Get Salty With a Maritime S.F. Walking Tour, and Shoreline Lake’s “Yearly Sale of Cool Stuff”
Take a Walk
Most of the time when we talk about going places and learning and discovering new things, we’re talking about exploring by boat. Recently we learned of a free guided tour that takes in San Francisco’s maritime history, on foot. Volunteer guide Eric Friedman shared the details of San Francisco City Guides’ newest tour opportunity, the Maritime S.F. walking tour.
The tour covers the history of the Bay, its unique topography and conditions, its indigenous occupants, European discovery, yacht clubs, and topics such as sailing, boardsports, fishing, commercial activity, safety, swimming, and more.
“A particular feature of this tour is that we adjust in real time to action around us — the living diorama,” Eric tells us. The guides also mix in some historical anecdotes and fun stories, “like the time William Tecumseh Sherman (later general of the Union army) was shipwrecked twice in one day.”
The tour combines history and culture with interpretation of the live action unfolding on the Bay. Whether you see boardsport athletes, racing sailboats, Coast Guard vessels, commercial traffic, people fishing … it’s all folded into “a fun stroll with a gorgeous view.”
The next Maritime S.F. walking tours are:
Saturday, October 4, at 3:00 p.m., given by Jim C. Sign up here.
Friday, October 10, at 10:30 a.m., given by Eric F. Sign up here.
Saturday, October 18, at 3:00 p.m., given by Jim C. Sign up here.
Each walk is around 90 to 120 minutes The tours are always free and are supported almost entirely by walker donations. There is an opportunity to make a suggested $20 per person donation when you register online.
*Advance registration is required for a few tours on private property where the owners limit the size of the groups. These tours often fill up quickly so plan to sign up early. You can find more information, dates, and links to sign up here: https://sfcityguides.org/tour/maritime-sf/. Learn more about volunteer guide Eric Friedman’s tours here.
Get some “Cool Stuff”
The Boathouse at Shoreline Lake is holding its annual “Yearly Sale of Cool Stuff” on October 4–5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This unique and popular annual event is open to the public, and is a great opportunity to purchase gently used equipment for kids and adults. This year’s selection of high-end gear includes single and double kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and tandem bikes that will sell for a fraction of their original price. Miscellaneous kitchen equipment/supplies from Shoreline Lake’s American Bistro may also be available for purchase.
Along with the “Yearly Sale of Cool Stuff,” to celebrate fall, Shoreline Lake’s American Bistro will be rolling out traditional and German-inspired specials for their Oktoberfest Celebration on October 3–19. Oktoberfest will feature a variety of savory dishes (such as a schnitzel sandwich) and German-style beers as well as a traditional Black Forest Cake, “in a lovely waterfront dining experience, without oompah music and yodeling contests.” Details for both events can be found at Shoreline Lake/Events.
Shoreline Lake celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023.