For lovers of the outdoors, Northern California is a playground. The region’s temperate climate, in which all forms of flora and fauna can thrive, allows hikers, bikers and climbers to experience a range of distinct environments, often all on the same trek. A given trail might begin in a lush, shaded grove of towering redwoods and later give way to dusty scrublands and then finally to oceanside cliffs and sand dunes.
Thankfully, we need not drive up to Tahoe or Shasta to discover nature’s diverse splendor, for the Bay Area harbors numerous trails that wind through varying biomes and offer stunning views.
See also: Step Into History Exploring Around San Francisco's Coolest Preserved Forts
We’ve assembled a selection of San Francisco Bay Area hikes that encompass a range of difficulty levels and locations, so whether you’re an experienced outdoors enthusiast from San Jose with multiple multi-day backpacking trips under your belt, or a novice from San Francisco looking to appreciate nature’s wonders, we’ve got the perfect NorCal trek for you. This list progresses from easier trails to more challenging treks, so keep that in mind when reading.
Mori Point Loop Trail
4600 Pacific Coast Highway
An ideal choice for San Franciscans, Mori Point sits on the coast of Pacifica, just a brief drive south of the city, and is a 2.5-mile loop trail that winds hikers along stunning coastal cliffs. The breezy length and convenient location make this spot one of the best bangs for your buck, given how scenic the payoff views are, especially at sunset.
Lands End
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600 Point Lobos Ave.
An even more ideal option for SF residents, the Lands End Trail is San Francisco’s quintessential hike. Offering staggering views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, it gives city dwellers a magical feeling of natural seclusion, a chance to escape the urban sprawl, even though you’re adjacent to the city. Lands End is a loop trail that takes hikers from the Outer Richmond and Vista del Mar neighborhood along the coast and up through the Presidio, weaving past panoramic ocean views for almost the entirety of the trail. We highly recommend embarking on a brief detour to scope out the Sutro Baths, which are just a stone’s throw away from the trailhead.
Castle Rock
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Castle Rock Trail, Skyline Blvd., Saratoga
Those based in the South Bay are fortunately close to the staggering number of trailheads peppered throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. Though this verdant range of rolling hills layered in redwoods range deserves a list all its own, we’ve chosen the one we think provides the optimal combination of convenience and worthwhile scenery. Castle Rock is a short out-and-back 1.5-miler with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain that rewards hikers with 360-degree views of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. The real prize, though, is the gargantuan boulder at the hike’s peak, a boulder ripe for climbing and exploring. If you manage to make it up to the top, poke around and find a cavern-like area inside the boulder and admire the many etchings of couples’ initials on the interior.
Grizzly Peak
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Grizzly Peak/Redwood Trail, Golf Course Drive, Berkeley
Like the Santa Cruz Mountains, the East Bay Hills bordering Berkeley and Oakland are home to numerous excellent—and rather strenuous—trails on which hikers can soak in unobstructed views of the entirety of the Bay Area, from Mount Tam down to San Jose. The Grizzly Peak Trail, clocking in at 2.5 miles, is a loop trail along which hikers can enjoy the shaded woodsy groves, myriad wildflowers sprinkled across the grass, and bay views. The elevation gain is in no way intimidating but still appreciable, given how relatively flat this list’s trails have been, so be extra cautious and have water and snacks on hand.
Mount Diablo Grand Loop Trail
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Diablo Valley Overlook, Summit Road, Walnut Creek
Standing over 3,800 feet above the East Bay, Mount Diablo is one of the Bay’s most recognizable landmarks, and exploring the natural wonder isn’t as challenging as one might expect. The Mount Diablo Grand Loop Trail is a 6.2-mile loop that entails 1,700 feet of elevation gain and touts some of the best views in Northern California. On a clear day, hikers will be able to make out both the Sierra Nevadas and even the Farallon Islands. Be sure to arrive at the trailhead prepared. Dedicate a full day to this trek, and ensure you’re stocked up on sunscreen and water.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Dipsea Trailhead, Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach
Mount Tam is the Bay Area’s other most recognizable natural landmark and, like Mount Diablo, ranks among the best hiking locales in all of California. This trek will funnel hikers along three trails: the Dipsea, the Steep Ravine, and the Matt Davis Loop trail. All three wind through rainforest-esque woods, lush canyons, utterly magical babbling streams and waterfalls ripped right out of Disneyland’s Pixie Hollow and California Adventure. You’ll also enjoy spellbinding Pacific Ocean views. Some vital factors to keep in mind before hiking: At over 7.5 miles long, this is the most difficult trail featured on our list and entails over 1,650 feet of elevation gain. Additionally, poison oak dots the borders of the trail, so wear pants and take a cold shower after this hike (as hot water exacerbates the oak).
Looking to take the little ones on a walk? Check out our list of family-friendly hikes perfect for kids of any age.
Photography by: Alexander Spatari / Getty
