01
Best cityside coastal walk
Lands End Trail
Outer Richmond, San Francisco • Blufftop Coastal Trail With Golden Gate Views • Iconic In-City Hike
A cliff-hugging path at the northwest corner of San Francisco with nonstop bridge views and ocean air.
Lands End feels wild but sits right at the edge of the city, weaving past cypress trees, old fortifications, and overlooks of the Golden Gate Bridge. Expect a mix of dirt paths and staircases, with optional spurs down to Mile Rock Beach or out to the ruins of Sutro Baths. Go on a clear morning for the best views, or lean into the mood and walk it in the fog.
02
Best Golden Gate close-up
Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Presidio, San Francisco • Short, Steep Stair-Filled Coastal Route • Golden-Hour Favorite
A compact but dramatic trail that zigzags from historic gun batteries down to a wild pocket beach beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.
This Presidio classic trades distance for drama, dropping quickly from the bluffs toward the surf with wooden stairs, sandy sections, and constant bridge vistas. It links easily with the California Coastal Trail and other Presidio paths, so you can turn a quick out-and-back into a longer loop. Parking is limited near the trailheads, so it pays to arrive early or be ready to walk in from a bit farther away.
03
Best mellow outing
Tennessee Valley Trail
Marin Headlands, Mill Valley • Family-Friendly Valley Walk To The Ocean • Relaxed Half-Day Escape
An easy, mostly flat walk through a grassy coastal valley that ends at a sheltered pocket beach.
Tennessee Valley is a go-to when you want fresh air without a punishing climb, with a wide path that works for casual hikers, kids, and visiting friends. Spring brings wildflowers and bright green hillsides, while winter swells can make the beach feel rugged and dramatic. Bring layers: the valley can be calm and sunny while the shoreline sits under wind and fog.
04
Best big-day adventure
Mount Tamalpais Dipsea–Steep Ravine–Matt Davis Loop
Mount Tamalpais State Park, Stinson Beach • Challenging Loop Through Redwoods, Waterfalls, And Open Ridges • Classic Full-Day Hike
A strenuous loop that strings together forested canyons, ladder climbs, and sweeping ocean vistas on the slopes of Mount Tam.
This celebrated loop shows off everything that makes Mount Tam special, from ferny gullies and cascade-filled ravines to airy traverses high above Stinson Beach. The Steep Ravine section lives up to its name, with wooden ladders and tight switchbacks that keep things interesting on the climb. Start early to find parking, carry plenty of water, and be ready for real elevation gain and changing weather as you move between forest and open ridgeline.
05
Best redwood immersion
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, Marin County • Boardwalk And Trail Network Through Old-Growth Redwoods • Visitor-Friendly Classic
Towering redwoods, an easy creekside boardwalk, and side trails into quieter hillsides make this a go-to forest escape.
Muir Woods offers an immediate hit of redwood grandeur, with a smooth main path that works for almost any ability level and clear signage for longer side loops. Step off the central boardwalk onto trails like Ben Johnson or Canopy if you want more climbing and fewer crowds. Reservations for parking or the shuttle are required, so treat this one as a planned outing rather than a spontaneous stop.