Outdoors ยท Hub guide
Outdoor activities in San Francisco
The best parks, coastal walks, beaches and viewpoints in San Francisco, plus easy trips to the redwoods and Marin, with safety tips for the ocean and the fog.
Outdoors at a glance
- Biggest park Golden Gate Park, larger than New York’s Central Park
- Best coastal walk Lands End Trail
- Flat waterfront Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Beaches Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, China Beach
- Swimming Cold water and strong currents. Most beaches are not for swimming
- Redwoods nearby Muir Woods. Reserve parking or the shuttle ahead
In this guide
San Francisco has a lot of green space for a dense city. Golden Gate Park runs three miles to the ocean, the Presidio has miles of trails in a former Army post and much of the shoreline is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can walk a cliffside trail with bridge views in the morning and be back downtown for lunch.
For the weather side of planning, see San Francisco weather by month. For more ideas, browse our outdoors category.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is larger than Central Park in New York, and it has enough in it to fill a whole day. The Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young museum and the California Academy of Sciences are all here, along with lakes, meadows and the bison paddock. JFK Drive through the eastern part of the park is car-free, so it is good for walking, biking and skating.
Lands End and Sutro Baths
The Lands End Trail follows the cliffs at the northwest corner of the city, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, shipwreck sites at low tide and the ruins of the Sutro Baths. The main trail is about three miles round trip from the Lands End Lookout visitor center. Some sections have stairs.
Crissy Field and the Presidio
Crissy Field is a restored marsh and beach along the bay with a flat path that ends near the Golden Gate Bridge. It is one of the best walks in the city for families. Behind it, the Presidio has hiking trails, forests, overlooks and the Presidio Tunnel Tops park, built over the highway with lawns and a play area.
Beaches
San Francisco’s beaches are for walking, picnics and views more than swimming. The water is cold all year and currents can be dangerous.
| Beach | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Ocean Beach | Long, wide and windy, with big surf. Not safe for swimming |
| Baker Beach | Views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The north end is clothing optional |
| China Beach | Small and sheltered, below Sea Cliff |
| Crissy Field East Beach | Calm bay beach, good for kids to paddle |
| Aquatic Park | Sheltered cove near Fisherman’s Wharf used by year-round swimmers |
Don’t wade into the surf at Ocean Beach or Baker Beach. Rip currents and sneaker waves have swept people off the sand even on calm days.
Hills and viewpoints
The city’s hills give some of the best free views anywhere. Twin Peaks looks down Market Street to the bay. Bernal Heights Park, Corona Heights and Buena Vista Park are quieter options. Telegraph Hill, with Coit Tower on top, is reached by garden stairways from the waterfront. See the best views in San Francisco for more.
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge
You can walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on its sidewalks. The span is about 1.7 miles across, and the walk can be cold and windy, so bring a jacket.
Day trips for outdoor lovers
- Muir Woods National Monument has old-growth coast redwoods about 12 miles north of the bridge. Reservations are required for parking or the shuttle.
- Sausalito is an easy bike ride over the bridge, and you can take the ferry back.
- Angel Island State Park has hiking, bike paths and history, reached by ferry.
- Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands have bigger hikes and wide views.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at San Francisco beaches?
Swimming is not safe at Ocean Beach or Baker Beach. The bay is calmer at places like Aquatic Park, but the water is cold all year.
What is the best hike in San Francisco?
The Lands End Trail is the favorite for its coastal views. Twin Peaks and the Presidio trails are good choices too.
Is Golden Gate Park bigger than Central Park?
Yes. Golden Gate Park covers more than 1,000 acres, while Central Park is about 840 acres.
Do I need a reservation for Muir Woods?
Yes, for a parking spot or a seat on the shuttle. Book ahead on the official reservation site.
More guides
- Golden Gate Bridge guide
- Best views in San Francisco
- Free things to do in San Francisco
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Family vacation guide
- San Francisco weather by month
Photo credits
Featured image: Frank Schulenburg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Golden Gate Park: Kefr4000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Lands End and Sutro Baths: Gregory Varnum / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Beaches: Radomianin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day trips for outdoor lovers: Niranjan Arminius / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.