8 Urban Hikes in San Francisco – Amazing Views Without Leaving SF
Hiking within the city was a foreign concept until I visited San Francisco. There are tons of urban hikes in San Francisco to explore which will immerse you in a sense of nature, all within city limits. On these “urban hikes” you will encounter hills, wild animals, dirt paths, crashing waves, and engulfing cypress and redwood trees.
Some of these San Francisco hikes are isolated enough to give you a sense of the mountains and serenity while the occasional car horn reminds you that you’re still in SF. Here is a list of some of the urban hikes in San Francisco that are worth checking out!
- Lands End Trail & Coastal Trail
- Batteries to Bluffs Trail
- Bernal Heights Park
- Fort Funston Park
- Mt. Davidson
- Grandview Park
- Twin Peaks
- Glen Canyon Park
1. Lands End Trail & Coastal Trail
Located at the North Westernmost tip of the city, this trail combination is one of the most well known urban hikes in San Francisco. It consists of a 3 mile, out, and back trail. This will give you views of Golden Gate Bridge, coastal bluffs, and eucalyptus trees. There are parking lots and restrooms including a visitor center by the trailhead. Be sure to check out the Lands End Labyrinth on the trail which is a work of art.
2. Batteries To Bluffs Trail
The Batteries to Bluffs Trail is one of the most popular urban hikes among locals. It overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific ocean, traverse you down to a beach and across old military installments. Additionally, there is a dedicated parking lot and is also well accessible by Uber and Lyft.
3. Bernal Heights Park
Bernal Heights Park is another local favorite hike located in the southeastern corner of the city. It’s a super dog-friendly park with great views. It’s also known for the swing that’s often put up in the park.
4. Fort Funston Park
On the southern edge of SF there is Fort Funston Park. Fort Funston is a great urban hike if you have a dog. The park has matrix of dog-friendly trails and a favorite among dog owners. It has a dedicated parking lot, a dog park, and a small beach. The distance from the parking lot to the beach is a two-mile round trip. It’s also known for the consistent high winds and you can often see hang gliders taking off and circling the park.
5. Mt. Davidson
Nestled in a residential neighborhood, Mt. Davidson is the highest peak in San Francisco. This urban hike has quite the forest feel with dense cypress trees and oftentimes damp atmosphere from the fog. It’s most notable for the giant cross on top of the mountain.
6. Grand View Park Urban Hike
The Grandview Park trails are quite short, but the elevation will give you a workout. Combine the Grandview park trails with the 16 ave tiled steps, and you’ll definitely be getting a workout. There is a matrix of trails that go around Grandview Park, giving you different vantage points with SF skyline views.
7. Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is also another iconic urban hike in San Francisco. The iconic views of SF from Twin Peaks are frequently used in car commercials and magazines, with winding roads and the city in the backdrop. There are a few trails to hike here to bring you to the top of the peak.
8. Glen Canyon Park
Glen Canyon Park is an open space in the middle of two neighborhoods and is the definition of an urban hike. As the name suggests there is a path that brings you into the canyon following the Upper Islias Creek.
Check out our other article for other amazing views in San Francisco.