Just south of The Great Highway, there are some good running options in the Lake Merced area that can be stitched together for routes of various lengths and combined with The Great Highway and Golden Gate Park.
Lake Merced Loop. This is a 4.5 mile loop around Lake Merced, mainly on multi-use trails alongside John Muir Dr. & Lake Merced Blvd. Note the path adjacent to busy roads and isn’t right beside the lake, so there aren’t really water views. There’s a ‘measured mile’ for 2 miles on the west side of the lake starting from the southern end.
Fort Funston. Flickr: Wayne Hsieh
Fort Funston. Lovely trails around 200 foot high bluffs at the westernmost edge of San Francisco and a great spot to run and watch the hang-gliders! Note: Many of the trails are quite sandy, so the best bet for running is the ~2 mile Sunset Trail, much of which is paved. Combine with Lake Merced, just east, or north on the Great Highway.
San Francisco State University Campus. This urban campus has some nice pedestrian paths for running. Good options are ~1 mile along Font Blvd., which runs diagonally across campus, with Juan Bautista Circle at the center. The main quad is north of Holloway Ave. There’s a running track at the northeast end of campus.
Just south of The Great Highway, there are some good running options in the Lake Merced area that can be stitched together for routes of various lengths and combined with The Great Highway and Golden Gate Park.
Lake Merced Loop. This is a 4.5 mile loop around Lake Merced, mainly on multi-use trails alongside John Muir Dr. & Lake Merced Blvd. Note the path adjacent to busy roads and isn’t right beside the lake, so there aren’t really water views. There’s a ‘measured mile’ for 2 miles on the west side of the lake starting from the southern end.
Fort Funston. Flickr: Wayne Hsieh
Fort Funston. Lovely trails around 200 foot high bluffs at the westernmost edge of San Francisco and a great spot to run and watch the hang-gliders! Note: Many of the trails are quite sandy, so the best bet for running is the ~2 mile Sunset Trail, much of which is paved. Combine with Lake Merced, just east, or north on the Great Highway.
San Francisco State University Campus. This urban campus has some nice pedestrian paths for running. Good options are ~1 mile along Font Blvd., which runs diagonally across campus, with Juan Bautista Circle at the center. The main quad is north of Holloway Ave. There’s a running track at the northeast end of campus.
Our favorite residential neighborhood for running in San Francisco is Pacific Heights. Lovely streets and attractive homes just east of the Presidio. We also love running in the Nob Hill, Sea Cliff and Noe Valley neighborhoods.
Some great options in South San Francisco, just north of SFO: waterfront paths at Candlestick Point and a Bay Trail section at Sierra Point; some nice hills & trails at McLaren Park; and some serious but rewarding climbing at San Bruno Mountain.
The run along Chrissy Field from Fort Mason to Fort Point is one of the great urban runs of the world. Water views the whole way. Heading north, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, and south, the SF skyline.
Running across the Bridge is not only encouraged…it’s a tourist attraction. There is a dedicated path for runners/walkers. It's 1.7 miles across the bridge. Spectacular views. Lots of add-on potential. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS!
The iconic, memorable San Francisco run includes the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Crissy Field to Fort Point, and then over the Golden Gate Bridge. Fantastic views! Choose a section or do the entire 9.6 miles!
The run between the Golden Gate Bridge and Land’s End is unique: spectacular ocean views, hills, wooded sections, and some beautiful homes. We've mapped several options. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS!
A former military installation, now a gorgeous park with miles of trails for walking and running. There are hills, wooded trails, and scenic vistas out to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Also some great loop options involving Crissy Field.
Another great loop option involving the Presidio, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Golden Gate Promenade. Take the Presidio Promenade Path through the Presidio, then return along Crissy Field. Great views and variety.
Golden Gate Park is the left coast version of New York’s Central Park. The Park runs from Highway 1 at the ocean to the west, to the Haight-Ashbury area to the east.
San Francisco is famous for its hilly streets. We've created a route in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, which features four of the city's hilliest streets (all w/grades >35%!) and two scenic hilltop parks.
The Great Highway runs for 3.8 miles from the Cliff House to Lake Merced in the Sunset/Ocean Beach area. A 2-mile stretch is closed to cars. Run on the road, beach, or interior bike path. Scenic & festive!
A unique, traffic-free run with views and hills. Angel Island is in the middle of the Bay, accessible by ferry only. There's a 5 mile loop around the island, or a longer run can include the hill to the top. Other trail options too.
Three unbelievable runs. Marin Headlands/GG National Recreation area is challenging & hilly running just over the GG Bridge. Mt. Tam has a switchback fire road to the summit. And Point Reyes has spectacular trails and running options.
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Essentials
Lake Merced Loop: 4.5 miles; Fort Funston: ~2 mile Sunset Trail
Depends on route chosen
Fort Funston is off Skyline Blvd.; Lake Merced has numerous access points and parking near south end
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