Crissy Field Fix
I've been swamped with work lately, which is a good thing. But I've missed having an excuse to stop by Crissy Field for a run after dropping my daughter off at her school in the city. Since I've been scrambling to meet deadlines, my husband has been handling morning chauffeur duties. Yesterday, I finally had a lull between assignments, so I jumped at the chance to drive the kids to school and get a Crissy Field fix on the way home.
Snap and Run
You’d think that after hundreds of runs here, by now I could resist the urge to skid to a stop every few yards to take a picture of the Golden Gate or those cheeky seagulls hanging out on the roof of that the dilapidated shack by Fort Mason. You might think the sight of waves rolling in under the bridge, surfers paddling frantically to them before they crash against the rocky shore by Fort Point, would no longer thrill me. Or that seeing the Warming Hut-- or one of the other cool old buildings that were once part of an Army airfield--shimmering in the morning light wouldn't make me automatically reach for my phone or camera. But you'd be wrong, my friends. You'd be wrong.
Every time I set out on the Bay Trail in front of the Warming Hut and get my first glimpse of the Golden Gate stretching across the bay, I'm as mesmerized by it and Crissy Field's other charms as I was the first moment I saw them. I admit, my compulsive picture-taking sometimes makes it tough to focus on running. Since I hadn't been to Crissy Field in a while, I cut myself some slack and did more snapping than running.
Insider Tips
Whether you're up for a short or long run, a leisurely stroll or just getting a great photo of the Golden Gate Bridge, you'll want to put scenic Crissy Field on your itinerary if you're visiting San Francisco. This is one of the few areas in the city with ample free parking, although the lots can fill up on weekends (many running events are held here throughout the year). So try to visit on a week day. I usually park in the big lot by the Warming Hut at the end of Old Mason. There are plenty of spaces and it's free during the week (there's a fee on weekends). Plus, the Warming Hut is a cozy spot to grab a coffee or a light bite. There are also numerous picnic tables scattered around the hut.
Crissy Field is heaven for dogs. They're allowed off-leash in most areas and are free to chase balls in the grassy fields or romp on the beach.