There are some great running options in the South San Francisco, the area between I-280 and San Francisco International Airport. Our recommendations:
Candlestick Point: Eric Fredericks
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. A picturesque waterfront state recreation area, with numerous trails. Also a popular fishing spot. The main paved trail along the water, with great views of San Francisco Bay, is 2.7 miles. ROUTE MAP
McLaren Park: ejbSF
John McLaren Park. A 312-acre park featuring 7 miles of walking trails. There’s also a pool! This is a great spot to get in a little hill work. A loop of the perimeter paths is 2.2-2.5 miles. The climb is from the east end near Highway 101 to the west end near the Reservoir. There are numerous access points. ROUTE MAP – Perimeter
San Bruno Mountain State Park. Trail runners and/or those seeking a hill climb will be rewarded with fantastic views from the summit of San Bruno Mountain. This is a steep, challenging climb. The shorter, paved option is from the Crocker Gate Trail Head off Crocker Ave. — it’s a 2.8 mile climb to the summit, 674 feet, average grade 3.4%. ROUTE MAP The longer way is the Ridge Trail from Firth Park at the east end of the mountain — 3.1 miles and a 953 foot gain, average grade 5%. ROUTE MAP. There are numerous additional trail, including a ‘summit loop’ trail. It’s also possible to drive to the top of the mountain.
San Francisco Bay Trail. There’s a nice section of the San Francisco Bay Trail in Brisbane. The paved multi-use path runs for 6.6 miles from Sierra Point, around Oyster Point to Point San Bruno, to San Bruno Canal. Great Bay views the whole way. After a few mile gap interrupted by SFO, the Bay Trail picks up again at Bayfront Park and runs for 9 miles south to the San Mateo Bridge. ROUTE MAP: North of SFO.ROUTE MAP: South of SFOFull route info
South of here, see our Silicon Valley Running Guide.
There are some great running options in the South San Francisco, the area between I-280 and San Francisco International Airport. Our recommendations:
Candlestick Point: Eric Fredericks
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. A picturesque waterfront state recreation area, with numerous trails. Also a popular fishing spot. The main paved trail along the water, with great views of San Francisco Bay, is 2.7 miles. ROUTE MAP
McLaren Park: ejbSF
John McLaren Park. A 312-acre park featuring 7 miles of walking trails. There’s also a pool! This is a great spot to get in a little hill work. A loop of the perimeter paths is 2.2-2.5 miles. The climb is from the east end near Highway 101 to the west end near the Reservoir. There are numerous access points. ROUTE MAP – Perimeter
San Bruno Mountain State Park. Trail runners and/or those seeking a hill climb will be rewarded with fantastic views from the summit of San Bruno Mountain. This is a steep, challenging climb. The shorter, paved option is from the Crocker Gate Trail Head off Crocker Ave. — it’s a 2.8 mile climb to the summit, 674 feet, average grade 3.4%. ROUTE MAP The longer way is the Ridge Trail from Firth Park at the east end of the mountain — 3.1 miles and a 953 foot gain, average grade 5%. ROUTE MAP. There are numerous additional trail, including a ‘summit loop’ trail. It’s also possible to drive to the top of the mountain.
San Francisco Bay Trail. There’s a nice section of the San Francisco Bay Trail in Brisbane. The paved multi-use path runs for 6.6 miles from Sierra Point, around Oyster Point to Point San Bruno, to San Bruno Canal. Great Bay views the whole way. After a few mile gap interrupted by SFO, the Bay Trail picks up again at Bayfront Park and runs for 9 miles south to the San Mateo Bridge. ROUTE MAP: North of SFO.ROUTE MAP: South of SFOFull route info
South of here, see our Silicon Valley Running Guide.
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.
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!
Some good running options just south of Great Highway/Ocean Beach. There's a 4.5 mile loop around Lake Merced, some nice trail running in Fort Funston including a 2-mile bike path, and pedestrian paths around the campus of SFSU.
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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