Made in SF with ❤️
If you’re looking to stretch your legs and soak in some of the city’s scenic beauty, these are the best urban hikes in San Francisco. If you are looking for hikes in the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area, you should check out my other post here.
Hikes in San Francisco
- Land’s End: A stroll along the Land’s End trail offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the rugged coastline. Don’t miss the lookout by Mile Rock Beach or the ruins of the Sutro Baths and the hidden cove nearby. They’re a photographer’s dream and where plenty of people get wedding or engagement shots!
- Crosstown Trail: For a taste of San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods, the Crosstown Trail is a great way to explore the city. This 17-mile route takes you from Candlestick Point to Lands End, passing through parks, neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks along the way. More details on their page here.
- Golden Gate Park / JFK Promenade: This stretch was closed during the pandemic and it was a big debate for San Franciscans whether to keep it closed off or open it back up to cars. The proponents of keeping it closed won out, and it is wonderful for car-free biking or walking. Other parts of Golden Gate Park are also lovely to walk around. Check out the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, Bison Paddock, and more.
- Walk along Ocean Beach: This stretch was also closed during the pandemic and similarly faced drama on whether to open it back up to cars. It’s closed off on weekends and is a gorgeous way to see the Ocean. There are two dutch windmills just off of Ocean Beach and depending on the season, sometimes you can see a tulip garden.
- Mount Davidson / Bernal Hill: For panoramic views of the city, head to Mount Davidson or Bernal Hill. The hike to both of these summits is fairly short though a bit steep but worth it for the stunning vistas of San Francisco and beyond.
- Glen Canyon: Nestled in the heart of the city, Glen Canyon offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle. Explore the trails that wind through this hidden gem and discover a side of San Francisco you never knew existed.
- Walk along Embarcadero: Walk along the water and take in sights of the Bay Bridge, Cupid’s arrow, check out the Ferry Building, Fort Mason, and Aquatic Cove along the way. You can walk all the way to Presidio if you like!
- Presidio: Presidio is a lovely place to walk around with the Palace of Fine Arts nearby. Check out Lover’s Lane with beautiful eucalyptus trees. Presidio Tunnel Tops is a relatively new park built by the same folks that did the High Line in NYC.
- Philosopher’s Path in McLaren Park: McLaren park is a bit forgotten by many San Franciscans but it’s a very lovely park on the southeastern side of the city that also has wonderful views.
- Stairway Walks: San Francisco is famous for its stairways, and taking a stairway walk is a great way to explore the city’s neighborhoods on foot. Some of the more famous staircases featuring beautiful tiles are the 16th street steps, Lyon Street steps, and the Lincoln Park steps but there are plenty of them nestled all over the city. Here’s a map compiled by SF Stairways.
Bonus Trail
- Saddle Loop Trail (Brisbane): While this trail is not strictly in San Francisco, it is very close by and is one of my top favorites. There are eucalyptus trees and nasturtiums all around the beginning of this trail which gives a wonderful scent. It is also a relatively flat hike (for San Franciscans) and is only 3 miles long. You get an amazing view of San Francisco downtown as well!
For a great list of hikes in the SF Bay area that you can access with Public Transportation, check out Evan Tshuy’s website — Hiking by Transit.
So lace up your walking shoes, grab a bottle of water, and get ready to explore the best walks that San Francisco has to offer!
