Stepping out in Glen Park

For sunshine and suburbia ― even wilderness ― in theoften fog-cloaked city, head to this underrated enclave on SanFrancisco’s south side. Narrow streets are flanked by colorfulsingle-family homes, and the villagelike center is lined withbakeries, a bookshop, and noteworthy new restaurants. But the bestpart of Glen Park is the boulder-strewn and eucalyptus-filledcanyon, the city’s most rugged open space, which welcomes joggers,dog walkers, off-roading strollers, rock climbers, and (for oneweek in June) grass-chomping goats.

GETTING THERE

San Francisco’s Glen Park neighborhood is south of Noe Valley.It has a BART stop on Diamond St. at Bosworth St., just steps fromChenery St., the hub of the neighborhood. Glen Canyon Park is lessthan 10 minutes from BART on foot.

Glen Canyon Park Wander beneath 350-foot-high canyon walls,by huge red rocks, trickling Islais Creek, and footbridges. Stay onthe main trail and turn back anytime; if you don’t mind a littlebushwhacking, follow the route about a mile to Diamond Heights. (Inlate June, look for hungry goats, brought in to clear brush andthus deter fires.) INFO: Free; O’Shaughnessy Blvd. at Elk St.;ample street parking; 415/831-2700.

SHOP

Bird & Beckett Books & Records Behold, a bookstore the way they used to be: Musty, cramped,and staffed by smart, friendly folks. Plus open-mic poetry (7:30 onthe first and third Monday of each month) and live jazz (5:30-8Fridays). INFO: 2788 Diamond St.; 415/586-3733.

EAT

Destination Baking Company You can smell this bakery fromblocks away. Only three tables, but tray upon tray of just-bakedtreats: chocolate croissants, lemon tartlets, and moon pies. INFO:598 Chenery St.; 415/469-0730.

Café Bello Locals’ favorite for fresh-roastedfair-trade beans and whimsical frothy flourishes. INFO: 2885Diamond St.; 415/585-3457.

Gialina A small, family-run spot with thin-crust piesinspired by Nonna. Try dandelion greens with sweet Italian sausage,or the Wild Nettles: green garlic, pancetta, and fontina. INFO: $$;2842 Diamond St.; 415/239-8500.

DON’T MISS …

Dining is for families on kids’ night at Chenery Park Restaurant ($$$;closed Mon; 683 Chenery St.; 415/337-8537), typically anadult-friendly place. Every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. on, tots of allages (with parents in tow) come for no-fuss hamburgers and mac ‘n’cheese, with root beer floats for dessert.

Discerning diners can eat up the neighborhood’s newestdestinations, both scheduled to open this spring: the super-swanksushi restaurant Sangha ($$$;678 Chenery; 415/333-0101) and French bistro Le P’tit Laurent ($$$;699 Chenery; 415/334-3235).

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