surprise! it's secret san francisco

It's been awhile since I planned a surprise date for Ryan.  So, feeling motivated, I got to work mapping out an urban hike that would highlight some of San Francisco's most off the grid, secret spots.  

Spot 1: Mojo Cafe

We began the adventure by hiking up Divisidero for breakfast at San Francisco's first parklet.  Mojo Cafe is equal parts cafe and bike shop.  The parklet has great outdoor seating and after awhile you even stop noticing the traffic noise.

Spot 2: Andy Goldsworthy in the Presidio  (Free!)

After fueling up at Mojo, we continued north towards the Presidio.  We accessed the park through the Presidio gates, then immediately hopped on the Lover's Lane path.  The first Goldsworthy piece runs adjacent to the path.   Wood Line, curves through the eucalyptus forest and feels like being in a fairy tale.  Tree Fall, the second piece, is housed in the historic Powder Magazine building across the parking lot from the Disney Museum.  It's an impressive 900 pound eucalyptus branch, covered in clay, and suspended from the ceiling.  Tree Fall will be on display for at least five years.

Spot 3: Pet Cemetery  (Free!)

Next up was the Presidio Pet Cemetery.  I was excited to wander around the creepy headstones of pets past.  Sadly, the cemetery, once shrouded by a grove of eucalyptus, is now under the new Doyle Drive.  Although they will be saving the cemetery for future visitors, it is currently closed during the construction process.  You can, however, get a peek through the chain link fence.  

Spot 4: The Wave Organ  (Free!)

This unusual art instillation is at the end of a jetty adjacent to the San Francisco Yacht Club.  Waves crashing against pipes emit sounds through tubes.  It's a unique, and pretty much unknown spot.  Since the tide was out, we didn't get the full effect, but we will definitely be back.  There is a nice little beach, and some benches.  Seems like a great place for a picnic.  

Spot 5: Ina Coolbirth Park

Sandwiched between Russian Hill homes, this skinny park has great views of downtown, and plenty of benches to rest and take it all in.  The park makes a great pit stop after huffing and puffing up the hill.

Spot 6: Cable Car Museum  (Free!) 

Sitting on the corner of Mason and Washington is the Cable Car Museum.  It's a nice little tribute to an iconic mode of San Francisco transportation.  Vintage cars are on display, as well as a jazzy 1980s movie about the cars.  It's also cool to see the gears, in constant motion, as they move the cars around the city.

Spot 7: Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory  (Free!)

Just around the corner from the Cable Car Museum is the hole-in-the-wall fortune cookie factory.  Elderly men and women hunch over machines that squirt out, then cook, dough.  The cookies are all stuffed and folded by hand.  Unfolded cookies are free for the eating, and a small bag of five cookies will cost you $1.  To get a larger bag with naughty fortunes is $4.50.  At the time this weirdly seemed too rich for our blood, but we were later kicking ourselves for not splurging on the adults only cookies.  To take a picture inside the factory is $.50.  

We wrapped the day up by grabbing a Thai pizzetta at Fly Bar on Sutter, the location of one of our very first dates.  After 13 miles and 9 hours, we were zonked.  Not a bad day discovering some of San Francisco's more hidden secrets.  

Know before you go:

Mojo Cafe:

• Cash only
• Menus pasted to outdoor tables actually quote prices that are about $1 cheaper than actual price.  Tricky, tricky.

Andy Goldsworthy:

• Tree Fall is only open during certain business hours, or by appointment.

Pet Cemetery:

• Closed during Doyle Drive construction.

Wave Organ:

• Best during high tide and a full moon.  If the tide is out, it's just a bunch of useless exposed pipes.  

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory:

• Splurge for the naughty fortunes.