Need some Vitamin Tree? 🌲
- jmslamovich
- Nov 17, 2022
- 3 min read
Wherever you are around the globe, I find it safe to say that time spent in nature lowers your stress levels and opens the heart to magical views. In the heart of San Francisco lies a 136-year-old cloud forest offering respite for any weary city slicker. Noooo… I’m not hinting at Golden Gate Park, The Presidio, or even McLaren Park 🙄. Tucked behind the medical campus of UCSF, Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve is home to green space and switchback trails for all!
This 80-acre property is quite the shower and dresses up in several seasonal costumes. Expect water droplets and dampness in the air when Karl the Fog makes his regular summer stopover. Come by during the winter months when golden sunbeams and songbirds grace the verdant surroundings. Let’s leave our remote offices behind for just a bit and head into the Inner Sunset District to visit this awesome Slam Spot!
History: At the turn of the 20th century, much of San Francisco’s “Outside Lands” were sparsely populated as sand dunes and coastal shrubs dominated the landscape. At this time, many politicians and residents were eager to bring vast European-styled parks to their city. German-born engineer and philanthropist, Adolph Sutro, made his way to SF after “making it rain” during Nevada’s silver rush in the 1860s. He had purchased land to develop real estate and commercial properties with a desire to beautify these barren hillsides.
To commemorate SF’s first celebration of Arbor Day in 1886, Sutro and local schoolchildren planted the area with imported and native plants. Blue Gum eucalyptus, Monterey cypress, and Monterey pines now dominate the 900-foot hill. In 2011, the final puzzle piece was added to this natural mosaic with a new section known as the Interior Greenbelt opening up at eastern flank of Mount Sutro. Today, SF’s Recreation and Parks Department and UCSF share stewardship of the nature reserve.
Bonus fun fact: A tv/radio tower, elementary school, former swimming facility, reservoir, neighborhood, and apartment complex are all named after Sutro’s legacy.
Hiking Routes:
7 trailheads funnel into a network of meander paths across the lush reserve. Recent restoration by the naturalist team has cleared overgrown eucalyptus, blackberry bushes, and fern to widen some of the trails. Take a moment now to acquaint yourself with your surroundings. 🤔 The hum of racing cars has been muted, the leaves + tree limbs sway in the moving winds, and squirrels rustle amongst themselves in the understory.
Signage here gets an A+ grade and if you are eagerly waiting for some of my recommendations, try both Historic and Fairy Gates Trails. Plan for a slight elevation gain from the lower ravine to the Chert rocky outcroppings. From a few viewpoints, the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and iconic Sutro Tower are both visible. However, I’m pleased to inform you that much of your adventure will be off the beaten path and deep into this forested jewel. Plan to spend 1-1.5 hours traversing the trails and seeing as much of the reserve as possible. Feel free to use SF Muni’s route guide to game-plan your arrival or departure from the park’s trailhead. Street parking is often challenging in this neighborhood.
Brunch spot: For those urban hikers who got to Mount Sutro earlier in the day, head down the hill into Cole Valley for some topnotch grub. Zazie, a VERY popular french brunch spot dating back to 1992, serves up some delicious Eggs Benedict and seasonal pancakes. Make sure to try out the backyard patio (weather permitting) and please be patient as there typically are lines out the door on weekends. On the run and looking for more of a casual bite or caffeine fix? Wooden Coffeehouse or Cafe Reverie will be your best bets. Find teas, lattes, breakfast burritos, and croissants on the menus of these two cute establishments.
Local Watering Hole: Dating back to 1976, Finnegans Wake dishes out craft beers, ciders, and some of the best Bloody Marys in my dear city. This sports pub is a fun place to catch a big Giants, Warriors, or Niners game from the decked out interior or the garden patio. My rule of thumb is that a crisp cold one should always follow an enjoyable hike in nature. Thanks for taking in this more urbanized Slam Spot and remember to take in deep breaths as you stroll through this enchanted cloud forest perched above the bustling cityscape! ☮️
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