San Francisco Crosstown Trail

The San Francisco Crosstown Trail stands out as an extraordinary urban exploration that allows visitors and locals alike to discover the hidden beauty of San Francisco. The hike will take you through bustling streets, scenic parks, and neighborhoods, providing an experience of the city’s culture and natural surroundings.

The Crosstown Hike spans approximately 17 miles across San Francisco. Although it can be completed in a single day, it is highly recommended that you take time to fully absorb the sights and sounds along the way.

Overview

Starting Point: Section 1: Candlestick Point, Visitacion Valley, McLaren Park

The trail begins at Candlestick Park State Recreation Area, near the former location of the Giants and 49ers. The path then guides you through the Visitacion Valley Greenway, a series of community parks and gardens serving as both an outdoor learning space and a focal point for the neighborhood. Lastly, you will stroll through McLaren Park, the city’s third-largest park.

Section 2: Glen Park Greenway, Glen Canyon Park, Laguna Honda Trail

Sixty acres of rehabilitated natural environment at Glen Canyon Park and navigate the rejuvenated Laguna Honda Community Trail System.

Section 3: Golden Gate Heights Park, Grandview Park, Tiled Stairways

Take a moment to admire the expansive views of Grandview Park in Golden Gate Heights and the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps.

Section 4: Blue Heron Lake, Rose Garden, Park Presidio Boulevard

Walk through the eastern part of Golden Gate Park. Once you’ve circled Blue Heron Lake, you’ll arrive at the park’s Rose Garden. You’ll be directed to Park Presidio Greenway when you leave the park.

Section 5: Presidio, Sea Cliff, Lands’ End

The last part of the trek guides you to Land’s End, an untamed coastal region providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Walk along picturesque paths that lead to the Sutro Baths. This historic complex was once a lavish public bathing facility.

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Alviso Marina County Park

It has been raining for the past two days, and today we had to hike. I chose Alviso because it looked like an easy hike. It had a flat 9-mile trail. It was a great decision to go today because it was overcast and there weren’t any trees. Well, after three miles on wet gravel,  which was an easy walk, we got to a muddy trail. For the next six miles, we walked on the worst terrain. I didn’t know how heavy my boots and hiking poles could be when the mud accumulated on them; it was almost impossible to walk in some areas. At the end, it took us four hours to walk 9 miles. When we finished, we were dirty, tired, and hungry.

I’m afraid that on El Camino, we will have some days with this kind of terrain due to the rain in spring.

I’m glad we did it because now we know what to expect and how long it could take us to walk in mud with some extra weight on our shoes and hiking poles.