SAN FRANCISCO: STRAWBERRY HILL

Nestled in the middle of Stow Lake, a man-made lake within Golden Gate Park, is Strawberry Hill. Apparently this island is a bit of a hidden gem, according to Samara, who was kind enough to serve as our tour guide for weekend. After crossing one of the two stone bridges that span the lake, we followed a dirt trail that snaked its way around the island, past a Chinese peach pagoda, and to the top of this waterfall that leads into the lake.

And the view from the top of Strawberry Hill was a spectacular one of western San Francisco.