With stunning Bay Area views and coastal redwood forestry, San Francisco hiking trails showcase what makes the city one of the most striking in the world. From its picturesque landscapes, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End, and Muir Woods, delightful day hikes are something to look forward to. A lot of fun things and great views await your arrival. Whether you’re traveling solo or with your set of friends, there’s surely something for you to indulge in and enjoy. And if you’re a big fan of outdoor thrills, there’s no place like San Francisco, when it comes to adventures. From bird-watching to biking and sightseeing to hiking, you’ll have an eventful day ahead of you. In case you’re around the area, don’t forget to check out our list of the top hiking and trekking spots in the San Francisco Bay Area.
1. Angel Island State Park
Known as the largest natural island inhabiting the stunning San Francisco Bay, Angel Island State Park boasts some of the most charming views surrounding the bay. Offering travelers great and exciting hiking trails, as well as several leisure opportunities, Angel Island is truly one of the hidden gems amidst the urban Bay Area. If you’re looking for the perfect way to reconnect with nature, hiking one of the trails of the park is the best thing to do. Trekking some of the paths on the island will give you enchanting views of the natural wonders surrounding the area. One of the things to remember when visiting the island is to pack light and bring your water with you to keep yourself hydrated, especially if you’re planning to take a long hike.
Angel Island State Park
Address: Pier 41, San Francisco, CA 94109
Website: Angel Island State Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 3pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm
2. Lands End Trail Eagles Point
By far one of the most excellent places for a hike in the city of San Francisco, Lands End Trail Eagles Point is a must-experience spot for every traveler who’s new to the city. Featuring several trails that run for miles - all showcasing the famous Golden Gate Bridge from different angles - it’s no wonder that most hikers choose this venue as their go-to hiking spot. Trails at Lands End feature a cliff-top walk through open grass and 30-mile (48.28 km) views above and below the California Coast. The terrain hikers have to walk through is rocky and steep, which is one of the reasons why most professional hikers prefer Lands End Trail for it challenges them.
Lands End Trail Eagles Point
Address: 916 El Camino Del Mar, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
Website: Lands End Trail Eagles Point
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
3. Presidio Trails
One of the iconic destinations in San Francisco, Presidio is famous for many things including its Bay Area views. Featuring some swimming beaches, cultural attractions, and historic military structures, visitors will surely have an exciting day ahead of them. For those travelers who are after thrilling activities, Presidio also boasts excellent hiking trails, perfect for adventurers. For hikers who are new to hiking and want a little bit of a challenge, the trail to take is the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. Its level of difficulty is moderate and will take less than an hour to trek. The hike will give trekkers expansive oceanviews showing Presidio’s western shoreline.
Presidio Trails
Address: Battery to Bluffs Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, United States
Website: Presidio Trails
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4. Muir Woods National Monument (from USD 89.0)
Known as the globe’s most-visited redwood park, Muir Woods National Monument receives over a million visitors every year. The park is just as iconic as the Golden Gate Bridge and the cable cars of the city. If you’re planning to take a hike, to avoid the crowds, make sure to arrive before 10 in the morning. Hikers who prefer taking longer trails can park their cars along the Panoramic Highway and walk down Ocean View Trail into the park, which is an 800-foot (243.84 m) vertical climb. In that way, you can also avoid the hassle of paying reservation fees. The walkways are easy enough to walk through but always remain cautious to avoid accidents.
Muir Woods Expedition Tour of Coastal Redwoods
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
5. Point Bonita Trail
Situated on the northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands is one of the gems of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. With striking views of the Bay Area, Marin Headlands features several sandy beaches, military forts, and headland hiking trails. To get the most of the place, the best vantage points of this area is at Point Bonita Lighthouse. Hikers can access the lighthouse through a tunnel door that leads to a whole new world. The trail stretches over 0,5 miles (0.8km), which will take more or less than an hour to complete, depending on your pacing. Its surface is firm and level, which makes walking the pathway easy and safe.
Point Bonita Trail
Address: 94865, CA-1, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
Website: Point Bonita Trail
6. Rodeo Lagoon Trail
Featuring a 446-foot (135.91 m) elevation gain and a loop trail that stretches over 4.2 miles (6.75 km), Rodeo Lagoon Trail is a family-friendly trail that’s ideal for hikers who are bringing little kids with them. With a moderate level of difficulty, the trail is the perfect balance for hikers who want a little challenge yet safe trekking. The best time to hike the place is the early morning when the fog is just about to disappear and the rays of the sun illuminate brightly. During the trek, you’ll be able to enjoy beach views, beautiful wildflowers, and breathe in the nature surrounding you. This trip will take you to another attraction; Point Bonita Lighthouse.
Rodeo Lagoon Trail
Address: Rodeo Lagoon, California 94941, USA
Website: Rodeo Lagoon Trail
7. Redwood Regional Park
Another one of the most-loved hiking destinations in San Francisco, Redwood Regional Park in Oakland Hills is famous for its old-growth redwood forestry. It’s one of the largest remaining natural wonders in the East Bay that offers a plethora of activities. Mountain biking, horseback riding, trail running, and hiking are only some of the enjoyable things to do when visiting the park. And if you’re up for some trekking, the park offers a lot of trails to walk, which have difficulty levels that range from easy to moderate, for instance, the Canyon Meadow Staging Area and Redwood Gate Staging Area. Some of the popular trails in the park that allow biking are the stream trail and the French Trail.
Redwood Regional Park
Address: 7867 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619, United States
Website: Redwood Regional Park
Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)
8. Twin Peaks
The second-highest attraction in the city, Twin Peaks, with an elevation of 922 feet (281.026 m), features spectacular views of the Bay Area. Originally known as ‘Los Pechos de la Choca", which means Breasts of the Maiden, provide postcard scenes and diversities of plant and animal. If you want to know what the hype of this place is all about, the ideal thing to do is to hike the 0.7 miles (1.12 km) trail that ascend the peaks where you can see the best of the landscape. And if you want a longer hike, you can always opt to continue down Twin Peaks Boulevard towards Portola Drive for a 1.2-mile (1.93 km) Creak to Peaks Trail hike.
Twin Peaks
Address: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Website: Twin Peaks
Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)
9. Mount Davidson
At 927 feet (282.55 m), Mount Davidson is the highest point in San Francisco, and it is a hiking destination in the city. Most people call this parcel of land ‘the hill with the cross on top’. The whole mountain has surrounding trails with some paths leading to the edges of the park. And if you want to fully explore the mountain, you should consider driving on the streets that surround the hill and search for paths that lead uphill. However, if you’re after a quick trip, stay on the gently graded main trail, which only stretches at 0.24 mile (0.38 km). During the hike, you’ll be able to see views of the downtown skyline and San Francisco in all its glory.
Mount Davidson
Address: San Francisco, California, United States
Website: Mount Davidson
10. Bernal Heights Summit
Featuring breathtaking views of the city, Bernal Heights Park Trail has an elevation of 104 feet (31.69 m) that allows hikers to see the best of San Francisco. It’s a 1-mile loop (1.60 km), ideal for all skill levels. The trail is accessible throughout the year and is a perfect spot to bring your dogs with you. It’s an ideal trail to take, especially for families looking for new ways to bond. The walkways are leveled and flat, which makes it a kid and stroller-friendly hiking spot within the city. Enjoy bird-watching while doing the trip and make sure to breathe in all the beautiful scenes that surround the place.
Bernal Heights Summit
Address: San Francisco, California 94110
Where adventure awaits
Whenever you find yourself looking for an escape, there’s no better place than San Francisco’s hidden gems. And if it’s an adventure you seek, the city’s Bay Area will never disappoint. For some recommendations, check out our list above of the top hiking and trekking spots in San Francisco Bay Area, for an adventure you won’t forget.
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