When the weather is nice and warm, how about a hike and a picnic? Yes, there are perfect parks and hikes in San Francisco for exercise and lounging. If you are ready and itching to appreciate the beauty in the city, pack a picnic and head out on one of these 10 best hikes in San Francisco that will make your spring complete!

  1. Fort Miley - Fort Miley, San Francisco, 94121

Ben M/Yelp Fort Miley is located along the Coastal Trail of Land’s End, on the outer headlands of the Golden Gate’s southern end. There are many areas with picnic tables and great views. The hiking in this part of the city is also fun and scenic. Fort Miley 4, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

  1. Bernal Hill: 10 Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco

Tiffany C/Yelp The one-mile paved path surrounding the hill is short, beautiful, and perfect for a picnic. There are many spots to lay out a picnic blanket to eat and enjoy the views of the city. Once you’ve reached the summit, the 360-degree views of the city make this one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco. Bernal Heights Park, 3400-3416 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

  1. Crissy Field: Mason Street and Crissy Field Avenue, San Francisco

John D/Yelp A flat walk in Golden Gate Recreation Area is guaranteed to thrill with all of the best city icons. Also, the picnic tables are in beautiful spots. In addition, the urban hike from Crissy Field to Fort Point is one of the country’s prettiest urban walks with panoramic views galore. 1199 E Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA

  1. John Mclaren Park: 100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco

Bryan E/Yelp Enter John McLaren Park from Mansell Street onto John F. Shelley Drive. Start with having lunch at one of their picnic tables, and then go explore the rest of the park. While hiking, you’ll pass the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater across Shelley Drive. There are plenty more miles of hikes in this park too. John McLaren Park, 100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA

  1. Golden Gate Park: Various areas of the park, San Francisco

ML/Yelp Golden Gate Park is a large urban oasis that’s not only a free, ready-made gym for runners and bikers, but also houses a number of picnic grounds. You can hike anywhere in the park almost and find a peaceful spot to relax or have a picnic. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, USA

  1. Sunset Trail: Angel Island, San Francisco

Dave Fayram/Flickr Take the ferry to Angel Island State Park from San Francisco and enjoy the beautiful scenery. San Francisco Bay’s largest island is between Marin and San Francisco counties. The hike for Sunset Trail is easy, following a flat, paved (wheelchair accessible) trail. There are many tables for a picnic, so this is an ideal hike in many ways. Tiburon, CA 94920, USA

  1. Sutro Heights Park: 48th Ave and Point Lobos Avenue

Kevin F/Yelp Not as popular as the other hikes, but this is one of the many kid-friendly hikes around San Francisco and is well worth a visit. The view is spectacular and you can enjoy a picnic overlooking Ocean Beach. Awesome! Sutro Heights, 846 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

  1. The Presidio: Lombard Gate, San Francisco

Kevin Y/Yelp The Presidio of San Francisco is great for off-the-grid picnicking. In terms of hiking, seek out the 2.1-mile Presidio Promenade. This is a major east-west trail bringing visitors from the park’s urban edge at the Lombard Gate to the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

  1. Baker Beach: Gibson Rd, San Francisco, 94129

Tim B/Yelp If a beach picnic sounds fun, then check out Baker Beach. This is a perfect place for picnics, sightseeing, hiking uphill toward the Presidio, and more. Please be warned that there is a portion of Baker beach that is clothing optional. Baker Beach, San Francisco, CA, USA

  1. Land’s End/Sutro Baths Area: 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco

Lawdawg1/Flickr This is a popular and scenic place for a hike and picnic. Whenever you want to hike, remember to stop along the Coastal Trail and check out the many areas along the trail like Sutro Baths and the labyrinth at Eagle’s Point. This is one of the best hikes in San Francisco and a classic spot for San Franciscans and visitors alike. Sutro Baths Upper Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

Have you been to any of these best hikes in San Francisco and had a picnic? Let us know. Share this story too! If you’re into staying active then check out The 10 Most Beautiful Bike Trails You Can Take Near San Francisco.

Ben M/Yelp

Fort Miley is located along the Coastal Trail of Land’s End, on the outer headlands of the Golden Gate’s southern end. There are many areas with picnic tables and great views. The hiking in this part of the city is also fun and scenic.

Fort Miley 4, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

Tiffany C/Yelp

The one-mile paved path surrounding the hill is short, beautiful, and perfect for a picnic. There are many spots to lay out a picnic blanket to eat and enjoy the views of the city. Once you’ve reached the summit, the 360-degree views of the city make this one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco.

Bernal Heights Park, 3400-3416 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

John D/Yelp

A flat walk in Golden Gate Recreation Area is guaranteed to thrill with all of the best city icons. Also, the picnic tables are in beautiful spots. In addition, the urban hike from Crissy Field to Fort Point is one of the country’s prettiest urban walks with panoramic views galore.

1199 E Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA

Bryan E/Yelp

Enter John McLaren Park from Mansell Street onto John F. Shelley Drive. Start with having lunch at one of their picnic tables, and then go explore the rest of the park. While hiking, you’ll pass the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater across Shelley Drive. There are plenty more miles of hikes in this park too.

John McLaren Park, 100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA

ML/Yelp

Golden Gate Park is a large urban oasis that’s not only a free, ready-made gym for runners and bikers, but also houses a number of picnic grounds. You can hike anywhere in the park almost and find a peaceful spot to relax or have a picnic.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, USA

Dave Fayram/Flickr

Take the ferry to Angel Island State Park from San Francisco and enjoy the beautiful scenery. San Francisco Bay’s largest island is between Marin and San Francisco counties. The hike for Sunset Trail is easy, following a flat, paved (wheelchair accessible) trail. There are many tables for a picnic, so this is an ideal hike in many ways.

Tiburon, CA 94920, USA

Kevin F/Yelp

Not as popular as the other hikes, but this is one of the many kid-friendly hikes around San Francisco and is well worth a visit. The view is spectacular and you can enjoy a picnic overlooking Ocean Beach. Awesome!

Sutro Heights, 846 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

Kevin Y/Yelp

The Presidio of San Francisco is great for off-the-grid picnicking. In terms of hiking, seek out the 2.1-mile Presidio Promenade. This is a major east-west trail bringing visitors from the park’s urban edge at the Lombard Gate to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

Tim B/Yelp

If a beach picnic sounds fun, then check out Baker Beach. This is a perfect place for picnics, sightseeing, hiking uphill toward the Presidio, and more. Please be warned that there is a portion of Baker beach that is clothing optional.

Baker Beach, San Francisco, CA, USA

Lawdawg1/Flickr

This is a popular and scenic place for a hike and picnic. Whenever you want to hike, remember to stop along the Coastal Trail and check out the many areas along the trail like Sutro Baths and the labyrinth at Eagle’s Point. This is one of the best hikes in San Francisco and a classic spot for San Franciscans and visitors alike.

Sutro Baths Upper Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In San Francisco April 15, 2022 Libby Monson What is the best wildflower hike in San Francisco? Just north of San Francisco in Point Reyes National Seashore, the Muddy Hollow Trail offers an afternoon of adventure and beautiful blooms. This out-and-back trail is four miles and easy, making it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in San Francisco. In addition to wildflowers, you’ll see many different types of birds and maybe a tule elk. Muddy Hollow Trail follows a stream through a riparian habitat to a pond. From the pond, you can continue to Limantour Beach. You’ll see Coyote Brush, Purple Western Morning Glory, Self Heal, Indian Paintbrush, and more during your hike. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your beautiful spring day! Which state park should I visit in San Francisco? Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is a spectacular state park everyone should visit! You’ll enjoy views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and San Bruno Mountain. Bird watching is popular in the park, especially during migration times. Try your luck at the fishing pier, where no license is required, and you might catch halibut, striped bass, perch, or sturgeon. As you stroll along the shoreline walking trails, you’ll most likely spot windsurfers in the bay having fun in the choppy water. What are the best family-friendly hikes in San Francisco? Fairy Gates Trail in the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve winds through a historic forest. The forest was planted over a hundred years ago by then-mayor Adolf Sutro. This family-friendly hike in San Francisco takes about two hours and has only a gentle elevation gain. You’ll encounter fairy houses and maybe the occasional gnome along the trail. Most of the trail is cool and shady, and the kids will have plenty of opportunities to climb boulders just off the path. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy the sunny meadow while you take a rest.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In San Francisco

April 15, 2022

Libby Monson

What is the best wildflower hike in San Francisco? Just north of San Francisco in Point Reyes National Seashore, the Muddy Hollow Trail offers an afternoon of adventure and beautiful blooms. This out-and-back trail is four miles and easy, making it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in San Francisco. In addition to wildflowers, you’ll see many different types of birds and maybe a tule elk. Muddy Hollow Trail follows a stream through a riparian habitat to a pond. From the pond, you can continue to Limantour Beach. You’ll see Coyote Brush, Purple Western Morning Glory, Self Heal, Indian Paintbrush, and more during your hike. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your beautiful spring day! Which state park should I visit in San Francisco? Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is a spectacular state park everyone should visit! You’ll enjoy views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and San Bruno Mountain. Bird watching is popular in the park, especially during migration times. Try your luck at the fishing pier, where no license is required, and you might catch halibut, striped bass, perch, or sturgeon. As you stroll along the shoreline walking trails, you’ll most likely spot windsurfers in the bay having fun in the choppy water. What are the best family-friendly hikes in San Francisco? Fairy Gates Trail in the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve winds through a historic forest. The forest was planted over a hundred years ago by then-mayor Adolf Sutro. This family-friendly hike in San Francisco takes about two hours and has only a gentle elevation gain. You’ll encounter fairy houses and maybe the occasional gnome along the trail. Most of the trail is cool and shady, and the kids will have plenty of opportunities to climb boulders just off the path. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy the sunny meadow while you take a rest.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Just north of San Francisco in Point Reyes National Seashore, the Muddy Hollow Trail offers an afternoon of adventure and beautiful blooms. This out-and-back trail is four miles and easy, making it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in San Francisco. In addition to wildflowers, you’ll see many different types of birds and maybe a tule elk. Muddy Hollow Trail follows a stream through a riparian habitat to a pond. From the pond, you can continue to Limantour Beach. You’ll see Coyote Brush, Purple Western Morning Glory, Self Heal, Indian Paintbrush, and more during your hike. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your beautiful spring day!

Which state park should I visit in San Francisco?

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is a spectacular state park everyone should visit! You’ll enjoy views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and San Bruno Mountain. Bird watching is popular in the park, especially during migration times. Try your luck at the fishing pier, where no license is required, and you might catch halibut, striped bass, perch, or sturgeon. As you stroll along the shoreline walking trails, you’ll most likely spot windsurfers in the bay having fun in the choppy water.

What are the best family-friendly hikes in San Francisco?

Fairy Gates Trail in the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve winds through a historic forest. The forest was planted over a hundred years ago by then-mayor Adolf Sutro. This family-friendly hike in San Francisco takes about two hours and has only a gentle elevation gain. You’ll encounter fairy houses and maybe the occasional gnome along the trail. Most of the trail is cool and shady, and the kids will have plenty of opportunities to climb boulders just off the path. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy the sunny meadow while you take a rest.