Sharks and Squirrels at Candlestick Point

Photos by Nico Zernik Traxler

RECAPPING THE HILL BABIES HIKE

Last Sunday a great group of people met up to walk Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, maybe thirty or forty people, including children. Some folks brought bicycles for their kids, others brought kites, and everyone had something for the picnic.

It was interesting and inspiring for me to hear so many people say, "I never knew this park was here," which goes to show that there are so many great places to explore in San Francisco.

One highlight of the morning was walking down the long pier and meeting a fisherman who had just caught a shark! For most of the kids, they'd never touched a shark before, or posed with one. The shark was released back into the water.

Consider coming down to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area for your next urban hike. Google a tide schedule and shoot for high tide. Bring a lunch and a hat; it's just about always sunny and beautiful.  The trails are flat and snake all over the place, and being by the water is refreshing.

WATER QUALITY ISSUES

In this Sunday's Chronicle, the water quality was pretty poor around here, getting a "grade" ranging as far low as a "D". I'm not clear on what this means, but I presume one should wash hands after handling fish or sand at the shoreline, don't eat any fish you might catch, and don't go swimming.

PARK CLOSURE AND VOLUNTEERING NEWS 

Ann Menneguzi, Supervising Ranger for Candlestick Point, told me in a recent email conversation, "This park was on the closure list," but because of groups like the California State Parks Foundation, it is open. "But this park is still understaffed," she wrote, "and no new funds have been identified for operations here." She recommends visiting www.calparks.org if someone wants to volunteer at Candlestick Point. "Look for the Park Champions link to see when our next Park Champions day is scheduled."

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Reminder--walk at Candlestick Point this Sunday!

WHERE TO MEET IN THE MORNING
We will meet in the southern end of the main parking lot, by "Windsurf Circle" at 9:30 am this Sunday, August 26th. There is a restroom right there, and water spigots. You'll see me, my husband, and our three year old, plus Anne Menneguzzi, a park ranger, and other folks undoubtedly. I'll distribute maps and all can go at whatever pace they like.

LUNCH RENDEZVOUS
We'll meet around 11 o'clock at the Jackrabbit picnic area, more or less, for lunch. If someone is having their birthday party there we can picnic down by the "mudflats" beach. Whatever works! :-)

See you tomorrow, and don't forget to bring a blanket and some snacks! :-)

Upcoming Hike for Kids and Caregivers!

You are invited to come for a walk at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area with friends, kids, and people newly met. I'm doing these monthly hikes just as a way to move my body, meet interesting adults, and let my kid play with a big old gang of kids the old fashioned way, outside. All ages welcome. Free and unsponsored.

Hanging on the beach at Candlestick SRA

WHEN

Sunday August 26th, meeting at 9:30 AM. Why so early? Because 9:30 am on that day is the peak of HIGH TIDE, and down by the water that means it's pretty special--extra lovely and smells wonderful. :-) 

WHERE TO MEET

Meet near the bathrooms at the main parking lot off of Hunters Point Expressway (it's actually a south of the indicator on the map below, FYI). You'll see the group. I'm going to make and Xerox maps for everyone, pointing out some local sights and where our picnic spot will be.

THE HIKE
The terrain is flat, and the trails are wide and smooth. If your kid rides a bike or a trike, that would be great way to explore. I'll be on foot, going at the speed of my three-year-old.

The hike is meant as a group thing, but with map in hand you are totally able to go at your own pace. One can always rendezvous for the picnic.

WHAT TO BRING
Food and water
Sun protection
Layers of clothing
Fun and optional: kites, bikes, trikes, rollerblades, skateboards

GETTING THERE

Parking is free (exit at Candlestick Park off of 101 and head towards the water, following signs towards Hunters Point Expressway). For public transport, see: http://tripplanner.transit.511.org 

Cheers,

Jessica

jericahahn@hotmail.com

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P.S.

OPTIONAL GUNG-HO HIKE

Anyone who wants a five-star hike could explore nearby Yosemite Slough, a tidal channel that has been polluted, but is now receiving a $14 million dollar restoration. The Slough is a fantastic place for bird watching come fall, and home to the endangered clapper rail.

One of the beaches at Candlestick SRA

Group Hikes in 2012

1        May—McLaren Park’s southern slope

   June—Bayview Hill

   July—Visitacion Valley Greenway

   August—Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

   September—?

Possible Future Hikes

Glen Canyon, Mt. Davidson, Lands End, Heron’s Head, Grandview Park (on the Green Hairstreak Butterfly corridor), Sign Hill in SSF, Russian Ridge, Rock City on Mt. Diablo! Basically SF and close by. Everyone is welcome.

CANDLESTICK POINT STATE RECREATION AREA

Fog coming over San Bruno Mountain at sunny Candlestick Point

How many people know there are beaches in southeastern San Francisco? Candlestick Point State Park has 252 acres with not only beaches, but trails, more picnic sites than you can shake a stick at, meadows, piers, and is as relaxing and beautiful as any park situated next to a great blue body of water. It’s such a cool place that you might consider it a necessary destination. 

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. 

Photo by pier Kathryn Rodriguez

 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.

Percussion! Pic by K. Rodriguez

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.
 

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. 

Cormorant; pic by K. Rodriguez

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.

Pic by K. Rodriguez

FUNDING ISSUES

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?!?

Kids on the beach at Candlestick Point

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)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Flyway

Tide Schedule (high tide recommended)

www.Saltwatertides.com