Patriotic Party Time
Naja’s Place, a divey little bar on the Redondo Beach Pier south of Los Angeles, CA, is known for its endless selection of beers from around the world. On July 4th they open at 10am and the band, Land Sharks, starts at 8pm. Flag t-shirts are on sale now for $10. The pier is accessible by foot, bicycle, car, or boat.
If you are visiting San Francisco for a few days, you may want to take a break from the city center and take a hike on the west side of the city. I always take my out of town guests on this hike, no matter their age, thye just have to be able to manage a nicely paced walk. This hike combines breathtaking views of San Francisco, the architecturally awe inspiring Sea Cliff neighborhood and vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Combine it with a tour of Golden Gate Park, lunch at the Cliff House and a short tour of the Legion of Honor. It is a a full day showing the best sites San Francisco has to offer and minus that ‘tourist’ feeling.
How to get there
I usually drive to the trail head because parking is easy and free. Otherwise take a bus to the Legion of Honor and walk down Lincoln Boulevard to the trail head. You should see the bay on your left. Tip: you may want to look up and to your right for the memorial to the holocaust. Few people see it because it is not part of the museum indoor complex.
The coastal trail is an easy to moderate hike (my six year old can do it with ease) and is approximately three miles each way. The single track trail meanders along the golf course, turns into the forest and then follows a single track bordering the cliffs along the blue Pacific. The trail meanders a bit due to the heavy use it receives, but if you keep the ocean on your right you will be fine. After about 30 minutes you will arrive at the Sutro Baths, Sutro Bath Park and the Cliff House restaurant. You can stop at the renovated Cliff House for lunch or continue to Ocean Beach. If you wish you can continue up through Golden Gate Park or you can double back on the trail to the Legion of Honor, by following Camino Del Mar.
Hopefully, the weather will be sunny and warm for the outing. I always bring a sweatshirt for the hike since the fog likes to linger out this neighborhood.
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