SAN FRANCISCO BAY TRAIL:
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
PRESIDIO TRAILS:
PRESIDIO of SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 30, 2025
Length: San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section: 1.6 miles
San Francisco Bay Trail; San Francisco Section (to Oracle Park): 7.1 miles
Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail: 1.7 miles
Presidio Trail; Presidio Promenade: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section: Easy. Flat, paved & crushed gravel trails.
San Francisco Bay Trail; San Francisco Section: Easy. Mostly flat paved trail.
Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail: Moderate to Difficult. Hilly paved and crushed gravel trail.
Presidio Trail; Presidio Promenade: Moderate. Hilly paved trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Marine Drive parking area [Northwestern End]; From the junction of Routes 1 & 101 travel north on Route 101. Take exit 439 to Lincoln Blvd. Take your 2nd left into the Battery East parking lot (Fee) for the San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Bridge Trail Section [Southern End]. If you continue along Lincoln Blvd and take your next left down Long Ave, it becomes Marine Dr. You'll find free parking on your right for FORT POINT NHS . This is the start of the San Francisco Bay Trail; San Francisco Bay Section [Northwestern End].
The San Francisco Bay Trail is a series of connected walking and cycling paths that ring the San Francisco Bay and the San Pablo Bay up North. The Bay Trail is currently more than 350 miles with the ultimate goal of 500 miles running through all nine Bay Area counties, 47 cities and across seven toll bridges. I have checked out the San Francisco Section. The Golden Gate Bridge Trail is part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, as well as, the California Coastal Trail. See; California Coastal Trail; Golden Gate Bridge Trail . The Presidio Trails traverse the steep hills of Presidio of San Francisco and include parts of the San Francisco Bay Trail along the Northern Edge of the park & California Coastal Trail along its Western Edge. For more information visit; SAN FRANCISCO BAY TRAIL .
San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section:
[Part of the Presidio Trails]
Starting from the Marine Drive parking area [Northwestern End]; Be sure to check out FORT POINT NHS , West, on-road (low traffic) along Marine Dr. Very impressive, with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Note; Future plans call for constructing a separate trail or BIKE LANE West, to FORT POINT NHS .
Travel East, on-road (low traffic) along Marine Dr to Long Ave and the Warming Hut area. The wide, cement San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section begins here.
Note; If you travel right, South, on-road up Long Ave to Lincoln Blvd, you'll pick up the paved Battery East Trail. Map Board. Heading right, West, this trail will take you up to the ^Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South, where you can access the Golden Gate Bridge Trail , California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section & the Presidio Trails (See Below).
The wide, cement San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section travels East. [Re-Zeroing Mileage]
Note; From here West, it's 0.3 miles to FORT POINT NHS .
Pass by past the Warming Hut area (restrooms, park store). Torpedo Wharf on your left. The wide trail is now crushed gravel as you pass by the open West Bluff Picnic area, which includes a granite seating area on your right and a beach along your left. Come to Old Mason St & Marine Dr at 0.3 miles. You have 2 Options from here: Option 1 takes you inland along a 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, while Option 2 takes you along the shoreline. Both Options bring you to the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE and are equal distances.
Option 1: I haven't checked out this section. Head right, along the 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE (with pedestrian path) alongside Old Mason St. This takes you past Crissy Field along your left and the converted old Presidio buildings along your right. Pass by a gravel Spur Trail #1 (leads North, to Golden Gate Beach, Option 2) on your left at 0.9 miles. You then travel past Crissy Field Marsh along your left, before coming to gravel Spur Trail #2 (leads North, to East Bluff Picnic area & Crissy Field South Beach, Option 2) on your left at 1.2 miles. I've checked out this next section. Quickly pass by gravel Spur Trail #3 (leads North, to East Bluff Picnic, Option 2) before passing by Yacht Rd on your left and coming to the paved Spur Trail #4 (leads North, to the Marina District Lighthouse parking lot) on your left at 1.6 miles. This is where Option 2 joins Option 1. This is the start of the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE.
Option 2: I've checked out this section. Continue straight along the wide, crushed gravel trail as it passes by Crissy Field along your right and Golden Gate Beach along your left. Come to gravel Spur Trail #1 (leads South, to the Old Mason Street 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, Option 1) on your left at 0.8 miles. You then travel past Crissy Field Marsh along your right & Crissy Field South Beach, before crossing a bridge over the tidal marsh and coming to gravel Spur Trail #2 at 1.2 miles (leads South, to another intersection. Right takes across a boardwalk through Crissy Field Marsh to the Old Mason Street 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, while straight takes you to the Old Mason Street 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE and Spur Trail #3, Option 1). I haven't checked out this next section. Continue alongside East Bluff Picnic area on your right and Crissy Field East Beach on your left, before coming to the Marina District Lighthouse parking lot and overlook at 1.4 miles.
Note; A narrow cement path continues East, between the beach & parking lot (if biking I would utilize the parking lot) and brings you to the small Marina District Lighthouse. You can the continue out along a jetty, along a paved trail to Coghlan Beach & the Wave Organ (sculpture) after 0.5 miles.
A crosswalk right, take you through the parking lot to the gravel Spur Trail #4. This brings you to a paved trail. Head right, South, to the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE after 1.6 miles.
San Francisco Bay Trail; San Francisco Section:
[Continuing Mileage] Continuing East, along the paved San Francisco Bay Trail; San Francisco Section, you utilize the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, pass by Yacht Harbor along your left, before coming to the San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor access road at 1.9 miles.
You have 2 Options from here: Same as before. Option 1 takes you inland along a 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, while Option 2 takes you along the shoreline. Both Options bring you to *Laguna Street and are equal distances.
Option 1: Head straight, along the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE (with pedestrian path) passing by the open Marina Green on your left. Come to *Laguna Street after 2.8 miles.
Note; On your left, in the Fort Mason parking lot, is PARKWIDE BIKE RENTAL .
Option 2: Head left, North, along a paved trail to the San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor & Marina Green parking lot. Continue right, East, alongside the Bay. Turn right, traveling around East Harbor. Restrooms located in Marina Green. Pass by the Fort Mason parking lot to a crosswalk over the road.
Note; The PARKWIDE BIKE RENTAL is located here.
This brings you to the intersection of the Marina Blvd 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE, Fort Mason Park & *Laguna Street after 2.8 miles.
You have 2 Options from here: The Outer Loop takes you around the Western, Southern & Eastern Sides of both Pyron Park & Fort Mason Park and is slightly longer then the Inner Loop which takes you along the Northern Side of Fort Mason Park.
Option 1: Paved trail travels right, South, then East, along Bay St and finally North, up past Pyron Park and Fort Mason Park. Pass by the Madonna Statue and join the wide, main paved trail (Option 2) at 3.3 miles.
Option 2: Head straight, East, along a wide, paved trail up through Fort Mason Park, keeping to your left. Pass by the Option 1 trail on your right at 3 miles*.
[*Continuing Mileage] Continue North, through the Eucalyptus Grove, then downhill past Black Point to old Pier 4 (original pier to access Alcatraz Island) and Aquatic Park Pier. On your right is the San Francisco FD pumping station. Travel South, on-road (low traffic) along Van Ness Ave past Van Ness Park. Up along the hill on your right are the Black Point Historic Gardens. Come to a white circular building on your left at 3.5 miles. Spot the tunnel on your right into the hillside. Head left along the wide promenade that travels East, alongside Aquatic Cove. Pass by the SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME MUSEUM which resembles the deck of a ship. Come to Jefferson St at 3.8 miles. This next section is on-road (not recommended for novice bikers). Come to Hyde St.
Note; Right, up Hyde St, will bring you to the POWELL/HYDE CABLE CARS station.
Continue along Jefferson St (wide sidewalk, but usually crowded) to Fisherman's Wharf at 4.1 miles. This section of trail can be very crowded with pedestrians. Wide paved trail heads left along Taylor St to The Embarcadero.
Note; Left is the USS Pampanito Museum and Memorial.
Pass by the Pier 41 Marine Terminal and Pier 39 & playground. Come to Pier 35 & the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, where the trail starts to turn South at 4.8 miles. Here you pick up a SEPARATED BIKE LANE, which travels along the Eastern Side of San Francisco. A wide promenade travels in front of the piers. Pass by multiple piers and small parks and green spaces. Travel underneath the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at 6.4 miles and come to Oracle Park at 7.1 miles. This was as far as I traveled.
Presidio Trails:
Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail:
Starting from the ^Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South; This is where the flag pole is located, along with a bridge replica. Restrooms, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Round House Cafe, Battery Lancaster, informational & Map Boards all surround the Vista Point South plaza. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point NHS & the San Francisco skyline. Exit the Vista Point South plaza via a narrow path out the West Side, to an **Intersection next to Route 101.
Note; Right, North, the Golden Gate Bridge Path follows along the Eastern Side of the bridge. Both bikes & pedestrians can utilize this path, although bikes are restricted during certain times. See; BIKES; GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE .
Note; Left, South, a cement path takes you alongside Route 101, then down past the Round House Cafe to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Across the entrance road are restrooms.
Heading sharp right, East, along the paved California Coastal Trail takes you down to an *Intersection for the Battery East Trail. Continue left, Southwest, along the paved California Coastal Trail, which is part of the Presidio Trails. You travel underneath Route 101 and come to another **Intersection.
Note; Left, North, is the start of the paved Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which is part of both the California Coastal Trail & San Francisco Bay Trail, which takes you up to the cement Golden Gate Bridge Trail , which travels along the Western Side of the bridge.
The crushed gravel Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail travels South, high above the Bay, past the remnants of Battery Marcus Miller & Battery Boutelle. The trail then follows alongside Lincoln Blvd, with Battery Godfrey along your right. Next come open views, high above the Bay, before coming to a crosswalk over to Washington Blvd after 0.7 miles.
Note; The Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail continues straight, however, you have the option of following the road (on-road & BIKE LANES) or utilizing hard packed dirt trails.
This was as far as I traveled. A narrow dirt trail continues alongside the road or travel on-road downhill. Past Kobbe Ave a BIKE LANE picks up heading uphill.
Note; At 1.1 miles, the crushed gravel Presidio Trail; California Coastal Trail veers right, away from the road, down to Battery Chamberlin, Baker Beach & Battery Chamberlin Road parking lot. Restrooms. Past here the trail is on-road.
Past Pershing Dr at 1.4 miles, BIKE LANE both directions. Come to El Camino Del Mar at 1.7 miles.
Note; On your left spot a Map Board at a plaza entrance. Here you can access the Presidio Trail; Lobos Creek Valley Trail.
El Camino Del Mar turns West and you exit the Presidio of San Francisco & Presidio Trails.
Presidio Trail; Presidio Promenade:
Starting from the ^Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South; This is where the flag pole is located, along with a bridge replica. Restrooms, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Round House Cafe, Battery Lancaster, informational & Map Boards all surround the Vista Point South plaza. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point NHS & the San Francisco skyline. Exit the Vista Point South plaza via a narrow path out the West Side, to an **Intersection next to Route 101. Heading sharp right, East, along the paved California Coastal Trail takes you down to an *Intersection for the Presidio Promenade/Battery East Trail. This wide paved trail travels Southeast, past an overlook for the Bay & Bridge. Pass by a Spur Trail on your right, which leads to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and restrooms. Informational signs along this route. Come to an intersection.
Note; Straight takes you out to Lincoln Blvd.
Head left, and travel past the Battery East parking lot. Come to Long Rd & Lincoln Blvd at 0.5 miles.
Note; Left, North, down Long Rd will bring you to the San Francisco Bay Trail; Golden Gate Promenade Section, where you can also access FORT POINT NHS .
I haven't checked out this next section. Continue straight alongside Lincoln Blvd. BIKE LANE available. Travel underneath Route 101 and come to McDowell Ave at 1 mile. The Northern End of the Presidio Trail; Park Trail starts here as well. I've checked out this next section. The trail continues straight, East, through open woods, quickly bringing you to Lincoln Blvd.
Note; Just before Lincoln Blvd, you can also access the wide, paved Battery Park Trail on your left, North, that utilizes old Incinerator Rd. This trail travels underneath Route 101, then turns East, past Battery Slaughter, bringing you to +Sheridan Ave.
Here a BIKE LANE continues straight, past the San Francisco National Cemetery up along your right and Battery Bluff Park on your left. Picnic tables. This park is built on top of the Route 101 tunnel and overlooks Battery Slaughter. Come to +Sheridan Ave at 1.3 miles, where you'll pick up a wide, paved trail alongside Lincoln Blvd.
Note; The wide, paved Battery Park Trail comes in from your left.
This will bring you to the Presidio Tunnel Tops East Meadow Park. Lots of trails, picnic tables & Presidio Visitor Center. Across Lincoln Blvd is the Main Parade Lawn. A SEPARATED BIKE LANE continues along Lincoln Blvd. Come to Girard Rd at 1.9 miles. Presidio Trail; Tennessee Hollow Trail crosses here. A BIKE LANE continues along Lincoln Blvd, which becomes Presidio Blvd. Turn left along Lombard St and follow out to Lyon St after 2.4 miles and the end of the trail.
Note; If you travel left, North, a BIKE LANE will bring you to the PALACE OF FINE ARTS . A must visit!
HH
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT