Tree Huggers In Training

Sometimes the toilet at the trailhead or on the trail just doesn’t cut it when you’ve been trekking around with your little (or not-so-little) one. For this reason, you might want to check out MizPee before heading out to see where a clean toilet or changing table can be found near where you intend to walk or hike.

This service “finds the closest, cleanest toilets in your area. You can add and review toilets, get some cool deals in your area and challenge your knowledge of toilet trivia.” You can even access the information from your phone by signing up.

When I recently met one of the co-founders of MizPee I mentioned that it would be great if they also included the “loos” in public parks and the park districts. So, maybe we’ll start to see some loo reviews for when nature calls while you’re enjoying the great outdoors!

Location: Lake Merced, San Francisco, CA,
Level of Difficulty: Walk
Length of Trail: 4.5 miles
Time to Complete: 1.5 - 2 hours
Mode of Baby Transportation: Stroller, Jogger
Helpful Gear to Have: A hat and something to drink and nibble on for mom and baby

Links:

Go City Kids Lake Merced Page  

Review:

Lake Merced is located near San Francisco State in the city. The walk (or run) it is a paved, 4.5 mile loop (although some will claim it is slightly longer) that takes you around Lake Merced. Of the walks and hikes that I’ve done so far, this is one of my least favorite because not only is the lake not visible for much of it, but you are not removed at all from the traffic or the noise that it brings. I therefore don’t have a story around it as I have with other reviews.

What I can tell you is that it is a very different experience than Lake Merritt in the East Bay, for example, where the birds are easily visible as is the whole lake if you choose to take the path around it. 

Should you try this walk, I would recommend that you jog it or only walk a portion of it so that you can stop and enjoy the view as well as do some bird watching for the part of the path that allows you to see the lake easily. You could also pack a picnic to enjoy along the way.

As with any city walk, be sure to layer as the temperature shifted several times during the walk.

If you find some mertis that I’ve missed after completing this walk, please let me know and we’ll update this review.

Review:

Briones Regional Park is a hidden jewel among the hills of the East Bay. The first time you drive there you feel like you might have crossed state lines, but the drive doesn’t seem as long with each return trip.  

There is a small staging area on your left, but the main staging area is about another several hundred feet on the right. You can park on the side of the road and walk into the park or there is a $3 fee to park in the lot. With the baby, it is probably easiest to park in the lot because you can bring a picnic or snacks and sit outside on the grass after your hike. It also allows you to take your time getting ready without being concerned about oncoming traffic.

On this particular Sunday, we decided that there is no better way to celebrate daylight savings than a hike in the sun-filled woods. We therefore packed up and headed out at what would have been 10 AM just yesterday. It was a busy weekend in the Orinda area because there was not only a bike race along Bear Creek Road, but when we arrived at the staging area for the park, there was a helicopter in the far parking lot; they were practicing search and rescue with a canine rescue group.  

After loading our son into the backpack, we headed up through the gate on the right to the paved road. If you need a map, you’ll find it to your right as you walk through the gate. We followed the Old Briones Trail which starts with a very slight incline that takes you to an open field. We immediately bumped into several other hikers (and bikers) who were out with their dogs in tow.

This trail has limited coverage and will get quite hot during the summer. We’ve hiked this when the horse gates are open and closed. As you follow this trail, you’ll come across an old stable, salt licks and all. It’s quite picturesque with the right lighting. If you need to stop to take a break or feed the baby along the way, there are several benches at various points on this trail.  

We wanted to step into the hills, so we turned onto the Valley Trail so get lost in the trees for a little while. The turnoff for this trail was obvious only after we looked for several minutes. The trailhead marker is on the left side of the Old Briones Trail so be sure to look left if you’re wondering if you’ve found the correct trail.

The Valley Trail provides great coverage and along with some beautiful trees with character. There is a gradual incline that will take you up to the top of the hill which opens up and provides you with some great views.  

We decided to head back and turned right to go down the hill. You’ll pass the archery range and an outhouse along the trail. You’ll also be back in an open field for most of the return trip. 

Upon returning to our car and weren’t surprised to find that the parking lot was packed. Plenty of other outdoor enthusiasts were ready to enjoy a great day at Briones.