San Francisco Locals Reveal 2 Hidden Nature Walks Tourists Miss

Locals in San Francisco have shifted to lesser-known trails in the Presidio and Glen Canyon Park for their regular outdoor fitness sessions this July.

Tourism numbers in the city have climbed back toward pre-2020 levels, with Golden Gate Park recording over 24 million annual visitors according to city data. Crowds concentrate on main paths and viewpoints, pushing residents toward side trails that offer steady elevation gains and fewer interruptions during morning runs or weekend hikes.

Presidio side paths draw daily users

The Batteries to Bluffs Trail starts near the Presidio Main Post and runs along the bluffs with ocean views that stay shaded in the morning. Nearby, the Ecology Trail loops through eucalyptus groves behind the Letterman Digital Arts Center, where UCSF medical staff often jog before shifts. Both routes connect to the larger Bay Trail network but avoid the flat, open stretches near Crissy Field that fill with tour groups.

Residents report using these paths year-round for interval training and birdwatching stops. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department maintains maps that mark these interior routes, and access remains free with street parking available along Washington Boulevard.

Glen Canyon Park offers steep local loops

Further south, Glen Canyon Park in the Glen Park neighborhood features a 1.2-mile perimeter trail that climbs through oak woodland and along Islais Creek. The path connects to the higher reaches of O'Shaughnessy Boulevard, where hikers gain 300 feet of elevation in under a mile. Local running clubs meet here on Tuesday evenings rather than at the more visible trails in Golden Gate Park.

City records show the Recreation and Parks Department logged 18,400 volunteer hours maintaining Glen Canyon trails in 2025, including new signage added in March. A standard day-use parking spot along Bosworth Street costs nothing, though spaces fill by 9 a.m. on weekends.

Check the Recreation and Parks website for updated trail conditions before heading out, and carry water on any loop longer than 45 minutes. Start before 8 a.m. to secure parking near the Presidio or Glen Canyon entrances, and pair the walk with a cool-down stretch at nearby Ocean Beach if time allows.