Pinch yourself if you’re lucky enough to call Northern California home, where you’ll find some of the best hikes in San Francisco. The natural beauty you’ll find in and around this fantastic city is unbeatable. These trails allow you an escape from the daily grind and from the city’s bustling pace. It also allows for more education about the interesting history of these natural surroundings. Find out why San Franciscans value these open spaces and discover these stunning hikes, trails, and landscapes in San Francisco, California.

1. Lands End Trail: 680 Point Lobos Avenue
Lands End Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Dawn Endico from Menlo Park, California, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Lands End is full of stunning views and is popular for good reason. The hike is located at the northwestern point of San Francisco and takes you along the water with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish named Lands End's westernmost headland, "Point Lobos," after the populous lobos marinos — southern sea lions — that were known to rest on the rocks offshore. "Vestiges of Lands End", a digital guidebook, leads you through the history of the different geographic regions of Lands End, along with photos highlighting prominent people, buildings, and stories making that area so rich in history. It won't take long to see why this is one of the best hikes in San Francisco, California.
2. Corona Heights Park: 32 Museum Way
Corona Heights Park, Roosevelt Way &, Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
Lincy H/Yelp
Corona Heights offers a beautiful, uphill, and worthwhile hike, and is one of the best hikes near me in California. This is a short trail, which should take no more than 20-25 minutes to complete. You'll get great views of the city from the top, and it's a nice hike you can jog up as well. And if you go in the spring, you'll see the amazing wildflowers in bloom, such as the California poppy, checkerbloom, footsteps of spring, mule's ears, Douglas iris, and Johnny jump-up.
3. Batteries to Bluffs Trail: The Presidio
Battery to Bluffs Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Ray Bouknight/Flickr
This is an incredibly beautiful trail with stunning features to excite hikers of all experiences and skill levels. Admire the beauty of Baker Beach and then weave your way up and down the coastline. There are parts of the trail with great Golden Gate Bridge shots too. And bring your camping gear, for a truly outdoor experience of this scenic hike in California.

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4. Angel Island: Pier 41 Ferry to Island
San Francisco Pier 41 Ferry Terminal, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Steve L/Yelp
Angel Island is home to one of the best trails in the bay area, especially if you live in San Francisco. This island trail offers rarely seen views and is a must-do for any true lover of nature and hiking. This island also has significant roots in history, starting with its earliest inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, along with Spanish explorers including Juan Manuel de Ayala, who was one of the first people to map the San Francisco Bay. The U.S. Immigration Station is also here, where from 1910 to 1940, hundreds of thousands of immigrants were processed.
5. Strawberry Hill Trail: Golden Gate Park
Strawberry Hill Stow Lake Drive San Francisco,
Anna L/Yelp
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park glows with beauty and shades of green. The short uphill climb is well worth it once you reach the scenic peak. This hidden gem is a must-do in the city. And pack a lunch, as there is plenty of room with the two 12-foot tables available for reservation.
6. John Mclaren Park: 100 John F Shelley Drive
John McLaren Park, 100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134, USA
Garrett C/Yelp
There are miles upon miles of hiking trails within John Mclaren Park. This hidden gem will surely impress you due to its beauty and extensive trail system. Try the 1.6-mile loop hike by taking the shaded trail in John Mclaren Park, one of the most scenic hikes in San Francisco.
7. Bay Area Ridge Trail: Presidio
Bay Area Ridge Trail, California 94062, USA
Thuy T/Yelp
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a splendid trek full of beauty. Visitors on this hike will enjoy the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge. This is one of many trails Presidio offers, and this one is quite thrilling for its variety in landscape and lush greenery.

Have you been to one of the best hikes in San Francisco? Let us know, and share this story. More information, including directions, is available on all of the hikes in the area. Hiking The Golden Gate City’s beautiful landscapes can certainly build up an appetite. After a trek in the woods, try one of these family-owned restaurants.

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Where is another one of the best hikes in Northern California?

Pleasants Ridge Trail, in Winters, offers a variety in landscape and beauty. The first section is shaded and steep, but it gets easier from there for all skill levels. At only 0.7-miles, the trailhead of this hike is in the Putah Creek Wildlife Area off of California State Route 128. The wildlife area offers 673 acres of hillside slopes, from mild to sharp, and plenty of animals in their natural habitats, such as the Bullock's oriole, California towhee, and the black-headed grosbeak.    

Where is a kid-friendly hike around Northern California?

Subway Cave Trail is tucked away right outside of Lassen Volcanic National Park in Hat Creek. Here folks are led through an unusual cave system, offering a peek at an underground lava tube, less than one-third mile long. It all started about 20,000 years ago, when the earth broke apart and large amounts of volcanic rock poured forth to create the enormous, Hat Creek Lava Flow. This is a must-see for you spelunkers and geology fans out there. All of this excitement is packed into an easy 0.7-mile hike, taking about 15 minutes to complete. 

Where is the best view in Hat Creek Valley, California?

Hat Creek Rim Overlook sits about three miles outside the town of Old Station. Visit this amazing natural resource and breathe in the stunning landscape, and if there's time, take a casual walk along the Pacific Crest Trail. This site is open from dawn to dusk, offering picnic tables, bathrooms, and parking. 

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