Yosemite Valley hiking trails near San Francisco California
15 California Trails

Best Hikes Near San Francisco

From Yosemite day trips to Bay Area gems, discover California's best trails accessible from SF

Hiking from the Bay Area

San Francisco's location provides incredible access to some of California's most iconic hiking. Yosemite National Park is just 3-4 hours away, while closer options like Mount Tamalpais, Mission Peak, and Point Reyes offer quick escapes from the city.

Whether you're looking for a morning hike before brunch or planning a Yosemite adventure, these trails showcase the best of Northern California's diverse landscapes.

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Yosemite Day Hikes

World-class hiking, 3-4 hours from SF

Upper Yosemite Fall
6,526 ft

Upper Yosemite Fall

7.2 mi
6 hrs
2700 ft
Strenuous View
Lower Yosemite Fall
3,975 ft

Lower Yosemite Fall

1 mi
0.5 hrs
50 ft
Easy View
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All California Trails

Sorted by distance from San Francisco

Mission Peak
2,517 ft

Mission Peak

6.2 mi
3.5 hrs
2100 ft
Moderate View
35 mi • 42 min
Bridalveil Fall
4,000 ft

Bridalveil Fall

0.5 mi
0.5 hrs
50 ft
Easy View
152 mi • 182 min
Upper Yosemite Fall
6,526 ft

Upper Yosemite Fall

7.2 mi
6 hrs
2700 ft
Strenuous View
154 mi • 185 min
Lower Yosemite Fall
3,975 ft

Lower Yosemite Fall

1 mi
0.5 hrs
50 ft
Easy View
154 mi • 185 min
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
8,122 ft

Sentinel Dome & Taft Point

5 mi
3 hrs
500 ft
Easy View
155 mi • 186 min
Panorama Trail
7,214 ft

Panorama Trail

8.5 mi
5 hrs
200 ft
Moderate View
155 mi • 187 min
Mirror Lake
4,100 ft

Mirror Lake

5 mi
2.5 hrs
100 ft
Easy View
157 mi • 188 min
Vernal Fall
5,900 ft

Vernal Fall

5.4 mi
4 hrs
1000 ft
Moderate View
157 mi • 188 min
Half Dome
8,842 ft

Half Dome

14.2 mi
10 hrs
4800 ft
Strenuous View
158 mi • 189 min
Nevada Fall
5,900 ft

Nevada Fall

6.9 mi
5 hrs
2000 ft
Moderate View
158 mi • 189 min
May Lake
9,329 ft

May Lake

2.4 mi
2 hrs
500 ft
Easy View
160 mi • 192 min
Clouds Rest
9,926 ft

Clouds Rest

14.5 mi
8 hrs
2300 ft
Strenuous View
160 mi • 192 min
Cathedral Lakes
9,585 ft

Cathedral Lakes

8 mi
5 hrs
1000 ft
Moderate View
165 mi • 198 min
Mount Whitney
14,505 ft

Mount Whitney

22 mi
14 hrs
6100 ft
Strenuous View
242 mi • 290 min
Potato Chip Rock
2,881 ft

Potato Chip Rock

7.2 mi
4 hrs
2000 ft
Moderate View
456 mi • 547 min

Tips for Hiking from SF

Yosemite Day Trip Tips

  • • Leave by 5-6am to maximize trail time
  • • Check road conditions in winter (chains may be required)
  • • Reserve parking/entrance in advance (required in summer)
  • • Pack lunch—Valley restaurants get crowded

Bay Area Hiking

  • • Mission Peak and Mount Tam are great for sunrise
  • • Summer fog is common—bring layers
  • • Parking fills early on weekends
  • • Carry plenty of water—it gets hot inland