Lands End & Presidio 2023

Some data points and observations from yesterday’s monthly Peninsula Hiking Club adventure:

9.5 miles
20,000 steps
4.5 hours (including lunch)
Custom itinerary (sorry, you will not find this on All Trails) starting at Lands End and continuing to, on, and through Baker Beach, Batteries to Bluffs Trail, California Coastal Trail, Golden Bridge Visitor Center, Park Trail, Presidio Public Golf Course, Lake Street, and Clement Street, and back to Lands End.
12 hikers (6 attorneys and 6 non-attorneys). I try to maintain at least a 1:1 ratio, for my non-attorney hiking friends.
No hikers visiting from abroad this time, although coincidentally two had kids studying in Florence and returning shortly for winter break.
No dogs (sorry, again)
Perfect weather, sunny, no wind, almost balmy (for December), Christmas tree on the beach (as one would expect in California)
No wrong turns (okay, maybe one, but we were back on course within a few minutes)
Lunch at mile 7, at Gordo’s (24th and Clement), home to the Mission Style burrito, voted best burrito in the Richmond Review, and, based on my observations only (although more than a few in our crew will agree), the fastest burrito assembly line in San Francisco, if not the world.
Classic movies at the 4 Star, across the street from Gordo’s, an unbeatable combination
An impromptu stop for Panettone at mile 8, in an entirely residential neighborhood, where the owner or resident of a house decided to make the Italian dessert and offer it for sampling and purchase by folks passing her home.
Several self-driving cars parked and taking a break, enjoying (if that is the right word) an over-the-air update. This is San Francisco, after all.
Apres-hike Barebottle (Helly Hetchy) pilsners, from my favorite brewery in San Francisco.