Things To Do In Alum Rock

Northern California might have arguably the world’s gentlest climate, but the terrain can be as rugged as anywhere. If you haven’t ascended Mt. Tamalpais north of Marin or Mt. Diablo out near Danville, you’re seriously missing out. As a nice alternative, hilly San Francisco’s many parks contain extraordinary vistas and secret spots that you don’t have to sprain an ankle to get to. Every third car commercial seemingly films a luxury sedan negotiating the curves of Twin Peaks Boulevard, but hiking up to San Francisco’s best-known lookout on foot is the most rewarding way to arrive. There’s any number of ways to get to the top via city streets; just keeping heading upwards from the Castro MUNI station, or try the dead-ends that line the bottom of the hill – they often contain a half-hidden staircase that’s perfect for a light workout. Twin Peaks Boulevard’s superlative views of downtown and the entire bay are worth the slight panting. After the U.S. military ceded the Presidio to civilians in the 1990s, restoration began on the trails that snake through the eucalyptus groves and WWII-era batteries within the park. Sure, the fog can sneak up on you quickly in summer and one of the beaches is clothing-optional, but you can’t get any closer to the Golden Gate Bridge than the Bluffs-to-Batteries Trail above Baker Beach. If you’re not in the mood for the moderate climb, the narrow road that leads from Crissy Field to Fort Point – sea level all the way – is as historic as it is stunning. Although it seems that the middle of San Francisco is nothing but hilltops, in the very center lies a mysterious crevasse: Glen Canyon. Not to be confused with the national park in Utah, this 70-acre, dog-friendly urban idyll may have steep walls, but the floor can be hiked by almost everyone. Amid the rock formations and hundred-year-old structures runs one of only two natural streams left in the city, making it a lush habitat for native vegetation and endangered species year-round. The southeast entrance, blocks from the Glen Park BART station, is easily found, but the trailhead behind the Diamond Heights shopping center offers the more startling views. Bernal Hill is romantic, but it’s crawling with people. For a little more solitude, head for the next hill south: John McLaren Park, located between Portola and Excelsior. While its eastern flank overlooks the more industrial section of town, the thick woods that make up the second-largest park in San Francisco (after Golden Gate Park) keep the wildflower dells shrouded and human interference to a minimum. An easy grade and access from all points make McLaren the best secret spot for a combination hike/picnic in the grass. It’s so secluded you could even take a nap.

The Fourth of July has come and gone, but there’s plenty left to celebrate—the power of pony friendship, for instance. This week, get close to some bronies, support local hip-hop artists, watch artists as they draw, judge air-guitar performances, and drop by Petaluma for an outdoor festival. Of course, you can also check Groupon for more things to do in San Francisco. A Brony Tale Pacific Heights | Tuesday, July 8, 7 p.m. A Brony Tale follows Ashleigh Ball, who voices Rainbow Dash and Applejack on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, on her visit to the world’s largest My Little Pony fan convention: BronyCon. Attend the documentary’s premiere screening to see how the world’s preconceptions about bronies—men who are devotees of the cartoon—get thoroughly challenged. (Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore St.; $12.50; buy tickets here) 2Racks Rap Contest SoMa | Wednesday, July 9 The 2Racks Rap Contest is just one way that Bay Area rapper and producer Sellassie is trying to “Stop Hatin’ in the Bay.” The live song competition awards its winner a $2,000 prize, but more importantly, it brings independent hip-hop artists together for a chance to support one another’s work. The lineup includes Democritus, Dush Tray, Way 2 Saucy, and more. (1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St.; $20; buy tickets here) Monster Drawing Rally Mission | Friday, July 11 At the 11th annual Monster Drawing Rally, audiences can watch more than 120 artists sketch new pieces from start to finish. The artists draw in shifts while DJs provide background music, and each work is put up for sale immediately upon completion, priced at $60. All of those proceeds then go toward art programs at Southern Exposure. (The Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St.; free) US Air Guitar Championships Semifinals NoPa | Saturday, July 12, 8:30 p.m. Playing professional air guitar involves more rules than you might think. No air-drumming is allowed, for example, and guitarists are evaluated on three criteria: technical merit, stage presence, and “airness,” or the degree to which you embody the art’s unique spirit. Learn the rest of the rules and see who will proceed to the finals at the competition this weekend. (The Independent, 628 Divisadero St.; $20; buy tickets here) Petaluma’s Art & Garden Festival Historic Downtown Petaluma | Sunday, July 13, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. More than 100 vendors of artisanal goods will make the drive up to Petaluma more than worth it on Sunday. In addition to the arts and crafts on sale, the festival will have drinks from local wineries, a kid zone with a climbing wall, and live music from bands such as Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs!. Guests with green thumbs can even consult expert gardeners for growing tips. (4th Street and Kentucky Street, Petaluma; free) Monster Drawing Rally photo by Catherine McElhone, courtesy of Southern Exposure; Petaluma’s Art & Garden Festival photo courtesy of Petaluma Downtown Association & Visitors Center

If New York is the city that never sleeps, San Francisco manages to get at least seven hours a night. The needles scratch off the record at 2 a.m. sharp at most – but not all – dance venues, meaning there’s plenty of time to get to bed before the sun comes up. Or, thanks to a rising crop of after-hours clubs and an already extensive daytime dance scene, it’s possible to never leave the dance floor at all. El Rio’s tiered backyard patio is home to dance parties. Typically populated by artsy types, the LGBT-heavy but by no means exclusive crowd is without exception friendly and relaxed. From the Hard French soul parties that kick up on Saturdays from early spring to fall, or the year-round second and fourth Salsa Sundays, the positive mood is inevitably infectious. The eclectic crowds are always willing to party, which means these events tend to start fast and fill up even faster. The Bay Area’s relative dearth of megaclubs mean that superstar deejays rarely put in a residency anywhere in town, but Mighty comes closest. The Mission District’s most capacious venue keeps quiet on school nights, but Fridays and Saturdays the room plays host to a rotating set of sought-after spinners and hordes of late-night partiers. In the true underground spirit, you’d never know you were walking by the inconspicuous Mighty on, say, a Tuesday afternoon. Also hidden in plain sight, on a spooky cul-de-sac near the 101 freeway in the Mission, is Public Works, which has become known as the go-to spot for large-scale parties on any celebratory holiday (think Cinco de Mayo, Pride or the Folsom Street Fair). This two-floor labyrinth often charges a pretty penny, depending on the event, but stays open until 3 a.m. and often later. As the anchor tenant of the 11th Street entertainment quarter, DNA Lounge stands head-and-shoulders above the neighboring clubs. For decades, it’s been the place where superstars play their secret shows, while hosting a ridiculously wide variety of events from DJ mash-up nights and live bands to burlesque and theater. If you get winded on the floor, the adjacent pizza parlor stays open 24 hours a day. No word on whether dancing is allowed while you chow down on a slice.