Bird Watching San Francisco

Ocean Beach & Sunset Dunes

QBBA ASSEMBLE!! A little over a year ago, we put forth a valiant effort to name San Francisco's newest park "Plover Park." The name made it to the final four and, while it didn't win, Sunset Dunes has integrated Snowy Plovers as both an icon and an ICON through this park. They hosted a Welcome Back Plovers party, committed to restoration efforts that benefit all creatures, including the plovers, and have adopted the Snowy Plover as a mascot across park signage. There's even a beautiful plover mural! BUT NOW SOME PEOPLE WANT TO CLOSE THE PARK!! FOR CARS!!! A park that two million people visited last year! A park that people use all week! A park with skate ramps, playgrounds, hammocks, and delightfully car free access to pop onto the beach to see Snowy Plovers! For our September walk, we will be visiting Ocean Beach, to look for said Snowy Plovers (and other birds, of course), and checking out Sunset Dunes Park to see what happens when we choose community over cars. The No on G campaign will provide us with window signs for those who want to show their support for keeping this park open. They will also give us flyers if you are in the mood to hand them out within your communities. No pressure to join the campaign, but we wanted to take this opportunity to educate our community on this ballot measure. Queer Birding goes beyond being queer and liking birds. We look forward to seeing everyone after the summer "break" and can't wait to get our momentum back. Also, peep the earlier time for this event! Plovers are early risers.

Backpack Gorgeous Paradise Lake

1. Saturday hike about 7 1/2 miles, 1300 elevation, each way, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/paradise-lake-trail gain to Paradise Lake from Donner Pass. 2. Sunday, relax at the lake, do short day hike, read, enjoy 3. Monday hike out about 7 1/2 miles, 1300 elevation 4. PLEASE text me at 530-450-5768 so we can go over your backpacking experience and fitness level. I do this for everyone's safety and enjoyment. 5. It is a very slow, picture taking pace, 1 mile per hour. 6. There is no cost for the trip. 7. PARTICIPATION IN THIS MEETUP AFFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THE FULL LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY on Meetup’s Backpackers of the American West's website, https://www.meetup.com/backpackers-of-the-american-west/ 8. I Kathi Simonsen reserve the sole right to modify the trip itinerary as I deem necessary at any time. 9.

Mountain Theater, Military base ruins, Potrero Meadows loop- 6mi, 1000ft

Harvest Moon Evening @ Chabot Observatory

# Harvest Moon Evening — Moonrise & Observatory Join us at Chabot Space & Science Center for an evening of moonrise, conversation, and optional telescope viewing if you can't make the 4:30 PM hike but still want to enjoy the Harvest Moon. Optional 4:30pm Hike: https://www.meetup.com/weekly-hikes-at-redwood-regional-park/events/316642685/?slug=weekly-hikes-at-redwood-regional-park&eventId=316642685 ### 🌕 6:30 PM — Meet for Moonrise **Meeting point:** Chabot Space & Science Center parking lot- 2nd level. We'll gather around **6:30 PM** after we return from the hike to watch for the Harvest Moon rising. Moonrise is expected around **6:28 PM**, although the actual view may depend on weather, visibility, trees, terrain, and other conditions. Bring chairs if you prefer sitting. We'll take some time to enjoy the moonrise and connect with others from the community. ### 🔭 7:30 PM — Optional Telescope Viewing For those who would like to stay, Chabot offers **free public telescope viewing on Friday evenings from 7:30–10:30 PM, weather permitting**. We'll head over to the observatory area for the public telescope viewing. This portion is optional, so you're welcome to join us just for moonrise or stay for the evening. **Please note:** Telescope viewing is operated by Chabot and is subject to weather and observatory conditions. The observatory may close certain telescopes when humidity or other conditions make viewing unsafe. Check the latest conditions here: [Chabot Observatory Weather Details](https://chabotspace.org/weather-station/observatory-weather-details/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### 🌙 Come for the Moon, Stay for the Stars Whether you join us for a few minutes around moonrise or stay for telescope viewing, this is simply an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the night sky, and spend time with good people. No hike is required. All are welcome. **Bring:** * Layers — temperatures can drop after sunset * Water * Comfortable shoes * Anything you need to stay comfortable outdoors Please respect fellow participants, other visitors, Chabot's facilities, and the surrounding environment. As always, participants are responsible for their own health, safety, decisions, and belongings.

Mill Valley Depot - Southern Marin Sketchers

**Join the Southern Marin Sketchers at Mill Valley's Depot Cafe & Bookstore, Friday from 12 - 2 PM.** The Depot is a historic railroad building in the heart of downtown Mill Valley and a lively community hub. Join us for the opportunity to sketch the historic downtown, people-watch, or enjoy a nice lunch or coffee. The area offers plentiful seating both inside and outside, public bathrooms, free wifi, and is flat and wheelchair accessible. Please bring your own sketching supplies. We typically meet at the picnic tables in the plaza, but some sketch inside the cafe. **About Us** We are a small group of artists based in Mill Valley, CA. We welcome all ages, skill levels, and mediums! This is a casual group where you can practice building your skills. **If you would like to join our weekly mailing list, please send me a message.**

Thursday Nature Walk - Lobos Valley Overlook (Presidio)

What: A 2.5 mile slow walk with 338 feet of elevation gain. When: Every Thursday at 5:30pm Where: Meet at the Lobos Valley Overlook (just up the hill from the 15th Avenue Presidio entrance) Who: Anyone is welcome! Why: Real life connection...to nature and to the community I live in.

Grand View and Strawberry

**A reminder that there will not be any more roams in September as I will be busy with zen ceremonies and activities.** I have had this route in mind for a while. If you are looking south from the Richmond, just west of Park Presidio, there are only really two hills you see: one is Strawberry Hill in the park, the other Grand View at the northern end of Golden Gate Heights. We will tackle both hills (roughly numbers 10 and 20 in the list of San Francisco summits) on our way round; admire the tiled staircases; enjoy Blue Heron lake and the park; and explore a couple of alleys in the neighbourhood - which are very rare in the Sunset. Naturally there will be some climbing on this roam! *Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go.* *These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.* *Punctuality is always appreciated, for the sake of everybody's time. Please send a message on the app before the start if you are running late, and we will either wait (up to ten minutes) of I will direct you on how to catch up. Once we get underway I have to focus on those who are there, and most likely won't respond.* *Generally half the people who sign up don't actually show up on the day. I do track flakiness and remove people who have a poor attendance record. It is discourteous to those on the waitlist who would like to attend.* *Sending me a message explaining that you can't make it is always appreciated.*

Little Mount Hoffman Astro CampOut

[CDARC](https://www.cdarc.net/) is heading to [Little Mt Hoffman Lookout](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234436?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22510447360&gbraid=0AAAAACzIa87TpCnea0ZVj5sVXHcRNqofy&gclid=CjwKCAjwj7HTBhBiEiwA8s35Ohwaj4tejF2FJRoINY6WyVMxchLx_y127CNfWlyfYxNUJ2kUKaMMqxoC1tYQAvD_BwE) for a weekend of Astrophotography, hiking, and swimming in near by [Medicine Lake](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/255303). Mount Hoffman is a retired fire lookout over looking Mount Shasta. Its one of the most fantastic camping locations in California. It is a 5.5 hour drive from East Bay but it worth it!! [here's the link to the location](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hzEXSCvfCG8Ph2bq9) The cost is $75 per person. This will cover reservation cost, food for Saturday and Sunday morning. We will be offering a simple, breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday and a grab and go breakfast for Sunday morning. The space for cars up at the Lookout is limited so we will work out how to shuttle folks to the top once we have a full signup list. There are a few beds in the lookout but we recommend bringing your own tent and camping gear, including your own cutlery. More info will be posted as we get closer to the date. DM Mason or Sam through meetup with questions.

Pastries, Cliffs & Ocean Views: SF Urban Hike

Join us for a relaxed San Francisco urban hike combining neighborhood streets, coastal trails, historic sites, and big Pacific Ocean views. We'll kick things off at Butter Love Bakeshop in the Outer Richmond, where we'll grab some baked goods and coffee before setting off (we'll wait until 9:45am for any late arrivals). From there, we'll walk toward Sutro Heights and make our way through the Land's End area, after which we'll finish by walking toward Sunset Dunes for the final stretch along San Francisco's oceanfront. This is a casual-paced hike. We'll take our time, enjoy the scenery, stop for photos, and give everyone a chance to chat and take in the views. (Dogs are totally welcome!) Looking forward to the event! Please let me know if you have any questions. 628-236-9369

Paddleboarding/Kayaking in San Rafael.

Roaming Lake Merced and the Dunes

This is a route we did about eighteen months ago, and I wanted to try it again. We start off in the Lakeshore district, close to the zoo, pass across Lake Merced, and tackle the dunes between Fort Funston and Great Highway. This roam is pretty flat, but we will have a fair amount of sand and dirt to traverse. *Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go.* *These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.* *Punctuality is always appreciated, for the sake of everybody's time. Please send a message on the app before the start if you are running late, and we will either wait (up to ten minutes) of I will direct you on how to catch up. Once we get underway I have to focus on those who are there, and most likely won't respond.* *Generally half the people who sign up don't actually show up on the day. I do track flakiness and remove people who have a poor attendance record. It is discourteous to those on the waitlist who would like to attend.* *Sending me a message explaining that you can't make it is always appreciated.*

Start Your Saturday with Qigong 免费大雁功, 开始美好一天

**Start your Saturday with Qigong** Gentle movement. Mindful breathing. Restored balance. Join our **free weekly sessions** to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost energy. All levels are welcome—perfect for beginners and families! **When & Where** 📍 San Francisco Marina Branch Library – Outdoor Patio *(Between the library and the children’s playground)* 🚍 Short walk from Muni lines 30, 45, 22, 28, and 43 🚗 Free/permit parking at Marina Green Park (12-min walk) **What to Bring** ☀️ Sunscreen, hat, gloves for sun protection 🌧️ Sessions canceled if it rains **Featured on the SF Marina Branch Library calendar:** https://sfpl.org/locations/marina