gate Park.
Life’s A Beach
San Francisco’s Ocean Beach runs along the west side of the Richmond district. Its roughly four miles of crashing surf, pounding waves, and screaming seagulls make it one of the more dramatic beach scenes in the Bay Area. And one of the coldest. Bundling up is a necessity on the cold, foggy days that are so common in this neighborhood, especially during the summer months. The trails and walking paths that line the beach are a great place to people-watch while you stroll (or run, or bike) along.
The Cliff House, a famous eatery at the north end of Ocean Beach, has recently undergone a renovation and is now a sleek metal and chrome edifice perched on the edge of the cliffs. The remains of the Sutro Baths, a grouping of stone foundations dating from 1986 that are all that remain of the largest indoor bathing facility ever made, are located to the right of the Cliff House. Take a moment to observe Adolph Sutro’s spectacular early nineteenth century bathing house. Adolph Sutro was a millionaire businessman and former San Francisco mayor who built the bathing compound for the residents of San Francisco to enjoy. Although San Franciscans did use the pools, they were never commercially successful and were turned into a skating rink in 1937, and eventually the land was sold in 1964 to developers who planned to build a high-rise apartment building. The high-rise was never built, however, leaving the Sutro Bath ruins to remain, untouched, as they have been for over forty years.
Land’s End
Heading north beyond the Cliff House and Sutro Baths, follow the winding coastline until you reach the entrance to Land’s End, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This network of trails offers some of the most dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin headlands, located directly across the Pacific Ocean.
Golden Gate Bridge is located at the northeast end of the main trail of Land’s End, the Coastal Trail. This trail hugs the coastline and offers unbeatable views of the bridge and ocean. It can be windy at any time of the year, so wear a windbreaker and comfortable shoes for hiking.
China and Baker Beaches are located between Land’s End and the Golden Gate Bridge. China Beach is one of the only places in the city where you can swim safely and as such is a popular destination for swimmers. Baker Beach is directly to the south and smaller than China Beach, but not good for swimming, due to the riptides that are a regular occurrence. Baker Beach is mainly known for its nude sunbathers, so be prepared if you plan to visit. A series of concrete bunkers built during World War II to house giant cannons are on display and make an interesting excursion when you need a break from the sun (or wind, as the case may be).
Tee-Time!
Last but certainly not least, Lincoln Park has something for everyone. This sprawling park, which also offers tremendous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean, contains a golf course for those who want to enjoy some outdoor activity, or a world-class museum, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, a museum built to honor the Californians who fought and died in France during World War I, for those who would prefer their activities indoors. The museum houses a fine collection of European Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, El Greco, Rubens, and Rembrandt, among others, as well as an original cast of the famous sculpture The Thinker by Rodin.
One of San Francisco’s Finest
There are many other things to do in the Outer Richmond District of San Francisco, plus great traditional and ethnic restaurants and plenty of good shopping. The best time of year to visit is usually September through October, when the weather is warmer and the sunshine prevails. But no matter when you visit you’ll always find plenty of things to do in this amazing neighborhood.
