Get out and stretch your legs and take a hike. There are various hikes of many different levels around the Bay area. Discover these best hikes around San Francisco that will more than fascinate you with where they lead.
- Lands End
Christopher Combe Photography/Flickr Lands End is in the northwestern corner of San Francisco within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This park includes trails along the cliffs that offer some of the most stunning views. The classic city trail has marvelous points of interest and attractions. Lands End is one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco. Address: 680 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco, 94121. 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Mount Davidson Park
Harminder Dhesi/Flickr San Francisco has more than 40 hills and Mount Davidson is the tallest of them all. The half-mile hike to the top is easy and awesome. The view of the city will be more than priceless and epic of course! You can find out more about easy hikes in San Francisco on the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website. Address: Dalewood Way & Myra Way, San Francisco, 94127. Myra Way, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA
- The Sunset Trail - Angel Island
Svachalek/Flickr Angel Island State Park has a hike called the Sunset Trail that is 4.6 miles. The hike takes you to the top of Mount Livermore which is the highest point on the island. Enjoy views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Golden Gate, and the San Francisco skyline. It’s one of the most scenic hikes near San Francisco. You can learn more about Angel Island and its hiking trails on CA.gov. San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Alamere Falls Hike
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr This is an intense hike with a couple of steep parts but it’s well worth it for the waterfall and the views. The trail can get crowded so prepare your trip early in the day. The ending is not only an awesome waterfall but a tidal fall as well. If you’re looking for one of the best hikes near San Francisco, take the trail to Alamere Falls. Address: Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas, 94924. Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA
- Tennessee Valley Trail
Albatgenius/Flickr The Tennessee Valley trail is 3.4 miles and winds through coastal hills. Views of the fog and mountains will certainly fascinate many. If you’re looking for easy hikes near San Francisco, this is the one to take. Address: Mill Valley, 94941. Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
- Fort Funston
EJbSF/Flickr Fort Funston is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park offers sandy trails and expansive views of the ocean. You’ll feel happy when you arrive at the beach and even happier to be able to bring your dog. For Funston offers some of the most scenic hikes near San Francisco. Address: Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, 94132. Skyline Boulevard, Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
- Dipsea Trail
Advencap/Flickr This Mount Tamalpais State Park trail goes from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach and can go as long as 9.5 miles. Unfortunately, this is not for beginners, but the hike and views are classic Northern California beauty. The best part, the beach, is the epic ending to make anyone happy. Dipsea Trail is one of the best hikes around San Francisco. Address: 200 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, 94941. 200 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
- Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Tarandeep Singh/Google Easy and full of beauty, this is an often overlooked hike of only about 1.5 miles in the Bay area. If you want great views without a lot of work then then Windy Hill Open Space Preserve has lots of open spaces and hard to grassland ridges. Visit the Open Space website to learn more about Windy Hill Preserve. Address: Portola Valley, 94028. 94028, Menlo Park, CA 94028, USA
- Philosopher’s Way - McLaren Park
Ed Brownson/Flickr A hidden gem in San Francisco that takes you to the second highest peak in the city. McLaren Park’s Philosopher’s Way is a 2.7-mile loop with lots of markers and park history. Address: 116 John F Shelley Drive, San Francisco, 94134 116 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA
- Bernal Hill
Roger Jones/Flickr Get 360-degree views of the city when you finish this hike. A short and popular city hike with lots of views and beauty. Admire Downtown, Twin Peaks, Mount Davidson, the East Bay, and the peninsula from the top. Visit the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website to lean more about Bernal Hill. Address: 10 Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco, 94110. 10 Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Have you been on any of these best hikes around San Francisco? Let us know. Share this story too! If you’re curious about places nearby to explore then check out The Most Eccentric Town Near San Francisco.
Christopher Combe Photography/Flickr
Lands End is in the northwestern corner of San Francisco within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This park includes trails along the cliffs that offer some of the most stunning views. The classic city trail has marvelous points of interest and attractions. Lands End is one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco. Address: 680 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco, 94121.
680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Harminder Dhesi/Flickr
San Francisco has more than 40 hills and Mount Davidson is the tallest of them all. The half-mile hike to the top is easy and awesome. The view of the city will be more than priceless and epic of course! You can find out more about easy hikes in San Francisco on the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website. Address: Dalewood Way & Myra Way, San Francisco, 94127.
Myra Way, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA
Svachalek/Flickr
Angel Island State Park has a hike called the Sunset Trail that is 4.6 miles. The hike takes you to the top of Mount Livermore which is the highest point on the island. Enjoy views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Golden Gate, and the San Francisco skyline. It’s one of the most scenic hikes near San Francisco. You can learn more about Angel Island and its hiking trails on CA.gov.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
This is an intense hike with a couple of steep parts but it’s well worth it for the waterfall and the views. The trail can get crowded so prepare your trip early in the day. The ending is not only an awesome waterfall but a tidal fall as well. If you’re looking for one of the best hikes near San Francisco, take the trail to Alamere Falls. Address: Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas, 94924.
Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA
Albatgenius/Flickr
The Tennessee Valley trail is 3.4 miles and winds through coastal hills. Views of the fog and mountains will certainly fascinate many. If you’re looking for easy hikes near San Francisco, this is the one to take. Address: Mill Valley, 94941.
Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
EJbSF/Flickr
Fort Funston is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park offers sandy trails and expansive views of the ocean. You’ll feel happy when you arrive at the beach and even happier to be able to bring your dog. For Funston offers some of the most scenic hikes near San Francisco. Address: Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, 94132.
Skyline Boulevard, Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
Advencap/Flickr
This Mount Tamalpais State Park trail goes from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach and can go as long as 9.5 miles. Unfortunately, this is not for beginners, but the hike and views are classic Northern California beauty. The best part, the beach, is the epic ending to make anyone happy. Dipsea Trail is one of the best hikes around San Francisco. Address: 200 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, 94941.
200 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
Tarandeep Singh/Google
Easy and full of beauty, this is an often overlooked hike of only about 1.5 miles in the Bay area. If you want great views without a lot of work then then Windy Hill Open Space Preserve has lots of open spaces and hard to grassland ridges. Visit the Open Space website to learn more about Windy Hill Preserve. Address: Portola Valley, 94028.
94028, Menlo Park, CA 94028, USA
Ed Brownson/Flickr
A hidden gem in San Francisco that takes you to the second highest peak in the city. McLaren Park’s Philosopher’s Way is a 2.7-mile loop with lots of markers and park history. Address: 116 John F Shelley Drive, San Francisco, 94134
116 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA
Roger Jones/Flickr
Get 360-degree views of the city when you finish this hike. A short and popular city hike with lots of views and beauty. Admire Downtown, Twin Peaks, Mount Davidson, the East Bay, and the peninsula from the top. Visit the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website to lean more about Bernal Hill. Address: 10 Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco, 94110.
10 Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes Around San Francisco July 19, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the most kid-friendly hikes near San Francisco? Most easy hikes are perfect for children. Take, for example, one of these 8 easy hikes near San Francisco. The whole family will enjoy exploring the great outdoors along the Lobos Creek Valley Trail through dunes and forests. Or how about the Presidio Promenade Trail which will allow you to trek through a former military base? Take the kids and go on a hiking adventure! Are there any waterfall hikes near San Francisco? There are quite a few lovely waterfall hikes near San Francisco, and we put together a weekend itinerary so you can see several waterfalls within a couple of days. From Cascade Falls to Alamere Falls and more, grab your hiking boots, hop in the car, and bring your sense of adventure! What are the best state parks near San Francisco? You may be surprised to find out how many amazing state parks are located around San Francisco. For views, head to Angel Island State Park. For giant redwoods, visit Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park in California. There are so many wonderful parks to explore near the city!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes Around San Francisco
July 19, 2022
Melissa M.
What are some of the most kid-friendly hikes near San Francisco? Most easy hikes are perfect for children. Take, for example, one of these 8 easy hikes near San Francisco. The whole family will enjoy exploring the great outdoors along the Lobos Creek Valley Trail through dunes and forests. Or how about the Presidio Promenade Trail which will allow you to trek through a former military base? Take the kids and go on a hiking adventure! Are there any waterfall hikes near San Francisco? There are quite a few lovely waterfall hikes near San Francisco, and we put together a weekend itinerary so you can see several waterfalls within a couple of days. From Cascade Falls to Alamere Falls and more, grab your hiking boots, hop in the car, and bring your sense of adventure! What are the best state parks near San Francisco? You may be surprised to find out how many amazing state parks are located around San Francisco. For views, head to Angel Island State Park. For giant redwoods, visit Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park in California. There are so many wonderful parks to explore near the city!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most easy hikes are perfect for children. Take, for example, one of these 8 easy hikes near San Francisco. The whole family will enjoy exploring the great outdoors along the Lobos Creek Valley Trail through dunes and forests. Or how about the Presidio Promenade Trail which will allow you to trek through a former military base? Take the kids and go on a hiking adventure!
Are there any waterfall hikes near San Francisco?
There are quite a few lovely waterfall hikes near San Francisco, and we put together a weekend itinerary so you can see several waterfalls within a couple of days. From Cascade Falls to Alamere Falls and more, grab your hiking boots, hop in the car, and bring your sense of adventure!
What are the best state parks near San Francisco?
You may be surprised to find out how many amazing state parks are located around San Francisco. For views, head to Angel Island State Park. For giant redwoods, visit Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park in California. There are so many wonderful parks to explore near the city!
