This is the best hike for views of the bridge. I thought the Batteries to Bluffs trail was amazing…read morebut Golden Gate Promenade has unobstructed views the whole way and it's also less likely to be foggy. The best place to start is at the parking lot for the San Francisco Yacht club. Get a donut at Dynamo Donuts which is this really cute donut hut there and eat at the benches looking out at the ocean. From the parking lot the trail goes east and forks where you can take the beach trail or a cement paved path. The cement path is very flat, this is probably better for running or biking than hiking unless you want a really level walk. To the Warming Hut Park Store and back is about 3 miles. For something longer, you can go to Fort Point or up to the bridge which adds about half mile. Keep in mind it's always pretty windy and cold here. Even when it's sunny and other parts of the city are warmer it's always best to bring a sweater.

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **…read more Actually I didn't know this trail had an official name, but of course, what else would it be called with the iconic landmark in constant view? I have to admit of the over 300 miles that make up the San Francisco Bay Trail network, the two-mile stretch between Fort Point and the St. Francis Yacht Club is easily the most menopausally Instagrammable as it encompasses the most predictably picturesque portion of the bay with Alcatraz, Angel Island, and southern Marin making the ideal composition for a most familiar selfie backdrop. Gratefully in the age of COVID, the pavement is wide enough to allow for social distancing, but of course, enclosed spaces like the Warming Hut and Fort Point are locked up for my safety. But nothing is preventing you from walking on Torpedo Wharf to get a closer look at the bridge or rolling around on Crissy Field except perhaps the omnipresence of canine fecal matter (photo: https://bit.ly/3siOp0F). But don't let that stop you from coming here. OK, maybe the naked fat guy dancing on the East Beach, but it's a good reminder to wear a second mask. Just pull it over your eyes as you walk by. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here's a collection of trails I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2OrC8nU

One of my favorite trails in the city! It took about 1.5 hrs to complete the out and back and…read morethere's a good balance of shade/exposure. It's low intensity for the most part with some stairs at twin peaks. My group came on MLK in the morning around 10:30am and it was a super clear day so we could see 360 views at the top!

I used to always go to either Twin Peaks or Glen Canyon before I realized it was a good idea to do…read moreboth since they are next to each other. Both hikes aren't that long so together this one is a little under 4 miles. I like how you get two totally different experiences. Glen Canyon is rustic and shaded while Twin Peaks has views of the city and beyond the bay. Glen Canyon has a few different paths so you can mix it up. It's one of those places where you really feel like you are in wilderness, yet you are still in the middle of the city. There are a lot of birds chirping and sometimes you can hear coyotes. There is a trail up to Safeway where you can get snacks or trek down to nearby cute Glen Park to have lunch. Twin Peaks is known for its views but I'd say it's very foggy more than half the time which is disappointing if it's the first time you've been there. To make this hike even longer I add on nearby Sutro Tower or Mt. Sutro.

Did the Double Crosstown Trail first in March and then took on the Crosstown Trail in October…read more Definitely loved the views and route of the Crosstown Trail better! Unfortunately, I was severely underprepared for this hike since I though the Double Crosstown Trail a little easier & more in the city. Would definitely recommend actually bringing water and food since there aren't too many convenient stops on the way. Notable stops were Mission Blue Cafe and Forest Hill Station! Hiked with 15 people and took us from 8:30am to 8pm with breaks along the way. AMAZING sunset view at Lands End. Also this was during the government shutdown and the gate to Baker Beach was closed and we had to hop the gate.

Nobody believes me when I tell them there is a trail through San Francisco that is almost…read moreexclusively parks. They be wrong and the Crosstown Trail is awesome! Starting off by the bay and ending by the ocean and rounded out with multiple hills, stairwells, and gorgeous views! The trail can be done in one day or spread out across a few. There are public transit stops throughout so you can stop one day and start another day with ease. We took the one day route and had perfect views from McLaren park to ease us in to the rest of the hills :) It was a little rainy on the back end but we trekked on. We saw a few people also doing the same trail but in the opposite direction which was a fun twist. I loved the little crosstown trail signs along the route that let me know we were on the path. If you love urban hiking mixed with parks and stairs, take this hike and reignite your love for San Francisco.

This was my 3rd time hiking here and each hike has been beautiful and different from one another…read more There are different trails you can take which is awesome as depending on the time you have you can opt for one over another. We start at the Spencer Avenue entrance although there are numerous other entry points. With this route, be prepared to start uphill immediately. The wood steps and stunning views help with the climb. Once at the top is where you make your choice of what route you'd like to hike. Each one is beautiful. There are incredible views and many excellent photo ops. No restrooms so be prepared.

This is a half mile connector trail to other hikes in the headlands. I like it because you don't…read morehave to go through that creepy tunnel to get to the Marin Headlands. Parking can be limited since it's a commuter parking spot for the bus if you walk under the overpass across the highway, it's not so bad. It's a fairly trail steep surrounded by eucalyptus and oak trees. On a clear day can see all the way to Mount Diablo, the East Bay, and Angel Island.

The loop is about 7.5 miles and 3.5 hrs. All Trails says 6.7 but mine was longer. I've heard the…read morecounterclockwise version is easier. I loved this trail for all the shade and ferns it had. It was truly magical and exuded good energy from the forest. The part after Panoramic Highway (Dipsea Trai)l before you hit the Steep Ravine Trail is very sunny and you can see out to the ocean. It kinda reminded me of Southern California. This part can get quite hot on a cloudless hot day but the rest of the trail is very shaded. It goes past the famous Steep Ravine waterfall stairs. This is one of those trails that is very nice and peaceful during the week but the weekends can get crowded and you'll get a different experience. I'd highly recommend the weekdays if you can swing it.

Amazing 4 hour trail! We started at Stinson beach and had a blast! It starts quite steep but still…read moremanageable with the steps on the trail as you gain elevation. Great views as you're going up and we experienced some small pockets of sprinkles due to the fog roaming around. Not too many wet areas but we did come across some muddier patches. Pretty solid moderate trail. It can feel hard in the beginning but it gets better. I felt really hydrated with all the moisture around me. It's mostly shaded so that helps as well. Highly recommend!

Great short walk out into the Bay…read more I love discovering these little natural park gem. This looks like a new little park that is great to eat lunch and then take a easy walk on a levee out into the Bay. I saw two great blue herons and a man fishing at the tip of the levee path. Treat yourself to a visit at the plant nursery across the street from the parking lot. There is limited parking here, but plenty of street parking.

It's really just a half-mile, man-made spit of land that juts out to the bay in the workaday area…read moreof India Basin. However, the setting is offset by atmospheric wetlands that attract a variety of birds that look quite comfortable on the shoreline. The end of the singular trail doesn't offer that much of a payoff unless you like the sight of mammoth cargo ships anchored seemingly permanently in the middle of the bay. There are unexpected sights like a Buddhist altar hidden in a windswept tree grove (photo: https://bit.ly/3wA6hFU) There's also what looks like a dilapidated pier sunken at both ends (photo: https://bit.ly/2UzDJPx). I guess I would be remiss in not mentioning the Eco Center which looks to be a children's education center, although I've never been inside due to COVID restrictions and its limited hours. Normally I'd suggest you walk the footbridge to the newly renovated Hunters Point Shoreline, but pedestrian access points looked to be closed for the rest of 2021. You can still walk around or drive onto Evans to get to the rest of India Basin. RELATED - Lost in Hunters Point? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AOvRKv

The San Mateo County Parks & Rec have this labeled as the "Brisbane Recreational Trail" but it's…read moreactually called the Crocker Park Recreational Trail. It loops around Crocker Park businesses in the town of Brisbane. About 2.5-mile, gravel trail begins and ends on Park Lane across from the dog park, although you can pick up the trail at any place where it crosses a street: South Hill Drive, North Hill Drive, West Hill Drive, Valley Drive and Cypress Lane. Can be a little tricky to find since it's tucked away. Sadly this is a pretty depressing trail, almost like it used to be an old road and they decided to revamp it for recreational use. It's definitely very under used, probably because it runs in back of all of warehouses so it's not very pretty. Temperatures can also feel pretty hot since there's very little spots offering shade. Only saw 1 bench along the loop but I can't imagine wanting to sit here for long. Terrain is flat with lots of gravel.

This has been a hidden treasure now that I'm training for the half-marathon. It's right near work…read moreso I can easily hit the trail for a 2.5 mile workout at lunch time. It can be a bit secluded, but I always encounter about a half dozen people on the trail whenever I go so I don't feel like I'm completely alone. If you want to stretch out your run, you can always take it up Old Quarry Road to add some distance, or even run up and around the Ridge homes for some elevation. Good terrain to run on so you don't get too much impact on your legs. There's parking at the trail head on Park Lane off of Valley Drive.

The California Coastal Trail is amazing and beautiful! It's the public trails for walkers,…read morebikers, runners, cyclers, and others along the 1200-mile California coastline. Coastal walk and hike along the California Coastal Trail is the best. The ocean sound, and spectacular ocean view and breathtaking beaches are simply the best. Don't miss out! Go check it out!

This is one of my favorite trails for scenery, it's so majestic. I love being near the ocean for…read morethe endless calming sounds of the waves breaking and the fresh breeze which invigorates. The hike from the bridge to 25th Ave is about 3 miles round trip. To make it longer you can go .5 miles through some side streets then hit the Lands End trail beside the Legion of Honor. The Batteries to Bluffs trail and California Coastal trail intertwine and are often mixed up with each other. Technically the Coastal trail goes along Lincoln while Batteries to Bluffs goes down closer to the beach and alongside the batteries but usually most people will go down one and come back the other way. There are so many beautiful photo opportunities but keep in mind that it's usually slightly to extremely foggy in these parts though there are some rare completely sunny days.