Biking Sewer Tour, 3 of 3: Islas Creek to Yosemite Slough Register

Date and Time:
Sat, Oct 4, 2025; 12:00 PM (Pacific)

Organized By: San Francisco Group

Location: Islais Creek Skate Park, 1851 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Garen Checkley
   garencheckley@gmail.com
   (858) 342-5184

Summary: Join our bike outings to learn about San Francisco’s sewer infrastructure and how it impacts our homes, creeks and beaches. This third of three tours focuses on Islais Creek and Yosemite Slough, and will involve biking ~2.5 miles. Please sign up and join Oct 04th at 12pm at Islais Creek Skate Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/e5Qmh2sZAEV3GQQz8. Make sure to bring a helmet!

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San Francisco has a combined sewer system which mixes stormwater and sanitary sewage in the same pipes. In smaller storms, the system treats most of the stormwater, reducing our impact to the Bay and ocean. However, in larger storms, the sewage overflows into our creeks and onto our beaches, making it dangerous to swim, surf or other recreation.  Sea level rise and the increasing storms from climate change will impact our system, making it harder to protect the environment and our homes.  We will look at options to improve the situation including improving upon our existing system, or increased treatment, and nature based options including green infrastructure and diverting rainwater.  

The final of our three bike series, This itinerary explores the conditions at Islais Creek and Yosemite Slough. We’ll look at sewage outfalls, pump stations, and the impacts of sewer infrastructure on local waterways and neighborhoods. The route highlights both ongoing improvements and environmental challenges, including industrial brownfields, potential treatment wetlands, and redevelopment projects. We’ll discuss the contrast between community-driven successes and areas still needing attention or future restoration. Total distance is about 2.5 miles.

Meet at 12pm at entrance to the Islais Creek Skate Park at 1851 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94124. https://maps.app.goo.gl/e5Qmh2sZAEV3GQQz8.

We’ll end the 3-hour tour with a casual social happy hour around around 3:00pm. (Bring a sturdy bike lock if you plan to join!)

Contact garencheckley@gmail.com / 858-342-5184 with any questions. Rain cancels, bring water, and dress for SF weather. And remember… this is a bike-tour come on your bike and helmet!

Level: Easy ()

Cost: Free

Bring: Bike, Helmet, Warm cloths, Water

Cancellation Policy: Heavy rain cancels