Trail Running in San Francisco, CA

Some of the finest trails in San Francisco are found at the Presidio.

Despite not being dog-friendly, the Matt Davis Trail has it all: rolling grassy hillsides, densely shaded redwood forests, smooth single-track, fast downhills, (grueling uphills), and even access to the ocean at Stinson Beach.

A steep, beautiful run through eucalyptus trees with panoramic bay views

Trail Running Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve

Home to the oldest trail running race in the US, this 7.4 mile trail is famous for its unmatched beauty and character as well as its grueling ascents.

The Tennessee Valley Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Marin Headlands, for good and obvious reasons.

If you are visiting the Monterey Peninsula then Asilomar State Beach is a must-do. Simply park your car on Sunset Drive and step out onto the area’s well-maintained footpaths and boardwalks. The sea air and natural coastal scenery are an immediate reward.

One of San Francisco’s finest, the California Coastal trail is a medley of all the greats - views, terrain and location. Nestled up against the Pacific, in the outskirts of the Presidio, is an escape from the city, without actually leaving it.

Epic is a word often overused these days, but a trail run through the fog and filtered sunlight at Lands End is a worthy description. The wide main trail, which is paved concrete at one end but then transitions to dirt, weaves through twisted cypress trees and wildflowers, providing spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpais, the Marin Headlands, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.