It's no mystery why this is one of the Bay Area's most popular hiking and cycling destinations. As the trails wind beside the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay and through the Marin Headlands, they afford stunning views of the sea, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Top choice
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
4.97 MILES
When Frederick Law Olmsted, architect of New York's Central Park, gazed in 1865 upon the plot of land San Francisco Mayor Frank McCoppin wanted to turn…
28.76 MILES
Point Reyes National Seashore protects 100 square miles of pristine ocean beaches and coastal wilderness and has excellent hiking and camping…
6.99 MILES
Hedonism is alive and well at this transit hub turned gourmet emporium, where foodies happily miss their ferries over Sonoma oysters and bubbly, SF craft…
4.82 MILES
Alcatraz: for over 150 years, the name has given the innocent chills and the guilty cold sweats. Over the decades, it’s been a military prison, a…
6.61 MILES
Is there a science to skateboarding? Do toilets really flush counterclockwise in Australia? At San Francisco's hands-on science museum, you'll find out…
7.95 MILES
Since at least the 1980s, if you stroll through San Francisco's Mission District you've likely noticed the neighborhood's profusion of colorful murals and…
5.15 MILES
Muir Woods National Monument is located just a few miles north of San Francisco in Marin County, and is a prime peaceful destination for reflection within…
5.76 MILES
Was it the fall of 1966 or the winter of ’67? As the Haight saying goes, if you can remember the Summer of Love, you probably weren’t here. The fog was…
Nearby attractions
1. Headlands Center for the Arts
0.85 MILES
At Fort Barry, refurbished barracks have been converted into artists' work spaces that host open studios with artists-in-residence, as well as talks,…
0.98 MILES
About 2 miles west of Hwy 101 along Conzelman Rd is Hawk Hill, where thousands of migrating birds of prey soar along the cliffs from late summer to early…
1.12 MILES
File past guard shacks with uniformed mannequins to witness the area’s not-too-distant military history at this fascinating Cold War museum staffed by…
1.16 MILES
Above Rodeo Lagoon, this animal rescue center rehabilitates injured, sick and orphaned sea mammals before returning them to the wild, and has educational…
1.53 MILES
At the western end of Bunker Rd sits Rodeo Beach, partly protected from wind by high cliffs. It's known to locals as 'Fort Cronkhite' for the old military…
1.78 MILES
All along the coastline you’ll find cool old battery sites – abandoned concrete bunkers dug into the ground with fabulous views. Evocative Battery…
1.83 MILES
Below the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, at Fort Baker, this excellent hands-on activity museum is designed for children. Multilingual exhibits…
1.83 MILES
This historical lighthouse is a breathtaking half-mile walk from Field Rd parking area. From the tip of Point Bonita, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge…