01
Best local escape
Mills Canyon Nature Area Trail
Burlingame Foothills • Shaded Canyon Singletrack • Quick Nature Fix Close To Town
A surprisingly wild canyon loop with oaks, creek crossings, and short but real climbs just above residential Burlingame.
If you want to feel like you’ve left town without actually leaving, Mills Canyon is the move. The main loop winds through a steep-sided canyon with switchbacks, wooden steps, and enough elevation to get your legs working. Expect narrow dirt trail, plenty of shade, and just enough route-finding to feel like an adventure without getting lost.
02
Easiest urban-adjacent walk
Bay Trail: Bayside Park to Anza Lagoon
Burlingame Bayfront • Flat Paved Shoreline Path • Best For Easy Walks And Runs
An easy, mostly paved stretch of the Bay Trail with wide-open water views, breezes, and airplanes cruising overhead.
This section of the Bay Trail is ideal when you want mileage without hills or complicated navigation. Start from Bayside Park and follow the shoreline past lagoons and marshy edges, with benches and open lawns for breaks. It works equally well for a mellow sunset stroll, a stroller-friendly family walk, or a straightforward training run with minimal street crossings.
03
Most family-friendly mix
Coyote Point Recreation Area
San Mateo Shoreline • Bayfront Park With Multi-Use Paths • Family-Friendly Outing With Views
Loop short paved paths and shoreline trails around a blufftop park that blends Bay scenery with picnic lawns and a marina.
Coyote Point is a solid choice when your group has mixed interests and fitness levels. You can walk or jog the shoreline paths, climb up to the point for wide Bay views, then peel off to playgrounds, picnic tables, or the small beach area. Wind can pick up in the afternoon, so morning visits tend to be calmer and clearer.
04
Best out-and-back workout
Sawyer Camp Trail (Crystal Springs)
Crystal Springs Reservoir • Scenic Lakeside Paved Trail • Popular Fitness Route And Long Walk
A car-free paved trail lining Crystal Springs Reservoir, great for longer walks, runs, or easy bike-and-hike days.
Sawyer Camp is one of the Peninsula’s classic paths, with gentle rolling grades and constant water and ridge views. Because it’s paved and mostly closed to vehicles, you’ll see everyone from casual walkers to marathon trainees sharing the route. Start from the north end for a shorter sampler or commit to several miles out-and-back for a true day’s effort.
05
Top nearby wildflower spot
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve
Along I-280 Near Redwood City • Rolling Oak Woodlands And Open Ridges • Best Nearby Wildflower Hike
Looping dirt trails climb through oak shade to open grassy ridges with wide views over the Peninsula and, in season, standout wildflowers.
Edgewood feels a bit more rugged than the in-town options but is still an easy drive from Burlingame via I-280. The trail network lets you mix shorter woodland loops with steeper climbs to ridge viewpoints, and spring brings some of the best wildflower displays in the area. Bring water, as many sections are exposed and the hillsides can heat up on sunny afternoons.