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| Fog coming over San Bruno Mountain at sunny Candlestick Point |
Windsurfers use the
park as a starting point for their forays into the chop, fishermen cast reels
from the pier, families have picnics and barbeques, people walk dogs on leash,
and bicyclists can cruise for miles.
I like to park at the main lot off of Hunter’s
Point Expressway, or at the Last Port lot on Harney Way. A trail leads between the two lots.
Each area is great to
explore—find Hermit’s Cove, Windharp Hill, Sunrise Point, and an awesome set of
permanently installed metal percussion instruments that kids can bang their
hearts out on.
If you want to barbecue, it seems like there are dozens of sites to choose from. Almost every picnic area has a view of rippling water, a wind wall, grills, water spigot, garbage cans, a picnic table, and bathrooms within a short walk.
Much of the flora isn’t native because it was planted on landfill, but you’ll find trees like coast live oak and buckeye, bushes like ceanothus and coyote brush, and the ubiquitous invasive edibles, wild radish and wild mustard. Candlestick Point has officially been a park since the late 1970s, but many of the plants look older.
FUNDING ISSUES
THE REPUTATION of the NEIGHBORHOOD
I'll say it---the reputation of this park and the Bayview neighborhood is ill deserved these days. It's crazy that so many maps in San Francisco cut off--literally omit--the southeastern portion of the city (the de Young Museum map in the observation tower, for instance). It's racist, unfair, and unjustifiable.
This is not directed at you, dear reader, it is just my rant now.
In my experience growing up in San Francisco, and now raising a kid here, acts of violence have been random and happen anywhere. Walking in the cities should be done with open eyes. Stay safe wherever you are by bringing a friend, your cell phone, and not living in a vacuum. Say hi to people you pass and help break down the damn stereotypes; they are so tiresome.
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| Photo by pier Kathryn Rodriguez |
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If you want to barbecue, it seems like there are dozens of sites to choose from. Almost every picnic area has a view of rippling water, a wind wall, grills, water spigot, garbage cans, a picnic table, and bathrooms within a short walk.
FLORA and FAUNA
This park probably has more
animals than the average park in the city, hands down, because of the Bay, the proximity to large natural spaces such as Bayview Hill and San Bruno Mountain, and that this was/is marshland, which has a high amount of biodiversity.
This park is also part of the Pacific Flyway, a major route for migrating birds during certain times of the year. Regular residents include crows, ravens, hawks, brown pelicans, seagulls, terns, egrets, and cormorants. Ground squirrels, skunks, and jackrabbits also consider this their home.
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This park is also part of the Pacific Flyway, a major route for migrating birds during certain times of the year. Regular residents include crows, ravens, hawks, brown pelicans, seagulls, terns, egrets, and cormorants. Ground squirrels, skunks, and jackrabbits also consider this their home.
Much of the flora isn’t native because it was planted on landfill, but you’ll find trees like coast live oak and buckeye, bushes like ceanothus and coyote brush, and the ubiquitous invasive edibles, wild radish and wild mustard. Candlestick Point has officially been a park since the late 1970s, but many of the plants look older.
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| Pic by K. Rodriguez |
Come soon. On a recent walk,
two park rangers said, “Our schedule is literally month to month.” Despite
decreased funding that has left the park understaffed and the parking lot
closed on Thursday and Friday, bathrooms are open every day. And how do we keep our state parks from shutting down?!?
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Kids on the beach at Candlestick Point
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THE REPUTATION of the NEIGHBORHOOD
I'll say it---the reputation of this park and the Bayview neighborhood is ill deserved these days. It's crazy that so many maps in San Francisco cut off--literally omit--the southeastern portion of the city (the de Young Museum map in the observation tower, for instance). It's racist, unfair, and unjustifiable.
This is not directed at you, dear reader, it is just my rant now.
In my experience growing up in San Francisco, and now raising a kid here, acts of violence have been random and happen anywhere. Walking in the cities should be done with open eyes. Stay safe wherever you are by bringing a friend, your cell phone, and not living in a vacuum. Say hi to people you pass and help break down the damn stereotypes; they are so tiresome.
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TIDE SCHEDULE
High and low tide are quite different, and low tide is pretty stinky, so plan your picnic, birthday party, or hike accordingly! You won’t find tidepools here during lowtide, but mudflats that smell gassy and fishy.
USEFUL LINKS
Candlestick Point State Park Brochure (and best trail map) http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/519/files/CandlestickPt.pdf
Pacific Flyway info (for bird-lovers)
Tide Schedule (high tide recommended)