Jamie's "Great Loop" 3.5 mile northeast San Francisco walk! March 5, 2026

Mentioned in this episode:

• Route goes from Ferry north along Embarcadero Promenade until you reach Pier 39.  Turn left (south) onto Powell Street to start the climb up into North Beach and Washington Square Park.  At the southwest corner of the park, cross over to the other side and start heading southeast on Columbus Avenue. When you reach the Sentinel Building with Cafe Zoetrope, turn left to head east on Jackson Street. Turn right onto Davis (heading south). Turn left onto California Street and cross Drumm Street towards the Hyatt Regency.  Walk around the Hyatt to get back on Market Street eastbound, and return to the Ferry Building!
• Gott's 
• Parachute Bakery
• Humphry Slocombe ice cream

Check out past episodes of this podcast at the To Do San Francisco podcast archive.

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Transcript

Jamie Whitaker 0:17

Hi there, this is Jamie, and you're listening to the To-Do San Francisco podcast for Thursday, March 5th, 2026. There's a specific kind of energy in the city on a Thursday. We're close enough to the weekend to feel the pull of freedom, but we're still grounded in the week's momentum. Today's thought for you is this appreciate the transition. We often rush through the almost to get to the finally, but there's so much beauty in the middle. Whether you're almost finished with a massive project or almost at your physical destination, take a second to enjoy the view from the bridge before you cross it. The middle is where the work becomes a masterpiece. Today I share with you my typical evening great loop waterfront walk in San Francisco. Since most days on the eastern edge of San Francisco are gorgeous, we are taking a walk that hits almost every vibe San Francisco has to offer. From the salt air of the piers to the historic brick of the Barbary Coast. This is a roughly three and a half mile loop. It'll take you about 75 to 90 minutes to complete, and I promise your step counter and your soul will thank you. We start off just south of the ferry building. Before you instart your watch, look up at the Echoes installation on the Alameda Ferry platform. The fifty-five foot life size blue whale sculpture that's become the guardian of the embarcadero looks down at you. Start walking towards the ferry building north on the embarcadero. You'll soon pass Pier 7, that iconic long wooden pier with the vintage lamppost that makes everyone look like they're in a movie. Keep moving past the exploratorium at pier fifteen, keep an ear out for the fog bridge whistling, and continue until the smell of sourdough and the barking of sea lions tells you you've hit pier thirty nine. Once you reach Jefferson Street, hang a left and cross over to Powell Street. This is where the workout kicks in as you start to go on an incline up the hill. We are heading south on Powell Street. So this stretch of Pal takes you right into the heart of North Beach. As you crest the hill near Filbert, the city opens up. To the right you see Victoria Pastry Company with their wonderful Italian cookies and that addictive Saint Honore cake. To your left you'll see the stunning white towers of Saints Peter and Paul Church overlooking the green expanse of Washington Square Park. This is one of the best people watching spots in the city, along with Mission Dolores Park. Look for the folks doing Tai Chi, taking a walk around the loop or the local artist with their easels. Next, walk towards the cigar walk towards the cigar house and turn left onto Columbus. As you reach the corner of the park, the southeast turn onto Columbus Avenue takes you to the diagonal heartbeat of the neighborhood. You're walking past Legends here. You'll see the yellow umbrellas of Stella Pastry, home of the Sacrepentina Sac Sacropentina cake. The mouthful. Cafe Trieste is a landmark and a coffee shop in the neighborhood. As you walk down Columbus, you're literally walking through the history of the beat generation. You'll pass City Light's bookstore. Stop for a second to look at the murals in Jack Kerouac Alley and the green copper further down the street of the Sentinel Building, which houses Cafe Zootrope. The Transamerica Pyramid beside the Sentinel Building makes a fabulous selfie background, if you'd like, from around Broadway and Columbus. Part four of this walk is Jackson Square. At the base of the Sentinel building turn left or east onto Jackson Street. The vibe shifts instantly from the jazz and espresso of North Beach to the quiet, red brick sophistication of Jackson Square. This neighborhood survived the 1906 fire, and you can feel it. Look for Hotaling Place, the city's oldest alleyway. It's paved in cobblestones and feels like 1860. Continue east on Jackson until you see the secret garden leg of the walk, Sydney Walton Square. It's a delightful pastoral park with manicured lawns and modern sculptures like the old friend's bronze dogs. It feels like a private estate, but it's open to all of us. Head south on Davis Street from there and cross Washington Street, passing by Siou Beerman Park and passing the Embarcadero Center office towers. The 50 California Street office building between Sacramento Street and California Street has some seating on the corner, but you're almost done with this walk. Turn left at California Street, where some of the cable cars may be parked and waiting for their next scheduled run. Cross Drum Street towards the Hyatt Regency, and then turn right to get on Market Street's wide promenade. Keep an eye out for the forty five foot R Evolution sculpture in the plaza. It's a massive feminine figure that actually breathes via kinetic movement. Walk northeast towards the R Evolution sculpture in the ferry building. You'll find yourself right back where you started at the ferry building, just in time for a post walk snack at Gotts, Parachute, or Humphrey Slocum Ice Cream. If you do end up at Humphrey Slocum Ice Cream, I recommend the secret breakfast flavor. Hope you enjoyed my Great Loop waterfront walk. I'll list out the streets in the show notes. For today's civility tip, let's talk about the San Francisco nod. When you're out on a walk like this, you're going to pass a dozen different versions of the local. There's the runner, the tourist, the office worker on a break, the person selling flowers. In a city where we often hide behind sunglasses and noise canceling headphones, there's a simple power in brief eye contact and a small, friendly nod. It's a silent way of saying, I see you, neighbor. We're both out here today. It's a tiny bridge of human connection that makes the city feel like a community instead of just a crowd. You've got the route, you've got the history, and the weather is on your side, hopefully. Go get those steps in and enjoy the layers of San Francisco under your feet. I'm Jamie. Stay curious, stay kind, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Have a beautiful Thursday.