San Francisco Exploring: The Best Urban Hikes in San Francisco

I worked with Olivia from Loews Hotels and provided her my top Urban Hikes in San Francisco and my photos along with my tips were featured on the Loews Hotel Blog. I may have kept 1 or 2 a secret for my exploring but the list below feature some of the best. Pick one to go explore and let me know your favorite SF Urban Hikes! Visit the SF Urban Exploring Gallery

You can find the article on the Loews Hotel Blog.

Twin Peaks

• Starts at: 1277 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94131. There is parking along street. Click here for the full trail map.

• Skill Level: Easy

• Key Stops: Be sure to stop at the tops of each of the Twin Peaks (the map will take you along both of these). The hike ends at Christmas Tree Point Road (you can also drive to this if you want to skip the hike up). The views are amazing. Be sure to go up to all of the small peaks. Both sunrise and sunset are amazing. You can see 360-views of the city and also the Golden Gate Bridge.

• Notes: Lots of stairs, views of basically the entire city, steep hills (there’s not a lot to do to get around this). There are no snacks up top, so I recommend bringing a snack and/or drinks.

• Distance: 0.9miles one way (30 min – It is steep and will take longer if you stop and enjoy the view) If you do not want to hike, you can drive up to 50–68 Christmas Tree Point Rd, San Francisco, CA 94131 and walk around the peaks.

Lands End

Starts at: Lookout Cafe, 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 Click here for the full trail map.

• Skill level: Moderate to difficult

• Key Stops: Sutro Baths (a favorite hidden photo spot known by locals), Lands End Labyrinth, Mile Rock Beach, Lands End Eagle View Point, Memorial Point, Holocaust memorial, Legion of Honor

• Notes: There is a café that you start from, but because of the length of the hike, I recommend bringing some extra sustenance.

• Distance: 3.7 miles (1.5 hours)

North Beach/Telegraph Hill

• Starts at: RJ’s Market 1425 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111

• Click here for the full trail map.

• Skill Level: Easy

• Key Stops: RJ’s Market ( you should stop here and grab a snack for the walk), Greenwich Steps, Coit Tower, Vallejo Street Stairs (These stairs are world-famous and can be seen in many films: Ant Man 2, Presidio, and more), Kearny Street Steps (Peter Macchiarini Steps), Café Trieste (this was the first espresso house on the west coast, and it is said that The Godfather was written here, Matthew recommends ordering “the cortado”), Tony’s Slice house (this is arguably the best pizza in North Beach)

• Notes: This hike has lots of stairs and views of basically the entire city from a totally different vantage point. Check the Coit Tower hours to go up to the top, as it changes seasonally. There are lots of great food stops in North Beach at the end of the walk. Look out for the North Beach Parrots that live in all the gardens. Great views of the Trans America building (which as you know, can be seen from Loews Regency San Francisco, but we never get sick of it).

• Distance: 1.2 miles (30 min — lots of steps and hills) This time estimation does not include the stops recommended, like the Coit Tower or coffee at Café Trieste.

Presidio 1 Way

• Starts at: 2551 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123. There is typically street parking available. Click here for the full trail map.

  • Skill level: Easy

  • Key Stops: Lyon Street Steps, Andy Goldworthy’s Wood Line, Simond’s Loop Bird Watching Area, Lovers Lane and the world-famous Palace of Fine Arts. The Palace is a can’t-miss during your trip to San Francisco, so you might as well walk the beautiful city on your way there.

  • Distance: 1.5 miles (35 minutes)

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