Hiking Trails in the Different Districts of San Francisco

San Francisco is a large and intense city, and it's impossible to cover everything in one day. The city is rich in must-see sites and attractions, including amazing museums, historical buildings, skyscrapers, iconic bridges, main shopping streets, fascinating cultural districts, parks, and hilltop squares, stunning viewpoints, and of course, one iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

On this page, we've divided San Francisco into districts and travel areas, for daily sightseeing routes. These routes reach all the city's must-see sites and allow you to discover the most beautiful and important spots of the historic city.

Click here for a trip itinerary plan in San Francisco and professional advice…

1. Trip Itinerary in the Center of San Francisco – Downtown, Chinatown, and the SoMa District

An urban-style itinerary, right in the heart of San Francisco under the shadow of skyscrapers. This is the city's most lively urban area, with plentiful shopping options, fantastic Chinese restaurants, and large museums

1. The trip in the center of San Francisco is best started in the vibrant SoMa district. SFMOMA – the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, is one of the most important museums in California, located in the heart of the district and worth dedicating some time to visit
2. Nearby is the Moscone Center, the largest convention center, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and St. Patrick's Church. Around Yerba Buena Gardens, there are more city museums worth a visit.
3. From the garden area, it's worth heading towards the San Francisco Mint and the large San Francisco Center mall. Nearby is the Powell Street cable car stop.
4. It's a good idea to hop on the cable car and climb to the city's main shopping area at Union Square.
5. After that, you can continue on the cable car towards Chinatown, pass through the Dragon Gate, and walk along the main Grant Avenue.
6. On this avenue is the old cathedral named after Mary.
7. From the cathedral, it's worth walking a bit west to the Nob Hill neighborhood, where you’ll find the Cable Car Museum featuring vintage cars of the city's iconic transport.
8. From the museum, it's advisable to head to Huntington Park in the heart of the district. There, opposite the luxury hotels, is the stunning facade of Grace Cathedral.
9. From Nob Hill, head back to Chinatown and wander the streets of Waverly and Stockton, where you can soak up the unique vibe of the district. You can also find the small Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in the area.
10. Cross from Portsmouth Square towards Downtown. From the square, you can already spot the Transamerica Pyramid, a skyscraper that has become one of the city's landmarks.
11. Just a bit south of the stunning tower is the intriguing Wells Fargo Museum.
12. From the museum, it's worth heading east towards the Embarcadero and Embarcadero Plaza on the Bay's edge, while also visiting the San Francisco Railway Museum nearby.
13. Walk a little south from the museum towards Salesforce Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the city, and then return to the SoMa district.

2. Tour Route in Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, and Russian Hill

Fisherman's Wharf is probably the leading tourist destination in San Francisco. It's a great spot for a stroll with the kids, including the sea lions and harbor seals viewing at Pier 39 (which is like Disneyland), the ships at Pier 45, the maritime museum, and the bustling Ghirardelli Square. Above the piers, on the hills, are some of San Francisco's most iconic neighborhoods. East of the hills, the continuation of the piers in the Embarcadero district.

1. It's a good idea to start the morning early at Fisherman's Wharf by catching the ferry to the preserved prison island of Alcatraz.
2. After a short walk and return to the shore, it's recommended to begin the land-based tour in the popular and lively Pier 39 district, including the sea lion and harbor seal viewing.
3. Then, it's worth heading to Pier 45 where historic ships are available to board, including the submarine Pampanito.
4. From the pier, it's recommended to walk to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and visit the ships at Hyde Street Pier, which are part of the museum's exhibit.
5. Nearby the museum is Ghirardelli Square, the perfect spot for a lunch break.
6. From Ghirardelli Square, you can hop on the cable car that travels along Hyde Street towards the bottom of Lombard Street, the city's iconic crooked street in Russian Hill.
7. Continue from there to Washington Square, where you'll find the stunning Saints Peter and Paul Church.
8. From the square, head east towards Coit Tower, which offers a stunning view of the entire metropolis and bay.
9. From the tower, descend to Levi's Plaza, home of the jean brand born in the city, and head to the famous science museum, the Exploratorium.

3. Tour Route in the Residential Districts West of Van Ness Avenue and Civic Center Plaza

The tour of the districts west of Van Ness is more complex and geographically spread out than the tour of the intense districts east of the main avenue. While the tour in Soma, Downtown, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf relies on short walking distances and many sites close to each other, the districts west of the avenue include many neighborhoods and attractions scattered over a large area.

Aside from the distances between attractions that require the use of public transportation, the entire area is characterized by a complex topography, with lots of ups and downs true to San Francisco.

1. It's worth starting the tour on Van Ness Avenue itself, at the Civic Center Plaza
2. The green plaza is the governmental center of the city, home to the impressive City Hall and the stunning buildings of art centers where major performances in music, ballet, opera, theater, and more take place. There you will also find the excellent Asian Art Museum.
3. The square is located near the Soma district and Market Street, the main artery running towards downtown.
4. From the Civic Center Plaza, it's worth crossing Van Ness westward and strolling along Hayes Street, the heart of the trendy Hayes Valley neighborhood.
5. The street leads to Alamo Square, home to the Painted Ladies, one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks.
6. From Alamo Square, head north to the Fillmore District and Japantown, where you'll find the Cathedral of the Ascension of Mary.
7. A little further west to the residential area, it's worth visiting the row of homes featured in the popular TV show “Full House.”
8. From there, it's worth climbing north towards Pacific Heights to Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park. This area boasts a wealth of stunning historic homes like the Haas-Lilienthal House, the Spreckels Mansion, and the McElroy Octagon House.
9. From Pacific Heights, head down towards the two northern neighborhoods of the district – Union Street, known for its trendy shopping street, and Cow Hollow, the affluent area that also boasts trendy shopping and excellent restaurants.
10. Continue from Cow Hollow down to the two attractions of the Marina District, the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Mason.

4. Planning a Travel Route in Western San Francisco – The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and The Mission

A daily travel route through all the western parts of San Francisco. The route starts at The Presidio, and the Golden Gate Bridge, heads south towards the vast Golden Gate Park, and then continues west to the neighborhoods of Haight-Ashbury, Castro, and Mission. It's a long route with plenty of walking (and some hopping with public transportation here and there).

Travel Route in The Presidio and Lands End

To explore the districts and areas known as West San Francisco, it's a good idea to start from the north and head south. The city's most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, marks the northern edge of the peninsula in what is now the Presidio Park.

1. Fort Point, a preserved fort originally built by the Spanish as part of the Presidio's military complex, is located right at the base of the southern side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
2. It's worth climbing the fort wall for a scenic view, and then walking along Marina Drive to Crissy Field, which used to be the landing strip for the American military base right on the beach.
3. Nearby is the Walt Disney Family Museum, and next to it is the Letterman Digital Arts Center, founded by George Lucas.
4. It's also worth visiting the western batteries of the Presidio, from which you can descend to Marshall Beach, offering a stunning view (also from the batteries) toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
5. South of the Presidio is the Lands End Park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here you'll find the Legion of Honor Museum, the finest art museum in San Francisco.

A walking tour in Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, and the Mission District

Just south of Lands End begins the city's largest urban park – Golden Gate Park. It's the site of the Summer of Love in 1967 and the west coast counterpart to New York City's Central Park.

1. It's worth starting your tour at the park's western edge by the ocean, where you'll find the Queen Wilhelmina Garden, featuring a Dutch windmill and flowers typical of the Low Countries.
2. Nearby was the expansive buffalo grazing area – the Bison Paddock.
3. At the heart of the park is the artificial Stow Lake, with the beautiful Strawberry Hill Island at its center.
4. A little east of the lake is the complex of the de Young Museum, the Science Museum of the Academy of Sciences, the large San Francisco Botanical Garden, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the Shakespeare Garden
5. To the east, in the northern part of the park, is the Conservatory, a massive greenhouse building for the preservation of plants and flowers
6. North of the park, in the Little Russia neighborhood, is the magnificent structure of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church

Walking Tour in Haight-Ashbury, Castro, and Mission

The southwestern districts of San Francisco – Haight-Ashbury and Mission, are located in the southwestern corner of the park. Haight-Ashbury was the residential area of the hippies who flocked to the city in 1967. To this day, counterculture prevails in the district, making it an attraction in its own right.

1. The northern part of Haight-Ashbury is marked by the long avenue of the Haight or Panhandle, the thin extension of Golden Gate Park to the east
2. Two blocks south of Haight Street stretches the attractive Haight Street, filled with second-hand and vintage shops
3. At the eastern end of the street, near the house where the band Grateful Dead once played, lies the charming Buena Vista Park
4. From the park, you can descend towards the Castro neighborhood via the Vulcan Steps
5. Castro Street is considered the heart of the LGBTQ community so closely associated with the city. There you'll also find the LGBTQ Museum
6. To the east lies the Mission District, the city's settlement core, with the Franciscan mission founded in the city in 1776 at its heart
7. Nearby the mission is Dolores Park, offering a stunning view of the city
8. West of Castro and Mission District, you can drive to enjoy a breathtaking view from the Twin Peaks summit