Exciting and adventurous, chill and quiet— the 17-mile San Francisco Crosstown Trail cuts diagonally across the entirety of San Francisco, connecting vibrant neighborhoods and stunning vistas. This pivotal grassroots project was started by a small group of passionate locals who brought businesses, city departments, and nonprofits together to make outdoor adventures more accessible. The result? A continuum of trails and natural experiences, northwest to southeast, like no other. Spread the word, buy an awesome t-shirt or hat (online or at Mission Blue, see section one below), and most importantly, give yourself the gift of time to experience it. Better yet, make it a routine.
Climb colorful mosaic stairs, take in panoramic views, volunteer at a community garden, hike an urban canyon, or spend time in Golden Gate Park (where else can you find grazing Bison as well as botanical bounties from every corner of the globe?). Experience the trail at a leisurely pace, or let the ultra-athlete in you run the entirety in a day. Walk or bike. The trail truly has something to offer to everyone. See the trail, section by section, in our guide below.
1. Discover Candlestick Point, Visitacion Valley Greenway and McLaren Park
5.2 miles — Turn-by-turn walking and biking directions are here.
Adventurous, Rugged, Aquatic, Quiet Vibes
Enjoy a panoramic view of the SF Bay from Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, close to the former home of the baseball Giants, and relax in the peaceful setting or go on an aquatic adventure alongside people windsurfing and fishing. After that, get energized at Mission Blue, pickup your own SF Crosstown Trail t-shirt and embark on path to the award winning Visitacion Valley Greenway. Venture through its chain of verdant, themed gardens that are an outdoor classroom and neighborhood hub. The path leads you to the spacious, locally renowned but lesser known McLaren Park, where you can spend a relaxed afternoon filled with activities at one of the scenic meadows, the picnic area, game courts, or McNab Lake.
Section 1: Candlestick Point, Visitacion Valley, & McLaren Park
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
From Candlestick Point State Recreation, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the East Bay Hills,San Bruno Mountain as well as relax in the peaceful scenery of the park itself. Its location on the western shoreline of the San Francisco Bay provides a variety of recreational opportunities from windsurfing, fishing, bird watching and walking to simply relaxing. The trails, group picnic sites and fishing piers at this urban park offer a get-away of open space and outdoor activities.
Candlestick Point SRA was the first California State Park unit developed to bring state park values into the urban setting. From historic wetlands to landfill to landscaped park, Candlestick Point demonstrates major land use changes of the San Francisco Bay. Its name is derived from 19th century locals who thought the burning of nearby abandoned sailing ships and their flaming masts in the bay resembled lighted candlesticks.
- special
- beautiful
- music
- chill
Mission Blue
Neighborhood Cafe
- amazing
- artsy
- community
- cute
Visitacion Valley Greenway
The Visitacion Valley Greenway is a series of contiguous parks running through a residential neighborhood, each a block long near Rutland St., on a former SF Water Department right-of-way. There’s an amazing view at the top and an interesting native plant garden. The greenwway It is used as an outdoor classroom, a place for neighborly interaction, and a green corridor.
- outdoors
- community
- garden
- hiking
John McLaren Park
John McLaren Park is a huge park in the heart of San Francisco with a gorgeous view of the city. It is really easy and relaxing to stop by and take a break from the busy streets to appreciate where you are, what you are doing, and live in the moment.
At 312.54 acres, McLaren Park is the third largest park in San Francisco by area, after Golden Gate Park and Presidio. The park is surrounded mostly by the Excelsior, Crocker-Amazon, Visitacion Valley, Portola and University Mound neighborhoods, so it is the perfect spot to stop and experience what San Francisco has to offer!
- joyful
- park
- busy
- exciting
St. Mary's Park Playground
- friendly
- new
2. Uncover Canyon Trails
3 miles — Turn-by-turn walking and biking directions are here.
Chill, Urban, Wilderness Vibes
An oasis right in the middle of San Francisco, Glen Canyon Park is a 60 acres of wilderness that you can hike through the trail. Get there from Glen Park Bart, which is historic, outdoor architectural itself. On your way you’ll come upon not only the tennis courts, ball fields, and the recreational center but also a variety of habitats, from rocky grass to lush vegetation and the steep eastern slope of the large urban canyon where you can see beautiful wildflowers blooming in spring. You’ll continue through the Laguna Honda Community Trail System, a cool community project of the SF Urban Riders. The only sign that you’re still in San Francisco is the view of Sutro Tower peeking through the tall eucalyptus trees.
You rarely need to touch the street along this 3-mile hike, except to visit a hip, jazzy book and record shop, Bird & Beckett.
Section 2: Glen Park, Bird & Beckett, Laguna Honda Trail
Glen Park BART Station
Transportation
- accessible
- public
- affordable
- neighborhood
Glen Canyon Park
Glen Canyon Park is a 66.6-acre recreation area located off of Elk Street and O’Shaughessy Boulevards in the Glen Park District.
- work
- art
- chill
- community
Laguna Honda Community Trail
The Laguna Honda Community Trail project is improving the historic multi-use trails on the grounds of the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. This project has created/restored over 3 miles of multi-use trails that complements Twin Peaks, Mount Sutro and the other neighboring trail systems and open spaces.
- outdoors
- scenic
- wild
- historic
3. Climb Mosaic Stairs
2.1 miles — Turn-by-turn walking and biking directions are here.
Colorful, Majestic, Scenic Vibes
Stairs and colorful scenes— this is what you’ll come upon going north along the trail in the small Golden Gate Heights sub-district of the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Worry not — all of the extra steps will be worth it once you see the beautiful views of San Francisco Grandview Park. The park is the home of many Green Hairstreak iridescent butterflies, and part of Nature in the City habitat work.
On the way down, remember to look back — you’ll be distracted by the gorgeous color of the mosaics of the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps featuring vibrant scenes seamlessly flowing from one canvas into another all the way from the top to the base of the hill. Then walk north through the laid-back yet bubbly Inner Sunset neighborhood, a chill paradise for foodies.
Section 3: Golden Gate Heights Park, Grandview Park, & Tiled Stairways.
Golden Gate Heights Mosaic Stairway
- amazing
- art
- beautiful
- community
Grand View Park
- beautiful
- outdoors
- garden
- popular
16th Avenue Tiled Steps
The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project has been a neighborhood collaboration to create a sea to stars themed mosaic flowing up a 163 step stairway located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood.
Neighborhood residents Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier started the project in 2003 in a grassroots effort to connect the neighbors in a community project to beautify Golden Gate Heights.
The neighbors chose artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher to collaborate in the creation of a design on 163 mosaic panels. Neighbors sponsored handmade named tiles in the shapes of the animals, fish, shells within the mosaic.
Tile sponsorship provided the funding for the majority of the project. Three mosaic workshops were held in the community so that all could participate in the making of the mosaic panels.
- free
- outdoors
- neighborhood
- community
4. Enjoy Stow Lake
2.3 miles — Turn-by-turn walking and biking directions are here.
Floral, Hidden Gem Vibes
In the Sunset district, go to the central east side of the Golden Gate Park — an urban oasis known as the lungs of San Francisco. Is the center of Golden Gate Park, but few tourist venture around Stow Lake, where you can refresh in the green lawns and rent a peddle boat. Then continue on the pathway to the Rose Garden, a serene spot where you can smell the scent of the colorful flowers. After that the trail will take you north along Park Presidio Boulevard — a green strip in the residential area of the Richmond District. Along your journey, get a snack on Geary or Clement street or have a drink at Little Shamrock, arguably the oldest bar in SF.
Section 4: Stow Lake, Rose Garden, & Park Presidio Boulevard
Andronico's
Classic Market
- love
- popular
- fresh
- local
Stow Lake
Stow Lake is one of the headline attractions of Golden Gate Park – and its lovely picnic spot can be yours for a party! Looking across at the waterfall and listening to the ducks, your friends and family will have a great time at the Stow Lake picnic area. After snacks, go rent a paddleboat and join the fun on the lake itself!
- creative
- beautiful
- calm
- chill
Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, California, is a popular feature of Golden Gate Park, originally built as part of a sprawling World’s Fair, the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894.
- relaxing
- park
- curious
- quiet
Lou's Cafe
- free
- love
- fashion
- popular
Arion Press
- amazing
- craft
- local
5 Wander Sea Cliffs
3.9 miles — Turn-by-turn walking and biking directions are here.
Rugged, Historic, Whale-watching Vibes
Continue on Presidio Boulevard, where numerous restaurants dot the area, and venture out in the sand dunes of the historical Presidio by the water where the Pacific Ocean meets the SF Bay to get the most mesmerizing locations in San Francisco (you’ll find out why the city is referred to as a wonderland hidden away in the fog!). Walking west along a stretch of Baker Beach while the smell of fresh seawater is in the air, you snap a photo at Lands End Labyrinth before you decide to drift to the Legion of Honor. After continuing on your path, you’ll catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge followed by a final stretch of pathway along the rocky cliffs above the mouth of the Bay until you get to the ruins of the Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach.
Section 5: San Francisco's Sand Dunes, Sea Cliffs, and Lands End
Mountain Lake Park
- classic
- fun
- healthy
- historic
Baker Beach
The mile-long Baker Beach lies at the foot of rugged serpentine cliffs west of the Golden Gate. Large waves, undertow and rip currents make the beach unsafe for swimming, but it provides panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands and Lands End. You can fish or check out the shorelife along the beach and rocky shoreline.
How to get to Baker Beach:
You can hike to Baker Beach in the Presidio. There’s a parking lot on Bowley or you an take the #29 Muni bus. Then talk the steps down to the beach.
- beautiful
- chill
- cozy
- creative
China Beach
- amazing
- calm
- intimate
- local
Legion of Honor
Art Museum
- unique
- vintage
- amazing
- art
Lands End Lookout
- amazing
- beautiful
- comfy
- hiking
Walking Map of the San Francisco Crosstown Trail
Explore this area on the map in the Vibemap app.
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