If you'd like an intimate trip and to get know others that are nature lovers and adventure lovers,…read moredefinitely check out a trip through BAE! I went on a backpacking trip in Big Sur (Mill Creek trail) and it was great. The price was reasonable considering you get a guide to navigate the 2-2 1/2 mile trek into the woods, it includes dinner and breakfast, and we even got to do archery! An added bonus, in my opinion, because now I'm hooked and going to buy a set for at home! A down side is you need to meet in King City...I had to drive from Monterey in the morning to meet them there (an hour am a half) and then another 1 1/2-2 hours to get to Big Sur. It was a lot of driving for me. Would have preferred to meet at Mill creek trail somehow, but I know being an out of towner, it may have been tricky for me to find. It's a great relaxing night trip...it would be neat if they had two night options...here or elsewhere! I love SF and if I come up again and they have more options, I'd totally be up for going on another excursion with them! Thanks Ting and Mo!

I felt pretty darned spoiled going on this backpacking trip. The most luxurious backpacking…read moreadventure I've been on yet. What I really liked about this trip, was that the guides and the people in the group were all very friendly, and I learned a lot about wilderness preparedness, some of the local vegetation, and also just made me think of what other supplies I would need to bring, and kept me aware of what is the smart things to do in emergency situations and traveling in general. Some parts of the trail we went on involved a bit of climbing, but wasn't too difficult for the most part and the guides were there every step of the way to offer a helping hand across the stream, or whatever else. What actually enhanced the hike for me was the rain (or heavy mist as guide Chris liked to call it). The hike was so beautiful and green, walking along Mill Creek, and with all the trees, we actually didn't get hit too hard by the rain. The food that guide Dan prepared for us in the evening was also super delicious. The hot meal was much appreciated. And the boxed wine. ;) And of course, plenty of coffee in the morning. There was plenty of space in the teepees that they set up for us, but about half our group slept outside, which I'm sure was absolutely beautiful, but it was a little too chilly for my liking, so I was glad for some shelter. It felt like my group was anti-social (we didn't mean to be) as we pretty much had the teepee to ourselves, until one of the helper guides dove in to stay warm. And I'm actually surprised how much of the supplies the 4 main guides were carrying compared to the rest of the group. We were given some of the bowls, chairs, and the food to carry, but the guides were doing most of the heavy lifting. There was a few things I didn't like about the overall trip, but I understand this is a beginner backpacking tour. For me personally, I'd like to be a little more involved, so I felt pretty helpless, standing around while they set up the teepees and cooked the food. Dan assigned my friends to crush up some croutons. Productivity ftw! And not to stereotype, but it very much felt like a "guys" trip. When we arrived at our meeting spot at Starbucks before caravaning to the park, there were no introductions made, nor was there a sense of the overall itinerary. Basically, we were told just enough to get to the next location. Don't get me wrong, these guys know exactly what they're doing, but I'd appreciate a little more communication/organization. A big thank you to Chris, Dan, Mo, and Steve for providing a fun and informative adventure.

I lived in the Bay Area when younger and have visited San Francisco over a dozen times as an adult…read more How is it that it took until this month for me to visit Lands End? What a delightful spot! You feel like you're in a completely different place when in reality, you're still in a vibrant amazing city. I ended up walking the Lands End Trail, starting at the visitor center and ending at Eagle's Point. It was a lovely, leisurely stroll and wasn't too crowded. Stunning ocean views and different perspectives of the Golden Gate Bridge along the way. Highly recommend! 2025: 61/100

I decided to go to Lands End and see what's up here. Honestly, I don't know why many people parked…read morehere especially during the weekends, but there nothing much going on here except going around this area and exploring here. Nothing really wrong coming here but you get to see a different angle at the western oceanic side of San Francisco. I think many people come here to take photos and enjoy the sceneries here. Again, this area is connected with other trails which I didn't go since I'm starting to get tired throughout the day. Also again, parking here is much difficult since too many cars are hunting for a parking space.

I had forgotten just how gorgeous this hike is--the scenery is incredible the entire way. Be…read moreprepared for a steady climb through most of the route, with plenty of wooden stairs, gnarly roots, and rock steps, but the stunning views make every bit of effort worth it. There are many great spots to stop for photos, take a break, or enjoy a picnic--we did all three. Thanks to the recent rain, there was still plenty of water flowing, which made the trail even more beautiful. The picnic area at Laurel Dell is especially serene, with a babbling brook nearby. There's even an outhouse, which is always a welcome sight. I actually found climbing up much easier than descending as one has to really pay attention to their footing. We were happy seeing Alpine Lake again knowing we were close to end of hike.

Went here with a friend and her dog and had such a great time. Such a beautiful, peaceful hike and…read moredefinitely one of my favorites on Mount Tam. The drive in was beautiful too, the views of Alpine Lake along the way made the whole trip feel extra special before we even got to the trail. Be prepared for a lot of stairs, so it can definitely get your legs working, but the waterfalls make it completely worth it. Hearing the water and being surrounded by all the greenery made the whole hike feel so calm and relaxing. The views throughout the hike are gorgeous, and it's such a nice escape if you're looking for something peaceful and scenic. Definitely recommend checking out Cataract Falls if you're up for a little workout with a really rewarding payoff. Definitely will be coming back :)

Strawberry Hill is an island in the middle of Blue Heron Lake, with bridge access from the…read moresurrounding trails. Its peak features a spacious lookout point with giant logs, greenery, a few picnic tables, and views of the city and landscape partially blocked by trees but still lovely. There were just a couple visitors up there with their dogs during my recent midweek hike up this hill. The incline from ground level is minimal with multiple paths and staircases available for convenience, and it's just a couple minutes walk from the top of Huntington Falls. Combined with the entirety of what this place has to offer (waterfalls, picturesque lake, adorable waterbirds, trails allowing for a peaceful stroll with loved ones, pedal boat rentals on the lake), it's a pretty great spot, one of many awesome landmarks at Golden Gate Park.

Why is Golden Gate Park so beautiful…read more I chanced onto Strawberry Hills while looking for GG Park waterfall(s). Strawberry Hills gives a nice overview of the lake beneath as you walk up the hill. At the top, you get a pretty overlook of SF city. Image attached below. Definitely check out Strawberry Hills when you're in GG Park. And, if also chasing for waterfalls, definitely check out "Rainbow Falls". It is very beautiful as well.

What an incredibly beautiful hike it was today. I'm surprised I've not done this particular walk…read morebefore. Being it was 100° back where I live, today was fabulous as it was only 71 on the SF Coast. Yes, as many have said there are steps/stairs-many, many, many of them. But they're worth it for the sweeping views you have of the ocean and Golden Gate Bridge. The paths are well-maintained. Thank you to the Presidio & GGNRA! You provide these gems to the public for free. We were a little surprised when we hit Baker Beach not knowing there were nudity allowed there. Definitely not an issue-was just a little surprised. After all the climbing today, (especially the challenging sand ladder), it was quite nice to walk back on the flat path on Lincoln Boulevard.

Beautiful trail, short but good training because of the incline. I wouldn't run this trail because…read moreof the stairs but it's a good hike. Great views even with the fog. We will be back for sure.

GORGEOUS. The views were simply amazing at sunset!…read more The Verna Dunshee loop is 0.7 miles and completely flat (under 20 minutes) while the East Peak trail is 0.3 miles and ~300 feet of elevation gain (around 30 minutes up-and-down). The East Peak trail was pretty challenging with uneven ground and steep elevation, but it's doable for most people as long as you take it slow. The east peak parking lot is $8 to park but super easy to access and plenty of spots available. You can scan a QR code at the entrance to the trails to pay, and wi-fi is provided.

The Verna Dunchee loop is actually what brought us here. It is paved and flat and less than a mile…read moremaking it an easy enjoyable peaceful walk, I did it in my fuzzy boots. When we finished my husband looked up at the fire look out and then back at me and said "you wanna?". So I returned to our vehicle put on tennis shoes and started up. The first part is wooden and easy but then all the easy stops. I am going to go ahead and call it a beginners rock scramble since you must use your hands some of the time. The views are stunning! Makes you stop and appreciate nature and all its miracles. Totally worth it but I will admit it was harder than I anticipated. The loss of the star is 8$ parking. Oh and the bathrooms were clean! Dog friendly.

Marin Headlands is one of the best regional parks in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)…read more It is one of the best places to not only hike but to take pictures. This is also great for photographers. Pretty much the hills, grass, trails, rocks, and trails are amazing! This is also a great place for photographers. There are other places like those Battery ones and Hill 88, but my friend and I didn't really get a chance to go there since we pretty much missed the path and we didn't want to turn around. Honestly, it's really hot here and thank goodness that I bring water and snacks in case I'm thirsty or hungry. Most importantly, bring water! You'll need it if you're ever going to hike here. The trip is short in my opinion since I'm used to hiking for a long time. In the future, I am planning to come back here to revisit scenic spots that we missed. The hike might be longer since I enjoy hiking at regional parks.

My buddy and I love doing challenging long hikes and today we did 31 miles at Marin Headlands. It…read morewas an amazing hike full of different terrain and sightseeing opportunities. It was overcast when we hiked, but I like it this way only because it was very cool and the exposure to the sun was limited. We saw so many unique historical sites also, which I did not expect. The route we took had a lot of elevation gain and I had to put on some gloves for rock scrambling, but there are so many easy trails also. We also crossed the Golden Gate Bridge also, which is a first for me! Please come and create your own adventure.

Beautiful spot along the coast. There is a short walk on a path to the lookout point. It's…read moreconnected to a couple of trails you can walk along. There is a bathroom that has no sink or water. The parking lot has a good amount of spaces. Note that this is federal and the parking lot is closed during shutdowns. You can park nearby and walk in there is no entrance or fee. If you are in the area and driving by I recommend stopping by for a few minutes.

We stopped by Good Earth Natural Foods Market for to go from the hot deli first, picked up some…read morefresh baguette, cheese, and hot sandwich before picking a spot at Muir Beach outlooks for light hiking and picnic. There is plenty of parking and the scenery is simply beautiful. California coast at its best.