Mt Davidson Trail – A Hidden Trail To The Highest Peak In San Francisco

The Mt Davidson Trail is a hike that will take you to the highest point in San Francisco. At the peak, you’ll see the 103-foot Mt Davidson cross. During the hike, you can appreciate the diversity of vegetation and birds that call this place home. The Mt Davidson Hike is an often-overlooked hiking trail in the middle of San Francisco, which makes for a quiet, enjoyable day out with fantastic views when you reach the top. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to enjoy the Mt Davidson hike. 

Mt Davidson Trail ​- What to Expect

• Parking – There isn’t a specific parking lot, but you will find parking on the nearby residential streets.
• Hike Profile – The hike reaches 938 feet at its peak, with an elevation gain of about 280 feet on the trail. It’s just under 1 mile in total and will take between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how long you spend at the top.
• Admissions – The site is free to enter, and parking nearby is free also. 

Getting to the Mt. Davidson Trail

Mt. Davidson is a few blocks in from Portola Drive. It’s only a mile in from either CA Route 1 or Interstate 280. From Portola Drive, turn into Miraloma Ave, it is a T intersection, so either way, when you approach, Miraloma Ave won’t take the wrong turn. 

Parking at Mt. Davidson

Parking at Mt. Davidson is relatively easy. The park is located in a residential neighborhood, so you can park anywhere you find a free space. There is no dedicated parking lot, but most visitors park on Juanita way, which is the closest main street. 

Mt Davidson Cross

The big draw of this hike is the incredible 360-degree views over the city. Another notable attraction is seeing the Mt. Davidson Cross up close. Mt Davidson is higher than Twin Peaks, making it the highest peak in San Francisco. The Mt. Davidson cross is a 103-foot tall monument made from concrete, which is on the top of the hill. The cross is the site of a yearly prayer service Every Easter, where the cross will also get illuminated. 

The Mt Davidson Cross itself has a fascinating history, with the first cross on the hill erected in 1923. Another replaced it the year after and was burned down in 1925. A couple of further crosses were also built in the following years, but they were both burnt down once again. In 1933, plans were made for the cross that remains today, and it was built the following year. It was built in commemoration of the early California pioneers and was lit via telegraph by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from the White House. The cross has been a symbol of much debate over the years due to its religious role and importance as a landmark.

Hiking up ​Mt. Davidson 

The Mt. Davidson loop trail is very popular with locals and can get very busy at times. It’s a good, short hike for all skill levels and is accessible all year round. Dogs are allowed to join you on the walk but must keep them on a leash at all times. The Mt Davidson loop is a 1-mile roundtrip trail that should take under an hour to complete, even with spending time at the top to admire the views over the city. If you are walking without stopping, expect to complete the loop in under thirty minutes. The hike’s elevation gain is just 75m, so it’s perfect for anyone to enjoy. There are a few different start and endpoints, depending on where you park for your visit. Try to follow the map for the best experience, and be careful when walking as it can be rocky on the paths.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring your camera or phone to capture the incredible views of the city from the top of the hill
• While it’s a family-friendly trail, it’s not suitable for walking with a buggy
• There are plenty of shaded areas along the way if you are hiking on a hot day and need to stop
• If you are looking to make a longer hike out of your visit, consider backtracking along all the smaller trails, which will add an extra couple of miles to your hike
• There is also a bus route available to the site, which may be worth considering at weekends when parking can become more difficult.

The Mt Davidson Trail is a hidden gem that’s often overlooked by visitors to San Francisco, but this short hike is well worth it for the incredible views it affords over the city. With free parking and no admission fee, I’d highly recommend you factor in a couple of hours next time you are in the city to enjoy the views and see the Mt Davidson cross up close.

Nearby Attractions

Twin Peaks – The most popular attraction in San Francisco is Twin Peaks. It is the second-highest peak after Mt. Davidson and only less than 2 miles away.

Tank Hill – If you want amazing views without a hike like Mt. Davidson, then check out Tank Hill.