The Crosstown Trail is Getting Tweaked!

Bob and friends step off the trail.

On its 5th anniversary, we’re tweaking the original Crosstown Trail route, highlighting new or enhanced trailside features. These changes are motivated in part by a diversion to see a new mural, described below, on a birthday hike celebrating Bob Siegel, champion of the Crosstown Trails.

We describe these wonderful sites in Sections 1, 4 and 5, walking south to north. Please see Plan Your Trip for new maps and cue sheets in both directions.

Section 1 – Cuvier Commons & Bernal Cut 

Between St. Mary’s Park and the Glen Park BART station, Section 1 takes a detour from often busy Bosworth onto Cuvier Street, a quiet residential block of charming early 20th century homes. The short street has historically battled litter, dumping and graffiti from passersby on San Jose Ave. Now, though, the perseverance of neighborhood activists and groups including the College Hill Neighborhood Association has been rewarded by a terrific mural, Cuvier Commons, completed in 2023 by “line-drawer and street peddler” Amos Goldbaum.

Cuvier Commons welcomes walkers with art, flowers, and seating.

Inspired by 1915 and 1923 photos of the street and the collective memories of longtime residents, Goldbaum’s 32’ tall x 95’ wide mural in vivid blue and cool mint is the focus of the transformation, which also includes a pocket park with cafe tables and chairs, a perfect new spot to rest along the Crosstown Trail. (Goldbaum’s murals are all over town. Look for another at the start of Section 2 of the Crosstown Trail, on Kern Street at Diamond Street in Glen Park.)

Native plants now thrive on both side of San Jose Avenue.

From the top of the steps at Cuvier Commons, the new route jogs northeast along the Bernal Cut Path, crosses the Cut on the Richland Avenue bridge, then turns back southwest, on the Arlington Path Greenway. A transformation similar to that on Cuvier Street has occurred at the Bernal Cut, where windblown trash, graffiti, and various bits of debris could historically be found on the otherwise barren hillsides along busy San Jose Ave. Look for California native plants, including 100 trees and 400 drought tolerant plants provided by a 2015 San Francisco Environment Carbon Sequestration grant, with additional critical funding from the San Francisco Parks Alliance and a Community Challenge Grant, all spurred by neighbors and groups coming together to make change.  

Mural under the Richland Bridge reflects the Bernal Cut’s history.

Along with an inviting tree swing, signs along the way tell the story of the Bernal Cut’s ongoing transformation. The Bernal Cut story dates to 1863, when an eight hour steamboat and stagecoach trip between San Francisco and San Jose was shortened to a three and a half hour rail trip, made possible by blasting a twenty-five foot wide pass through a hillside. This became known as the Bernal Cut, first for rail lines, later widened to include cars, along with the J Church Muni line. Two murals on the piers of the Richland Bridge depict the neighborhood’s history (best viewed from either side of the bridge).

Neighbors Paul and Carol happily restore the natural landscape along the Bernal Cut.

Across San Jose, the Arlington Path Greenway and Pollinator Gardens are also well-cared for by neighbors, who brave the traffic and noise to replace invasive species and trash with natives and other plants adapted to this environment. These delightful sites invite you to linger, with their benches, interpretive signs, and Little Free Libraries. From Arlington head back up to Chenery via Natick, then around the block to the Glen Park Bart Station, between Sections 1 and 2. Note that the Trail now includes Glen Park’s beloved Bird & Beckett Books and Records shop at 653 Chenery. Stop in to browse and pick up your Crosstown Trail SWAG!

Section 4 – Blue Heron Lake 

The trail now goes the opposite direction around Strawberry Hill Island.

This tweak adds a few historic sites without adding many steps to your walk around Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake, after an 1890’s park commissioner who advocated taxing Jews to discourage them from opening businesses. The new name was chosen by the public and approved by the Recreation and Park Commission in early 2024). Walking south to north, head right instead of left after you cross the Rustic Bridge onto Strawberry Hill Island. The Rustic Bridge, like the lake itself, was created in 1893 for the California Midwinter International Expo (turn around to see the date etched on the stone bridge). The lake provides terrific habitat for birds and other critters, including the Great Blue Herons that nest in nearby trees.

Further along you’ll come to the Chinese Pavilion, a gift from Taipei, Taiwan, San Francsico’s sister city, and the Huntington Falls flowing from Strawberry Hill, the highest point in Golden Gate Park (you can add a workout by hiking to the top of the hill). Wondering where the water comes from? Read more about these Blue Heron Lake sites in SF Gate (published before the lake’s name change). Continue along the trail, crossing the Roman Bridge and following the old Crosstown Trail route.

Section 5 – Mountain Lake

Step off the main path to access a waterside boardwalk and beach.

The third Crosstown Trail tweak comes towards the northern end of the Trail, where Park Presidio Blvd meets Lake Street, to include Mountain Lake, one of three natural freshwater lakes in San Francisco (the Double Cross Trail passes the other two, Lake Merced and Pine Lake). Through the efforts of the Presidio Trust and others, Mountain Lake and its surrounding wetland habitat has been restored to a more natural state, where native biodiversity thrives. Toxic runoff from adjacent Highway 1 was a major source of contamination. The Presidio Trust received a $13.5M settlement from CalTrans to clean up the area and guard against future issues.

Mountain Lake’s shoreline is now tangled with willows, tule, and other freshwater-loving plants.
Pet rescue box helps keep Mountain Lake healthy for native species.

In addition, apparently, well-meaning guardians had released their aquatic pets into the lake, setting them free but setting off an invasive species disaster. Back on the main path, check out the Aquatic Pet Rescue Box where you can leave your pet, no questions asked, for relocation by a rescue center. A playground, drinking fountain and restrooms can all be found here.

The coastal scrub and dune habitat supports many native plants.

The route around Mountain Lake is part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, following the 1876 path the Spanish commander took, leading to the establishment of the Presidio. The Anza Trail continues under Highway 1. After ascending a step staircase on your right, you enter a dramatically different landscape–coastal scrub and dune habitat. Here the sandy soil is dotted with Silvery Lupines, Coast Buckwheat, Sticky Monkey Flower, and other native plants.

A few steps off the boardwalk lies a memorial marking the site of the US Marine Hospital Cemetery, dating from 1881-1912, another remnant of the Presidio’s military history. After you cross Wedemeyer, reconnect with the Lobos Creek Valley Trail and continue along the original Crosstown Trail route.