Hiking is a popular and loved pastime all around California. The best way to introduce yourself to the wonders of the city is to hike. Explore our beautiful city, and add these under three-mile hikes to your to-do list. These are some of the best hikes around San Francisco. Now, let’s start hiking!

1. Batteries to Bluffs Trail - The Presidio, Battery Godfrey, San Francisco, 94123
Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Tim B/Yelp
This is a 2.3-mile hike. This is a great place to do a short hike or explore more of what this beautiful city has to offer! The scenery is breathtaking and the trail is quite manageable and varied. Also, enjoy beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge along this iconic trail. It's one of the most scenic hikes around San Francisco. You can learn more about the Batteries to Bluffs Trail on the Presidio website.
2. Presidio Promenade Trail: Lombard Gate, San Francisco
Presidio Promenade Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Presidio Promenade Trail/Yelp
The 2.1-mile Presidio Promenade Trail is a major east-west trail bringing visitors from the park’s urban edge at the Lombard Gate to the Golden Gate Bridge. This easy trail takes people through centuries of history on one of the best hiking trails around San Francisco. You can learn more about the Presidio Promenade Trail on the Presidio website.
3. Strawberry Hill Hike: 50 Stow Lake Drive
50 Stow Lake Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
Ed Suominen/Flickr
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park glows with every shade of green possible. And though you will have to go uphill, the hike is under three miles. The short climb is well worth it once you reach the scenic peak. This is a hidden must-do in the city. You can learn more about Strawberry Hill on the Golden Gate Park website.
4. Hawk Hill Hike - Conzelman Road, San Francisco, 94965
Conzelman Road, Conzelman Rd, California, USA
Tabi P/Yelp
You really need to pinch yourself because this beautiful and stunning hike is fairly short too. This is just under one mile in length from the parking lot. Amazing views can be experienced from this lovely hike and you may also have the chance to see hawks and other raptors flying overhead. This is one of the most scenic hikes near San Francisco. You can learn more about Hawk Hill on the NPS website.
5. Buena Vista Park Hike: Buena Vista Ave E & Duboce
Buena Vista Avenue East & Haight Street, Buena Vista Ave E & Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
Robertjannarone/Flickr
A wonderful hike of around two miles without the crowds. Though the uphill hike may seem daunting at first, just take it slow. The hike is quite short, and once you've reached the top, you'll have beautiful views of the city. It's one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco. You can learn more about hiking at Buena Vista Park on the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website.

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6. Sunset Reservoir Trail: Outer Sunset
Sunset Reservoir, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Sandy T/Yelp
This is a short hike of 1.8 miles on a paved path in the residential Outer Sunset. Take in views of the ocean, and walk down to the water. This is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in San Francisco.
7. Crissy Fields Hike: Mason Street and Crissy Field Avenue
Crissy Field, 1199 E Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Brendan/Google
This is a classic city hike that is easy to do. A flat walk guaranteed to thrill with all of the best city icons. This hike from Crissy Field to Fort Point is one of the country's prettiest urban walks, giving visitors panoramic views galore.
8. Bay Area Ridge Trail: Presidio
Arguello Boulevard, Arguello Blvd, San Francisco, CA, USA
Adam S/Yelp
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is the perfect trail to take visitors since it ends at the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a short hike, although there is some uphill walking on the way back from the bridge. This is a classic hike along one of the best hiking trails in San Francisco that will be sure to dazzle you.
9. John Mclaren Park Hike: 100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco
100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA
Seo_gun/Flickr
Try the 1.6-mile loop hike by taking the shaded trail in John Mclaren Park. Enter the park from Mansell Street onto John F. Shelley Drive. While hiking, you'll pass the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater across Shelley Drive. There are plenty more miles of hikes in this park too. Whether it's scenic hikes or kid-friendly hiking trails in San Francisco you're after, John McClaren Park is the place to visit. Head to the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website to learn more about John McClaren Park.
10. Mission Creek Park Trail: 4th St & Channel St
Mission Creek Park, Channel St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
Lucky M/Yelp
A hidden gem of a trail near downtown, Mission Creek Park has a great walking loop that starts at the 7th Street entrance. This is a trail to enjoy lots of greenery and beautiful scenery, check out the houseboats, and hit up the dog park with your pooch. Make sure to check out the colorful line of houseboats docked. You can learn more about Mission Creek Park on the San Francisco Parks Alliance website.

Have you experienced any of the best hikes around San Francisco? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments.

And now that you’ve seen so much of scenic San Francisco, check out 11 Reasons Why San Francisco Is The Best City.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes Around San Francisco

Melissa M. | July 13, 2022

Are there any kid-friendly hikes around San Francisco?

There are plenty of hiking trails around the city that could be considered kid-friendly. You can take the kiddos on any number of these easy trails in San Francisco. In addition to Crissy Fields, you can bring the kids on a family-friendly hike at Sutro Heights Park or Bernal Hill, both of which have fantastic scenery.

What are the most scenic hikes around San Francisco?

Aside from the ones mentioned above, you can also add Marshall’s Beach Hike to your list of scenic hikes in San Francisco. It will lead you right to a secluded beach, a hidden gem in San Francisco. There’s also Lover’s Lane, the oldest hiking trail in the Presidio with tall trees towering above on each side.

What hikes lead to the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge?

For some of the best views of the most famous bridge in America, there are many spots. However, Crissy Fields and the Batteries to Bluffs Trail are probably your best bets.

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