San Francisco City Steps

What would the holiday season be without a series of PT-RQ35K high powered lasers creating 30,000lm of 4K definition animated illuminations on some of SF's best known downtown buildings on Friday the 13th?

There are seven Let's Glow installations (not counting the Salesforce Tower which is always on), and it will take us perhaps a leisurely 1.5-2 miles to see them all in Soma and the Financial District. From the Ferry Building we'll go as far south as Folsom and as west as 3rd Street.

The meeting spot is the Bocce Court directly across from the Ferry Building in the plaza formerly known as Justin Herman. The nearby Hyatt Regency restrooms will probably be unlocked, but if not then the Ferry Building is an option.

We'll end up at the Neon Block Party at the Front Street Entertainment Zone where, for better or worse, the bars will be selling 'take out' drinks that can be enjoyed anywhere within the Zone. There will be a DJ with an 'LED powered dance floor'.

With all that merriment going on we probably won't be able to hold together as one big group so we'll officially end when we reach the block party and take it from there, probably in smaller groups.

The starting point, Bart and Muni are all nearby.

So let's take in the downtown holiday season at its peak with some added lasers and (optional) take-out bar service.

The charming neighborhoods stemming out from the West Portal hub were designed for lovely walking strolls. The residents of mostly single-family homes take great pride in the area, and many of them show off with holiday arrangements. We'll visit West Portal, St Francis Wood, and Forest Hill as we enjoy the bright winter lights and sometimes tacky twinkling displays.

We meet at West Portal Branch Library and leave at 5:30 PM ON THE DOT. Please areive a few minutes early to check in and use the restroom (there's a Starbucks a block away). The walk should take about 2 hours. We walk in a loop and return to the library. It will be getting dark by the time we take off. The route has a combination of flat and hillside terrain, but nothing too strenuous. We walk at a steady but moderate pace, taking our time to ohh and aah at the presentations. There won't be another restroom opportunity on this walk, but we end back at the West Portal commercial hub.

We'll be walking on small, quiet residential streets, some of which have very gentle lighting. I highly recommend you bring a flashlight.

GETTING THERE:
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The West Portal Branch Library is just to the right of the West Portal Station as you exit. Muni underground lines K, L, and M, all stop there. Buses #48, 57 stop just across the street. Bus # 23 stops about 7 minutes away at St Francis/Santa Clara. BART users should exit at any underground station between Embarcadero and Civic Center and transfer to the Muni underground, or exit at Daly City and transfer to the 57.

DRIVING: West Portal is a commercial and residential area just to the east of 19th Avenue and north of Portola Avenue. Parking on the residential side streets should be fairly easy on a Sunday evening, or there is a paid lot just off Claremont and Ulloa.

ATTENDANCE- Review our no-show and late cancellation policy. This group takes attendance and removes any members who don't follow it. No showing, place holding, and crashing can lead to removal from the group. This walk is only open to current City Steps members.

DOGS: Dogs are always welcome on my walks, but this one won't be much fun for them. It's along city streets at night, so they'll have to be on leash the entire time.

You are responsible for your own safety on all City Steps walks. Your yes RSVP confirms that you have read and agree to the Liability Waiver that can be found at the bottom of every Meetup.com page.

We walk in a drizzle or mist but rain cancels.