Billy Goat Hill

"Getting to the top of Billy Goat Hill will work up an appetite well in advance of your picnic, but the hillside is not so challenging that even the most sedentary amateur hiker can’t manage it. Once you’re up there, the panorama of nearly all of northern San Francisco is tough to beat — think of it as a Twin Peaks view for a fraction of the work. The rope swing here is an unpredictable variable — sometimes present, sometimes out of commission — but it makes an unforgettable finale to your outing when it does appear. What to pack: Tamales from Buen Comer Before strolling into the residential neighborhood, stop by Buen Comer at the top of Mission. La Cocina grad Isabel Caudillo, originally from Mexico City, is still packaging up her tender homestyle tamales." - Eve Batey, Adam Brinklow, Becky Duffett