Great Hikes to Clear Your Head
Written by Jill Abelson
Bid goodbye to constant rain and intermittent attacks of cabin fever. Spring is here and with it comes our picks for the best hikes in the Bay Area. Be sure to check for trail closures and updates before you set out.
San Francisco
Crissy Field to the Warming Hut
Just steps from the Marina lies this rejuvenating Bay trail marked by frolicking
dogs and bobbing sailboats. Start at Crissy Field — a former airfield painstakingly transformed as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area — and head toward the Warming Hut, offering snacks and shelter that are particularly welcome on windy, wet days.
Fort Funston Park
Hang gliders, horseback riders, hikers, and dog lovers all find purchase at Fort
Funston, which is situated on a 200-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
There’s a little piece of history here: Funston’s bluffs have long been a major part of the area’s original coastal dune system. Today you’ll find gracefully winding trails, stunning views, and that rare bird: easy parking. Like Crissy Field, Fort Funston is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Cliff House to Golden Gate Bridge Coastal Trail
Built on an old railway line, this popular 8.8-mile day hike takes you from Land’s End to the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way you’ll find a little bit of everything, including Baker Beach and the Legion of Honor Art Museum. The trail is mostly level other than a set of stairs detouring around cliff erosion, so bring the kids — as well as snacks, water, and sunscreen.
East Bay / Contra Costa
Mount Diablo State Park:
Diablo Summit via Mitchell Canyon or Juniper Trail
Just outside Walnut Creek lies some of the Bay Area’s best hiking: Mount Diablo State Park. More intrepid trekkers access the peak through the Mitchell Canyon and Juniper Trail routes, both of which involve a strenuous 3,000- plus feet of elevation gain. Others may opt for the more moderate trails such as Donner Creek and the Mount Diablo Grand Loop Trail. A visitor center awaits you at the peak; here you can take in the sweeping views and learn
more about the region’s natural history.
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
This 5,000-plus-acre wilderness, which sprawls across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, has two fault lines to thank for its uplift and unique
geological features. Las Trampas is home to a wide variety of native trees, wildlife, and hawks as well as rich with wildflowers in season. Hikers are
drawn here for the light foot traffic, great cardio workout, wide range of trails, and ample parking.
Huckleberry Regional Park and Botanical Reserve
Named for the native California Huckleberry that grows along the coast, the 241-acre Huckleberry Regional Park and Botanical Reserve is tucked
into the Berkeley Hills. Here you’ll find trails including a 1.7-mile self-guided nature path as well as a longer 3-mile loop winding among mixed evergreen forest and native plants, all native to the East Bay. This reserve has avoided
a wildfire for many years so there is plenty of leaf litter, creating a deep, rich soil that further fosters the reserve’s magical foliage.
Napa/Sonoma
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Northeast of Kenwood in the Mayacamas mountains lies this 4,020-acre park straddling Napa and Sonoma counties. Named for the conical shape of the ridge at its southern edge, Sugarloaf offers 21 miles of wooded hiking trails highlighted by Sonoma Creek and its 25-foot waterfall as well as Bald Mountain. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Sierra Nevada and Golden Gate Bridge from the nearly 3,000-foot peak.
Jack London State Park
When author Jack London established a farm in Sonoma County’s rolling green hills in the early twentieth century, his intent was to flee Oakland’s urban hustle. London died before completing his dream retreat, but the park on his former land remains a Sonoma Valley jewel with 29 miles of trails over 1,400 acres. After your ramble, leave your boots on and head to nearby Glen Ellen’s Fig Cafe + Winebar for a casual yet delicious dinner.
Bothe-Napa State Park
A recipe for relaxation: one hike in this lush, woodsy 1,900-acre park plus a late lunch in nearby Calistoga. Bothe-Napa’s 10 miles of trails wind through redwood, maple, oak, and madrone forest in the heart of Napa Valley wine country. There’s even a spring-water swimming pool, perfect for a midday dip. Wine-tasting crowds don’t typically come here, so you’ll find plenty of peace and quiet.
Marin
Mount Tamalpais State Park: Coastal, Cataract Falls + Old Mine Loop
With 60-plus miles of hiking trails including the 6.1-mile Coastal, Cataract, and Old Mine Loop, Mount Tam lives up to Jack Kerouac’s pronouncement: “As beautiful a mountain you’ll see anywhere in the world.” Marin’s majestic green mountain literally lifts explorers above the fog, rewarding them with amazing ocean views. Check the website for hiking options as well as conditions and/or trail closures before you go.
Point Reyes National Seashore: Chimney Rock + Bear Valley Trails
How many people can say they have a national seashore practically at their back door? With dozens of hikes and walks from which to choose, Point Reyes promises to soothe your soul. Two favorites are the 1.6-mile Chimney Rock Trail — known for its wildflowers — and Bear Valley Trail, an 8-mile stroll through shaded Douglas fir forest to the ocean. Dog-friendly Kehoe Beach has pristine sand as far as the eye can see and is well worth the short hike
from the parking lot. Back at Point Reyes Station, feed your mind at Point Reyes Books and your soul at Bovine Bakery; both are on the main drag.
Natalie Coffin Greene Park
Marin hikers and off-road bikers alike love this little park tucked away in the leafy township of Ross. Secluded and peaceful, it surrounds a quartet of pristine lakes that are part of the Mount Tam watershed. A short hike skirts Lake Phoenix, while those seeking a longer hike can continue past the lake up the grassy slopes and back. Beware: parking is tight on weekends, so arrive early.
South Bay/ Penninsula
Sam McDonald State Park
A blend of lush growth redwood forests, open ridges, and grassy knolls gives this 850-acre San Mateo County park a unique, primordial feeling. Among Sam McDonald’s many options, you can’t go wrong with Heritage Grove Trail,
a meditative 2.6-mile walk through spectacular redwoods. From the southern edge, you’ll be able to catch views of the Butano and Skyline Ridges as well as the Pacific Ocean.
Windy Hill Open Space Reserve
Windy Hill’s 1,300-plus acres were named for their distinctive breezy, grass-covered hilltop. Shorter hikes such as the 1.3-mile Anniversary Trail offer panoramic ocean-to-bay views, while longer 8-mile hikes wind through
forested ridges of redwood, oak, and fir to the valley floor and back. Be sure to check out Robert’s Market in Woodside for provisions, cold beer, and the best of all sandwiches.
Monte Bello Open Space Reserve
With this year’s spring wildflower bonanza, Monte Bello is in demand. This nearly 7-mile loop is a moderately easy ramble broken by a rigorous mile-long ascent of Indian Creek Hill. In addition, you’ll find cool canyons, grassland, eye-catching rock formations, views, and all types of wildlife.
