When you reach sea level again, you will be on Battery Street. It can be windier on the bridge than inland, so take an extra layer and be sure everything is secure so you don't accidentally drop it into the Bay. I love when I explain to visitors that they can walk most of the city without climbing more than a small incline. Lovers Lane and the Presidio Ecology Trail are a slightly better workout than the Promenade Trail because they have just over a 300-foot elevation gain. ABC7 Bay Area 24/7 live . With its hilly nature and almost never-too-hot climate, San Francisco is truly an ideal city to go hiking around. The basic loop trail is 3 miles, which you could easily cover in an hour. Start in Chinatown at Portsmouth Square, the neighborhoods unofficial living room. Instead, Mount Sutro is hushed and heavily wooded with tall eucalyptus trees, making it feel like youre miles away from the city or at least across the bridge exploring one of the East Bays many regional parks. The Embarcadero is one of the best walks in San Francisco for a slow stroll. The 19 Best San Francisco Tours Please try again. 1 Chinatown 100 / 100 Walker's Paradise Walk Score About this neighborhood See Chinatown homes for sale 2 Tenderloin 100 / 100 Walker's Paradise Both of the ridge hikes are approximately 4.5 miles. Be prepared for panoramic views of the bay, hidden beaches, and plenty of ocean breezes. Land's End refers to the rugged stretch of coastline along the city's northwest edge. This trail is estimated to be 25.6 km long. www.parksconservancy.org, 6. There are a few different hikes you can tackle around the island, but the main Angel Island hike is the Perimeter Trail. Lover's Lane, Presidio. Make the most of your time in the USA with Lonely Planets range of travel guides. Not to worry: They offer many ways to take in one of the most beautiful -- and eminently walkable -- cities in the world. Reverse the directions for a "high intensity" workout. This tour is perfect for all foodies, you will get to experience different cuisines making it one of the best San Francisco walking tours for dining. The Best California Road Trip Itineraries: 13 Grand Adventures, Where to Go Wine Tasting in Pismo Beach: Complete Winery Guide. Highlights: Historical sites, redwood grove, scenic viewpoints, Pet-Friendly: Yes. But we like the park loop trail because its a flat, but longer San Francisco walk, covering some of the parks key highlights. This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). So easy and free, of course! This is also a popular place for hang gliders so youll usually see one or two flying above you as you walk the trail, especially from March to October. This is a loop trail so you can start and end at nearly any point on the hike. Travel The 19 Best San Francisco Tours Explore SF's top sights and hidden gems on these traveler-approved tours. Explore the most popular city walk trails near San Francisco with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Check out these related posts! San Francisco's Crosstown Trail is an epic 17 mile walk that explores the whole city, from the southeast to the northwest corners. Golden Gate Park sprawls across 1017 wonderful acres with a variety of sites that will have something for every interest. Of course, we cant ignore San Franciscos largest park for its plethora of walking spots and things to do! Along the Glen Canyon loop. The steep, one-block section of Lombard that lies between Hyde and Leavenworth on Russian Hill is a rollercoaster ride of eight hairpin bends that's said to resemble a . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Mount Sutro is located near the UCSF campus and, similar to Twin Peaks, you can start the trail from various locations. Trailhead: Start at the Mt Davidson hiking path entrance on Juanita Way, Highlights: Quick hike if youre short on time, scenic views, not too crowded. 3. You might also like:17 top things to do in San FranciscoSan Francisco's 20 best parks to relax in7 breathtaking beaches in San Francisco. From there, you can take your time winding your way through what the park has to offer as you walk towards Ocean Beach. Salesforce Park is a lush, green island elevated 70 feet above Salesforce Plaza. Rest your weary legs in a taxi. Tam views, 400,000 pageviews 2. Lombard Street. Travel The 13 Best San Francisco Walking Tours Explore the beauty of San Francisco on two feet with these informative jaunts. Although Mount Davidson is just south of Twin Peaks, its much less crowded. Youll even get up close and personal with some of the citys top icons. Telegraph Hill is easily recognized from almost anywhere in the city by Coit Tower, which is located at the top. Trailhead: Start at the gate near 900 Key Ave, Highlights: Eucalyptus trees, scenic views, not too crowded. Its a great spot for walking and biking because its almost entirely car-free! There's a 1.8 mile trail that can get a bit crowded during popular times. The terrain includes a mix of sidewalk, dirt path and eucalyptus forest. Another fun add-on is to walk the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and then walk the Golden Gate Bridge and back. 1. These are the best hiking spots around the city for good views and getting the good kind of lost in nature. Begin your walk at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center at the south end, where youll learn how the huge undertaking was completed in 1937, a mere four years after construction began. You can start and end anywhere, but I like to start at the Caltrain station and follow the whole thing around to Pier 39. Where the street enters the parking area,find the steps going down. At 1,017 acres, you can really switch up your route on each visit. Its about 3.5 miles long and pretty flat, and closed to cars on weekends (from Fridays starting at noon until Mondays starting at 6am). Pacific Heights is home to some of the city's wealthiest dwellers, so the Victorian architecture, parks, shops, and views are all first-rate. This area used to house an active military fort but is now a protected piece of land in the Golden Gate Recreation Area. 1. The main trail through the park is a 1.8-mile loop that features flowers (in the spring), rock formations, Islais Creek, and just over a 300-foot elevation gain. Youll venture deep into natural areas and enjoy the fabulous views that are part of the citys lore. Follow the cable car line up the hill on Hyde Street. Walking Around in San Francisco - the best way to visit it The places have previously won awards from San Francisco Bay Guardian. 4. These are the best hiking spots around the city for good views and getting the good kind of lost in nature. Andrea H/Yelp. Follow Marina Blvd west toward the Golden Gate Bridge, going straight as the road changes its name to Mason, to the parking area a short distance down. The canyon borders various local neighborhoods and spans 70 acres, making it the perfect hiking oasis in San Francisco. Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel adviceand tips. Now it's a shady and relaxing path loved by locals and tourists alike. At the corner of Haight and Ashbury, the clock overhead always reads 4:20, better known in "Hashbury" as International Bong-Hit Time. The portion between Ocean Beach and Baker Beach makes for a great hike. Just take the steps down the hill. If you are just keen to hike and arent as interested in the historic sites, the ranger suggests going up using the North Ridge Trail and coming down using the Sunset trail. February 1, 2023 Berkely, with its counterculture history and dynamic foodie and art scenes, has a certain vibe. McLaren Park is one of San Franciscos larger parks, and it has lots of room to explore. The best San Francisco walks for locals - SFGATE The Bayview Hill Loop Trail is just over a mile, but along the way, youll come across oak groves, Islais cherry trees, and plenty of good views that are devoid of tourists. Hiking San Francisco's Stairways - Far Out City If youre up for a longer, 3.5-mile hike, you can start from the Wave Organ. (While Ive included maps for some of these SF walks, the Embarcadero doesnt need one. You also shouldnt miss Wood Line, which is parallel to Lovers Lane andan interesting piece of outdoor art by Andy Goldsworthy. Viktoriia Leontieva / EyeEm/ Getty Images. If youre looking for beautiful coastal views, look no further than the Marin Headlands. The steep climb leads past hidden cottages along Napier Lane, more sweeping views and more colorful wild-parrot flocks. (Note that the bike trails are a bit different from the hiking trail.) Heading west towards the ocean, you could see carnivorous plants gobbling insects at the Conservatory of Flowers, or spotblue butterflies in the rainforest dome at the California Academy of Sciences. San Franciscos Crosstown Trail is an epic 17 mile walk that explores the whole city, from the southeast to the northwest corners. Best scenic places to walk near me in San Francisco, CA This hike sits squarely in the Presidio, which is one of 12 National Park sites near SF. 12,712 Reviews Explore the most popular city walk trails near San Francisco with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. One of the most scenic coastal hikes in San Francisco, the Lands Ends trail is situated on the northwest edge of the city. All along this walk youll enjoy sweeping views of the city and a surprising amount of natural beauty. The Presidio is the perfect place for a stroll through San Francisco's military past. Make sure not to miss the Union Square Walking Tour, one of the most notable outdoor spaces in the world, functioning as a major "urban room" in the heart of . Trailhead: Start at Oak St and Stanyan St, Highlights: Relaxing atmosphere, gardens, peaceful paths, bison, and ocean views at the end. Its the best trail to learn more about the layered history of Angel Island, taking you by sights like Camp Reynolds, Point Blunt, and Immigration Station. You'll also see Andy Goldsworthy's famous sculpture, Treeline, winding in and out of the eucalyptus. Accessibility: There are designated accessible spaces in the paved parking garage off of The Embarcadero at the southeast end of the trail. Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA. www.barbarycoasttrail.org, 4. Otherwise, go just before sunset to experience one of the best sunset spots in the city. 10 Best San Francisco Restaurants to Visit This Summer Head up steep and residential Greenwich St to Coit Tower for the citys best views. After the 1989 earthquake, the old freeway was torn down, replaced by a breezy, beautiful promenade. If youre looking for more of a secluded experience, as well as a more strenuous hike, my favorite hike on Angel Island is to the top of Mt. Now head east and down the Filbert Street Steps. Best Walkable Neighborhoods in San Francisco - Redfin Its gorgeous Spanish-Moorish adobe architecture dates to the 1700s. If you have other San Francisco day hikes that you love around the Bay Area, make sure to comment below! And Im sure youre already well aware of this but it doesnt hurt to mention it again: if you plan to go hiking in San Francisco, please wear a mask and stay six feet apart from anyone who is not in your household. Another Presidio hike and one of the best walks in San Francisco is called Lovers Lane. Here are the best walks in the Californian city. Its also a great hike for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Presidio. You'll walk through an area of houses and well-manicured gardens, where sidewalks and steps replace streets. A few favorite trails include the Tennessee Valley Trail, Point Bonita Trail, and the Rodeo Beach Coastal Trail Loop. Although the shortest hike to the top is only about 0.5 miles one way, its worth it to spend up to an hour walking around the meandering trails if you have time to make your hike longer. See where Willis . This is the hometown of San Francisco's drug dealers 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Consider checking out the historic bison paddock, or see if you can catch one of the famous blooms of cherry blossoms (spring), tulips (spring), or dahlias (fall). Today, its gates are open to civilian explorers. Crowds descend on weekends, especially on fog-free days, so arrive early. Walks San Francisco - City Experiences Despite two underground explosions in San Francisco in less than three months, experts say that underground power distribution is safer than above ground wires. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in the USA through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. If you have sensitive ears like me, it also doesnt hurt to carry a beanie or baseball hat with you since it can get windy throughout the city, especially near the water. Plus, bragging rights that you tackled one of the hardest hiking trails near San Francisco. We don't believe in spam, so you can rest assured that every email we send you will be hand-crafted full of awesome goodies. Take a look at some of the beautiful homes on this side of town which often feature lovely gardens and more. For some of San Francisco's most surprising scenery, take a Telegraph Hill walk. Kerouac, Arthur Miller, and other Beat icons drank in the 1950s at neighboring bar Vesuvio. Here's why. It lays out 29 walks you can go on, and gives directions and a map. Head west up Haight St into the neighborhood that defined the Summer of Love in 1967. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. If youre looking for a quintessential hiking experience in San Francisco, it doesnt get more iconic than the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. 11 Best Walking Tours in San Francisco [Free & Guided] If youre a birder, this is also a great park for bird watching if you bring a pair of binoculars, with over 40 species of birds that call the park home. Youll need a map for this one as it isnt well signposted. This 5.5-mile loop trail offers panoramic bay views and is a decent workout with a couple of big hills and a 350-foot elevation gain. If youre looking for a local hike that is mostly flat and not overly windy, this is a good place to go. San Francisco's 49 square miles are among America's most densely populated urban spaces. Trailhead: Start at the Lovers Lane trailhead, near the MacArthur Meadow, Highlights: Peaceful walk, wooded, outdoor art. According to AllTrails.com, the longest city walk trail in San Francisco is. Its all about the views and on a clear day, you can see Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, SFs Marina district and even the Bay Bridge. Give yourself at least a couple hours to hike through the park and dont miss the National AIDS Memorial Grove, the Shakespeare Garden, Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill, and the Bison Paddock. This is a must-visit for all visitors to and citizens of San Francisco. www.nps.gov. Angel Island Company offers a number of activities including bicycle and kayak rentals. The free Heritage Gallery shows the history of the Presidio, from Native American days to the present, along with temporary exhibitions. San Francisco's Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tour. Tip: Wear comfy shoes! Legend has it that Spanish soldiers used to walk Lovers Lane to sneak off from the fort and visit their lovers in the city. Just note that the Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long, so this will add an additional 3.4 miles onto your Batteries to Bluffs hike. These five walks take you into the historic heart of the city and explore some of its most diverse neighborhoods. Instead of parking there, drive away from the lot (with the bridge behind you) and turn left out of the parking lot onto Lincoln. It includes some great views and transits some some pretty wild parks, making it one of best walks in San Francisco for sheer variety. There are several hiking trails around the headlands and you could easily spend the whole day hiking there. For the quickest service in San Francisco, download the Flywheel app, which dispatches the nearest taxi. The 40-acre park that surrounds the summit is filled with thick, wooded trails and expansive views over San Francisco. The 13 Best. Climb to the upper southwestern corner of Dolores Park for panoramic views. Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. While the west end of Golden Gate . If you do all of the stops that we recommend, youll cover ~4.5 miles over 2.5-3 hours. Also, dont forget to check when the last ferry leaves so youre not accidentally stranded on the island overnight. This is a hike more than an urban stroll or city walk. There are twelve miles of hiking trails on Angel Island and all of them will give you a great mix of quiet forest, killer views and/or history. This spring break, enjoy the very best of nature. Weve got advice for how you can break it into smaller sections, public transportation information and our favorite stops. Along the way, youll discover opportunities for good food and drink, as well shops like none youll find elsewhere. California Coastal Trail. Its an ideal easy hike in San Francisco thats perfect for a short jaunt in nature. This is an ideal trail to experience if you want to see every possible angle of the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. A few tips for walking around San Francisco: 1.8 mile loop starting and ending at the George Christopher or Glen Park playgrounds. The new SF Stair Challenge adds to list of delightful city walks Fort Funston is an often overlooked spot on the southwest edge of the city, but because of that, its usually much less crowded than other coastal areas in San Francisco. No matter which small turn you take, you'll eventually end up at the bottom of the hill. 5 Easy Must-Do San Francisco Walks and Urban Strolls - TripSavvy 3.8 miles starting and ending at 17th Street & Stanyon. Even if you dont think youll need it, always bring a jacket with you when youre going on a hike in San Francisco. The 10 Best Walks in San Francisco - California Crossings Urban Trails: Coastal Bluffs/ The Presidio/ Hilltop Parks & Stairways, Alexandra Kenin. Walking in the Mission puts you in the heart of all the contradictions that are San Francisco today. At the north end, follow the curving walkway and road all the way down to Fort Baker and Horseshoe Bay. The official version follows the blufftop from Baker Beach to the old gun batteries near the Langdon lot. The Embarcadero, which traces San Francisco's eastern shoreline, memorably demonstrates the good that can come from a natural disaster. I like to use Lombard Street. To see la crme de la crme, start your stroll of the charming neighborhood at Lafayette Park. There are a few ways to add on to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail to make it a longer hike. A beautiful walk for a nice day. Coming back, you'll see the San Francisco city skyline. 2.3 miles loop from Baker Beach to the Golden Gate Bridge (or the reverse). Muir Woods is a popular place to go for a hike near San Francisco for good reason its the best place to find old-growth California redwoods near the city. We also recommend adding onto the hike by continuing past the Langdon lot to the southern base of the bridge. More than 5 million people visit the Presidio every year to hike or bike within the park's 1,491 acres. Because its such a popular place to hike, expect the trail to be crowded, especially on weekends. Youll also see Andy Goldsworthys famous sculpture, Treeline, winding in and out of the eucalyptus. Tickets are available at www.walksf.org. For those looking to check out San Francisco, this trail is right for you. According to AllTrails.com, the longest city walk trail in San Francisco is San Francisco Crosstown Trail. A flat walk guaranteed to thrill with all of the best city icons. Russian Hill Stairway Walk - Walk through bucolic lanes, national historic districts and beautiful natural spaces.