Explore our area’s stunning vistas with these eight San Francisco hiking trails.
Who’s ready for a 2 p.m. hike?
One of the best parts of living in San Francisco is the ample natural beauty, and there’s no better way to experience the wonders of our city and its surrounding wilderness than on a walk and biking trail.
Whether you wanna stay near the city center or hit the fringes of the peninsula, these eight hiking trails are a wonderful step into the greener side of the world, at a variety of difficulties and distances.
The Barbary Coast Trail is San Francisco’s official historic walking tour, connecting some of the city’s most important historic sites from the Gold Rush to the 1906 earthquake and beyond. Explore 20 historic sites, five history museums, sailing ships, lively pubs and cafes, and stunning Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Trailhead: Downtown at the Old Mint at 5th and Mission Streets.
This rugged nature trail is dotted with native dune plants and wildflowers and boasts amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are 470 stairs along the trail, which doubles as the only way to get to Marshall’s Beach. Trailhead: North of the Sand Ladder at Baker Beach on Lincoln Blvd. or further north near Golden Gate Overlook.
Part of a regional trail that runs a whopping 550 miles around the Bay, the SF section runs from the Arugello Gate to the Golden Gate Bridge. Hikers will pass through Presidio Forest, multiple overlooks with picturesque views and fascinating historic and cultural sites—think Andy Goldsworthy’s sculpture “Spire” and the World War II West Coast Memorial to the Missing, among others. South trailhead: Next to the entrance of the Presidio Golf Course parking lot, across from Inspiration Point. North trailhead: just northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.
Starting at Baker Beach in the Presidio, the California Coastal Trail is 3 miles roundtrip, taking approximately an hour to complete. Fun fact: the gun emplacements along the bluffs were part of a modernization of the nation’s seacoast defenses starting in 1885. Trailhead: Baker Beach.
Spanning approximately 7 miles, the Golden Gate Park Loop starts at Ocean Beach and features eight lakes, two waterfalls, the Bison Paddock, the Golden Gate Pavilion, the Arch of Colonial Trees and the Rose Garden. Trailhead: Park Presidio and Fulton.
Hikers wind their way around rocky cliffs above the Pacific Ocean at Lands End Trail. Cypress and eucalyptus trees present plenty of shade, while views of the shore, Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge are sure to stun. Trailhead: Near the vehicle entrance to the Legion of Honor.
This trail connects San Francisco from the southeast to the northwest, spanning 17 miles in five sections. Explore hidden trails, public parks, shopping corridors, tiled stairways and community gardens along the way. Trailhead: Shore of Candlestick Park State Recreation Area.
Second only to Mount Davidson in height, this is an elevated trek to ascend the twin peaks. Once at the top, enjoy incredible panoramic views, and keep an eye out for the endangered Mission Blue butterflies known to frequent the area. Trailhead: Trailhead: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd.
Photography by: BY ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
