Urban Hiking

Walks in or close to urban areas are very different from traditional hikes in bay area parks, preserves, and wilderness areas. Typically, vegetation is disturbed and you never get far enough from the city to enjoy peace and quiet. However, there are parks right in San Francisco where you might see a skink basking in the sunshine, a cottontail rabbit scampering through the brush, or a redtail hawk snatching a pigeon from the ground. These urban parks are convenient locations for dogwalking or exercise (you can even take public transportation to get there), but use good judgment and proceed cautiously. Here are some tips.

• Make sure you park legally. Lock your vehicle and leave anything valuable at home.
• Use caution around the trailhead. If there are suspicious-seeming people hanging around, consider walking elsewhere.
• Don't walk alone.



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