Location: San Francisco
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What to do and see in San Francisco, California (CA): The Best Hiking Trails
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. The Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
The Coastal Trail is the 28-mile coastline of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Reviewed By nycbos8 - San Francisco, United States
A wonderful way to get exercise and explore the beautiful coastline of Northern California. The California coastal Trail winds up and down the oceanside shore and takes you through some of the most stunning vistas in the country, perhaps the world. At times, you'll feel like you're on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, staring out at the turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean. And now, especially during Covid, this is a fantastic way to get outside in a safe, socially distanced way.
2. Batteries to Bluffs trail
3. Crosstown Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By skyisblu - Montreal, Canada
Opened in June 2019, the Crosstown Trail system in San Francisco is an attempt to create one fluid track running diagonally east to west, from AT&T Park to Land's End. This trail uses already-existing parks and hiking trails, and connects them with a series of green spaces, or sometimes just sidewalks and stairways. Separated into 5 sections, it runs for a solid 17 miles, and though it can be walked in its entirety in one day(so I've heard), I chose 2 sections of particular interest, the first running through a gorge (!), and the second climbing gorgeous tiled stairs. Luckily, the sections of the hike are also split up by access to public transport, which makes accessing any one on the five sections individually very easy. Section 2, from Glen Park BART to the Forest Hill MUNI station, is a more "wild" walk, venturing through the Glen Canyon Park, a real CANYON in the middle of the city, winding its way up past Twin peaks to the Troop 88 trail, and then circling down around the back of the Laguna Honda Hospital. Glen Canyon is wonderfully wild, with trails climbing up and down the sides of the gorge, offering several different levels of climbing difficulty, while the descent along the Laguna Honda trails offering some interesting sights for the history buffs of the area, with discarded piles of old hospital equipment lining the pathways. This portion of the trail has access to washrooms in Glen Park, and you are never far away from a main road in case of an emergency. Section 3, from the Forest Hill MUNI station to the tram at 16th Ave & Judah, is a little more "urban adventure" as it traverse all kind of neighborhoods, following stairs up to city viewpoints, and then down again, crossing residential areas on its way to Golden Gate Park. It can be rather foggy in this area of the city in the morning, to if you are coming for the views, I suggest beginning this section after lunch, but I found the walk more mysterious in the fog. The highlights include the climb up the Moraga staircase to Grandview Park for 360-degree views of the city, and the descent along both the 16th Avenue tiled steps AND the Hidden Garden tiled steps, gorgeous art installations AND community gardens! Note that there is no access to washrooms within this section of the trail. I was pleasantly surprised by the challenge of hiking through a city, and highly recommend the Crosstown Trail to adventures everywhere - just make sure to get the maps and cue-sheets from the official website, as there is no universal signage along the entire length of the trail.
4. Bay Area Ridge Trail
5. San Francisco Bay Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Four-hundred-mile scenic trail encircling San Francisco Bay.
Reviewed By TV2451
We've done a number of long hikes along this trail which continues to expand to span the Bay front. Lots of terrific views and it's very different as you pass through the cities and diverse areas, All free,
6. Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
7. Lands End
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,832 reviews
At the northwestern corner of San Francisco, there is a series of stunning views at every turn in this wild and windy trail. Hillsides of cypress and wildflowers, views of shipwrecks and access to the ruins of Sutro baths, a San Francisco specials memory.
Reviewed By rogerjr2016
You should visit the Cliff House which is situated alongside the remains of "Sutro Baths"where you will have a fine view of ships entering and leaving San Francisco. Also from the Cliff House (well known San Francisco restaurant) overlooking Seal Rock and Ocean Beach you can hike the trails of Lands End and visit the coffee shop and gift center there run by the National Parks. From there if you proceed up the hill further , you will come to a traffic light opposite Seal Rock Inn. if you turn left there and travel all the way up the hill to the parking area you will see the WW2 memorial dedicated to the USS San Francisco which was heavily damaged by Japanese shells which killed Admiral Callaghan while he was present on the bridge of that ship. A stark reminder of the horrors of war are the ships bridge wings full of shell holes and the mast from that battle which stand at the western end of that parking lot with the names of all the Marines and Sailors who lost their lives on that ship. You will see excellent viewing there of the entrance to San Francisco with a view of Golden Gate bridge to the East and Northern Headlands of Marin County. There are public toilets also provided up there should you need to use them.You can read the history on the panoramic plaques there describing shipwrecks and the flora and fauna which you experience in the area.
