I have a few hours free following a business trip and would like to take a walk/stroll for a couple of hours that is next to the water. I won't have a car.

Is it possible to walk along the Embarcadero and be next to the water? I can't tell from the maps. If so, where should I start?
thanks

The Embarcadero is as close to the water as you can get and not get wet. I would personally start at the Ferry Building (Market and Embarcadero) and walk north from there towards Fisherman's Wharf. If you get tired, you can hop on the MUNI street car and ride for a while.

Or, walk between the Ferry Building and Giants' stadium.

There aren't too many day games coming up, but I like the fact that people can watch the game for free at the outfield fence by the promenade.

Here's a website I love with lots of SF pictures and info.

http://mistersf.com/new/index.html?newferryplz.htm

I think the prettiest section to walk is along Crissy field from the St Francis yacht club to Ft Point. At Ft Point, you'll be directly under the GG bridge. If you climb up to the ramparts at Ft Point, you'll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Golden Gate (entrance to the Bay), and also back towards downtown. This entire walk has 100% water, bridge, and city views. The Embarcsadero has lots of warehouses between you & the water - and fewer views than you may think. Plus the Crissy Field walk avoids Fisherman's Wharf. There is a bus that goes to Ft Point.

Stu Dudley

You can walk the entire perimeter of the city and be along the water.

The Ferry Building starting point will put you mostly next to buildings, with snippets and snatches of water and a view toward Treasure island.

For a true nature experience/ feel,take a bus or taxi to Fort Mason and, as suggested above, walk the path along the shore in the Marina,alongside the boats with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, continuing onto the Crissy Field exercise/strolling path and ending (if you feel like it) either at the bridge itself or at the foot of the bridge.

You can take a bus back, walk back or call a taxi to take you back to your hotel

You will have nature and views the entire time, but little in the way of shopping.

You will see egrets, a man made estuary, wildflowers, sailboats, Alcatraz, windsurfers, sunshine, possibly fog.

If you are a shopper, then do the Ferry walk, otherwise, ask your hotel how to get over to do this.

>>You can walk the entire perimeter of the city and be along the water.<,

Obviously, not on the south side.

Stu Dudley

You could catch a street car down to Fisherman's Wharf. I love that ride & walk...

I second Stu Dudley. Even if you have to take a cab to the yacht club or to Fort Point, it's a beautiful walk. If you start at Fort Point and walk toward the city, you can walk as far as time allows and grab a cab back to the hotel.

Approximately how long is the walk from the yacht club to Ft Point. How would you work a nice lunch in there? Before or after the walk? And where would you eat?

Thanks!

It's about 2 miles. There may be a snack deli along the way - don't know. Lots of lunch spots on Chestnut St.

If you want a nicer lunch, I would dine at Greens at Fort Mason (vegetarian - 8-9 blocks away), or Pres a Vi in the old Letterman's hospital complex in the Presidio. Pres a Vi & Judy's on Chestnut are about 6-7 blocks from the St Francis Yacht Club.

Stu Dudley

Regarding taking a cab after the walk (warning - I'm no a cab expert - never taken one in SF).

The walk along the Bay at Crissy field is on a pedestrian & bike only path, so there won't be any taxis. There is a road through Crissy field, but I don't imagine that taxis regularily cruise this area. Your best bet is to walk back to the St Francis Yatch Club & pick up a taxi on Marina Blvd. I suspect, however, Marina Blvd is not a popular taxi hang-out. You might have a better chance to catch one on Lombard or Chestnut St (Lombard is a main thoroughfare). Pre-arranging for a taxi to pick you up after a walk would work if you can stick to a schedule.

Morning or afternoon walk?

You want the sun at your back, so east to west is best before lunch - the sun will be on the GG Bridge in front of you. In the afternoon west to east the sun will light up downtown.

At Ft Point, the surf is often quite nice & we've spent many hours watching surfers catch waves there. Yesterday at high tide there were not any surfers, but we enjoyed watching the kids getting (intentionally) splashed/soaked by waves hitting the levee.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the all the responses. Wish I had longer to try them all out!

Lynneb--when are you coming? There are lots of great festivals which might interest you. Check out sfgate.com to find out.

I agree with the walk from the piers to Ft. Point. I got great feedback from my questions on what to do in San Fran. I found this one on my own and it was incredible.