Golden Gate Park is a signature feature of San Francisco. Green lawns, rolling hills, small lakes, and patches of forest make the setting for countless locals and visitors to recreate, relax, and enjoy a slice of nature in the city. It also has many cultural attractions like museums, art exhibits, sports facilities, restaurants, and a Japanese tea garden.

The best way to see Angel Island is by biking the Perimeter Road. This paved road and short side paths lead to historic forts, wartime batteries, vista points, and secluded beaches. You can bring your own bike on the ferry or rent one on the island.

This route includes some of the best coastal scenery in San Francisco, as well as some of its more interesting historic sites. The length and location make it perfect for a morning or evening workout when visiting the city, or for locals who want to quickly revisit classic San Francisco sights.

This section of the California Coastal Trail features some of the best views to be found in The Presidio. It is an easy walking and biking path from Baker Beach to the Golden Gate bridge, with intermediate access and car parking at points in between. Dogs are allowed on leash, and parts of the trail are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

The Bay Area Ridge Trail will eventually make a loop around the entire Bay Area, but it’s only complete in sections. This segment through The Presidio links existing urban trails to make a bike route to the Golden Gate Bridge. Surfaces alternate between pavement and packed dirt, which are suitable for most bikes. If you like to ride, it’s much better than dealing with busy streets or crowded parking near the bridge.

San Bruno Mountain is the pronounced ridgeline rising from the metro area near South San Francisco. Its summit and signal towers on top are visible from all around. Despite the development, this mountain is still a great hiking destination because of the sweeping views, intact ecosystem on its slopes, and convenient access from the city.

A short network of trails twists around the part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area known as Lands End. This far tip of San Francisco’s peninsula has incredible views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, tall sea cliffs, wind-warped cypress groves, historic ruins, and shipwrecks. All these highlights are located within a relatively small area and can be linked in one concise hiking loop.

Point Bonita is perhaps the most dramatic spot in all of Marin Headlands. It’s a rocky spine jutting into the mouth of the Bay, tipped with a natural arch of black basalt. Waves crash on the rocks and winds rip unfettered from the open ocean. In the churning waters and foggy atmosphere of the San Francisco Bay, such a spot is naturally dangerous to ships. Thus, the Point Bonita Lighthouse was built in 1855 and operates to this day.

The promenade provides a walking tour of San Francisco’s urban park next to the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, with a wealth of activities to explore. One highlight is, of course, the view, but there are many more attractions along this waterfront. There is a wide, sandy beach with gentle waves, grassy picnic areas, and a tidal marsh that attracts a bounty of bird life.

Tennessee Valley is a glen of green among rolling hills, with a stream that trickles with water toward the sea. Where it meets the blue waves is a dark-sand beach cradled by golden cliffs, one of which has a natural window through to the sky. A wide and mostly flat dirt path leads through the valley, making this sheltered cove accessible to a wide range of hikers, including families.