10 Apr Best hiking spots in San Francisco and around

What a beautiful sunny Sunday in SF wasn’t it? I think sunny Sundays are the perfect days for a little hike. That’s what my friends and I did this Sunday, and I can tell you that it was tiring BUT stunning.

In this article, I am going to give you some of the best spots to go hiking with your friends or family, and start the week as well as you should!

Best hiking spots in SF :

• Presidio Park

The present park comprises 38.6 km of varied trails. The Golden Gate (6.9 km) promenade is on a wide, flat coastal path that offers incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you want to do more exercise and observe more scenic scenes, take the Ecology Trail, a 2.25 km trek across a large redwood forest and on which is Inspiration Point, one of Belvedere of the park.

Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trailhead: Sand Ladder on Lincoln Blvd (between Pershing Dr and Kobbe Ave)

• Lands End

This popular trail will take you through many beautiful scenery and will take you to stunning images of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as other local monuments. At the end of this 5.5 km trail, intrepid travelers will discover the ruins of the Sutro Baths, which burned in 1966, as well as breathtaking coastal views. If you wish to extend the trip, continue walking 2 km to China Beach.

Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trailhead: Lands End Lookout, 680 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121

• Baker Beach Trail (Batteries to Bluffs)

Three hiking trails connect to Baker Beach: the Lobos Creek Valley, the California Coastal Trail and the Battery to Bluffs trail. You will find a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headslands and you will find at the edge of the cliffs listening to the sound of the waves on the rocks.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: Crissy Field Center, 1199 East Beach, Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129

• Golden Gate Park (Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill)

This huge park in the middle of San Francisco brings together several buildings, museums and gardens. You can just stroll through the park, it’s a quiet and soothing trail.

• Bernal Heights (Bernal Hill)

Start your walk on the one-mile paved path surrounding the hill, then take any of the park’s dirt trails to reach the top of the hill. You will find a stunning view of all the city.

Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: moderate, with steep sections
Trailhead: various spots around the base of the hill

• Twin Peaks

Present on the list of every tourist, the Twin Peaks are a marvel not to be missed. Baptized by the first Spanish settlers “Los Pechos de la Choca”, these two adjacent peaks offer 360 ° views of the city, the bay and the surrounding area. While most visitors choose to explore Eureka Peak (north) and say it was enough to fill their day, the Noe Peak (south) is often quieter and allows you to discover a wide variety of animals And plants. Although this 800-meter trek is easy to intermediate, remember that it is made up of short but steep ascents and descents.

• Mount Davidson

With a maximum altitude of 282 meters, Mount Davidson is the highlight of San Francisco. Known familiarly as the “hill to the cross”, this easy, circular trek of 1.6 km is dotted with large eucalyptus, mulberry trees and ivy. There are several ways to get to the top: if you want to go quickly, stay on the main trail, which does not present any difficulties, up Dalewood Way until reaching the colossal cross which made a brief appearance in the film “Inspector Harry” came out in 1971. Although the views at the top of Mount Davidson are incredible in clear weather, the surroundings can be just as impressive in foggy weather as the stifled sounds of the nearby town and the echo of singing birds in the woods.

• Philosopher’s Way in McLaren Park

Philosopher’s Way is a 2.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near San Francisco, California that features beautiful wild flowers. The trail is good for all skill levels offers a number of activity options.

• Mount Sutro

It is a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of a big city. If you want to get away from the noise of the city, this is the place to go. There are great trails and not many people.

It’s so peaceful it’s easy to forget you’re still in town. Situated to the east of the Inner Sunset neighborhood, access to trails can be difficult to find (for example, the starting point at the intersection of 17th Street and Stanyan Street is a wooden staircase between two houses) But the views you will discover are worth a visit.

Around San Francisco :

• Marin Head Lands

These hills to the north of the city are traversed by paths leading to former military installations and rocky cliffs; Nature lovers and history enthusiasts will be delighted. Reopened in 2012, Point Bonita Lighthouse is a fun adventure.

Point Bonita Trail
Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate, with some steep sections
Trailhead: Battery Mendell carpark, Fort Barry, Mendell Rd, Northwest Marin, CA 94950

Rodeo Lagoon Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: Marin Headlands Visitor Center, 948 Fort Barry, Sausalito, CA 94965

• Mont Tamalpais 

The steep ascent of the peak, simply nicknamed Mount Tam by locals, rewards hikers with views of Marin County, San Francisco and (in clear weather) Farallon Islands. The trail leading to the summit requires the wearing of sturdy shoes, and most trails do not offer any water, so be forewarned.

• Muir Wood National Monument

You will also be able to admire the Redwoods (giant trees) of the Muir Wood National Monument and learn about the signing of the agreement on the League of Nations, the ancestor of the United Nations. This national monument, named after the respected naturalist John Muir, houses magnificent redwood forests and miles of trails waiting for you to explore them. For visitors without car, a shuttle provides access to the park on weekends and during the summer months.

Distance: Various trail lengths
Difficulty: easy on the loops, strenuous on the canyon and hillside trails
Trailhead: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

• Mount Diablo regional park

Sacred mountain climbed by almost all the Indian communities of California, the isolated peak known as Mount Diablo stands at 1,173 m and is visible from the San Francisco Bay. With an area of more than 80 km2, the park is dotted with trails of intermediate to difficult level allowing hikes on half a day.

Hope you enjoyed, and I wish you good hikes!