If you find yourself visiting San Francisco and you haven’t baked some time into your schedule for a hike, you’re missing out. In this local’s humble opinion, easy, car-free access to the Great Outdoors is one of the best things about San Francisco, and hiking is one of the best ways to get out there all year round. And I’m not just talking about hiking up the city’s famous hills (although you can do that, too). Nope: I’m talking about dirt paths, canopies of trees, wildlife spotting, and the occasional breath of ocean air. The best part? Because SF has so much nearby hiking, you don’t need to have a car or a ton of extra time to take advantage of it.
Here are seven great day hikes, all accessible by public transportation, that you can take the next time you’re in San Francisco.
1. Mount Sutro
Mount Sutro’s walking distance from a neighborhood you’re likely going to want to visit, anyway: the Upper Haight, home to colorful Victorian houses, killer vintage stores, and the famous corner where Haight St. meets Ashbury St. Start your day off with a hike up Mount Sutro surrounded by eucalyptus trees and near-total silence. Even on sunnier days, there’s often a layer of misty fog sitting atop Mount Sutro, so ascending can feel like climbing up into the clouds. After you get back down, reward your hard work with an ice cream float at Ice Cream Bar in the Cole Vally neighborhood, then stroll back to the Upper Haight for your thrifting haul.
2. Twin Peaks
A true “urban hike,” the ascent up Twin Peaks never lets you forget you’re in a city. You’ll often find yourself walking on pavement, or peeking out over a rock to see the city skyline. In fact, you may even need to stop at a few road crossings to let cars pass. But that’s all part of the appeal of hiking the two miles up to one of San Francisco’s highest peaks: you can take in the full beauty of the city with sweeping views of everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to the East Bay. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can take the “Twin Peaks and Mount Sutro Loop” to connect the two.
3. Glen Canyon Park Loop
Glen Canyon is a 60-acre park with a network of hiking trails frequented by wildlife and local dogwalkers. This trail takes you around the canyon in a roughly two-mile loop. After you’re done, spend some time exploring the adorable Glen Park neighborhood, or continue on the “Creeks to Peaks” trail to add Twin Peaks onto your hike.
4. The Presidio
Comprising almost 1500 acres of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio is one of the best places in the city to go for a hike. There are dozens of trails to choose from (and to connect if you’re looking for something longer), leading you to stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, former officers’ quarters from the Presidio’s days as a U.S. army base, and public artworks like Andy Goldsworthy’s Spire (not to mention a fountain with a life-sized bronze Yoda at Lucasfilm’s headquarters, which are located in the park). The park’s newest addition, the Presidio Tunnel Tops, features murals by community artists and plenty of places to rest your legs post-hike with panoramic views of the Golden Gate and the Marin Headlands.
5. Lands End
Lands End may be the most iconic place to hike in San Francisco, and for good reason: it’s got dramatic cliffs, unreal ocean vistas at every turn, and arguably the city’s best views of the sunset. The Lands End Trail is a nice 3.5-mile loop, at the end of which you may want to wander down to nearby Ocean Beach to relax for a while.
6. Marin Headlands
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge lies the Marin Headlands, encompassing thousands of acres of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Full of beaches, valleys, cliffs, hills, and jaw-dropping city views, the entire area is worth a day or two of exploration unto itself. But if you’re coming from SF and only have one day, opt for the Morning Sun trail. The trailhead is just a five-minute walk from the Spencer Ave. bus pad on Golden Gate Transit. Morning Sun is a quick trail with great views that connects to multiple other trails within the park if you’re in the mood for something longer.
7. Angel Island
A 30-minute ferry ride from San Francisco, Angel Island State Park is an excellent day trip you can make without a car. Its Perimeter Loop trail, which wraps around the island, is six miles long with an average elevation of almost 500 feet. You can also choose to hike to the top of the island’s Mount Livermore for 360-degree views of the entire San Francisco Bay.
Ferry service varies by season, so be sure to check their website when planning your trip.
Pro tip: It’s much cheaper to pay with a Clipper card than with cash, so load some extra money onto the same card you purchase for riding BART and the bus.