I wanted to continue hiking after 16th Street Tiled Steps and Turtle Hill (http://www.yelp.com/biz/grand-view-park-san-francisco#hrid:4eWnJluj7yxLOdhqgSwFXw) so the search for Mount Sutro stairs ensued. When I searched for hikes online Mount Sutro came up and there was one review (which I can't find now) that explained how to get to these stairs that would lead us up to another set of stairs that would then allow us to hike up Mount Sutro. Well, needless to say, we couldn't find either set of stairs so we just found our own way to get into Mount Sutro. We didn't have to climb stairs to get there, we just parked and then started in a path we saw on the side of the mountain. LOL I like this hike...it definitely feels like the forest in the city. Serenity at it's best! We didn't really know where we were hiking we just kept going. I know at one point we were on the Rotary trail but other than that we just took any trail that enticed us. Now that's fun hiking!! On the way down...what do you know?! We stumbled upon the second set of stairs that we should have come across coming up. ok...well, at least we found them!! hahahaha Never did find those first set though...maybe next time! I'd definitely come up to get lost in my hiking again. Great find! =) read more

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This place has quite a few trails, and isn't too far from the city. While driving here, there were a ton of great city views but I didn't hit a trail where I got to see anything, boo. Nonetheless, I got to bring my dog on this peaceful trail and he definitely enjoyed it! Great place for a nice, easy hike. - Parking tip: - If you're driving here and using Google Maps, you'll have to find street parking closer to the bottom of the hill because all of the UCSF spots are reserved unfortunately :( read more

This is an awesome hike within the city and you can see a good view of it too the higher you climb. I came in through the Stanyan opening and ended up somewhere near 7th and Irving area. Where i exited is steeper to go down on compare to going up as the dirt is wet. Where I entered the dirt is dry. We ran into residents who run / mountain bike here. That was cool to see. There are signs not too far apart from each other so you know which trails you go to. read more

Amazing place to be at in the mornings. You are literally walking through the clouds at the summit. Its a easy hike except for a bit on the west trail. read more

Mount Sutro - Walking through the clouds - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

What an amazing area! I went my whole life living in SF thinking that this was just some private property that was off limits to the public, never even bothering to go check it out. Just another reminder to myself to always explore and not just assume things. Mt. Sutro has quite a few ways to reach it...my favorite is taking Oakhurst Lane (read the review of Oakhurst Lane by Randy F.), which can be found by going up 7th avenue then up Lawton which turns into Warren Dr. and there on the left side you'll find a huge staircase that leads up to Crestmont, which leads to the beginning of a trail that actually has a "Welcome Mat" placed at the start of it. How cool is that? Also you could go up Medical Way, but I dislike having to be near UCSF Other options are to use Clarendon Ave. or Belgrave Ave. One of the things I really like about this place is that it makes you feel like you're not actually in the city, since all around you are huge Eucalyptus trees, which will occasionally offer a brief and awesome view of GG Bridge, Grand View Park, etc. Also one of the few places in SF that you can find banana slugs. And if after hiking around Mt. Sutro you're still up for me excitement and some great views, I recommend going up to Sutro Tower or following Claredon Ave. over to Tank Hill. read more

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Perfect for a short and easy hike on a weekend morning! We entered the forest via historic trail trailhead on junction of 17th and stanyan. It's somewhat hidden behind a house and a small flight of stairs. There weren't many people on this hike, which makes it very peaceful and quiet. V rare for sf hikes! The foliage is lush and green as well. On certain parts of the trail we could see Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. We finished exploring the forest in about 2-3 hours. Watch out for poison oaks though! Enjoy the walk :) read more

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A secret spot overshadowed (figuratively speaking, because sutro tower reigns over the hill by 900 feet) by twin peaks. At the base of the tower you can see just how big the tower actually is and not from a distance either! The thing is huge! (Thats what she said). The thing is actually huge though at 900+ feet. The base of the tower is a reservoir that I use to go running at in elementary school. They recently closed off the top of the reservoir for health reasons a few years ago so you can only walk around it. There isnt much else to do but walk and gaze at the humongous tower and take pictures. Would be a nice play to walk the dog as well. The trick is finding your way here if you dont know where youre going ;) read more

Mount Sutro - Sutro tower - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tucked behind UCSF is this strange forest of tall trees that catch all the fog and make it super surreal. Or so I hear. I went on a sunny day and got super lost trying to find the entrance and exit. I really got a dose of parking lot on my way in and bushes behind peoples' houses on the way out. Oops. That said, it's a nice little hike, nothing extensive. I just love being able to see so much nature in the middle of the city.. right behind my workplace! read more

Note: this review is from the perspective of a mountain biker, although this space is excellent for hiking too! This park is the epitome of nature in SF and really as good as it gets! After 21 years of living in SF, one would think that I would have known about this place by now...apparently not. And damn, have I been missing out. Located nearly at the geographical center of SF, this natural reserve is pristine and beautiful, with only a few paved roads traveling through it to disrupt the continuum of dirt trail and foliage (golden gate park, I'm looking at you). The 2.5 miles of twisting trails are multi-use meaning that they are open for mountain bikers and hikers alike but getting to them as well as traveling them are not by any means easy! I entered through Johnstone Drive which was a perfect introductory to what was to come: completely single track, foliage to one side, dropoff to the other. FUN! There is a summit, although there is no grand view at the top for those looking for some kind of reward at the end; the path is its own reward! If you're looking for a view, I would recommend traveling along "Historic" which offers a peek at the sunset district, golden gate park, and UCSF. I will definitely be returning here, I actually traveled up and down the entire mountain twice it was so fun. I would highly recommend coming here but if you're a hiker, watch out for speeding bikers! Like me... (PS beware some thorned foliage hanging into the path; I actually got cut in the neck by a thorned branch hanging down. ouch.) read more

Mount Sutro - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such an unexpected spot in the city! Park on the intersection of Clarendon Ave and Johnston Drive (it's on a hill, so remember to curb your tires), and then you walk up the driveway/hill past the Aldea Center (looks like a log cabin) and you'll see the entrance to the trail. The hike wasn't super strenuous, a small amount of climbing but generally pretty flat. The ambiance is super woodsy and makes you feel like you're in Santa Cruz and not a busy city. The trails are narrow so you have to walk single file if you come with others, not the best if you're looking to chat with someone the whole time. Also dog friendly which is nice, but note there's a lot of mountain bikers/people with dogs so you often need to move to the side to let them pass as the trail is so narrow - if your dog is reactive or aggressive I wouldn't recommend. There are several trails too so the hike can be as long or as short as you want, we were out there for about an hour which was perfect! read more

It might be a slight workout to get here, but you'll thank yourself for doing it, for the reward of a brief escape in an 'urban forest' is an experience to treasure. I live in the Outer Richmond, so naturally took the West Ridge Trail from the Oakhurst Steps to get to Mt Sutro, beginning from Warren Dr. The entrance to the steps may be easy to miss, so just look out for a long flight of metal stairs that are painted green. I also missed the entry to West Ridge Trail, as it is small and unmarked. I had to backtrack for that. The trail starts right about where the road sharply curves. Be careful of slippage in the initial ascent, as there are just a few steps that aren't well maintained, and mostly just a dirt trail will lead you up towards the beginning of the circular Historic Trail. Forewarned of how easy it is to get lost here, at first I was second-guessing myself for having gone here. But come when there's plenty of sunshine if it's your first time, and you will be fine. I got used to the forest setup within a couple of minutes, and once I saw other walkers, felt more at ease that I wasn't going to end up on an episode of I Shouldn't Be Alive. It's a small enough loop for beginner hikers. Once you are on Mt Sutro, the elevation gain isn't so great. Or at least it didn't feel like that to me. Enjoy the fresh air, the greenery, and a break from the urban jungle in this natural one. Doggies are welcome on leash (I took my 2 dachshund mixes) but I saw plenty of people with their pooches off-leash. I guess no one bothers to check as long as you pick after them. read more

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Nice hike in the city, very shaded so going in the afternoon is great too! :) My favorite part is the "Mystery trail", which is a short trail but pretty! I loved the vine plants that grew on the trees, creating a very green scenery! read more

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What a completely hidden gem in San Francisco! I'm surprised I never knew this place existed until recently. There are several trails here and they are all pretty easy hikes filled with tons of lush greenery, flowers, and unique fixtures along the way. I personally enjoyed the Mystery trail. Bring your dog (or let me bring your dog) and come here to take in the sights, smell the flowers, and escape the city. You literally do not even feel like you are in San Francisco even though you very much are! What a sweet escape. Beware of poison oak, as it was aplenty. read more

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What a great hike in the middle of the city! The tall green trees remind me of hikes through lush Hawaiian islands. The elevation is minimal, so it is great for lazy people like me (and you!) read more

My day started out so full of hope and eagerness to climb Mount Sutro. That is, until I never found Mount Sutro. To get there, I hopped on my bike and took the wiggle through Golden Gate Park, and hung a left at 7th Ave. I then locked up my bike at the corner of Warren and 7th Ave, and tucked in for the trek ahead. So far, things were going just fine. I had found my way according to the directions of the other Yelpers thus far, and Mount Sutro was just at my fingertips! I hiked up Warren Lane, and luckily saw the staircase out of the corner of my eye. The staircase was insane- almost 400 steps in total at a pretty steep incline. By the time I got to the top, I was sweaty but energized. I could see Mount Sutro, but couldn't figure out how to get up there. I turned right walked for a couple blocks and found nothing... I wandered around a bit -nothing. Just a residential area. After 15 minutes or so, I headed back down the steps- defeated, disappointed and with legs of jello to boot. As soon as I got home, I went back on Yelp to check the directions I had gotten. I realized, if I had just gone LEFT at the top of the stairs, I would have found the entrance to the trails in just a few minutes. NO. FREAKING. WAY. I will come back Mount Sutro. And I will conquer you. Well, first I will FIND you, THEN I will conquer you. read more

What a lovely place and so close to the city. Took me all of half an hour (I live in the center of the city) to reach this marvelous hiking track tucked away right in the middle of a suburban looking area. Me along with a group of girls decided to spend our Sunday morning hiking through Mount Sutro and now I wish I could spend every Sunday like that, instead of sitting at a cafe drinking sugar laden coffee. The track is perfect for first timers like me. Not too tough, not too easy, just the right amount to make you feel accomplished at the end of it. There are maps at points so that you don't lose yourself. The trees are lush green! Everyone who walks their dogs, runs or cycles the path are very courteous and accommodating. At the base of the mount are cafe where post hike you kick off those shoes and enjoy your cuppa Joe. A little walk down and you can sleep under a tree at Golden Gate park. Well, that's what I did. After eating a lot. Guess I'll burn that in my next hike ;) ;) read more

Up at the top of Mount Sutro sits a huge, glorious Eucalyptus Forest. It is home to raccoons galore. We used to find them digging through our garbage on occasion when we lived up on Crestmont. Now this is no regular walk in the woods....most of this forest clings to 20 to 30 degree slopes, and is accessible by switchback trails and some serious staircases. But it is well worth the visit. If and when you reach the summit, you will be awestruck by the beautiful wildflower park that sits in the middle of these woods, and is a good 3 to 4 acre delight of an area to visit. From this park, all around the perimeter, there are entrances back into the woods on all sides. I have never explored the north or west slopes. If you can break out of your bubble for just one day, then come on up here, and leave your expectations down in the lowlands. And please, take your garbage with you when you leave....there's something almost sacred about this forest that simply mustn't be spoiled by the leavings of we filthy humans. read more

I think this place looks wonderful but in actual life...uhhh if you don't know what you are doing, please don't come here. I came here thinking it would be a wonderful place for a tourist to hike but nope. just nope. Following a map, i entered from Stanyan st and it was like a horror film waiting to happen. my group went up hoping to reach the deck or something. The day we went was a foggy morning and not many people were in sight so we were on high alert. We struggled for about half an hour to get up but we somehow always end up back down to where we started. BTW we saw a lot of danger signs, from poison oaks to do not enter signs and chains. yes . its a keep away sign for me. Maybe if you are a local and you know what you are doing then yes i think i would recommend. If you are a tourist with no idea why you are here, please don't come, you will end up with a lot of trouble on your hands. read more

Mount Sutro is a really cool place to visit if you're craving for a bit of Mother Nature without having to leave the city. Parking was free and plentiful the day I went. I entered off of Stanyan and 17th. It wasn't that hard to find the entrance since there was a sign that said "Quiet when entering the forest" and a set of wooden steps right off of Stanyan. Right away you're transported to a very woodsy area that makes you think you're in Yosemite or Muir Woods. Cool, huh? If anyone is worried about not being able to hike the trails due to crazy elevation gain or nasty terrain, worry not! Mount Sutro is very, VERY beginner friendly. Beware of bikers along the path because they come out of nowhere. I always yield to them and luckily for all of us, the paths are wide enough for me to step to the side and still have enough room for the bikers to pass. I enjoyed exploring UCSF's cute piece of nature and would love to come back to explore all of the little trails. I stayed on the Historic Trail bc it seemed like it was the longest, but even it was way shorter than I expected. You may want to bring a bottle of water and a light jacket as some parts of the area get kind of chilly. read more

I've been wanting to do this hike for almost a year now and finally I did it. I would highly recommend those interested in this hike to download the map off of the link on David K's review. It was so helpful in keeping me and my friend on the right trail to the summit. My friend and I also began at the trailhead off of Stanyan and 17th Street. It's a set of stairs to the left of 1229 Stanyan. We stayed mainly on the Historic Trail to the summit and on our way up, yes, there's lots of poison oak and muddy trails. Thank goodness we had our hiking shoes on. On the day of our hike, it was quite foggy too, so even when we finally made it to the summit, there wasn't much of a view to see. The summit itself was nothing special either. You could have walked passed the summit and not have known you were there. Thus, the map was very helpful in letting us know we were actually at the top. All in all, this short hike is a retreat from the bustle of the city. It's so tranquil and the existence of a eucalyptus forest seems too unreal to be in SF. Weekday hiking also eliminates the foot traffic as compared to that on the weekends and the air's surely fresh up in there! read more

A (hopefully) quiet and tranquil way to spend a Sunday morning, which is what we were looking for. What we got were loud children running around, mountain bikers on a walking trail, extremely loud hipster-yuppies talking about their house remodel and a loud cell phone talker. Look, you're out in nature, surrounded by trees....can you appreciate that and just be fucking silent? Just BE present and enjoy the lovely tree canopy over your head. Or, if you must talk, do so in hushed tones. If you want to carry on an extremely loud conversation, do so elsewhere in San Francisco. Thank you. /end rant. To me, it feels like I'm not even in the city when we come here. 80 acres with trees around 100 years old? Sign me up. See, I live in NYC, surrounded by buildings and constant noise and sometimes I like to escape to Central Park or Prospect Park. When I come to San Francisco, yes, I like to travel to Muir Woods, but, I also like that I can walk up the street (we entered on Stanyan St. and exited on Edgewood Ave.), up some stairs near someone's house and then I'm in nature. While leisurely walking on the trail I kept stopping to listen to the creaking trees and try to spot various chirping/squawking birds--apparently there are 40+ species of birds that frequent the woods (where's an ornithologist, when you need one?). We weren't here for long...but I'd really like to go back soon. It's quite an easy trail too. Enjoy the silence, people. *Five stars for the woods, 2-3 for the people who were there when we were. read more

I'll leave the political and environmental debates to others (and to my own mind). I will say this: Those trees are crazy. Just plain crazy. If you ever want to try to understand how ridiculously psychotic human beings are, just look at those trees. And at the houses on stilts. And think about The Big One. It's really interesting how the treeline or the treetops or whatever you call it is so consistent. It's like hair. Except that even hair grows at different rates. (That's why the right side of my beard is always longer than the left side.) Trees trees trees trees trees. Don't talk about that one Japanese forest. It doesn't depress me, but it depresses other people. That one Japanese forest, that is. Not Mount Sutro. Oh, and Sutro Tower is not on Mount Sutro. If you thought that when you wrote your review, delete your review. Because the only thing worse than lying is being ignorant. read more

I can really recommend people to get a trail guide for hiking. Mount Sutro is a beautiful example of some of the adventure here. Thanks this is a wonderful town where there are lovely options. Knowing what Sutro was thinking of: he struck it rich as a miner and really had the money and built up the woods and other public projects. He was the wealthiest man and the mayor. He slathered the place with eucalyptus trees which thrived. Marvel at a man who improved the land he lived in. read more

Truly a hidden gem amidst the hectic city! I came here twice both times with SF natives and both were amazed and surprised at the fact that this place exists. Great place to take a hike. Short yet somewhat steep trail, perfect for beginners. There's not much to see at the peak though. But just go and enjoy the nature! Enter from 17th and Stanyan. Parking is usually not an issue. read more

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Forest of solitude. Superman has a fortress. And one of the best songs ever: http://youtu.be/6ImnV9uzPAo San Francisco has a forest. And it's one of the best escapes in the city. Enter through the hidden stairwell at 17th/Stanyon. Hike about thirty minutes through the trees to the top. Enjoy climbing a mountain in the heart of the city. Collect your thoughts. Read, Listen to Mat Zo and ponder just how perfect this moment is. Head back down with a clear mind and renewed enthusiasm for the best city ever. More from the Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Mount-Sutro-a-forest-walk-in-the-city-4132779.php read more

Came here on a super sunny in SF day.....simply an amazing experience! I did my research and read about different entry points, but decided that the Stanyan and 17th Ave wooden stair entry would do. Parking was really easy (may be I just got lucky). Funny I guess living near UCSF, I have always seen Mt Sutro, but never really NOTICED it. A giant emerald hill in the middle of SF....totally ignored. The hike was SUPER easy, though the paths can get narrow and muddy (don't wear white shoes!) Very little incline, so I didn't get much of a workout, but I did get an adventure into an enchanted forest. Green, green everywhere! Even the air smells cleaner when you are up there- breathe in the eucalyptus.... Ignore the occasional ambulance siren, focus on the tweets and chirps of birds. All your senses really do get stimulated here and the whole time I just could not believe that I was still in SF. The area is actually not that large so it's a pretty short hike and you can cover a lot of ground very quickly. I loved wandering among the giant old trees and enjoyed being IN nature.... I definitely MUST come back when there is fog and a "cloud forest" that I've heard so much about. read more

Behind the pill on the hill (UCSF) sits a gold mine for hikers and nature lovers! I discovered Mt. Sutro & the historic trail while volunteering with One Brick back in November. The history and the trail itself is amazing! The views through the Eucalyptus trees are worth the long hike up from the street level. The Mt. Sutro Stewards do monthly trail restoration projects up there to raise awareness and have dedicated themselves to getting the trails back to their old glory. No small feat being that many of the trails were overgrown from lack of use. For an added bonus, you should go up during a Mt. Sutro Steward work day, usually the first saturday of the month, (Check out the calendar, www.natureinthecity/mtsutro.php). You can give the stewards some blood, sweat, & tears...and they will fill you with a weath of information about the history of the area & all things Mt. Sutro. The stewards are comprised of a group of locals living in the area, many of them grew up on Mt. Sutro so they know the ins and outs of the area. At the end of the work day, they stewards have been known to provide snacks and a local, Dan, usually brings one of his homemade beers (havent been disappointed yet) for the group to wind down with. Definitely a great way to raise awareness for a local gem, get some exercise, and revel being a San Franciscan (native or not!). If you ever get a chance to get up there, do so! It can get cold and windy so dress in layers. With spring on the way, it will only get better with the plants coming into bloom. Hope to see you on a trail in the near future :) read more

A hidden forest in the middle of the city. My wife and I love taking hikes or trail hiking to be exact. We both decided to pull a "sick day" and take a lovely Monday off and explore the city. Looking up places to hike after deciding to keep it local I stumbled upon this location. Parking can be tricky especially if you don't know where to enter as there really isn't a formal entrance. I'd suggest the entrance are on Stanyan and 17th. This is where those stairs are located in a lot of the pictures. As soon as you pass through the houses you get sucked into a wilderness. You almost forget you are in the middle of the city. The trees just tower over you stretching 100ft up. The trails are very well maintained as well as we didn't have any problem sharing the trail with other people or even the occasional person on a bicycle. We only explored part of the Historical trail and didn't even complete it due to the parking time restrictions being that it's a neighborhood we parked in and it's a 2hr parking limit. There's plenty of other parking areas and other unmarked entrances around the perimeter of Mount Sutro. The only hints you catch of the city is when you see the neighborhoods surround the area. Great views can be seen for sure. We didn't make it up to the summit but I'm sure it's glorious once up there. For sure we will be back to explore more of this place. read more

Nice way to spend a Sunday morning with a new friend. Fantastic views of the city surrounded by the freshness of trees and the flowers. It is not an easy place to go for hiking, mostly just to go for the view and see the nice houses that have that privilege. It is like a hidden forest in the middle of town, seriously. Very pretty and unexpected (we were looking forward checking out another place and ended up there). Worth the parking hassle. read more

There are multiple entrances to Mount Sutro. The Historical Trail is probably the most popular, but we decided to start from the Fairy Gate Trail instead. The Fairy Gate Trail is about a block away from the Historical Trail, but you have to walk up a steep hill. At the start of the trail path, it is quite narrow, so the leaves and bushes will brush against your leg. You immediately enter upon lush greenery, filled with many trees throughout the area. You will encounter spurts of wildflowers throughout the hike and possibly mushrooms as well. The Fairy Gate trail eventually converges with the Historical Trail before you enter into the presevere area. Weirdly, the hike was not continuous, meaning that you had to cross the road at some point in order to continue on the hike. As you hike further in, it gets a lot windier, so bring a jacket. Although it is quite a short hike, it seems to be really popular. We encountered mountain bikers, trail runners, dog walkers, pokemon go players, and hikers along the way. Although most of the time, you might want to hike on a sunny day, I would say this hike is best on a cloudy and foggy day. The fog seeps in and fills the open area between the trees, which gives the place a magical kind of feeling, as if you are in a fairytale wonderland. read more

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It's s nice place to hike in San Francisco. It's situated pretty close to the Golden Gate park. I recommend that one should wear a long sleeve shirt and some pants due to the poison oak that abounds around the place. read more

Mount Sutro - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

My original review was so old I don't even know if anyone sees it anymore (sadly true of many of my reviews I imagine) - so I just wanted to give a bump to this living glorious beautiful place in San Francisco. Please Save Mt Sutro from UCSF and others that would ax and spray pesticides while ignoring the environment and wildlife existing here - http://savesutro.wordpress.com/ read more

330 steps up from Warren, left at the top, trail going up up up at the bend. After 40 or so steps, you are beyond the street noise and into the peace and quiet of nature's spa. The eucalyptus and other blooms are visually and aurally stimulating. I see this hill from my room, but thought it too steep to hike until I read up here on Yelp. I went up as high as I could then came down to Parnassus and into the throng of the UCSF campus. Kind of makes you jumpy after running into two people on a 2 mile hike, but also aware of how easy it is to step into eden. read more

I had a great time hiking along trails at Mount Sutro today. I used Yelp to plan my day, and I'm glad I did. I followed someone's directions to go to the intersection of 17th and Stanyon, and it worked out perfectly. I took the N bus toward Judah and got off at Carl and Stanyon. Then, I walked a block or two to 17th and Stanyon. I was confused at first to see just residential houses, but I trusted the Yelp review that promised a wooden gate, which was actually a wooden staircase that lead straight into the trails. I thought it was the staircase to someone's backyard, but alas - really glad I trusted the Yelp review :) The trail is mostly uphill from this point, and walking up from the bus stop is extremely uphill. Wear comfy shoes and also long pants and long sleeves - tons of poison oak lining the trails. The views were awesome, and the foliage is really beautiful. Always great to breathe fresh air in the city. read more

I was in need of something to mollify the added stress in my life. I was tired of the quotidian activity of my life. I was in need of a nice hike but didn't want to drive too far to go. The need to write this review is mostly due to the extend in which I got lost. I asked at least 3 strangers for directions before I found the trail head. I will make my instructions and review as pellucid as possible to prevent others from getting lost like me. I decided to drive so I drove to Clarendon Ave to park. I wasn't sure where I needed to go to find the trail head. As you drive on Clarendon, you will see trees on both side of the street. This is where my confusion began. From Clarendon, the entrance to the trails are near the brown UCSF housing. This will be on the side of the street away from Sutro tower. Park on Clarendon, parking near the apartments require permits. Walk into the parking area, the trail heads will not be too far. I was so happy once I found the trail head. Once you are on the trail, it is still possible to lose your way since there are multiple trails but there are trail markings every so often. There are also random logs that will occlude your way from wandering off the trail. With only the sound of rustling leaves and some birds, Mount Sutro is one of the most halcyon location in the city. It is truly peaceful and beautiful. The trails are very easy to walk, so if you want a challenge, run or bike. read more

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On our first adventure here, my friend and I failed to enter Mount Sutro, but successfully accessed it the second. :) The directions were not very clear. We walked up Warren Drive, climbed up the staircase on Oakhurst Lane which already gives you access to a neat view of the city (or at least a clear view of the Sunset hood), and wondered along Crestmont Drive for the longest time desperately seeking the path up to enter the forest. We couldn't find it the first time but on the second attempt, we settled to climb up the most distinct and do-able looking dirt path. So once you're inside the forest, it'spretty easy to get lost but that's the fun part! The smell of eucalyptus trees is very soothing. It's also likely you'll encounter a few middle-aged people in serious activewear and/or with an attractive looking dog, but this place is the best hide out in the city to get a hold of tranquility! read more

This is a nice gentle hike in San Francisco and easy to get to from downtown. There's not a great view from the top but you have better views coming down and on the way up. Lots of different little trails you can explore. read more

Mount Sutro - View on the east trail coming down - Parks Near Me - San Francisco, California

the hike was a bit confusing. we followed the little signs but ended up getting lost. luckily it was during the day and there was light out. they may have about 5 different trails to choose from. but what i did notice is that alot of fences were being put up. and the trails has houses built all around it. I feel it has made the hiking trails feel more like walking around San Francisco. every corner or open space we have building or houses being built. read more

Whenever I have visitors from out of town, I take them up this hill to the top of Mt. Sutro. The view is spectacular and you can get a great view of most of the city. You can see the box housing on the south side and you see the bay bridge and GG bridge. On a clear day, you can see everything and it's well worth the trip. At night, this is also a nice place to hang out. Though windy, the city is nice to see when it is all lit up. Take a date! read more

I'd often wondered about the accessibility of Mount Sutro. Seen from afar, it looked enticing - thickly wooded slopes rising up in the middle of the city. However, on maps it always tended to be marked "UCSF" so I assumed it was private university land. I was really happy when a friend told me there were paths up there, and sure enough, there are lots: http://www.natureinthecity.org/mtsutro.php 4 stars for a great "escape" option in the city. One star missing for lack of view, but still well worth the trip. read more