Map of bike paths / walking paths in the San Francisco area

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Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in San Francisco, California

San Francisco is located on the Pacific Coast in California. The city is a wonderful mixture of architecture, cultures and lifestyles. Its rich history is a mixture of Spanish Conquistadors, Gold Rush population booms, devastating earthquakes and fires, the strong military presence during World War II, the shipping and fishing industries and now is one of the major high tech and financial centers of the west coast.

The landscape of the city is that of densely populated residential and business districts mixed in with large parks, coastal views, San Francisco Bay, picturesque bridges, and often the presence of fog and wind. There are numerous locations for walkers to see the sights of the city, the natural areas, the old battlements, the bridges, the parks and the waterfront.

For cyclists, getting about in the city is a bit more challenging. San Francisco is built on hills and the traffic is funneled into congested streets, so navigating a bike can be tough, but doable. The paved Bay Trail wraps around the north end of the city along the Embarcadero down to Fisherman's Wharf. The Bay Trail also takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County and continues north. There is also the paved trail along the Great Highway that takes you along the beach on the west side of the city.

If you want a relatively easy stroll, you can wander along the waterfront, Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Promenade. You can also head down to Golden Gate Park, a 3-mile long stretch of trees and grass that extends all the way down to the shore and has a network of paved walking paths. There are numerous museums and other sights and attractions as well, such as a stroll around Lake Merced, south of downtown or head out to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area for views of the bay.

If you are up for more of a challenging walk or a hike, you can visit the Presidio on the northwest side of the city. The Presidio National Park is a hilly area that is crisscrossed with trails but is also the point where Highway 1 and Highway 101 meet and head up to Golden Gate Bridge. Other challenging walks are Lands End Park, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House located along the coast and southwest of the Presidio. Another place for a walk along cliffs above the beach is Fort Funston National Park, just west of Lake Merced south of San Francisco.

Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails for bike riding, running and walking in San Francisco, California.