Best Hiking Areas in San Francisco, United States

Explore the natural beauty of San Francisco, California, with these top hiking destinations that offer breathtaking views and diverse landscapes.

1. Golden Gate Park

• Location: Inner Sunset & Richmond Districts
• Popular Trails: John F. Kennedy Drive, JFK to Stow Lake Loop

Golden Gate Park is a massive urban park filled with gardens, museums, and lakes. The hiking trails provide a serene escape from the city’s bustle. The 3.1-mile trail along John F. Kennedy Drive circles the park, offering scenic views of its various attractions.

2. Presidio

• Location: Presidio Heights & Marina Districts
• Popular Trails: Presidio Loop Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail

The Presidio is a beautiful national park that sits along the Golden Gate Strait and offers numerous trails with stunning views of the bay and the city. The Presidio Loop Trail is an easy 4.5-mile hike, while the Bay Area Ridge Trail provides a longer, more challenging experience.

3. Muir Woods National Monument

• Location: Mill Valley (Approximately 16 miles north of San Francisco)
• Popular Trails: Cathedral Trail, Bohemian Trail

Muir Woods is home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth—the coast redwoods. The park offers several trails, with the most popular being the 0.8-mile Cathedral Trail that leads you through a forest of towering redwoods.

4. Twin Peaks

• Location: Twin Peaks District
• Popular Trails: Twin Peaks Summit Trail

Twin Peaks offers panoramic views of San Francisco, the Bay Area, and even the Pacific Ocean. The 1.5-mile Twin Peaks Summit Trail takes you to the twin peaks’ summits for a memorable experience.

5. Lands End

• Location: Golden Gate Park & Sausalito (Accessible from the Presidio or Sausalito)
• Popular Trails: Coastal Trail, Mile Rock Point Loop Trail

Lands End is a coastal preserve that showcases beautiful cliffs, sea caves, and the iconic Sutro Baths ruins. The Coastal Trail offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, while the Mile Rock Point Loop Trail provides a more challenging experience with steep terrain.

6. Mount Tamalpais

• Location: Mill Valley (Approximately 15 miles north of San Francisco)
• Popular Trails: Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail

Mount Tamalpais offers numerous hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Bay Area. The famous Dipsea Trail connects Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, while the Steep Ravine Trail provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from its cliffs.