Nature Journaling @Mountain Lake Park, San Francisco
Details
Would you like to slow down, notice more, and invite a sense of awe, calm, and wonder into your day?
Join us for a nature journaling adventure every third Sunday of the month! Each month, we explore a different natural gem within San Francisco, pausing to capture our observations, curiosity, and moments of joy in our journals — using words, pictures, and numbers.
This month we will hang out at Mountain Lake Park in Presidio
Tucked between the Richmond District and the southern edge of the Presidio, Mountain Lake Park is home to one of San Francisco’s few remaining natural lakes — a freshwater basin that’s been here for over 2,000 years.
The lake’s been through a lot: highway construction, invasive species, urban runoff. But now it’s making a real comeback, with native pond turtles, chorus frogs, migrating birds, and a mix of local plants showing up again.
We will walk the shoreline, notice what’s growing in and around the water, and see how this small but fascinating ecosystem is bouncing back. We’ll share ideas, sketches, and data on how to capture its story
Event Details
🕐 Time: 1pm to 4pm
📍 Location: Mountain Lake Park
📍 Meeting Point: Mountain Lake 9th Avenue Picnic Shelter (we will be here between 1-1:30pm for introductions and then disperse; coming back between 3:30 and 4:00 https://maps.app.goo.gl/KjrSH236Nm6hEjiY9
🖊️ What to Bring: A journal or sketchbook, writing and drawing/coloring supplies. Optional: binoculars, a lightweight stool, and your curiosity!
🧻 Nearest restrooms are at Mountain Lake Playground, a 5 minute walk away
🚙 Parking: On neighboring residential streets.
🚎 Public Transport: Served by multiple MUNI lines - the 44, the 1, the 28.
💰Cost: It's a free event, but we encourage 20$ donations to Wild Wonder Foundation https://www.wildwonder.org/donate
🐥Bonus add-ons ( if you want to explore beyond this meet-up )
- Presidio Trails including the Lobos Creek Trail to Baker Beach
- Juan Bautista de Anza National HIstoric Trail
- Cafes and Restaurants on Clement Street
📚References:
- KtfNj email list: tinyurl.com/ktfnj
- Getting started with Nature Journaling:
- wildwonder.org
- https://johnmuirlaws.com
Come as you are — no experience needed, just a sense of wonder. We can’t wait to explore with you!
🌼 Who are we ?
We are a community of nature loving humans in our favorite city in the world - San Francisco!!!
“Karl the Fog and Nature Journalers” meet on the third Sunday of each month to fall in love with various parks, museums, lakes, trails, community gardens etc in SF. We facilitate these sessions to encourage curious exploration and a healthy exchange of ideas.
Nature Journaling is a tool that got us to fall in love with our natural surroundings and we now see the world in a new light - full of awe and wonder, and they want to share that magic with YOU and YOU and YOU!