If you haven't tackled the Crosstown Trail yet, consider this your sign. The 17-mile route from Candlestick Point to Lands End stitches together neighborhoods most San Franciscans never bother to visit, and it's entirely free — a concept our city government could stand to learn from. The trail is maintained by an all-volunteer organization, which means zero tax dollars wasted on consultants or feasibility studies. Just people who love their city actually doing something about it.

The move, according to locals who've done it: start early from Candlestick, grab coffee at Mission Blue in Visitacion Valley, and keep a brisk pace. One SF resident who's hiked it multiple times advised, "You'll probably find that the walk is faster than expected, so aim for lunch in the vicinity of Golden Gate Park." Another local swears by Dumpling Zone in Forest Hill for a mid-route pit stop — "both great and very conveniently placed," as they put it.

And if you find yourself doubling back to Arguello Boulevard for any reason, one Bay Area local put it perfectly: "Surely there's a reason you chose to double back to Arguello, and that reason is Arsicault." Hard to argue with croissants that good.

You can grab Crosstown Trail merch — shirts, caps, the works — at Mission Blue or Bird & Beckett Books in Glen Park, with proceeds going straight back to the trail organization. Supporting a lean, volunteer-run operation that actually delivers results? That's the kind of spending we endorse.

The broader point: San Francisco's best experiences aren't the ones City Hall throws $50 million at. They're the ones neighbors build themselves. A free trail, a great dumpling spot, a world-class croissant. No bureaucracy required.

Get out there this weekend. Your screen time report will thank you.