Hike Recommendations in the San Francisco Bay Area

Whether you’re looking for an excursion along coastal bluffs or hoping to head to the hills, the Bay Area has a trail for you. With hundreds of hiking opportunities within striking distance of San Francisco, tourists and locals alike will love the variety of trails to choose from.

Offering a unique variety of terrain, the Bay Area is a hiker’s dream. An exploration in close proximity to the coast makes for remarkable views of the ocean, hikes through the lush redwood forests offer shade and enchantment, and a trip to the hills provides a mix of open grasslands and forest with far-reaching views of the surrounding area.

Devil’s Slide Trail

• Location: Pacifica, CA, 18 miles south of San Francisco
• Length: 2.5-miles round-trip, out and back
• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Best For: An accessible side trip along the coast
• Dogs: Leashed

If you’re looking for a mellow stroll along the coast, this is an easy-to-access jaunt from a pull-off along Highway 1. This paved, multiuse path along the old and now repurposed Highway 1 offers outstanding views of the ocean and is an excellent place to take the whole family. With free parking at both ends of the trail, you can hike it in either direction. Though mapped as a 2.5-mile-long out-and-back hike, you can easily cut this short, hiking only as far as your group wants to go. From the north, the trail starts off winding through coastal hills but quickly reaches the bluffs over the Pacific Ocean. Once on the bluffs, you’ll have views of the sea and, if you’re lucky with the weather, the Farallon Islands and Point Reyes. With abundant wildlife like coastal birds, seals and whales, kids and naturalists will relish this hike. There are benches on the side of the path if you want a break along the way, and the occasional interpretive sign offers up information about the area. All in all, this is a nice side trip to stretch your legs and enjoy the sunshine.

Panoramic Loop

• Location: Tamalpais Valley, CA, in Muir Woods National Monument, 16 miles northwest of San Francisco
• Length: 4.5-mile loop
• Difficulty Rating: Easy/Intermediate
• Best For: A fun hike with the family
• Dogs: Leashed

If you’re looking for a slightly longer hike that traverses the lush forest of the coastal Bay Area, then the Panoramic Loop is for you. The hike winds through both the Muir Woods National Monument and Mount Tamalpais State Park. With interpretive programs and tree talks offered by the park service, there is plenty to do and learn about while in the area. Plus, the Junior Ranger Program and the Muir Woods Discovery Quest will surely keep the kiddos entertained. Keep in mind that parking and shuttle reservations are required when visiting Muir Woods National Monument, so you’ll have to plan ahead.

Park at the Muir Woods Lower Annex Parking area and head out on the paved Redwood Creek Trail, passing the Muir Woods Visitor Center in about 0.2 miles. After about 0.6 miles, you’ll hike through the Cathedral Grove, an impressive grove of redwood trees. This trail can be quite busy but there are plenty of opportunities to step to the side of the trail or rest on one of the benches and enjoy the majestic surroundings.

After about a mile on the Redwood Creek Trail, take a right onto Fern Creek Trail. As you venture farther along the fern-lined and prehistoric-feeling path, the crowds fade away. You’ll gradually climb to reach Lost Trail. Take a short break here if you need it, as the right turn onto Lost Trail will take you up a rather steep grade. There will be a few roots and obstacles to navigate, but if you watch your footing and take your time, you shouldn’t have any trouble.

As you climb, the redwoods thin and the landscape opens up a bit. Taking a left onto Canopy View Trail, you’ll continue climbing but the grade will mellow as you switchback up to Panoramic Trail. Follow the Panoramic Trail a short distance, then take a right onto Redwood Trail to begin descending. The trail passes through private property and crosses the road. Here the path opens up along the aptly named Sun Trail, and you’ll be treated to some great views. When you reach Dipsea Trail, take a right and follow the track as it descends the ridge paralleling the road, eventually dropping you back at the parking lot where you started.

Tomales Point Trail

• Location: Inverness, CA, in Point Reyes National Seashore, 58 miles northwest of San Francisco
• Length: 9.8-mile out and back
• Difficulty Rating: Easy/Intermediate
• Best For: A pleasant but long outing with stunning views
• Dogs: No dogs

Point Reyes National Seashore is a wonderful place to spend a weekend with the family. With beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and rich history, the park has appeal for everyone. There are a plethora of trails and hikes, educational programs and ranger-led activities to enjoy, as well as plenty of opportunities to explore and learn about the natural environment of the area.

This out-and-back hike is located in the northwest corner of the park on Tomales Point. From the Bear Valley Visitor Center head north on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, take a right onto Pierce Point Road and park at the historic Pierce Point Ranch in the Tule Elk Reserve. From here, follow the wide doubletrack Tomales Point Trail all the way to its terminus at the Lower Pierce Point Ranch. As the trail winds along the the crest of the point, you’ll enjoy impressive scenery and likely catch glimpses of the tule elk that roam this area. Though the maintained doubletrack trail ends at the Lower Pierce Point Ranch, there is a well-defined, though unmaintained and rather sandy trail that heads all the way out to the tip of the point—the track does become fainter as you get closer to the bluffs. Once at the bluffs, enjoy the views of the ocean and Bird Rock, but stay on the main path; it is dangerous and not recommended to walk along the edge of the bluffs, which can be unstable, especially after wet weather. The way back is easy: Simply follow the same track back to the parking area. Though not a terribly strenuous hike, at almost 10 miles round trip, it is quite long. There is little shade, so come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, water and lunch or a snack.

Quicksilver History Loop

• Location: Almaden Valley, CA, in Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 15 miles south of San Jose
• Length: 8.0-mile loop
• Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
• Best For: Trail goers looking to brush up on their history
• Dogs: Leashed

Located south of San Jose, Almaden Quicksilver County Park is rich with history and nature. Once the location of a mercury ore mining area, the park is now a recreation hotspot with opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, biking and more. The historic sites across the park make it easy to turn a simple hike into an educational experience. Plus, there are guided nature and history walks available—just call the park for more information. Time your visit for spring or early summer to enjoy a beautiful array of wildflowers while you learn about the past.

To start your history tour, park at the Hacienda entrance; there is a display of old mining equipment here that is worth a gander on your way in. Begin hiking on the Mine Hill Trail, an old mining road that runs the length of the park. The trail gradually climbs along the hillsides, winding its way up through the woods. You’ll pass several historic sites, including an old tramway and a chimney that was once part of an ore processing furnace. Continue climbing, ignoring several trail intersections, until you reach the April Trail. Take this detour as it pops out of the woods and offers nice views of the bay and surrounding area.

As the trail loops back, you’ll swing by the entrance to the April Tunnel then take a left back onto the Mine Hill Trail; you’ll soon pass the powder house where explosives were kept. Take the spur trail to the San Cristobal Tunnel—the only tunnel in the park that you can enter and explore. Another spur trail off the Mine Hill Trail will take you to the Catherine Tunnel entrance. From here, backtrack to the junction with Castillero Trail and follow this open and sunny path, passing several viewpoints, the “hanging tree” and another ore furnace.

Head toward the junction with Hidalgo Cemetery Trail, which takes you to the old cemetery. Backtracking, take the Yellow Kid Trail, which passes several tunnel entrances as it descends to English Camp, a small development where predominantly English-speaking miners once lived. Take a right on English Camp Trail and descend through a mix of woods and open shrubland back to Mine Hill Trail. A right onto Mine Hill Trail returns you to your car.