Corona Heights-Randall Museum
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114
Starting Point:A hike into Corona Heights followed by a visit to the Randall Museum can start from street parking anywhere near the intersection of Museum Way and Roosevelt, or from the Randall Museum parking lot on Museum Way. (It is also possible to enter Corona Heights Park from other streets as can be seen in the map link.)
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Corona Heights Park info link (San Francisco Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/destination/corona-heights-park/
Randall Museum web link:
https://www.randallmuseum.org
Map link (scroll to bottom of this Randall Museum directions/info link for Corona Heights and Randall Museum area map):
https://www.randallmuseum.org/about-us/directions-hours/
Distance:
Corona Heights Park covers slightly over 13 acres. There is a network of trails that winds around the hill that adds up to about a mile of walking. Though not a long distance, remember that this is a walk involving stairs and inclined gravel paths to a rocky peak.
Considerations:
• Parking is available at the Randall Museum as well as street parking around the park. Heed street signs to avoid parking tickets.
• There are toilet facilities available.
• Dogs are allowed on leash on the trails, in addition to a limited off leash dog play area.
• Careful of poison oak. Technu or another scrub is good to have on hand.
The Trail:
Corona Heights is one of many surprising natural treasure spots right within San Francisco. There is parking available at the Randall Museum, as well as street parking on neighboring streets.
The entrance to Corona Heights from near the intersection of Roosevelt and Museum Way opens up with a view toward a hill with rocky outcroppings at the top. There is about a mile of trails that wind up and around the Corona Heights peak.
The walking trail varies between stair steps and red gravel pathways. The distinctive red rock is radiolarian chert. Click the “Geology” tab under the Corona Heights info link noted above. The geological history is fascinating!
Another wonderful aspect of this distinctive geological outcropping is the wildflowers it supports. You can read about the spring wildflowers that grow here in the info link above, but one that stands out for me is the Johnny jump-up, which is the only host plant for the callippe silverspot butterfly. Also watch for the yellow and black swallowtail butterflies that inhabit this and other San Francisco hilltops.
It is not a long distance to get up and around this hilltop and then back down another side. Having said that, visitors need the ability to climb up and down inclined paths and stairways.
Once Corona Heights visitors have taken in the 360 degree views from the top of the hill, meander back down the trail toward the Randall Museum. See the Randall Museum info link above for information on this long-standing, beloved San Francisco treasure. This free museum has a variety of exhibits, ranging from animals to a big model train set, and it also offers classes for kids.
Corona Heights is just one example of amazing nature offerings right under our noses within San Francisco. I’m sure many urban areas have more natural scenery to offer than many people realize, but San Francisco is especially full of in-the-city gems like this to enjoy.
(Corona Heights-Randall Museum Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Nature In the City” Insights post.)
(Click the Home page to get the broader background story.
See Insights/Hike Update News for updated reflections and outdoor activity information. Click Hikes and browse the list or check the Quick View Hike List for a summary of hike listings.
To receive hikingautism.com updates, click the HikingAutism Facebook page and click Like and/or Follow.)
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114
Starting Point:A hike into Corona Heights followed by a visit to the Randall Museum can start from street parking anywhere near the intersection of Museum Way and Roosevelt, or from the Randall Museum parking lot on Museum Way. (It is also possible to enter Corona Heights Park from other streets as can be seen in the map link.)
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Corona Heights Park info link (San Francisco Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/destination/corona-heights-park/
Randall Museum web link:
https://www.randallmuseum.org
Map link (scroll to bottom of this Randall Museum directions/info link for Corona Heights and Randall Museum area map):
https://www.randallmuseum.org/about-us/directions-hours/
Distance:
Corona Heights Park covers slightly over 13 acres. There is a network of trails that winds around the hill that adds up to about a mile of walking. Though not a long distance, remember that this is a walk involving stairs and inclined gravel paths to a rocky peak.
Considerations:
• Parking is available at the Randall Museum as well as street parking around the park. Heed street signs to avoid parking tickets.
• There are toilet facilities available.
• Dogs are allowed on leash on the trails, in addition to a limited off leash dog play area.
• Careful of poison oak. Technu or another scrub is good to have on hand.
The Trail:
Corona Heights is one of many surprising natural treasure spots right within San Francisco. There is parking available at the Randall Museum, as well as street parking on neighboring streets.
The entrance to Corona Heights from near the intersection of Roosevelt and Museum Way opens up with a view toward a hill with rocky outcroppings at the top. There is about a mile of trails that wind up and around the Corona Heights peak.
The walking trail varies between stair steps and red gravel pathways. The distinctive red rock is radiolarian chert. Click the “Geology” tab under the Corona Heights info link noted above. The geological history is fascinating!
Another wonderful aspect of this distinctive geological outcropping is the wildflowers it supports. You can read about the spring wildflowers that grow here in the info link above, but one that stands out for me is the Johnny jump-up, which is the only host plant for the callippe silverspot butterfly. Also watch for the yellow and black swallowtail butterflies that inhabit this and other San Francisco hilltops.
It is not a long distance to get up and around this hilltop and then back down another side. Having said that, visitors need the ability to climb up and down inclined paths and stairways.
Once Corona Heights visitors have taken in the 360 degree views from the top of the hill, meander back down the trail toward the Randall Museum. See the Randall Museum info link above for information on this long-standing, beloved San Francisco treasure. This free museum has a variety of exhibits, ranging from animals to a big model train set, and it also offers classes for kids.
Corona Heights is just one example of amazing nature offerings right under our noses within San Francisco. I’m sure many urban areas have more natural scenery to offer than many people realize, but San Francisco is especially full of in-the-city gems like this to enjoy.
(Corona Heights-Randall Museum Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Nature In the City” Insights post.)
(Click the Home page to get the broader background story.
See Insights/Hike Update News for updated reflections and outdoor activity information. Click Hikes and browse the list or check the Quick View Hike List for a summary of hike listings.
To receive hikingautism.com updates, click the HikingAutism Facebook page and click Like and/or Follow.)
