Livin' La Vida Local (SF Style)

At this point in my life, I’ve clocked in over one full year in the Bay Area. Not all at once, and I still have yet to experience summer here but since 2011, I’ve spent a fall, part of spring, and three winters here. Only the longest tour, a seven month run, was BT (Before Tucker.) When Tucker joined me, I was excited to show him around my favorite trails—but alas, most of them he is not allowed on. As much as San Francisco is dog friendly, the percentage of hikes dogs are welcome on is actually rather low.

Overall, it seemed like we had been on most of that small percentage-unless I got up at a decent hour and drove an hour or two north. Working six or seven days a week, and no new hikes nearby that really called to me, Tucker and I have been living like a local rather than exploring new trails. We've spent our few days off visiting the places any San Francisco dog would regularly frequent:
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We walked along Chrissy Fields to Fort Mason, and got to witness the fog roll in over the bridge..

​And visited every dog’s old stand-by, Fort Funston a few times.

​We walked along the sandy dunes and down onto the beach.

​We discovered and appreciated beach art.

​And we watched the sunset.

​Although not a prime canine spot I wanted to be a little more secluded so one day we took the long drive down to Greyhound Rock Beach, where we had explored the year before.

​With the tide out, our feet touched earth and sand we never had before.

​So while we have no new trails to speak of, we have enjoyed our weeks of living like locals. Maybe we’ll even be official locals one day. Dogs here have quite the life—and humans too. There was no excitement for the newness of these places, but the beauty was—and always is—still captivating. And with a smile like this, I know Tucker isn’t complaining either.