For anyone living in SF the last few days, it’s been HOT AF.
It’s exciting, because SF is never hot in June. Plus, anyone who doesn’t live on the ground floor/basement of their apartment complex (which is most of us) is probably melting into a sticky puddle from heatstroke. It’s a necessary excuse to be outside, but do so smartly.
Our solution was to try another hike from our list, this time in Marin at Cataract Falls (see my past hiking guides here and here).
Cataract Falls is an easy drive from San Francisco. It marks the beginning of quite a few trail heads which loop in and around each other. While the actual Cataract Falls appears in the beginning of the trek, there’s still a lot to see depending on where you choose to traverse next; it’s like a choose-your-own adventure and vista points.
Like with most hikes, leaving early is key to beat the heat and enjoy the day fully. My tips for exploring Cataract Falls below. Let me know if you’ve been and have anything to add!
Head out of the city no later than 9am. Bring snacks (I love salami and cheese), water, sunscreen, and bug spray (this is my favorite)….oh yeah, and wine if you’re like me and need to have wine within a 10-foot radius of me at all times on the weekend.
This site has great directions on how to get to the trailhead.
The first couple miles are pretty steep with lots of stairs. But it’s also one of the prettiest parts of the hike, so go slowly and take lots of photos.
We chose to continue along the Simmons Trail for a different terrain. The complete loop was around 8 miles.
You won’t have much reception, but you should be able to look at Google Maps GPS in case you get lost. If you, don’t worry—this is a popular trail, so you’re bound to run into people who can help you out!
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