Panoramic San Francisco Views
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A collection of outdoor vantage points unveiling the city's rolling vistas, skylines and watery expanses - impress visitors and remind yourself how beautiful San Francisco can be. All free and publicly accessible.
Corona Heights Park
Follow the signs to the Randall Museum and scale this rocky hill near the city's geographic center for clear downtown and east bay views. 5-10 minute climb.
Buena Vista Park
Hike to the top of this park and you'll be rewarded with a window view over the treetops across the city to the northeast. 15 minute climb.
Twin Peaks
The most famous city observation site, with good reason. On a clear day, you have a wraparound view from the distant Golden Gate Bridge to the east bay.
Tank Hill
This old water tank site has views similar in range to Twin Peaks, but with a zoomed in effect that puts you closer to the city. 5 minute stairway climb.
Kite Hill
Tucked into the Castro/Eureka Valley area, this neighborhood hilltop looks out across the east side of the city and the incline of Twin Peaks to the west.
Saturn Stairway
An eastern slice of the city comes into view at the top of this neighborhood stairway and mini park near Corona Heights. 5 minute climb.
Dolores Park
The well-known perch at the corner of Church and 20th Streets looks down over the slope of the park to the city skyline and east bay.
Liberty Stairs
The top of this stairway offers a view across the bowl of Eureka Valley directly to Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower. 5 minute climb from Noe Street.
Sanchez Stairway
This stairway connecting Sanchez with 19th Street features a northern view across the city toward the downtown skyline. 5 minutes up the stairs.
Billy Goat Hill Park
This little-known Diamond Heights park has a surprisingly sweet view that takes in the eastern half of the city and most of the downtown skyline.
Everson Street
This hilltop residential street looks out over Diamond Heights and the city's home-clustered south edge. 5 minute stairway climb from Addison Street.
Mount Davidson
You'll forget you're in the city during the 20 minute hike up this lush mountain park until the views at the top remind you. No other place quite like this.
Bernal Hill
See the city stretch out at your feet from south to north in the definition of panorama at this backyard Bernal gem. 5 minute climb from the south side.
Peralta Avenue
Watch the traffic tangle above this jumble of freeway overpasses at the angled elbow of Peralta Avenue in Bernal Heights.
Bayview Park
Enter from Key Avenue at 3rd Street and walk around the peak of this giant barren hill next to Candlestick Park. 15 minute climb up a paved path.
Grand View Park
Certainly one of the most shockingly spectacular views in San Francisco - the entire northern half of the city is on display. 10 minute stairway climb.
Hawk Hill Park
Another Golden Gate Heights peak, Hawk Hill looks west over the Sunset District to the Ocean. 5-10 minute climb up a sandy hill with no real trail.
McKinley Square Park
Paths leading down at the edge of San Francisco's other crooked street - Vermont Street - peek out across the city's central valley toward Twin Peaks.
Coral Road
Very far off the beaten track, this hilltop looks over a huge chunk of the city, including Mission and Castro. Don't wander into the nearby projects.
McLaren Park
Unique views including a distant downtown and a closeup south end of the city. Walk 15 minutes from the park entrance to the Water Tower and observation area.
Ina Coolbrith Park
Follow Vallejo Street up through its pedestrian-only peaks into this terraced park for up close views of the Financial District and the bay.
Sutro Heights Park
Probably the best way to see how the city meets the ocean. You can look straight down the Pacific coastline over Golden Gate Park and the Sunset District.
Land's End
The trails here lead you right to the edges of the cliffs at the city's northwest corner and let you look straight down at the coastline and bay.
The Coastal Trail
This trail just south of the Golden Bridge lets you walk along the sloping clifftops above the ocean. Slip off the trail and climb down for closeups.
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Leave a comment (4 comments)
adrian said 2 months, 1 week ago:
I was just looking for some new walks/hikes to take around SF -- this has given me lots of new ideas!
mvexel said 2 months, 1 week ago:
A bit further out, the Miwok trail (accessible from Tennessee Valley parking lot) offers spectacular views of the ocean, the bay and the city. http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/tennessee_valley.htm
zancudomama said 1 month, 3 weeks ago:
Awesome guide ! Thanks
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josh said 2 months, 1 week ago:
I usually wind up summiting San Francisco hilltops on the weekends. I thought I was running out of places to go, but apparently I've just begun. Thanks for this!