Guidebook for San Francisco

Meredith
Guidebook for San Francisco

Sightseeing

You can reach the bridge easily from the visitors parking lot, but if you like running hills or longer distances, start at the Marina Green or Crissy Field and take Long Avenue up to the pedestrian path. On a clear day, which is not as rare as you might think, you’ll see Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge, and Oakland. Golden Gate Bridge is an absolutely stunning place to be at sunrise. You’ll have to head out in the dark, but you’ll be rewarded.
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Χρυσή Πύλη Γέφυρα
Golden Gate Bridge
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You can reach the bridge easily from the visitors parking lot, but if you like running hills or longer distances, start at the Marina Green or Crissy Field and take Long Avenue up to the pedestrian path. On a clear day, which is not as rare as you might think, you’ll see Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge, and Oakland. Golden Gate Bridge is an absolutely stunning place to be at sunrise. You’ll have to head out in the dark, but you’ll be rewarded.
It’s one of the few flat routes in San Francisco, which makes it very accommodating to runners. There’s a nice wide path and lots of water fountains. Fisherman’s Wharf to AT&T Park clocks in at three miles one way. On Saturday mornings, I change my route so that I end at the Ferry Building farmers’ market.
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Embarcadero
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It’s one of the few flat routes in San Francisco, which makes it very accommodating to runners. There’s a nice wide path and lots of water fountains. Fisherman’s Wharf to AT&T Park clocks in at three miles one way. On Saturday mornings, I change my route so that I end at the Ferry Building farmers’ market.
A flat run with spectacular views, the Marina Green is a popular morning spot for locals. Starting at Fort Mason, run along the water to Fort Point, an old military post tucked under the Golden Gate Bridge. If you feel like a climb, take a hard left after the Warming Hut and run up to Long Avenue, which will take you to the Golden Gate Bridge. At Fort Point, be sure to touch the “Hopper’s Hands” sign on the chain-link fence. It’s a beloved ritual among Bay Area runners.
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Marina Green Drive
Marina Green Drive
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A flat run with spectacular views, the Marina Green is a popular morning spot for locals. Starting at Fort Mason, run along the water to Fort Point, an old military post tucked under the Golden Gate Bridge. If you feel like a climb, take a hard left after the Warming Hut and run up to Long Avenue, which will take you to the Golden Gate Bridge. At Fort Point, be sure to touch the “Hopper’s Hands” sign on the chain-link fence. It’s a beloved ritual among Bay Area runners.
To remind myself that I live on the coast. Great Highway is a lot quieter than the running paths along the bay. Often all you’ll hear is the sound of waves breaking behind the sand dunes. Starting at Ocean Beach, head south along the Great Highway. If you want to stretch out the run a bit, do a 4.4-mile lap around Lake Merced.
Great Highway
Great Highway
To remind myself that I live on the coast. Great Highway is a lot quieter than the running paths along the bay. Often all you’ll hear is the sound of waves breaking behind the sand dunes. Starting at Ocean Beach, head south along the Great Highway. If you want to stretch out the run a bit, do a 4.4-mile lap around Lake Merced.
This is what locals affectionately call the bike route that goes from Market Street to Golden Gate Park with minimal hills. I like following it as a runner for the same reason. Despite the funny name, it’s the easiest way to get from the Castro or Mission to Golden Gate Park via the Panhandle, the easternmost strip of the park. To stay on the Wiggle, just follow the green bike lane signs painted on the road.
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401 Duboce Ave
This is what locals affectionately call the bike route that goes from Market Street to Golden Gate Park with minimal hills. I like following it as a runner for the same reason. Despite the funny name, it’s the easiest way to get from the Castro or Mission to Golden Gate Park via the Panhandle, the easternmost strip of the park. To stay on the Wiggle, just follow the green bike lane signs painted on the road.

Parks & Nature

Even after several years of running in the city, I’m always discovering new paths in the park. I love running along John F. Kennedy Drive, especially on the weekends when it’s closed to traffic. It leads from the Haight all the way to the Pacific Ocean, about 3.5 miles each way. Lots of places to turn off, too, like Stow Lake, which is about a mile around. Once you get close to the ocean on JFK, look out for the bison. Yep, San Francisco has bison living in Golden Gate Park!
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Πάρκο Golden Gate
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Even after several years of running in the city, I’m always discovering new paths in the park. I love running along John F. Kennedy Drive, especially on the weekends when it’s closed to traffic. It leads from the Haight all the way to the Pacific Ocean, about 3.5 miles each way. Lots of places to turn off, too, like Stow Lake, which is about a mile around. Once you get close to the ocean on JFK, look out for the bison. Yep, San Francisco has bison living in Golden Gate Park!
Pretty much the geographic center of the city, and one of the highest peaks in all of San Francisco. A lot of people drive up here for the view, but to truly appreciate it, run. Start on Market Street in the Castro and head west on 17th Street. Turn left on Clayton Street, and follow it to Twin Peaks Boulevard; take that to the top. It’s a killer workout, three hilly miles, but the views from the top are amazing.
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Twin Peaks
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Pretty much the geographic center of the city, and one of the highest peaks in all of San Francisco. A lot of people drive up here for the view, but to truly appreciate it, run. Start on Market Street in the Castro and head west on 17th Street. Turn left on Clayton Street, and follow it to Twin Peaks Boulevard; take that to the top. It’s a killer workout, three hilly miles, but the views from the top are amazing.