San Francisco is blessed with 250 trails winding through 140 miles of national park land in the Bay Area, according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Small children can enjoy their giant backyard exploring one of the easy hikes along the coastline or through the city’s parks.
Coastal Trail at Land’s End
For San Francisco families, Land’s End is a short drive to the city’s westernmost edge. Land’s End Lookout is a new visitor center with a café and restrooms, open from April 28, 2012, overlooking Ocean Beach. Park and use this as your starting point by the historic Cliff House and the ruins of Sutro Baths. At every turn, this nature hike along the edge of our continent offers 30-mile postcard views of the Pacific’s crashing surf where one of three shipwrecks may be spotted. Golden Gate Bridge with the Marin Headlands loom large and one feels a world away from the city. Through the cypress trees, both a paved trail and a beaten dirt trail have benches along the way. Families may wish to stop midway; cut across the pathway via the Lincoln Park Golf Course to the Palace of the Legion of Honor, about 3.5 miles round trip. And, yes, dogs are allowed. A map is found here.
Fort Baker Trails
Find 335 acres tucked practically underneath the Golden Gate Bridge which offer not only hiking trails but lots of diversions for the kids. Fort Baker is a former army post on the Sausalito side of the bridge. In addition to trails, there are people crabbing and fishing at the pier or picnicking on a large grassy area at the restored historic parade ground while enjoying a panoramic view. The easy trail begins behind the Mission Blue Chapel along Drown Road, continuing for 1.1 miles. This is home to the endangered mission blue butterflies. Wind up at the Discovery Museum, an absolute dream of a spot for kids aged eight and under, where drinking water and restrooms may come in handy. A map is found here.
Presidio Trails
The Presidio boasts 12 trails across 24 miles, varying in length. Many are easy, kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Begin at the Visitor Center at the Officers’ Club (50 Moraga Ave.), easy to reach by MUNI bus 29, where trail maps are available. Kids will enjoy redwoods, eucalyptus, Monterey pines, cypress trees and flowering outcrops along the one mile Ecology Trail through Tennessee Hollow, a freshwater home to abundant wildlife. On to Inspiration Point, the best lookout in the Presidio for views of the city and beyond to Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. The trail ends at Presidio Café (near Arguello Gate) with a cozy fireplace and golf course views from an outdoor patio. See the Presidio trail map here.
Golden Gate Stroller Walks
For those with babies, San Francisco City Guides, a nonprofit organization, has volunteers who escort adults with baby strollers on free walks through Golden Gate Park. There are a dozen scenic walks to choose from; no reservations are required for groups of seven or fewer. The one-hour walks are on generally flat terrain. Older children can join the family on a two-hour walk through Golden Gate Park to include tales of the park’s one hundred-year history. Expect to see wildlife, underground tunnels, a rock quarry, plants and flowers along the way with San Francisco City Guides’ Golden Gate Park tour.
