San Francisco Off the Beaten Path Tips by mrtourne

The area known as Fort Miley / Land's End has to be one of the best easy hikes around both because of the stunning views (the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Golden Gate and the entrance to the Bay to the East. On a clear day, it's so serene and beautiful it makes you want to stay forever watching the sailboats and the seals below.

The Coastal trail makes it through this park (the same coastal trail that is just south of the Golden Gate, but beware, we are talking a few miles of walking to get there!)

Access is fairly easy by car, there's a parking lot just off Point Lobos Ave. on El Camino del Mar (just north of the Cliff House), and a few steps down from there are the trails. The trails are in good condition, although I must warn you there's quite a few steps in some areas to go down to Mile Rock Beach or up towards the Presidio.

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Website: http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/Us_nra/ca/sf_gg.htm

Just north of the airport and south of the city, there's San Bruno Mountain, which is a county park with a butterfly preserve and amazing views from the summit (about 1300 feet above sea level). From here you can see the bay, the city, Mount Tam in the north bay, Mount Diablo in the East Bay and the ocean.

You can get to it from 101 by driving up around Brisbane. There's a 5 dollar charge for entering the park (honor system), and you can either park by the picnic area and hike or you can drive all the way up to summit.

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Website: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,5556687_12313315_12345092,00.html