The Embarcadero runs from King Street at the Baseball Park, along the bay North to the Marina of San Francisco, ending at Pier 45. It is a very urban part of the Bay Trail.
- Attractions
- The trail is entirely paved and very wide.
- Gorgeous views across the bay to Treasure Island and beyond, good boat sightings, historic pier landmarks (many labelled along the way), and views of bridges and Coit Tower.
- Wildlife include seals, sea lions, sea gulls, and other sea birds.
- There are several places along the trail to take a break, including nicely landscaped small parks and lawns, benches, and cafes.
- There are pay toilets along the trail, and very nice restrooms in the renovated ferry building.
- The renoated ferry building is a mecca for business folk seeking high-quality lunch fare, and locals wanting to buy freshly grown and made foods. The farmers market here is a zoo, but small shops open daily include Cow Girl Creamery (cheeses), Miete (pastries), Stonehouse (olive oil), and more.
- There are city maps along the route, so you can see where you are with respect to neighborhoods and other sites of interest.
- The trail is littered with a great deal of art, including realistic sculptures of sea turtles and octopus, as well as huge sculptures of people and a bow and arrow. Inspirational phrases and historical statements occur all along the pavement of the trail.
- Dogs are allowed on leash.
- Bikes are allowed (and can be rented at one of the piers).
- The new Exploratorium (opened in 2013) is at one of the renovated piers here.
- Limitations
- The traffic along the Embarcadero can be loud.
- If you're looking for a hike in nature, this isn't your hike. This is as urban as they get.
- Access
The Embarcadero is flat and entirely paved, making it an all-access area.
- Recommended Routes
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