Nothing like some fresh air in the great outdoors, right? And lucky for us in the Bay, there's plenty of it right here in our backyards. Get your body moving, your blood pumping, and take in some epic views while hiking some of the Bay's best forest, mountain, and coastal trails. Just be sure to double-check that the places you wish to visit are in fact open, as local regulations and weather conditions are constantly changing.
SAN FRANCISCO
Mount Sutro is located right next to UCSF. It has a really rad forest setting and is located right in the city, so it’s not hard to get to. There's so much forest here, you might forget that you're actually still in San Francisco.
This is one of the coolest hikes in the city and is a favorite among many Bay Area natives. The trail goes along the coastline and has some really awesome views of the water and the Golden Gate Bridge. You can even break off and take a side quest to see the ruins of Sutro Baths.
Mount Davidson Park is widely known as the hill with the large cross, but did you know that it is the highest natural point in San Francisco? This park boasts a number of wonderful winding trails and an epic view of the city from its peak.
This is one of many trails located in the Presidio. It's under a mile long, so it's easy to knock out quickly and the views it offers along the Presidio’s rugged western shoreline are magnificent. Parking is also pretty easy —making this a hassle-free hike that just about anyone can enjoy.
If you like the beach, sand dunes, and the ocean, this is the hike for you. It's also a great place to bring your dog. This is a pretty relaxed spot and isn’t too rigorous of a hike. Parking is available at Fort Funston.
Via crosstowntrail.org
This isn't a trail for novices — at least not if you plan to traverse its entire 17 miles in a single day. But if you are strong of will (and of leg), or if you're training for an epic backpacking trip, this might just be the hike for you. The Crosstown Trail connects the entire city from the southeast to the northwest and passes by many iconic SF sights, including beautiful tiled staircases, shopping corridors, public parks, and hidden pathways. If you feel like tackling the whole trail in one go is a bit much, you can choose to walk portions of it.
EAST BAY
Via ebparks.org
Looking for something brand new? The Tyler Ranch Staging Area is the newest park to open in the East Bay Regional Park District. From here, you can begin your exploration of 2,800 acres of recently opened space — with views of the San Francisco Bay, Mount Diablo, Mission Peak, and more.
If you like rolling hills and a luscious green environment, Briones Regional Park is the hike for you. Be sure to check the website before heading out. On some days horses are allowed. On other days, bikers are allowed.
Claremont Canyon has a main trail, but it also has a ton of other unmarked trails that you can go on if you wish. If you decide to stick with the main trail, the Stonewall-Panoramic Trail, you’ll eventually reach a killer panoramic view of the Bay Area.
There’s no shortage of activities at Lake Chabot. With over 20 miles of trails, you can hike to your heart’s content. Boating an kayaking are also permitted, but check the website before you head out.
Redwood Regional Park is so secluded, it’s easy to forget that it is only a few miles from downtown Oakland. This is the perfect place for a quick nature escape, and the park offers nearly 40 miles of trails with a little something for everybody.
The vegetation and plant life at Huckleberry Preserve is amazing, and you can’t really find this type of plant life anywhere else in the Bay Area. There’s a 1.7-mile nature path, but bikers, dogs, and horses are not allowed on the trail in order to maintain and preserve the environment of the park.
Mission Peak is known for its highly Instagrammable summit. It is a steep trek and one of the more challenging trails in the region, especially in the summer, when there is scant shelter from the sun. But on cool days, it is a very rewarding hike that provides you with stunning views of the entire Bay Area — as long as Karl doesn't get in the way.
It's not really a secret — but it is a beautiful curiosity. Generations of thrill seeking urban explorers have made the trek to the Secret Sidewalk over the years to enjoy the scenery and soak up the lore of this legendary abandoned aqueduct, which snakes through the East Bay foothills surrounding Niles Canyon. Its story has been told many times over — by the likes of Atlas Obscura and SFGATE — and it's popular enough that the East Bay Regional Park District has considered turning the covert trail into a legit park. We can't exactly recommend that you go there, as it's not strictly legal to hike. But we do suggest reading up on its fascinating history.
NORTH BAY
Via Golden Gate Conservatory
Scenic views can be found right over the Golden Gate Bridge. Muir Beach features a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge connecting you from the parking lot to a whole new world: the beach, the Coastal Trail, and Kaashi Way.
If you’re looking for an insane but not crowded view of the Golden Gate Bridge, check out Slacker Hill. Although it is located near a very popular tourist destination and Instagram trap — the Golden Gate Bridge overlook — this trail is often quite empty, making it a perfect choice for a great view of the bridge and city without the crush of a crowd.
Another gorgeous hike with amazing views in the Marin Headlands, Hill 88 passes numerous old military bunkers, buildings, and historic structures. This place is a perfect mix of urban exploration and natural wonder.
The North Bay truly is a wonderful place for scenic hiking. The Tennessee Valley Trail is yet another option for powerful coastal views, diverse wildlife, and golden grass swaying in the summer breeze. At just under two miles, this hike is as manageable as it is gorgeous.
Via Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
With lush greenery, meadows, waterfalls, and the beautiful Alpine Lake, this trail is one of the prettiest spots around Mt. Tam. It's 6.6 miles to do Cataract Falls + Alpine Lake via this route, but there are plenty of ways to shorten or lengthen the hike with other connecting trails in the area.
SOUTH BAY + PENINSULA
Via explore-share.com
It's a lovely place to tromp around in trail shoes, but if you bring your gear, you'll find a number of top-rope walls and bouldering problems for beginners and advanced climbers alike at this South Bay park. Parking can be a bit tricky, so you might want to arrive early to snag a spot near a trailhead.
This is probably the best park in the Bay Area that you have yet to go to. This preserve is pretty popular with bicyclists and horseback riders, but there’s also a ton of hiking opportunities. El Corte de Madera features a lot of cool sandstone sculptures, second-growth redwood trees, and more.
Phleger Estate is a park right outside the city of Woodside. With a ton of redwood trees, creeks, and firs, this is an incredibly tranquil area where you can really get away. This gem on the peninsula is definitely worth checking out.
Huddart Park actually runs adjacent to Phleger Estate, so if you’re feeling ambitious, you can hit both parks on the same day pretty easily. This spot has a multitude of different trails with beautiful second-growth redwood trees everywhere.
For those looking for a trail that’s easy to get to, we highly recommend the Crystal Springs Regional Trail. The trail is split into three segments, the San Andreas Segment, the Sawyer Camp Segment, and the Crystal Springs Segment, so you have some options to pick from.
If you're looking to hike in the middle of some gorgeous nature, then Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve might be for you. The 467-acre park is known for a large number of wildflowers, woodlands, vines, and coast live oak that's scattered throughout the preserve.
Whether you're a hiker, runner, or power walker, Almaden Quicksilver Park has 47 miles worth of trails to pick from, so there’s a ton of opportunity to engage in whatever you please. Also, a little fun fact for you history nerds: this park has seen over 135 years of mining activities (mining hasn’t actually happened here in a while), and used to be home to thousands of mining families. There’s a couple of places in the park where you can see remnants of mining structures, so keep an eye out while you’re out there.
This place really has something for everyone. Whether you want to do a really challenging hike with lots of inclines, or an easy and short hike, you can find a trail here suited for you. Oh, and did we mention that the views here are pretty spectacular as well?
Written by Jack Cody and Nick Veronin
