It is the middle of the summer, meaning it’s the perfect time to explore the beautiful trails of San Francisco. Even though summers can be cooler, there are still plenty of awesome trails to discover. Take a look at our list of nine breezy hikes to discover the perfect waterfront trails this summer.
- Lands End
Anastasia/Foursquare By far one of the best places in San Francisco for a hike, there are miles of trails at Lands End, and they provide fantastic examples of coastal terrain while also letting you see the Golden Gate Bridge from many different angles. Lastly, don’t miss the awesome bay views! Lands End Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Ray Bouknight/Flickr Batteries to Bluffs is an incredible trail with wonderful sea views. From the Lands End Trail, marvel at the beauty of Baker Beach and then weave your way up and down the coastline. There are parts of the trail with great Golden Gate Bridge shots. Also, climb the batteries, and take in breathtaking views the whole way through. Battery to Bluffs Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
- Sutro Heights Park
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr This is a seaside trail that is almost always overlooked. Sutro Heights Park is a hidden gem sitting high above the Cliff House on the edge of San Francisco. Hike up the steps at a leisurely speed and then appreciate the ocean views along with the gardens and random statues. Eventually you’ll end up at Sutro Baths and the infamous cave by the Cliff House. Sutro Heights, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Chrissy Fields
Greg Del Savio/Flickr This view will make you realize what you’re missing in Fog City. Chrissy Fields has great views of the Rock and more. The urban trail from Crissy Field to Fort Point is one of the country’s prettiest urban walks, with panoramic views galore. Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
- Ocean Beach Trail
Charlie G/Foursquare Enjoy a wonderful trail for running or hiking or merely hiking. Ocean Beach Trail has many spots to get away from the crowds, bikes, and more. The views are the the best for the mighty Pacific. Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Presidio Promenade Trail
Sibe L/Foursquare Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown and of course the water. Try the Presidio Promenade Trail, which is a 4.5 mile loop trail that offers historical points of interest and scenic views. Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Sunset Trail
Dave Fayram/Flickr Once you’ve reached Angel Island you’re surrounded by water. 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. One of the few hikes on an island too. Sunset Trail, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
- Mountain Lake Park
Vol T/Foursquare Walk or jog along the lake, and enjoy this overlooked spot. This Lakeside hiking spot offers picnic spots, basketball half-court, four tennis courts, and a popular off-leash dog play area. Awesome waterfront trails! Mountain Lake Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
- Embarcadero Waterfront
McFotoSFO/Flickr This is the most well known paved walking path in the area and rightly so because it is beautiful. Take a pleasant walk along the Embarcadero, from the Bay Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf. And keep going all the way to Crissy Field if you’re up for it! Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA
Have you been on any of these amazing waterfront trails? Let us know what your favorites were, or if you think there are any more that we should add to the list! Also, if you like your time in nature to be peaceful and quiet, you should check out this awesome hidden park in San Francisco.
Anastasia/Foursquare
By far one of the best places in San Francisco for a hike, there are miles of trails at Lands End, and they provide fantastic examples of coastal terrain while also letting you see the Golden Gate Bridge from many different angles. Lastly, don’t miss the awesome bay views!
Lands End Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Ray Bouknight/Flickr
Batteries to Bluffs is an incredible trail with wonderful sea views. From the Lands End Trail, marvel at the beauty of Baker Beach and then weave your way up and down the coastline. There are parts of the trail with great Golden Gate Bridge shots. Also, climb the batteries, and take in breathtaking views the whole way through.
Battery to Bluffs Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
This is a seaside trail that is almost always overlooked. Sutro Heights Park is a hidden gem sitting high above the Cliff House on the edge of San Francisco. Hike up the steps at a leisurely speed and then appreciate the ocean views along with the gardens and random statues. Eventually you’ll end up at Sutro Baths and the infamous cave by the Cliff House.
Sutro Heights, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Greg Del Savio/Flickr
This view will make you realize what you’re missing in Fog City. Chrissy Fields has great views of the Rock and more. The urban trail from Crissy Field to Fort Point is one of the country’s prettiest urban walks, with panoramic views galore.
Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Charlie G/Foursquare
Enjoy a wonderful trail for running or hiking or merely hiking. Ocean Beach Trail has many spots to get away from the crowds, bikes, and more. The views are the the best for the mighty Pacific.
Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA, USA
Sibe L/Foursquare
Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown and of course the water. Try the Presidio Promenade Trail, which is a 4.5 mile loop trail that offers historical points of interest and scenic views.
Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Dave Fayram/Flickr
Once you’ve reached Angel Island you’re surrounded by water. 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. One of the few hikes on an island too.
Sunset Trail, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
Vol T/Foursquare
Walk or jog along the lake, and enjoy this overlooked spot. This Lakeside hiking spot offers picnic spots, basketball half-court, four tennis courts, and a popular off-leash dog play area. Awesome waterfront trails!
Mountain Lake Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
McFotoSFO/Flickr
This is the most well known paved walking path in the area and rightly so because it is beautiful. Take a pleasant walk along the Embarcadero, from the Bay Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf. And keep going all the way to Crissy Field if you’re up for it!
Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfront Trails July 28, 2022 Sara Dager Can I hike to abandoned places in San Francisco? There are a few exciting abandoned places near San Francisco that you can lace up your boots and hike to. In fact, some of the hikes above have exciting ruinous surprises, like the Angel Island abandoned hospital off Sunset Trail. Another great choice is taking the short walk to the unsettlingly eerie Point Reyes Shipwreck. If you have a passion for the nautical, this ghostly ship with surely blow your mind. Don’t forget your camera and perhaps plan for an evening visit so you can catch the ship in the colors of the sunset. If you want your hike to be extra creepy, then take this haunted hike in Buena Vista park. You’ll stroll past graves from the gold rush era! Make sure to keep an eye out for ghosts, there have been multiple sightings. Which hikes in San Francisco are short and sweet? Sometimes you want to get some fresh air and sunshine but aren’t up for a big long trek, well luckily there are lots of exciting short hikes in San Francisco that will awaken your senses. We love the California Coastal trail for its ocean and city views and relatively easy walking. A gentle stroll through strawberry hill is another fun choice, you will barely notice the slight uphill climb with all of the gorgeous greenery you will be oohing and ahing at! Which parks should I visit in San Francisco? There are a whopping 220 city parks in San Francisco! Isn’t that absolutely wild? You could visit a new park once a week for four years and still have a few left over. Of course we know that Golden Gate Park is a must see, but there are also lots of underrated parks in San Francisco that are perfect for finding some solitude. For urban splendor we recommend Ina Coolbrith Park and its breathtaking views of the city. If you are looking to parks as a way to feel like you’ve escaped the city then you will love John Mclaren Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfront Trails
July 28, 2022
Sara Dager
Can I hike to abandoned places in San Francisco? There are a few exciting abandoned places near San Francisco that you can lace up your boots and hike to. In fact, some of the hikes above have exciting ruinous surprises, like the Angel Island abandoned hospital off Sunset Trail. Another great choice is taking the short walk to the unsettlingly eerie Point Reyes Shipwreck. If you have a passion for the nautical, this ghostly ship with surely blow your mind. Don’t forget your camera and perhaps plan for an evening visit so you can catch the ship in the colors of the sunset. If you want your hike to be extra creepy, then take this haunted hike in Buena Vista park. You’ll stroll past graves from the gold rush era! Make sure to keep an eye out for ghosts, there have been multiple sightings. Which hikes in San Francisco are short and sweet? Sometimes you want to get some fresh air and sunshine but aren’t up for a big long trek, well luckily there are lots of exciting short hikes in San Francisco that will awaken your senses. We love the California Coastal trail for its ocean and city views and relatively easy walking. A gentle stroll through strawberry hill is another fun choice, you will barely notice the slight uphill climb with all of the gorgeous greenery you will be oohing and ahing at! Which parks should I visit in San Francisco? There are a whopping 220 city parks in San Francisco! Isn’t that absolutely wild? You could visit a new park once a week for four years and still have a few left over. Of course we know that Golden Gate Park is a must see, but there are also lots of underrated parks in San Francisco that are perfect for finding some solitude. For urban splendor we recommend Ina Coolbrith Park and its breathtaking views of the city. If you are looking to parks as a way to feel like you’ve escaped the city then you will love John Mclaren Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are a few exciting abandoned places near San Francisco that you can lace up your boots and hike to. In fact, some of the hikes above have exciting ruinous surprises, like the Angel Island abandoned hospital off Sunset Trail. Another great choice is taking the short walk to the unsettlingly eerie Point Reyes Shipwreck. If you have a passion for the nautical, this ghostly ship with surely blow your mind. Don’t forget your camera and perhaps plan for an evening visit so you can catch the ship in the colors of the sunset. If you want your hike to be extra creepy, then take this haunted hike in Buena Vista park. You’ll stroll past graves from the gold rush era! Make sure to keep an eye out for ghosts, there have been multiple sightings.
Which hikes in San Francisco are short and sweet?
Sometimes you want to get some fresh air and sunshine but aren’t up for a big long trek, well luckily there are lots of exciting short hikes in San Francisco that will awaken your senses. We love the California Coastal trail for its ocean and city views and relatively easy walking. A gentle stroll through strawberry hill is another fun choice, you will barely notice the slight uphill climb with all of the gorgeous greenery you will be oohing and ahing at!
Which parks should I visit in San Francisco?
There are a whopping 220 city parks in San Francisco! Isn’t that absolutely wild? You could visit a new park once a week for four years and still have a few left over. Of course we know that Golden Gate Park is a must see, but there are also lots of underrated parks in San Francisco that are perfect for finding some solitude. For urban splendor we recommend Ina Coolbrith Park and its breathtaking views of the city. If you are looking to parks as a way to feel like you’ve escaped the city then you will love John Mclaren Park.
