Panoramic Hill and Fire Trail Hike: "Berkeley's Most Romantic Neighborhood"

This particular hike has great views of the Bay, Berkeley, and Claremont with a small dose of architectural gems! (Thanks to Lincoln, another event host, for introducing this to me.)

Details: approximately 4 miles, 700 feet elevation gain, 2 hours.

Terrain: staircases and steep dirt trails. Moderately strenuous and faster-paced than most hikes with stops for views, pics and catch-up.

Cross-posted with SF City Steps: https://www.meetup.com/San-Francisco-City-Steps/events/124023992/

For a map see the following link:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217302410455281624635.0004c31d4c99532d6b90e&msa=0&ll=37.868654,-122.23805&spn=0.013213,0.027874

Near the start is Panoramic Hill which has some very lovely historic homes some of which were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Julia Morgan. We will learn a little about the history of this museum-quality architectural neighborhood before ascending into the wooded hills.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/f/8/c/event_246572652.jpeg

Panoramic Hill Neighborhood

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/5/c/event_246575932.jpeg

Orchard Steps

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/0/e/event_246572782.jpeg

Frank Lloyd Wright Home

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/7/2/event_246572882.jpeg

Julia Morgan Apartments

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/2/1/e/event_109301502.jpeg

--Attendance Policy

No showing is not appreciated. We understand that after work walks are sometimes difficult to make, but leave a message here at least an hour before the hike if you can not make it to avoid a "ding" which may jeopardize your ability to participate in future walks.

--Dog Policy

Dogs are allowed. There are some parts of the walk where a leash is required. Bring pet waste bags.

--Transportation

The street parking in this area is readily available.

--What to Bring/Wear

Water, snacks, hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, and a headlamp or flashlight

"The quality of this area depends not so much on its individual buildings, though there are many fine structures by Berkeley’s most important designers, but upon the survival of a complete neighborhood that provides a background for these buildings. Thus, the individual designs of Coxhead, Morgan, or Maybeck do not appear as museum pieces in a glass case, divorced of context, but convey the image and atmosphere of the intellectual and cultural milieu which aspired at the turn of the century to be the Athens of the West."—John Beach

Some of the homes can be viewed here:

http://berkeleyheritage.com/gallery/panoramic_hill_tour2005.7.html