Today, however, waited for the crosstown #29 that runs scenically W-E through the park along divided Mansell.
McLaren, at 317 acres (and San Bruno Mountain’s little sister), is San Francisco’s third largest park (the Presidio boasts 1,480 acres and Golden Gate Park 1,017). McLaren’s large enough that it’s a good idea to hike its many trails a little at a time.
No neighborhoods escaped today’s heavy fog, so no views. From the park’s west edge, trailed around a little and continued east to the picnic tables and benches across Mansell from the tennis courts. Looking down into Vis Valley from here, one can see McLaren’s longest stairway (first three pics), about 195 steps climbing to Visitacion Ave. from the dead-end of Campbell.
The other southside stairway can also be seen from up here. This one is shorter and starts out as a trail curving up from Ervine (fourth photo).
Out of the park at the east side, caught the #29 again in front of Philip and Sala Burton High School at Somerset and Mansell at the top of the Portola neighborhood. Really like the part of upper Visitacion Valley here that’s just past Mansell.
Once out of the park on the west side, the bus swoops downhill on Persia through the Excelsior neighborhood.