San Francisco hiking has a lot to offer, there really is no doubt about that. What we love about this area is the amount of variety when it comes to your time outdoors. For a start, there are plenty of SF hikes where you don’t even need to leave the city limits to get big views.
Head a little further out and hiking in the Bay Area really opens up your possibilities. You can explore amongst redwoods in light soaked forest and woodland areas. Then visit rugged coastlines with jaw dropping views of rock stacks and crashing waves. Or summit peaks that when headed up to around sunset feel unbelievably special.
Our guide below covers some of our favorite hikes around San Francisco and Bay Area hiking routes for all abilities. Our trail maps for each hike give you all the information you need to get straight out on the trail, and we’ve provided various options for mapping so you can choose what’s right for you.
Best Hikes Around the San Francisco Bay Area Trail Locations Map
Use our map below to find the starting locations for each of the hikes in SF and Bay Area trails we’ve listed below. The locations on the map are the approximate trailhead location where you can either park or arrive at to get on the trail.
Each one is numbered in relation to the hikes below, to make it easy for you to use. This is also helpful to find a hike that’s closest and most convenient to your other plans.
1. Grizzly Peak Trail, Tilden Regional Park
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some elevation gain and mostly uphill on the way out. Well maintained trail. Can be muddy when wet.
Distance: 3.6km/2.7 miles out and back
Elevation: 153m/501 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail can be hiked all year but can get very muddy when wet.
AllTrails map alternative: Grizzly Peak Trail
The first thing we’d suggest with this Bay Area hiking spot, is that if you plan to go on an evening, on warmer days or at the weekends, then get there early to make sure you can get a parking space! Its popular and really shows some of the great hiking San Francisco has to offer!
That said, don’t let that put you off as this is a great route that takes you on a kind of gentle ridge along through woodland and trees. You’ll start to get glimpses out at times along the route, but the key view is at the end of the trail.
You can park pretty close to this view of San Francisco, but this hiking route is well worth doing as it gives you a great dose of exercise and time in nature before getting to the viewpoint. A word of warning as well, whilst this trail is called the Grizzly Peak trail, you can’t actually get all the way to the peak (as it’s closed off).
2. Wildcat Peak Trail, Tilden Regional Park
Difficulty: Moderate – reasonable descent and ascent, steep at times over uneven surfaces.
Distance: 4.9km/2.2 mile loop
Elevation: 125m/410 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail can be hiked all year but can become really muddy in and after wet weather.
AllTrails map alternative: Wildcat Peak Trail
This is a great San Francisco hike if you want to get your heart pumping – it can be steep with some steps and hills to contend with in places, but the views are well worth the effort. Though we’d advise to keep this trail for a clear day to get the most from it.
This trail is a great indication of what you can expect from hiking in the Bay Area. You’ll get beautiful woodlands, gorgeous, varied views out over Jewel Lake and back out toward the bay and Sausalito, Paradise Cay and San Rafael.
Like a lot of hiking in San Francisco, it’s worth keeping in mind that after recent rainfall, this trail can be pretty muddy, so we’d always advise wearing a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes or hiking boots. You may also find hiking poles a good move for extra stability on potentially slippery sections.
3. Miwok Trail to Pirates Cove, Marin Headlands State Park
Difficulty: Moderate to moderately challenging – a decent distance trail with a good amount of ascent and descent. Steep at times both out and back. The trail isn’t shaded, so on hot days, exposure plays a part too. Good trails, with some trail sections on fire roads down to the cove.
Distance: 11km/6.8 miles out and back
Elevation: 346m/214 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail is good to hike all year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Miwok Trail
The Miwok Trail down to Pirates Cove is some of the best hiking in San Francisco. On this hike you’ll get to enjoy incredible headland views of the coastal hills looking down into the ocean and reaching Pirates cove is a real treat before heading back up.
Hiking in the Bay Area presents a lot of options, but this trail is pretty breathtaking (and we mean literally here too, it’s pretty steep in places). The fresh coastal air makes up for that though. Whilst there is a pretty cool mystique to the trail when its foggy out, we think this trail is best hiked with clear skies as the views become even more special.
This out and back trail is pretty full on in terms of sun exposure, so be sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water if you do hike this trail in full warm sun. As you’re heading over the crest of the hills down to Pirates Cove the views really do become mesmerizing.
If you’re only hiking in the Bay Area for a short time, we’d also recommend heading up to Muir Woods National Monument afterward, which is a short distance away. There’s also plenty of really good guided hikes like this one with locals who know their stuff of the Muir Woods area too, which are well worth checking out and also take in Sausalito.
4. Castro to Twin Peaks Trail
Difficulty: Moderate – decent elevation gain over a relatively short distance. Some steep sections and a lot of steps at points out and back. The trail is pretty exposed so feels hot in the heat.
Distance: 5.2km/3.2 miles out and back
Elevation: 234m/767 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This is a great trail to hike all year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Castro to Twin Peaks
Ask anyone what one of the most iconic hikes in SF is without even leaving the city, there’s a good chance that Castro to Twin Peaks will come up. More specifically this trail that takes in South Peak and then onto North Peak.
This is actually one of the best hiking trails in San Francisco to do toward sunset, as the views out from the amazing vantage point that South Peak gives you are next level. Though a word of warning, this hike involves a lot of stairs. To get to the top you’ll have to tackle various steep staircases. But it’s well worth the effort.
From the parking lot, you’ll walk along residential streets for a while before interspersing staircases in between streets and then heading up to the peaks. Like many of the hikes around San Francisco, there is virtually no shade cover, so be sure to bring sun protection if hiking in warmer weather and a jacket if its cooler.
There’s actually a brilliant, guided hike of this peak with a local guide through GetYourGuide that we’d really recommend. This is a great way to get a local’s perspective if you’re not used to the area and the information shared is really interesting with some hints and views you may otherwise miss.
Likewise, there is a lot to learn about your starting point, Castro. The area has a rich LQBTQIA+ history, and we’d wholly recommend this incredible walking tour which will give you a great overview of this culturally rich neigborhood.
5. Golden Gate Park Loop Including Strawberry Hill
Difficulty: Moderate – a decent distance, but very little elevation gain considering. Pretty good paths most of the time. Some elevation gain up to Strawberry Hill. If you wanted to keep this trail flatter, you could bypass Strawberry Hill.
Distance: 13km/8 mile loop
Elevation: 153m/501 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year round
AllTrails map alternative: Golden Gate Park Loop
Golden Gate Park offers some great San Francisco hikes that you could easily make as long or as short as you wanted. Due to the fact that the park has a lot of different areas of intrigue, gorgeous views from Strawberry Hill and pretty flat, well-maintained trails, it’s also a family favorite too. In fact, its one of the best Bay Area hikes for variety.
Our trail is a pretty long one and it takes in some of the best sights the park has to offer. Once you’ve set out, you’ll quickly get out around Blue Heron Lake and then onto Strawberry Hill. On a clear day, the views are stunning!
After this, you’ll hike down toward the beach via a number of lakes, small waterfalls, wooded areas and everything in between. We’d recommend spending some time down at the beach then heading back up on the loop to see more of what this park as to offer.
Like many of the hikes San Francisco has to offer, you can usually find someone offering a really cool experience on the trail. There’s actually a great guided hike we’d recommend which spends time in Golden Gate Park and looks at the wild side of San Francisco. It’s with a meteorologist – so it’s full of interesting facts you may not have picked up otherwise.
Insider tip: For a really unique experience that’ll stay with you, we’d really recommend a culinary walking tour like this one of famous San Francisco Chinatown. This tour is well worth the money and includes lots of tasters and interesting knowledge about the local area and it’s significance.
6. Sutro Baths, Lands End and Coastal Trail
Difficulty: Moderate – some elevation gain, steps and steep ups and downs over a decent distance. Some path exposure on cliffsides.
Distance: 6.5km/4 mile loop
Elevation: 151m/495 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year, but avoid when very windy as some coastal paths are exposed.
AllTrails map alternative: Sutro Baths (shorter trail)
Heading down to Sutro Baths is a really cool hiking in SF option, and it has plenty of history too. This public bathhouse was created in 1894 by Adolf Sutro. The aim was to create swimming facilities for local residents.
The Baths were a pretty big spectacle, with it being the place to be seen for a long time, but sadly the Great Depression played its part in the facilities decline. Now the ruins of this once thriving place are looked after by the Golden Gate Recreation Area.
That all aside, this is one of the best hikes San Francisco has to offer. There is a much shorter version of this trail (linked in AllTrails above) but our trail starts off further along the coast and takes the Coast Path down past Lands End.
There are plenty of ups and downs and some steps and steep sections on this hike, but the time by the coast and the rugged cliffside rocks you’ll see make this Bay Area hike well worth all the effort. If you only have time to do one or two SF hikes, put this at the top of your list.
As Sutro Baths is one of the iconic landmarks in San Francisco, you could also look at turning your visit there into a half day tour which will show you all of the best places and iconic sights in San Francisco. This half day tour is one we’d recommend that includes Sutro Baths as well as Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown to name a few.
7. Muir Woods Trail, Muir Woods National Monument
Difficulty: Easy – a short trail with limited elevation gain on good paths. Main boardwalk area is wheelchair accessible. To do this stick to the Fern Creek Trail.
Distance: 2.1km/1.3 mile part loop, part out and back
Elevation: 50m/164 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This is one of the best hikes north of San Francisco to do all year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Muir Woods Trail
This is pretty unique when it comes to hiking trails in SF, as it gives you the option to see redwoods without the obvious long journey. Though that shouldn’t be a substitute for Redwood National Park, this trail is a great, easily accessible option.
This is one of the best hikes in the Bay Area for children too, and the trail has a lot of informational signs to keep everyone interested. What’s more, there’s some shade cover, (unlike a lot of other SF hiking trails) so you should be able to keep a little cooler on hot days.
If you want to go do this trail and be amazed by all the incredible trees, you’ll need to be prepared and know when you want to hike the trail. There are two stages to this: parking and then entry.
First up, there is a shuttle that runs from some locations in the city (Muir Woods Shuttle) from April to October. You can pay in advance for this shuttle, and you can find out more about run times here.
It’s likely to get busy in these times, so the shuttle can be a great option. However outside this times, you can park (you can park any time, it just may be very buys). There is more information about parking reservations here.
Then you’ll need to pay to enter the park and do the hike. It’s well worth doing. You have a few options here. The first is to get your reservation for this in advance through the same website as above for parking reservations. This is $15 per person.
We would always recommend buying an America the Beautiful Pass in advancer through REI though, which is accepted and allows entry for x4 people in your group on one pass (well worth the cost, especially if you plan to use it or visit other parks through the year).
Lastly, the other option is to join a guided hike, which includes entry to the park, like this one. This is pretty good value and also means you get to learn lots of interesting facts from a local that you may miss otherwise. This tour also ends with views out from Sausalito, so it’s well worth it!
8. Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
Difficulty: Moderate – longer distance trail with some elevation gain, which is steep in parts (if you take the Engagement Hill trail we’ve laid out). The trail is also mostly on hard ground paths, and with some exposure from the bridge walk.
Distance: 8.2km/5 miles one way
Elevation: 253m/830 ft. ascent and descent one way
When to do it: You can hike this trail year round but avoid on particularly windy days.
AllTrails map alternative: Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
It would be pretty much impossible to talk about hiking in San Francisco Bay Area and not include a hike that takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge. This iconic landmark is one of those bucket list items. Our hike takes you over and down to Sausalito.
This is a pretty straightforward hike in San Francisco, the only thing to really keep in mind is whether you plan to do this as a one way or as an out and back. If you plan to do this as an out and back, you’ll need to double the distance and elevation gain. There is parking at either end of the trail, so you could choose which way round you wanted to do it.
Though if you did want to do the outbound only, this is one of the best SF hikes for that as it’s possible to get the ferry back to the city from Sausalito Ferry Terminal at the end. This takes about 30 minutes and you can find the schedule here.
Insider tip: One of the best ways to see the city is by walking. This urban walking tour is run by a really cool local guide who will help you connect with the city in a totally unique way and focuses on some of the incredible street art around the city and local history.
9. Tomales Point Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – a longer distance trail with a decent amount of ascent and descent. Well maintained, sandy trail, can be very windy and exposed, so plan accordingly.
Distance: 15.2km/9.4 miles out and back
Elevation: 337m/1105 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: You can hike this trail year round, but best to avoid in heavy fog and heavy winds.
AllTrails map alternative: Tomales Point Trail
Hikes in the Bay Area don’t get much better than heading out onto the headland at Point Reyes National Seashore and the Tomales Point Trail. On this hike you’ll be treated to amazing views out along the coast and the rugged cliffs that surround it.
There’s a lot to see on this and it’s one of the few bay area hikes where there’s a good chance to see elk. The rocky formations along the trail and the undulating landscape next to the ocean make this such a soothing experience you’ll love.
Like many of the best hikes in San Francisco, it’s much better to visit on a clear day as you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience being able to see everything this trail has to offer. We think it’s best to avoid this one when it’s really foggy as visibility on trail can be hard too.
Likewise, this trail is very exposed, so avoid in heavy wind and when it’s hot, be sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water. The trail, whilst long with a notable amount of up and down, is fairly breezy with a good sandy path for the majority of it.
10. Batteries to Bluffs Trail, Presido of San Francisco
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – shorter distance trail, but with some elevation gain and some steps. These can be avoided by not going down to the beaches. Well maintained trails.
Distance: 3.7km/2.2 mile part loop, part out and back
Elevation: 143m/469 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Great to do all year but be mindful and cautious in strong wind.
AllTrails map alternative: Batteries to Bluffs Trail
If you want to get ‘that bridge view’ then this is one of the best hikes near San Francisco to get the iconic Golden Gate Bridge shot alongside the coastline. Apart from that, this is a really pretty SF hike, with multiple opportunities to go down to the beach and also see the coastal hills and cliffs all around you.
As the name suggests, there’s opportunities to explore gun batteries which played an important part in protecting San Francisco during the Civil War. We’d also recommend the best time to go and hike this trail is around sunset – the light becomes pretty incredible.
Hiking in the Bay Area is never really complete without a trip down to the beach, and there’s the chance to head down to Marshall’s Beach, which is really nice and secluded. Well worth the extra effort – this trail has a bit of everything!
If you want to learn some more about this area and its interesting significance, then we’d really recommend this guided hike which starts from a slightly different beach (Baker Beach) but still takes in some of the same views. It’s well worth doing and what we love is that it gives you so much information that you might miss otherwise.
11. Angel Island Perimeter Loop, Angel Island State Park
Difficulty: Moderate – a decent distance with some elevation gain – some steps and steeper sections but relatively flat/gentle elevation through the rest of the trail. Relatively exposed with little by way of tree cover and can feel very wind swept.
Distance: 7.8km/4.8 mile loop
Elevation: 148m/485ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year, but best to avoid on very windy days.
Angel Island has some of the most unique hiking the Bay Area has to offer due to the fact that you have to take the ferry out there to get on the trail. Because of the extra effort involved, you’re likely to have a pretty quiet hike and the trail never really feels crowded, so this is one of the best Bay Area trails for some solitude.
That said, Angel Island is an incredibly interesting place, and it’s one of the best hikes in the Bay Area to learn about this first stop for many immigrants’ journeys through America between 1910 and 1940. There’s a lot to take in here.
After reaching the ferry terminal, you’ll hike up to get onto Perimeter Road and you’ll follow this all the way round the island. This gives you incredible views out in all directions, with some amazing coastal views back to the city.
The great thing about this trail is it is possible to bypass the steps and stick to a more gradual incline to get onto the main trail. The trail is gently accessible in most areas (some areas may need assistance) but this trail is accessible for wheelchair users.
There’s information here about the ferry costs to and from Angel Island, and information here about the schedule. We’d recommend taking the ferry from Tiburon as it’s a shorter journey. The ticket price includes entry to the State Park.
12. Mount Davidson
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – a short distance trail, does involve some ascent and steps, can be muddy when wet. Wildlife (cayotes) can be a problem, so be mindful.
Distance: 1.5km/0.9 mile loop
Elevation: 79m/259 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year round
AllTrails map alternative: Mount Davidson
Mount Davidson is one of the iconic San Francisco hiking trails as it allows you to get up to the highest point in San Francisco itself at 283m/929ft. That means that the views out over the city are pretty amazing.
That’s not all, though and it’s one of the best hiking trails San Francisco has to offer for ease of access from the city and a quick sprint up to the top, which will get your blood pumping! This makes it an ideal hike for toward the end of the day in summer, or if you don’t want to go too far and want to make it work with other plans.
This trail can get overcast and in the fog at times, which can lead to it being muddy in places. That said, the trail is in good condition, but waterproof hiking shoes are a good call.
If you catch it on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded on this quick trail with stunning views, plants, animal life and plenty of time amongst beautiful trees. It’s without a doubt some of the best hiking San Francisco has to offer.
13. Mount Diablo Summit, Mount Diablo State Park
Difficulty: Challenging – significant distance as well as ascent and descent. Trail in good condition, though it is exposed so bring sun protection and plenty of water.
Distance: 11.4km/7 miles out and back
Elevation: 665m/2181 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: You can hike this trail all year round
AllTrails map alternative: Mount Diablo via Summit Trail
This is such a cool hike to do, and it really packs a punch in terms of the distance and elevation gain. It’s pretty much straight up from the moment you set off and doesn’t really give up too much all the way up. But it’s well worth it for the views you get out through this hike in the Bay Area (you can even see the Sierra Nevada on a clear day).
All those wonderful sunny yellows, rocky crags and views back out over the Bay Area are really stunning. The thing that really adds to this trail is the Mount Diablo State Park Summit Museum right at the top – what a cool thing to see. This is easily one of the best hikes San Francisco has to offer.
The trail is well maintained and its dirt the whole way. Some areas are wider than others, but it never feels exposed (apart from to the sun, so bring sun protection and water).
To hike this trail, you do need to pay a fee as it’s within a State Park. You can use the trail between 8am and sunset and you can find out more on entry costs here.
If you have time, it’s also worth taking a look at Rock City. This is just a little bit further down the road from where you’ll park and you’ll get to see rocks called things like Artist Point, Elephant Rock and the Wind Caves.
14. Stream, Mill and French Loop, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Difficulty: Moderate – a decent distance with a good amount of ascent and descent. Lots of up and down, is indistinctly marked in places so pay attention to your map. Muddy when wet, so take waterproof hiking shoes.
Distance: 7km/4.3 mile loop
Elevation: 270m/885ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: You can hike this trail year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Stream, Mill and French Loop
This trail offers some of the best hiking near San Francisco to get to see redwoods without making the trip out to Redwood National Park. On this trail you can hike amongst beautiful trees in an oasis of calm, rocky, craggy surfaces and a lot of bug and bird life.
If you’re also looking for a good amount of ascent and descent with some light scrambles in amongst the trees with lots of tree stumps and rocky sections, then this is one of the best hikes in the Bay Area to get your blood pumping.
The trail is well maintained, but as there are quite a few slopes, up and downs and rocks to navigate, this trail can be very slippery when wet. So, we’d advise you to really pay attention on the trail. Likewise, there are quite a few side trails, so be sure to download your trail in advance to keep aware of where you are at all times.
One of the things that makes this one of the best hikes near San Francisco is that it can also be combined with a visit to the Chabot Space and Science Center which is very close by to where you will park for this trail. This is a great center with a lot to learn and an observatory. More information here to help you plan your visit.
15. Double Cross Trail
Difficulty: Hard – a long distance trail with hard and uneven surfaces to walk on. However, this trail can be broken down into shorter sections.
Distance: 23.5km/14.6 miles one way
Elevation: 502m/1546 ft. ascent, 558m/1830 ft. descent
When to do it: This is one of the great trails in San Francisco to do year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Double Cross Trail
The Double Cross Trail got its name when it was created by a group of hikers in the pandemic and forms an ‘X’ with the older Crosstown Trail which existed from 2019. This trail is a great way to see San Francisco without even needing to leave the city. The trail crosses from West to East and starts down near the Golden Gate Bridge and ends up on the complete other side of the city.
In fact, it’s one of the best walks in San Francisco if you want a challenge you can take on over a couple of days, and do shorter sections. It’s worth keeping in mind that due to the ever changing nature of the city, there can be a few road closures or trail closures, but it’s more than possible to avoid these and take some alternate routes which you’ll find whilst out on the trail.
If you’re looking for San Francisco hikes with views, then we’d really recommend this trail – it shows you the best of what the city has to offer – from peaks and parkland, to towering streets with amazing views all the way through to the coast. This really is one to add to your list, pronto.
16. China Camp State Park Loop
Difficulty: Moderate – a decent distance trail with some ascent and descent. The trail is well graded and in good condition with some tree cover in parts.
Distance: 13.1km/8 mile loop
Elevation: 258m/846 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This is one of the great Bay Area hiking trails to do year round.
AllTrails map alternative: China Camp State Park Loop
Hiking near San Francisco offers so many options, and this trail gives you some great views out over ranches, coast and great woodland paths. The golden hues of the grasses are just gorgeous!
The China Camp State Park is named so in reference to the Chinese fishing village that was here in the 1880’s. This is such a culturally important area, and it’s well worth checking out.
This is a fairly breezy trail. As soon as you get out on the trail, you’ll hit a pretty well paced incline, then the hike feels lore easy, before the descent down. Though, we would recommend going around the trail clockwise to be on the lookout for mountain bikers – this trail is very popular for that!
The State Park charges an entry fee/parking fee, which you can find out more about here. You can choose either between a parking and trail or trail only pass, depending on how you arrive at the trail.
17. Steep Ravine Loop, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – steep ascent and descent with loose rock and slippery sections when wet. Some ladders and mostly uneven ground.
Distance: 11.5km/7 mile loop
Elevation: 511m/1676 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Best between January and November depending on rainfall (as the trail can become very slippery).
AllTrails map alternative: Steep Ravine Trail
This trail is pretty full on when it comes to the ascent and descent, but we’ve actually routed our trail counter clockwise to what most suggest as it’s an easier incline on the way back. The trail on the way back (which most route as the down trail) can be very slippery with loose rocks. So going up the other way is much easier. Bring hiking poles.
Don’t let the steepness of this trail put you off though, it’s a beautiful trail with a lot of variety. Think stunning views out over open headland, beaches, woodlands and trail waterfalls. We think this trail is well worth doing and one of the best Bay Area hikes.
There is a fee to park for this trail, which you can find out more about here. You can also pay online for your parking when you arrive.
Essentials for Hiking Near San Francisco
Whilst most San Francisco trails and hiking spots in the Bay Area are well maintained, there are several things you can take with you to make your time outdoors more enjoyable. Here is our list of essential items you’ll want to consider bringing. Our day hiking checklist also covers a lot of areas to help you here.
- Sun protection: Whilst San Francisco is called Fog City for a reason, it can also get pretty hot and pretty warm. Many of the hiking trails that we’ve listed above are on exposed trails with no tree cover. So, bring sun protection – we like this cream, which is a non greasy formula and a hat/sunglasses.
- Water: Leading on from above, water is your best friend for hikes near SF. Due to the exposure on most of the trails, you’ll be reaching for your water, especially if it’s hot. Bring at least 1-2L/32-64 oz per person. We like to use our Hydro Flask’s to keep our water cold.
- Rainwear: On the other end of the scale, rain can make things wet and slippery, so having a rain jacket and rain pants ready when you need them can make all the difference. These are also great to have on hand as fogs that roll in can leave a lot of moisture in the air. Our guide to the best waterproof rain jackets and the best waterproof rain pants for hiking cover a number of great options for all budgets.
- Downloaded map: There are quite a lot of trails where there is very limited reception, so you should always download your trail map in advance. You could also take a map and compass (and know how to use it) as backup. A compass is a great thing to fall back on and doesn’t need to cost the earth. We have a whole guide on the best hiking compasses which goes over several inexpensive options.
- Waterproof hiking shoes: Quite a few of the best hiking spots in the Bay Area can get very muddy when wet. So, take a pair of shoes that will keep you dry. Our guide to the best waterproof hiking shoes covers options for every budget.
- Trekking poles: These can make a big difference with steep ascents and descents (which there are plenty of around San Francisco and the Bay Area). We think that the best trekking poles are ones that fold completely down so can be put in your daypack when not using. Great if you need to take public transit to the trailhead.
- Daypack: The perfect daypack will really depend on the length of your hike and what you’re bringing with you (for example, if you carry lots of camera equipment like us, chances are you’ll need a bigger pack). We usually bring a pack that’s anything from 18-23L on a day hike. Our guide to the best daypacks for hiking covers some great options to get you your perfect pack.
- Food: If you’re doing a longer trail, it’s a good idea to bring plenty of snacks with you, and a bigger meal depending on the time of day. Eat before you feel hungry, and you should eat snacks little and often.
- Camera: There are so many great views on the hiking trails that we’ve listed above. We’d recommend bringing a longer lens to pick out detail if possible, and if you’re hiking near there, the all important Golden Gate Bridge shots.
- Battery pack for your phone: A battery pack is a great idea to avoid any nasty surprises and so you can be sure you always have the trail to hand on your phone. We’d recommend something like this.
FAQs About Hiking Around San Francisco
The best hiking the Bay Area has to offer is pretty varied – as you can see from the trails we’ve gone through above! What we love is that there’s a bit of everything – from coastal views to peaks, woodlands and redwoods.
There’s something for everyone here. The sections below goes over some of the most frequently asked questions about hiking trails in San Francisco.
What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near San Francisco?
The best hiking trails near San Francisco will depend on what you are interested in. There is such a variety that it would be impossible to choose just one!
However, we think that the Angel Island Perimeter Route (hike 11) and Sutro Baths and Lands End (hike 6) are some of the best (and both very different). In our opinion, these are some of the best hikes in SF.
What is the most scenic hike?
One of the best trails in the Bay Area for scenic views is without a doubt the Sutro Baths and Lands End Trail (hike 6 above). This gives you a real dose of history, incredible coastal views and a feel like you’re miles away from the city!
What are the best hiking trails in the San Francisco Bay Area for beginners?
We’d say that one of the easy hikes in the Bay Area for beginners is the Batteries to Bluffs Trail (hike 10). The Muir Woods Trail (hike 7) is also a good beginner hike and is actually wheelchair accessible too.
In order to find the best places to hike in the Bay Area for beginners, look for the trails we’ve listed above that are under 10km and have under 200m of ascent. If something is short (under 4km) with around 200m of ascent, you can expect it may be steep, though!
Where can I find trails with scenic ocean views around San Francisco?
There are so many hiking trails in the Bay Area that have stunning ocean views out! In fact, more than 60% of the trails we’ve listed above do. You can use our starting locations map earlier on in our article above to help you find coastal trails. If the marker is near the coast, there’s a good chance you’ll be hiking along it!
Are there any family-friendly hiking trails?
The great news is that many of the best hikes around San Francisco are family friendly. Most are on good trails. We have done our best to outline in the difficulty section for each hike whether a trail gets muddy or not. Look for the trails we’ve listed that are on the easier side, with less distance and without as much elevation gain.
What are the top trails for birdwatching?
There are some great birdwatching trails and they also happen to be some of the best hiking trails in the Bay Area too. So, they should keep everyone in your group happy!
Head out on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail (hike 10), the Marin Headlands section of hike 8 and hike 4 (Twin Peaks) for your best chances to see bird life.
Are dogs allowed on hiking trails?
Unfortunately, a lot of the best hikes near SF don’t allow dogs on trail. In order to find out which ones do; we’d recommend clicking the AllTrails map alternative we’ve provided for each trail as this usually tells you in the information if dogs are allowed or not.
What is the best time of year to hike around San Francisco?
The best time of year to hike in the Bay Area and around San Francisco is usually fall. Temperatures are a little lower and there’s less chance of rain than in winter.
In winter, it’s still perfectly possible, but of course there is more chance of rain, fog and bad weather. This can make trails muddy, but so long as you’re prepared, it’s perfectly safe.
In summer, it can get very hot, so stay out of very hot weather and just be well prepared with sun protection. The trails can often be very exposed with very little tree cover.
In general, though, fog can roll over at any time, which can of course impact visibility. There is no real way of telling if this will clear or not sometimes, so it’s best to just prepare for the idea that you may get some fog on your hike.
Are there any trails in San Francisco that are wheelchair accessible?
We’ve listed several trails above that are wheelchair accessible. These are Muir Woods (trail 7), and Golden Gate Park avoiding Strawberry Hill (trail 5). There is also part of the Verna Dunshee Trail at East Peak near trail 17 that is wheelchair accessible. More information on this here.
You could also look at the Angel Island Perimter Loop (hike 11), as it is possible to bypass the steps for a more gradual incline to get to the main trail. Though it’s worth checking in with the park in advance for information on this.
How long does it typically take to hike the Lands End Trail?
This depends on which trail you want to complete. Our trail linked above could be hiked in roughly 2-3 hours. But we’d say it’s a good idea to leave yourself more time for the gorgeous views and photo opportunities.
Is there a fee to access any of the hiking trails?
Some of the hikes we’ve listed above are within State Parks or Recreation Areas which either require an entry fee, day use fee or similar. Whereas some of the hikes we’ve listed do not, and you may either just need to pay for parking or transit to get there.
For any hikes that require a day use fee or similar to hike a trail, we’ve tried to list as much information and link out to the park information on how you can pay.
What are the most popular trails around San Francisco during the fall season?
Some trails that are particularly beautiful around San Francisco in the fall are Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (hike 14), Muir Woods (hike 7), Tomales Point Trail (hike 9) and the Miwok Trail, Marin Headlands (hike 3).
Are there any hiking trails with picnic areas?
There are plenty of trails with picnic areas around San Francisco and this is a great way to extend your hike. The best way to find this information is to click on our AllTrails links for each hike. These generally have picnic areas listed.
What is the new Double Cross hike in San Francisco?
The Double Cross Trail is a great way to see the city without even needing to leave. It’s a longer distance trail (23.5km/14.6 miles one way) and can either be completed in one hike or broken down into shorter sections.
It was created by some hikers during Covid-19 when getting out for a hike wasn’t so easy. The name comes from the fact that it creates an X with an older existed route called the Crosstown Trail.
This trail takes you through urban areas, parkland, past the coast and through some of the most iconic areas of San Francisco. We’ve listed this hike above (hike 15) and we’d really recommend doing it!
Is It Safe to Hike Alone?
Generally, San Francisco is a pretty safe place to hike alone. However, you should base this on your individual experience. Whether or not something is safe shouldn’t always be the determining factor, it should be how comfortable you feel.
Before hiking alone, you should consider whether your skill level, personal experience, any health conditions, your gender or your appearance may make you feel less than comfortable hiking alone. There are plenty of hiking group meetups in San Francisco that you could join – sites like meetup.com are great for finding groups of likeminded people.
Enjoy Exploring the Hiking Trails Around the San Francisco Bay Area, California
What we love about San Francisco hiking is that there is so much variety. We love the fact that there are a whole number of SF hikes where you don’t even need to leave the city limits to get great views and time outdoors.
Go a little further, and things open up some more – the fact that you have access to the rugged coastlines and incredible rock formations with the crashing ocean and the fresh breeze is one thing. Then the idea that you have redwoods just waiting to be explored and mountains to head up makes San Francisco hikes some of the most varied out there.
We hope our guide gives you some new inspiration for your next hike in San Francisco. Whether you’re a local or visiting the area for the first time, there’s something for everyone here.
Of course, our guide to hiking in San Francisco and hikes in the Bay Area doesn’t cover every trail possible – there are simply so many. However, we feel that these trails really give you a good understanding of just what San Francisco and the Bay area has to offer.
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!