There’s some nice running in central San Rafael, but if you leave the immediate downtown, there will be hills! We’ve mapped a scenic but hilly 5-miler, incorporating the pretty, residential streets near downtown, the Gerstle Park estate, and the Robert Dollar Trail through Boyd Memorial Park.
San Rafael residential. Google Street View
Start right in downtown San Rafael. The first 2 miles is flat, heading south out of town on pleasant residential streets. Turn RIGHT on San Rafael Ave. to access Gerstle Park, a small, pretty park around a historic estate that’s a popular event spot. Head back down one of the other residential streets, through downtown, using B St. to access Boyd Memorial Park. Run on the paved Robert Dollar Dr. through the park, starting a steady climb, and then LEFT on the gravel Robert Dollar Hiking Trail, a wide, car-free path through Boyd Memorial Park and Mountain park. This is a 550-foot climb over just 1 mile, 9-11% grades — not for the intrepid! After enjoying the views and recovering from the climb, retrace your steps back down the hill.
Add-Ons: The residential streets heading south from downtown are pleasantly tree-lined and feature nice homes.
There’s some nice running in central San Rafael, but if you leave the immediate downtown, there will be hills! We’ve mapped a scenic but hilly 5-miler, incorporating the pretty, residential streets near downtown, the Gerstle Park estate, and the Robert Dollar Trail through Boyd Memorial Park.
San Rafael residential. Google Street View
Start right in downtown San Rafael. The first 2 miles is flat, heading south out of town on pleasant residential streets. Turn RIGHT on San Rafael Ave. to access Gerstle Park, a small, pretty park around a historic estate that’s a popular event spot. Head back down one of the other residential streets, through downtown, using B St. to access Boyd Memorial Park. Run on the paved Robert Dollar Dr. through the park, starting a steady climb, and then LEFT on the gravel Robert Dollar Hiking Trail, a wide, car-free path through Boyd Memorial Park and Mountain park. This is a 550-foot climb over just 1 mile, 9-11% grades — not for the intrepid! After enjoying the views and recovering from the climb, retrace your steps back down the hill.
Add-Ons: The residential streets heading south from downtown are pleasantly tree-lined and feature nice homes.
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.
Iconic area just north of the GG Bridge. Incredible panoramas from its 2,571 summit. 60+ miles of trails and fire roads, with options for all abilities, through canyons, redwood forests, oak woodlands, open grasslands, and sturdy chaparral. Be prepared for hills!
Experience old growth coastal redwoods in this National Monument area just 20 minutes from San Francisco. Easier trails through the redwoods, and longer, more challenging trails through canyons and grasslands. Deer Park Fire Rd. also a good option.
Some decent running options in this area 20 miles north of SF off the Shoreline Highway: 2.75-mile beach, quiet roads above the highway with nice views, and some gorgeous (but hilly) trail running.
Just north of Salinas. Some nice road running around Bolinas Park and the Quail Refuge. Rugged beach running on Agate Beach. Coastal Trail is a great trail run - first 1.5 miles from Palomarin Trailhead is fairly flat.
This National Seashore is a fantastic 'destination run', 90 minutes north of San Francisco. There are spectacular coastal trails, open ranch lands, & historic sites. Best trail: Coast Trail; Great Beach for running: Limantour Beach.
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.
Nice waterfront running in Belvedere and Tiburon. Our 4-mile out and back features attractive homes, water views, and parks. Add-on with the 3-mile loop around Belvedere Island, or get the lungs going in the hilly residential streets above the harbor.
Nice running options in San Rafael. Enjoy great SF Bay views from the shoreline San Francisco Bay Trail, 5 miles out and back. China Camp State Park is another favorite, with 15 miles of trails through tidal wetlands, forests, meadows, and grasslands.
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!
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