The Most Beautiful Hikes in the Bay Area

The views on these treks will take your breath away, and not just because they’re steep.

In a township like San Francisco , where there ’s a gorgeous view at the top of every hill or around every niche , it ’s easy to take thestunning sceneryfor cede . But if you need a picayune reminder that the Bay Area is actually probably one of the most beautiful places in the entire mankind , just fortify up your sneakers and head out on one of these hikes across a sort of skill levels , which traverse San Francisco , Marin County , Oakland , andBerkeley , and which are trusted to cause your jaw to drop and your heart to soar ( both literally and metaphorically ) .

Tomales Point Trail

Near Marshall in West MarinHike distance:9.4 - mi roundtripYou do n’t have to hike up all the way to Tomales Point to enjoy the panoramic views along this trail , but if you do , you ’ll see where the bluff at the northern remnant give into the ocean ( a warning to be measured because it could easily fall out again ) . The first three miles of the lead are well maintain , and you ’ll get not only gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean , but also perhaps of the elk that live on the Tule Elk Reserve ( stay on the paths because they ’re cool with world on hiking trails but do n’t get it on I who go off - lead ) . Go as far as you ’d like ( this is a neat sundown hike if the fogginess is n’t hanging around ) , and be sure to leave time to check out McClures Beach ( a unconscionable 0.4 - mile hike from the trail head ) , a small cove surrounded by cliffs .

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

OaklandHike distance : Five - mile loopSure , Muir Woods is nursing home to some of the most magnificent old - growth redwood in the Bay , but good luck getting a reservation unless you project your trip far in advance . If you ca n’t snag one , straits to this hidden gem instead , where you ’ll find the orotund natural stand of coastal redwoods in the East Bay . They are n’t sure-enough - growth — unfortunately , sign in the 1800s take those down though you could still see the tree stump — but they are second growth , and most stomach at around 150 - human foot - tall . The park is 1,833 acres and has ton of tramp lead , but the one you need to hit is theSteam Trail ( easy and wide ) to the French Trail to the West Ridge Trail . It ’s the pure length to get a good feel for the Mungo Park , and you ’ll appease cool under the shade of the redwoods .

Land’s End

Sea Cliff , San FranciscoHike length : About two miles each wayAt the northwestern corner of San Francisco , there ’s a hike along cliffs that offers some of the most stunning views you could imagine . The twist , but almost completely flat , coastal trail is well - maintain and easy enough that somewhat much everyone can do it — which means it can get pretty crowded on the weekend . Your trek will provide views of the ocean , Golden Gate Bridge , Marin Headlands , and China Beach . While you ’re there , you’re able to also explore the ruins ofSutro tub , learn about the steam geartrain that used to carry passengers from Downtown to the bath , see the corpse of three shipwrecks , and get plenty of awesome pic . fillip : At the remnant , you just have to take the air another ten minutes or so ( along the pathway adjacent to Ocean Beach ) to feel yourself atPark Chalet , where you may reward your toilsome oeuvre with inhuman beer and tacos on the back lawn .

Angel Island

San Francisco BayHike distance : Six geographical mile roundtripThere is so much to do and see on Angel Island , the " Ellis Island of the West , " but you ’ll want to hit up The Sunset Trail , a nearly six - land mile circular - misstep hike that takes you to the top of Mount Livermore , the eminent degree on the island . At 788 foot , you ’ll get view of the Bay Bridge , Alcatraz , Golden Gate , and San Francisco skyline . to get to Angel Island , you ’ll have to take theGolden Gate Ferryfrom the Ferry Building , which departs four time a day . The hike to the peak is strenuous , so pack a picnic ( or grab one at the cafe ) to love at one of the picnic tables once you make it up . And once you ’re eat up , discontinue at theAngel Island Cafefor a much - merit cold beer or glass of wine before your ferry drive home .

Mt. Diablo

Contra Costa CountyHike distance:6.1 milesAt 3,849 feet ALT , Mount Diablo is one of the Bay Area ’s tallest mountains . And you know what that mean : awe-inspiring view … and a lot of body of work to get to the peak . The Grand Loop takes at least half a day , but provide the ultimate , dame - eye survey of the Bay Area , and , on a super unmortgaged day , you’re able to even see the Farallon Islands , Sierra Nevadas , and Mt. Lassen . It can get unconscionable at times , so you ’ll want to put on shoes or hiking boot with good tread . And carry more water than you think you ’ll take — there ’s not a passel of shade .

Mt. Tamalpais

Marin CountyHike distance:1.2 milesIf you ’re into gorgeous sunsets , the East Peak on Mount Tam is the place to be on a exculpated eventide . The highest point is at 2,570 foot and passing gentle to reach . In fact , the Plank Walk Trail is so sluttish and short that we ’re going to urge you start with the Verna Dunshee loop first . This track give you view of San Francisco , Northern Marin , and the East Bay , and is a full loop that ’s only a little more than half a mile . When you come back at the parking spate , get onto the Plank Walk , which is about a fourth of a mile and takes you all the room to the crest . Linger here , keep an eye on the sunset , and then manoeuver back down before it gets too drab .

Dipsea Trail

Mill Valley to Stinson BeachHike distance:9.7 miles out - and - backIf you live in San Francisco and have n’t boost the Dipsea Trail from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach , it ’s time to change that . The moderate to difficult ( definitely not for beginner ) trail gives you everything you desire in a Northern California hike and more … at times , perchance a little too much more , but you ’ll be honour with spectacular views of the Bay , the Golden Gate Bridge , Mt. Tam , the Pacific Ocean , sequoia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , Stinson Beach , and there ’s a luck you ’ll also make out some wildlife along the way . You ’ll also get to take the air the famous Dipsea Stairs , frustrate a creek , and feel the steps best know as Steep Ravine . It ’s a long hike , so bring layers and pee , and perchance plan to have lunch in Stinson while you ’re there . ( If you ’re not feeling up to the intact cost increase , there ’s also a slenderly shorter hike that start at Stinson and gives you a similar experience in 7.5 miles . )

Alamere Falls

Point Reyes National SeashoreHike distance:13.6 miles out - and - backTLC once warned us against chase after falls , and it might have been because they went on this special hike and were totally exhausted . Either path , now that the vocal is stuck in your head word , neglect the language and emphatically go chase this 40 - foot tidefall that cascades down a drop and at once into the beach . While the massive falls is definitely the highlight of this misstep , the ocean sight as you walk along the cliff are breathtaking throughout . This hike is moderately intense , there are also a couple of steep parts , and the trail can get a minuscule crowded , but it ’s altogether deserving it . If you require to stop at Bass Lake and have a go at the rope golf shot on your style back , be certain to start at thePalomarin Trailhead .

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

San Mateo CountyHike distance:1.3 milesIf you need swell horizon without a mass of work , look no further than theAnniversary Trail . Like the name inculpate , Windy Hill Open Space Preserve has 1,335 landed estate of opened spaces , with grassland ridges that can be concentrated to regain in the Bay Area . The Anniversary Trail is one of the easiest hikes in the preserve , but it has 360 - degree view from the sea to the bay . As the name also mean , it can get verbose so bring a jacket .

Tennessee Valley

Marin CountyHike distance:3.4 miles roundtripThe Tennessee Valley Trail is another prosperous and popular hike thanks to the fact that it ’s a moderately matte walking with minimal hills and maximum views . The trail wind through coastal James Jerome Hill , and though it part out paved , it turns into a soil path after about half a mile . Ultimately , you ’ll end up at a flyspeck , flaxen beach that ’s sandwiched between bluffs on either side . bet carefully , and you ’ll see a fix in the opprobrious rock cliffs that ’s been cut up by sea wave . Go at low lunar time period , and you may see the locomotive engine of the SS Tennessee , which was shipwrecked in 1853 and from which the area gets its name . Although dogs are n’t allowed on the track , be disposed to see a lot of horses , as the path is near some stable and is gymnastic horse - friendly .

Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve

BerkeleyHike distance:3.2 milesBehind the historicClaremont Hotelis a 208 - acre conserve with picturesque hiking trails . TheStonewall - Panoramic Trailis the basal trail , and will take you to some of the best views in the Berkeley Hills that admit Downtown Berkeley , Downtown Oakland , and the San Francisco Bay . The mounting will in spades get your heart pace up , it ’s just over a mile and you realize about 700 foundation of superlative — ultimately , it ’s entirely deserving it .

tennessee valley