San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide - 2025 VPG

In San Francisco, you don’t need to leave city limits to explore the great outdoors.

PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO

For picturesque views, visit the sprawling Presidio, a national park site that sits at the entrance of the Golden Gate. A former military outpost, the area has been repurposed as public land with an abundance of trails, lookouts and parks — like Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre green space built atop Highway 101.

TIP: Walk the Wood Line, a 1,200-foot installation by artist Andy Goldsworthy made entirely of eucalyptus branches.

CRISSY FIELD

Tunnel Tops connects the Main Parade Lawn of the Presidio to Crissy Field, a promenade with stunning views of the bridge and bay. This former airfield contains beaches, tidal wetlands and a waterfront trail that is well-loved by runners and cyclists.

TIP: On breezy days, expect to see many kitesurfers out on the water at East Beach.

BAKER BEACH

On the Presidio’s western edge, Baker Beach is a ruggedly beautiful stretch of sand that’s one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Big waves and strong currents make swimming unsafe, but it’s a wonderful place to picnic and spot wildlife; porpoises and harbor seals can often be seen frolicking in the water.

TIP: The northern end of Baker Beach is clothing optional, so don’t be surprised if you spot a few sunbathers lounging au naturel.

GOLDEN GATE PARK

Millions of visitors each year experience Golden Gate Park’s miles of green lawns, lakes and 7,000 varieties of plants. Stroll the exquisite San Francisco Botanical Garden, the historical Conservatory of Flowers or the Zen-like Japanese Tea Garden for all the green goodness.

TIP: A bison herd has lived at the western end of Golden Gate Park since the late 19th century.

LANDS END

True to its name, Lands End is San Francisco’s westernmost park and one of its most secluded (and scenic) locales. Follow the rugged Coastal Trail, which weaves through shady cypress forest to rocky bluffs that plunge into the Pacific Ocean.

TIP: Explore the ruins of Sutro Baths, a once-magnificent indoor swimming facility that dates to the late 1800s.

DOLORES PARK

On a sunny day, this urban sanctuary in the Mission District is a perfect place to people-watch and enjoy the scenery. Recreational facilities, dog-play areas and a sloping lawn with killer views of the downtown skyline make Dolores Park a popular spot for picnickers, families and dog owners.

TIP: Keep your eyes peeled for the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, which has been performing here and in other Bay Area parks since 1959.

Regal Redwoods

Coast redwoods, the world’s tallest living organisms, flourish throughout the Bay Area. Experience the majesty of these ancient trees at Muir Woods National Monument. Located just 12 miles north of San Francisco, the park encompasses 554 acres of protected forestland. Other nearby places to see redwoods include Heroes Grove at Golden Gate Park and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.