Taking a Walk With Your Baby in Crissy Field in San Francisco
First things first, you need to get yourself and baby ready for the walk. You will need to bring supplies for the baby and for you. Pack your diaper bag with at least these essentials: Diapers, (bring at least one or two more than you think you need – trust me) wipes, a changing pad or blanket, a change of clothes, including socks, for your baby, a hat, and enough bottles if you aren’t breast feeding. Don’t forget yourself Bring water and snacks or money to buy a treat along the walk. Now that you are weighted down with supplies, you are ready to walk Whether you carry your baby in a sling or carrier or push her in a stroller, Walking will be easy and enjoyable for you both.
A beautiful and easy spot for a first walk is Crissy Field, located just southeast of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco’s Presidio. Once the location of the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition and then a military airstrip, Crissy Field is now one of San Francisco’s most picturesque spots. Start at the Crissy Field Center located on Mason Street near the Tidal Marsh. Here, you can get an overview and a history of the area, maps, and learn a bit of the natural history of the park. There are also spacious clean bathrooms, changing tables, and a cafÃ?©. From here, cross the street at the crosswalk and head northwest toward the bridge. You will be passing the Tidal Marsh to your right and if baby is awake, point out some of the birds or plants that you see. The Center can clue you in on what you are seeing. Once you reach the edge of the marsh, right before the vast grassy airstrip, there is a narrow path heading toward the main footpath, which is called the Golden Gate Promenade. In front of you will be the San Francisco Bay and if the weather is good, head out onto the beach and point out some of the landmarks to baby: Alcatraz, Angel Island, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge! If the weather and tide permits, you could spread a blanket out along any part of the beach and stretch out with baby and enjoy the ocean air. You can scout out the sailboats, wind surfers and watch the cargo ships coming in from their exotic locales. Point all this out to baby. Even if she doesn’t understand a word you are saying, she will enjoy the interaction and the sound of your voice. Continue down the promenade toward the Bridge. On your left is the Historic Airfield, now a prime spot for running with your dog, playing catch or flying a kite. Make a mental note to return here when baby is old enough to help you run with a kite. You can also see some of the former military warehouses and buildings surrounding the airstrip. Coming up on your right will be what looks like a few cute little houses. They are primarily administrative buildings, but inside one of them is the Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center. Here you can learn about the animals and sea life of the area. Take a few minutes and explore inside. There is some really cool stuff to examine to learn about our fair city and surrounding waters. After leaving the Visitor Center, you will reach the West Bluff picnic area. On weekends, families and groups reserve these for birthday parties or for getting together. If your baby was born in a month where the weather isn’t too cold or too foggy, consider reserving a spot for her birthday party It’s a great location to celebrate baby and enjoy a beautiful view. The bay is to your right. Take a moment to look for sea lions playing in the water and point them out to baby. Also, be on the lookout for the rock balancing man. He is often there on weekends and some nicer weekdays, astounding all his spectators with his skills of balancing all shapes and sizes of rocks forming gravity-defying towers. It is something one need see to believe.
Now you have been walking about half a mile. It was pretty easy Now it’s time for your reward. You are coming up on The Warming Hut. Inside, just beyond the beautiful products for sale support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is the Warming Hut CafÃ?©. Order a hot chocolate or hot tea and grab a cookie or brownie. They also serve savory fare such as sandwiches and nice hot soups, which can be wonderfully warming when the fog is in.
After refueling, you can take a stroll along the fishing pier and watch folks reel in their daily catches or you can walk a little further to Fort Point. Here you can watch surfers, explore the Civil War era fort or relive your Hitchcock fantasies. This spot was made famous for Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak in Vertigo. If you still have the energy and baby isn’t in a stroller, take the time to climb the stairs to the top of the Fort. Here, you are given a million-dollar view of the Pacific, the Marin Headlands and the north western beaches of San Francisco. You are also given a ship’s eye view of the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s time to head back. Take the path that you came back on, stopping at the warming hut again if you want – you’ve earned it Again, take the time to point out things to you baby as you see the park from this angle. Point out buildings in the City that you recognize or the islands in the bay. The sound of your voice is so important to baby’s development right now ,so tell her stories of your travels through San Francisco and all the fun things you want show and do with her.
You’ve finally made it back to your car or bus stop or ride. Take a moment to look back at your excursion out with your baby. It may have only been a couple of miles, but it was the first of many journeys you will have with your little one.
