Roaming Zen

Lastly for March, a route that we tried as a Friday roam last year, but which felt a bit rushed over two hours. With the full weekend length available to us, we will also visit a couple more spots that I didn't include.

This roam will explore some of the gardens and open spaces of the Dogpatch. This area may not be transforming as fast as its neighbour, Mission Bay, but there are still improvements being made: proper bathrooms at Crane Cove, and Esprit Park has completed its makeover (sans bathrooms, unfortunately). At the same time, its rich history still pervades the neighbourhood.

There are other green spaces to explore, including the original Tunnel Top park, and the early stages of the Pier 70 renovations to check out.

This is a more or less flat roam with only a couple of uphill blocks, and mostly on pavement.

We will meet by Dogpatch Paddle in Crane Cove Park - at the end of the same building as the YMCA.

Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go. Roams over the winter months are somewhat weather dependent, and this may get rescheduled depending on the forecast. I will send an email to everyone who has signed up if we have to postpone or cancel.

These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.

Punctuality is always appreciated. Please send a message on the app if you are running a little late. I can usually respond to messages before we get underway, but then I won't be checking my phone. Meetup has now added a "share location" feature, so you will be able to catch up.

I know Meetup is notorious for no-shows and late changes of rsvp. I am not as strict as other organisers, but I do pay attention to those who regularly drop off or no-show, and there are consequences for recidivists, as it is discourteous for others who would like to attend.

Russian Hill is a staple of Roaming Zen. I like to vary the route slightly, and we will be starting from the North Beach side as we did last time, but we will visit all the highlights of this historic neighbourhood: the views, the alleys, the hidden gardens.

This is a shorter route than some, but we more than make up for distance with the elevation involved. Don't come if you are not a fan of stairs!

Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go.

These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.

Punctuality is always appreciated. Please send a message on the app if you are running a little late. I can usually respond to messages before we get underway, but then I won't be checking my phone. Meetup has now added a "share location" feature, so you will be able to catch up.

I know Meetup is notorious for no-shows and late changes of rsvp. I am not as strict as other organisers (we do talk to each other!), but I do track those who regularly drop off or no-show, and have disinvited several people with dismal attendance records, as it is discourteous for others who would like to attend.

It's always nice to take a stroll around Mission Bay. This area has transformed over recent years, and there have been new parks and buildings added since we started roaming around here. This is a gentle and flat route, much of it alongside the water - the bay and the remnants of the creek - and a perfect antidote to that Friday rush hour feeling.

Bring water, snacks, and layers for whatever the weather is doing.

These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.

Punctuality is always appreciated. Please send a message on the app if you are running a little late. I can usually respond to messages before we get underway, but then I won't be checking my phone.

I know Meetup is notorious for no-shows and late changes of rsvp. I am not as strict as other organisers, but I do pay attention to those who regularly drop off or no-show, and there will be consequences for recidivists, as it is discourteous for others who would like to attend.