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!
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.
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.
One of the most spectacular areas for running close to a city. Fantastic views of the GG Bridge, Bay, city. Run the 5 miles to Rodeo Beach or do loop options involving Bunker Rd. in the valley. Great trail running options.
Lovely waterfront run in the tony town of Sausalito, located in Marin County across the Golden Gate Strait from San Francisco. Up to 5 miles one-way to Bayfront Park, mainly on the Mill Valley-Sausalito multi-use path. Great water & skyline views.
Very scenic but challenging running in this series of parks and preserves that combine for 3,000 acres of contiguous open space. Wide open fire roads and more rugged trails through grasslands, meadows, scrub, and forests. VERY HILLY!
If you are near San Francisco, one of the most memorable detours you can take is up to Point Reyes, the National Seashore just north of the bay. The best trail for glimpses of the sea is the Coast Trail.
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.
If you get stuck near SFO, don’t despair — there’s great running along the Bay. This spectacular running path follows the East Bay, from Brisbane north of SFO, south to San Mateo and beyond.
This is a great run easily accessible from the highway and only 7 miles south of SFO. There are jaunts out to a beach, a promenade through a lovely green park, and a quick hike up a hill with redwood trees and good views.
Worth a detour. Half Moon Bay is an idyllic coastal town about 20 min. off the highway. Home to Mavericks, the famous surfing beach. A 4+ mile coastal trail makes for a fantastic run, with great views to the beach, surf, and cliffs to the north. Cute town, too.
One of the most popular and iconic runs in Silicon Valley. Accessible from the center of Palo Alto and the Stanford Campus, this is a great ~5 mile loop, featuring open pastureland, a small lake, and great views of the Stanford Campus.
There is a wonderful series of parks, preserves, and running trail options in the hills close to Rt. 280: Rancho San Antonio, Sawyer Camp Recreational Trail, Huddart Park, Wunderlich Park, and more.
On the eastern shore between Palo Alto and San Jose, this remarkable series of trails and parks incorporates a series of undisturbed tidal marshland (Sloughs) called the Baylands. See our detailed description of the three major sections.
Wonderful coastal running along a multi-use path that runs from Municipal Wharf to Natural Bridges State Park. It's 2.8 miles one-way. Great views, with Seal Rock/Lighthouse Point being one of the scenic highlights.
Several miles of wonderful dirt trails in this park sitting above the water. The classic route is the 2.5 mile loop along the beach bluffs on the Old Cove Landing and Ohlone Bluff Trails. Other trails lead back into wooded terraces.
One of the most spectacular college campuses in the world for running, with miles of pedestrian and bike trails through open meadows, forested hills, and landscaped gardens. A network of pedestrian footbridges provide good connections.
It's NOT possible to run all the way from San Francisco to Oakland, but this newly opened path from Emeryville to Yerba Buena Island is 4 miles of running glory. Great views of the Bay, bridges, and skylines. Separate bike and pedestrian lanes.
Wonderful running in this area, 2 miles west of downtown Berkeley. A series of three parks and 8+ miles waterside trails along shores, tidal marshes, and beaches, with views out to SF Bay, the Berkeley Yacht Harbor, and South Sailing Basin.
One of our favorite runs in the East Bay, and right next to Oakland International Airport! 6-mile dedicated path around the island, with great views to the water, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco in the distance. Good add-ons options.
A great running option just a couple of miles east of Berkeley. There's Lake Anza, a botanical garden, wonderful wildflowers, and extensive trails. We recommend the paved 4 mile Nimitz Way Trail, with great views of San Pablo reservoir, SF bay and Mt. Diablo.
Wonderful trail running in 1,580 acre park, a few miles east of Oakland. Options include a paved path through redwoods, an 8.2 bike loop trail, and numerous more challenging options. Many trails shaded, which is good for a hot day.
Growing network of multi-use paths. We showcase the completed sections of the planned 47-mile Napa Valley Vine Trail, with two longer sections from Napa City. Also the Napa River Trail to Trancas Crossing Park.
A favorite loop from Athletic Feat in central Union, this 5 mile paved road route uses gems like the Dry Creek Road, Linda Vista Ave, and the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Extend into Alston Park for more mileage.
The signature Napa trail run, Skyline Wilderness Park includes miles of varied trails. A favorite for running is the River to Ridge Trail, a 5.6 mile out and back to Kennedy Park.
Running options in the heart of wine country include multi-use paths, scenic roads, and the Bartholomew Park Winery's trails. Good trail running at Sonoma Overlook Trail, Sonoma Valley Regional Park, and Jack London State Park.
There are great beach and bluffside running options in the coastal area of Sonoma County. Highlights are Doran Regional Park, the Sea Ranch and Gualala Bluff Trails, Salt Point State Park, and Sonoma Coast State Park.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which spans the coast of Monterey between Pacific Grove and Castroville, is a beautiful 18 mile former railway, which is now a two lane path leading to some of the most notable tourist attractions in the area.
Scenic Road, which runs the length of the coast just above Carmel Beach, is a nicely paved route for running with gorgeous views of the ocean and the high-end homes lining the water.
The Old Coast Road is a beautiful dirt track which covers about 10 miles from Andrew Molera State Park in the south to what is now the Bixby Bridge. Fantastic views. Hilly. It's a great alternative to Rt. 1, which is not safe for running.
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