When a big winter storm hits, like over the past few days, there are often disruptions to “normal” life.  Streets flood, trees come down, and the ocean takes back a little more of the land.  Although we got a lot of rain this week, the storm in early January was even more fierce, with high winds, lots of rain and giant surf.  It can really mess up the roads….and even close them ……but mostly for cars!  On bike or foot, you can almost always get around the problem, but in a car, a simple pond of trapped water or a tree down can close an entire road.

One great thing about not owning a car and getting around by bike, transit, and foot is that you often view things completely the opposite of the mainstream car dependent folks (including most of the media).  What? the Great Highway is closed to traffic…..roads in Golden Gate Park as well?  High surf advisory?   Geez, what the hell am I still doing sitting down.  So naturally, during the last storm, we headed out to see the big surf and enjoy the power of the Pacific by foot.   The next day I biked in Golden Gate Park and discovered a wonderful stretch of MLK drive closed to traffic due to a temporary lake.  It’s a stretch of road usually dominated by speeding commuters, who spill into the park despite 4-lane roads ringing the entire boundary of the park.   It was a bit surreal.

If you want to explore Ocean Beach by foot, the N-Judah drops you right at the ocean, conveniently next to the great “Java Beach” cafe, which makes a great meeting spot for any winter exploration.  Rain gear, camera in ziplock bag, snacks, check.  Umbrellas…no way.. too windy anyways.  You can head North to the Cliff House and catch the 38-Geary back East or south towards the Zoo and take the L-Taraval.  Walking on the beach during giant swells and surf is exciting, but always keep an eye on the water as a big wave can innudate parts of the beach that had been untouched in 20 minutes, including all the way to the sea wall.

The “great” highway is a 4-lane road that runs along Ocean Beach and offers fantastic views of a dramatic stretch of beach; however, the only bike access is along the crumbling sea wall of on the shoulder of the busy road.  There is also a bike path that runs on top of the bluff inside the highway, but it winds, has blind crossings, and is now a pretty rough surface.  In short, there is lots of room for improvement along the Western waterfront. 

But sometimes the big storms close the great highway due to flooding, usually near the Sloat end.  But again bikes and peds can get through and enjoy a beautiful car-free coastal road experience.  It’s really wonderful and makes me think, why couldn’t we close the gates more often and open the road to bikes, kids, runners, walkers, and everyone without a car who wants to enjoy good views of the coast.   

Someday we won’t give so much of our beautiful city to those who choose to get around by car, but for now, we can enjoy the brief glimpses of a car-free future when nature helps us along.

 -Rich

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