PresidioHabitats

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

PresidioHabitats is a site-based art exhibition celebrating Presidio wildlife and nature. It runs through May 15, 2011.

It is a clever treasure hunt, where finding the art is just part of the pleasure. Locating where to start is maybe the hardest part (finding the trail head is how THB got his nickname, after all). The picture is a big clue, study it closely before you leave, since there aren't any signs, you have to know it when you get there.

Park at the log cabin (NOT the log cabin in Golden Gate Park, that is another log cabin, and if you start there then it is really hard to find the trail head), and then turn to your right and compare to the picture. Repeat until you find the Pavilion.

That's where you can pick up a nifty upside down map (meaning when you orient yourself at the start to the map, the map is now upside down...makes the hunt that much more challenging). Hours are Wed-Sun, 11am to 5pm, if you want the map. If you want to do this on your own, which we tried the first time, be assured you will need to come back, like we did, to get a map, and start over. Takes a few hours of leisurely strolling, mostly on trails and sidewalks and streets and some stairs and in amongst Presidio structures of various kinds.

There's also discovering bits and pieces of the Presidio life: great views; see how the locals live; locked toilets in the campground (yes, YOU can camp in the middle of the Presidio!); more great views; meet other people lost on the hunt and compare notes; see tennis courts, community garden and playgrounds; all this and installation art!

THB says: best when the sun is out, you won't be able to avoid wind, so wear layers and definitely wear sun screen.