Fort Funston
A hidden gem in the corner of the city.
Fort Funston is located on Skyline Blvd between the Sunset District and Daly City. When I arrived at Fort Funston, I did not have much to expect. A park close to the city with a giant parking lot for about 50 cars is probably just like any other park. However, I was greeted with a new unexpected discovery. Not only do people come here to paraglide and walk their dogs, but this is a park that feels very much like you are further down the coast in locations such as Monterey or Cambria. However, Fort Funston is within the limits of San Francisco. Unlike other parks on a sunny day, it was not crowded, there were moments where I did not see a single person or just a few separated by a 30–40 foot cliff. Do bring a jacket, the closer to the water you get, the windier it gets.
There are two layers of the park: The highland with its dune-like landscapes, and the beach below. On the upper levels, I found diverse landscape features and remains of the fort making the hike a visual pleasure. I suggest going around sunset, as the light will allow the depth of the landscape to really show. Also, it makes going under the tree canopies more magical as light punches through them.
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