01
Best overall pick
Angel Island State Park
Angel Island Via Tiburon Ferry • Island Summit Loop With Big Bay Views • Classic Day Hike With A Sense Of Escape
Take the Tiburon ferry to loop the island and climb Mount Livermore for sweeping 360-degree views of the Bay Area.
Once you step off the ferry, Angel Island feels far from the bustle of the waterfront. The North Ridge and Sunset loop to Mount Livermore is a moderate half-day outing with a mix of forested switchbacks, old military sites, and huge panoramas from the summit. Go early on weekends to snag a seat on the ferry and enjoy cooler, clearer air on the climb.
02
Best close-to-town escape
Old St. Hilary’s Open Space Preserve
Hills Above Downtown Tiburon • Compact Hillside Preserve With Steep, Grassy Knolls • Quick Sunset And After-Work Hike
A short, punchy climb delivers wide-open views over Belvedere, Angel Island, and the Golden Gate with almost no driving required.
From the historic Old St. Hilary’s church, narrow trails wind quickly up through grass and low chaparral to rounded knolls above the peninsula. It’s not a long hike, but the grades are steep enough to feel like a workout, and the payoff is a layered sweep of bay, bridges, and islands. Come near golden hour for the best light and be respectful of the neighborhood parking and sensitive wildflower habitat.
03
Best ridge views
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
Ridge Between Tiburon And Corte Madera • Open Ridge And Boulder-Studded Grassland • Scenic Loop For Strong Breezes And Big Skies
Ring Mountain’s exposed ridgeline offers broad Bay views, granite boulders, and spring wildflowers on a network of short to moderate loops.
Trails climb steadily from the trailheads up to a rolling plateau dotted with large rocks and occasional shady pockets. From the top, you can scan from Mount Tam to the San Francisco skyline while turkey vultures ride the thermals overhead. There’s little shelter, so it’s best on clear, cool days when you can enjoy the wind and long sightlines without the summer heat.
04
Best family-friendly valley hike
Tennessee Valley Trail
Marin Headlands, South Of Mill Valley • Gentle Valley Walk To A Pocket Beach • Easy Outing For Mixed Abilities
A wide, mostly flat path follows a creek through a sheltered valley to a dramatic cove and dark-sand beach.
Starting from the Tennessee Valley parking area, the main trail heads gradually downhill through grasslands and low scrub, with side paths to small overlooks and ponds. The trip to the beach and back is doable for kids, casual walkers, and visitors adjusting to local hills, but you can add side climbs for more of a workout. Mornings are quieter; by midday on weekends the lot fills and the coastal fog adds a moody backdrop to the cliffs.
05
Best all-day adventure
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais, Above Mill Valley • Mixed Redwood, Ridge, And Ocean-View Trails • Iconic Bay Area Summit Experience
Mount Tam’s web of trails lets you link redwood canyons, open slopes, and coastal vistas into a full-value hike close to Belvedere.
From trailheads like Pantoll or Mountain Home Inn, you can stitch together classic routes such as the Matt Davis and Steep Ravine trails for a varied loop. Expect shady switchbacks through redwoods, stretches along airy ridges, and glimpses of Stinson Beach far below. Pack layers for quick changes in weather and give yourself time to linger at viewpoints, as it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to stop often just to look around.