Where to Run in SF: Best San Francisco Running Routes for Every Level | Local Runs
You asked, we listened! One of the more frequent topic requests that appeared in feedback you provided (thank you) was local run recommendations. And because we don’t do things halfway, you’ll receive a full series of run recommendations not only in San Francisco but also in other areas in the Bay. Today, we’ll start in the heart of Bay Area; The City itself.
Compiled, written, and edited by Pavlína Marek
There are many gorgeous places you can run in San Francisco. Here’s a mixture of the more popular ones and those that might not be the first thing to come to mind. There are flats and hills, trails and roads, and everything in between. Enjoy and let us know what your favorite route is!
1. Iconic SF City Routes: Golden Gate Park 10K
Windmills? Yes. Bison? We’ve got them. Lakes? Absolutely. Plus, you’ll most certainly meet loads of other runners without the place feeling overcrowded. What place is that? The Golden Gate Park. And with this 10K run, you’ll run through the whole park, all the way to the beach and back.
What You’ll See: Conservatory of Flowers, Rooted (In)Justice, Rainbow Falls/Naga, Lloyd Lake, Bison Paddlock, Dutch Windmill, Murphy Windmill, Blue Heron Lake, and more
Water Fountains: Skatin’ Place, Transverse Drive, Spreckels Lake, Chain of Lakes Drive, South Lake, Metson Road, Transverse Drive, Crossover Drive, Big Rec Baseball Diamonds
Refreshments: The Terrace, Twirl & Dip Soft Serve Ice Cream Truck, Annie’s Hot Dog & Snacks
Toilets: Spreckels Lake, Chain of Lakes Drive, Crossover Drive, Big Rec Baseball Diamonds
Parking: Along Fulton Street, Ocean Beach Parking Lot, Music Concourse Garage, along roadways throughout the park. More information on SF Rec & Parks. You can also reserve a parking spot with SpotHero.
Public Transport: Multiple bus stops around and to the park plus free Golden Gate Park shuttle bus inside the park.
2. Best SF Short Run: Stow Lake & Strawberry Hill 3K
We’ll stay in Golden Gate Park for another, shorter run. If you don’t have time to do a full 10K tour of the park, may we suggest a short jaunt around Blue Heron Lake, formerly known as Stow Lake? It’s a great run to combine with a relaxed visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens, De Young Museum, Botanical Gardens, or the California Academy of Sciences. It takes you around Blue Heron Lake across the Stow Lake Bridge up to Strawberry Hill via a spiral run on the island. (Hello, Strava art!)
What You’ll See: Blue Heron Lake, Stow Lake Bridge, Chinese Pavilion, Huntington Falls, Sweeny Observatory Ruins, and more
Water Fountains: Blue Heron Lake Bus Stop
Refreshments: Blue Heron Boathouse Snack Bar
Toilets: Blue Heron Lake Bus Stop
Parking: Street parking or the Music Concourse Garage. You can reserve a parking spot with SpotHero.
Public Transport: Take the free Golden Gate Park shuttle to the Blue Heron Lake Boathouse stop
3. Best SF Beach Run: Ocean Beach to Fort Funston via California Coastal Trail
Are you a fan of the ocean? Do you like running on the beach? The this one is perfect for you. You can either stay on the coastal trail for some pavement miles or can run most of the way on the beach. You might want to consult the tide chart for this one; running on the beach is easier when the tide has just gone out because the sand is more packed. The route can take you all the way to Fort Funston for some military history, then you can take the bus back or turn around for an out-and-back
Distance: 4.23 miles one way (or 8.46 miles round trip)
What You’ll See: Ocean Beach, Sunset Dunes Art Exhibition, Surfhenge, Sunset Dunes Park, Fort Funston (Battery Davis, Nike Missile SF-59 Site), and more
Water Fountains: Great Highway & Sloat Boulevard, Battery Davis, Nike Missile Site
Refreshments: Cafés and eateries along the Great Highway and Noriega Street, e.g. Java Beach Cafe, Ruby’s, The Pizza Place on Noriega, Yonkers Cafe, Underdogs Too, Java Beach At The Zoo, and many more
Toilets: Great Highway & Sloat Boulevard, Harding Road Parking
Parking: Ocean Beach Parking Lot
Public Transport: Start: Great Hwy/Beach Chalet, Route #18. Finish: John Muir Dr & Skyline Blvd, Route #58
4. The Best SF View Run: The (Twin) Peaks & Mounts 12K
If you’re looking for a bit of elevation (and maybe some stairs), head into the heart of the city with its hills, peaks, and mounts. Views for days (and a little burn in the calves) guaranteed! You can also shorten the route either by starting and finishing at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (two miles shorter) or by cutting the route short and taking the bus back.
What You’ll See: Glen Canyon Park, Twin Peaks (Noe Peak & Eureka Peak), Mount Sutro, gorgeous city views all around
Water Fountains: Glen Park Recreation Center, Johnstone Drive
Refreshments: N/A
Toilets: Glen Park Recreation Center,
Parking: Street parking; check posted signs for residential permit limits and street cleaning schedules
Public Transport: Bosworth Street & Elk Street, Route #44
5. Best Flat Running in SF: The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero can be busy, but there’s a good reason for it. If you’re looking for some fast and flat waterfront miles and don’t mind dodging a tourist or two, Embarcadero is for you. The beauty of this route is that you can make it as long or as short, as fast or as slow as you want. Feeling adventurous? Run from the Ferry Building past the famous Pier 39 instead of using it as your turnaround point and reach Crissy Fields and the Golden Gate Bridge. Feeling luxurious? Make it a slow and indulgent jog with stops for ice cream and coffee. The world is your oyster (and you can find these on the Embarcadero, too)!
What You’ll See: San Francisco Ferry Building, Coit Tower (from afar), SS Jeremiah O’Brien, Pier 39, and more
Water Fountains: Ferry Building (several), Broadway, Pier 29
Refreshments: Many options in the Ferry Building, along the way, and at Pier 39
Toilets: Ferry Building (several), Broadway, Pier 29, Pier 39 (several)
Parking: Many options, you can find and reserve a parking spot with SpotHero.
Public Transport: Embarcadero BART stop or the F Market line (learn about the history of the F Market Line with Scott Benbow’s guide)
6. The Must-Do for SF Visitors Run: The Golden Gate Bridge 7M
Starting from Crissy Field so you can enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge as you approach it, this run will give you the most stunning views of this perhaps most famous San Francisco landmark. It’ll then take you up to and across the bridge toward the Marin Headlands. If you want to keep the run shorter, bus #120 will take you from Alexander Ave & Bunker Rd back to the city.
What You’ll See: Crissy Marsh, Torpedo Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands (view of), The Lone Sailor, and more
Water Fountains: Crissy Field Center, East Beach Parking Lot, Warming Hut, Welcome Center, North Vista Point
Refreshments: Round House Café, Equator Coffees
Toilets: East Beach Parking Lot, Warming Hut, Welcome Center, North Vista Point
Parking: East Beach Parking Lot
Public Transport: Mason St – Yacht/Girard
7. A Long-Haul SF Run: The Tour 50K
Do you want to connect them all? Take on an all-day epic adventure around the city! As a bonus, you’ll get The Presidio and Lands End, which are both stunning areas with views for days and fun trails. You’ll also do most of SFM’s Bridge Half, about half of the full marathon, and a huge portion of the Golden Gate Dozen trail.
What You’ll See: San Francisco Ferry Building, Coit Tower (from afar), SS Jeremiah O’Brien, Pier 39, Aquatic Cove, Fort Mason, Crissy Marsh, Torpedo Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands (view of), The Lone Sailor, Battery Godfrey, The Presidio, Lands End, Ocean Beach, Sunset Dunes Art Exhibition, Surfhenge, Fort Funston (Battery Davis, Nike Missile SF-59 Site), Pine Lake Park, Glen Canyon Park, Twin Peaks (Noe Peak & Eureka Peak), Mount Sutro, Blue Heron Lake, Stow Lake Bridge, Huntington Falls, Sweeny Observatory Ruins, Music Concourse, De Young Museum, and more
Water Fountains: See previous routes, plus Presidio: Battery Chamberlin Parking; Lands End: Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
Refreshments: See previous routes
Toilets: See previous routes, plus Presidio: Battery Chamberlin Parking; Lands End: El Camino del Mar Parking, Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
Parking: Near start: Embarcadero; near finish: Along Fulton Street, Music Concourse Garage, along roadways throughout the park; along the route: Ocean Beach Parking Lot, street parking
Public Transport: To start: Embarcadero BART station; from finish: De Young/Tea Garden or Fulton Street & 10th Avenue, Routes #5R or 5