San Francisco is one of those rare places where city life and the outdoors blend seamlessly. If you love nature but still enjoy culture, food, and architecture, there’s really no better city (at least in my book!). Even if cities aren’t your thing, you’ll still find plenty of ways to get outside — from beaches and forests to cliffs and coastal dunes. In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite outdoorsy things to do in San Francisco — a mix of well-known spots and hidden gems for locals and visitors alike.

What could be more breathtaking than a road trip from California’s rugged Pacific coast across Utah’s deep red deserts to Colorado’s rushing mountain rivers in late spring? Imagine yourself traversing the vast, sun-scorched deserts along the Loneliest Road in America, gazing into the universe under some of the world’s darkest skies, hiking the tallest sand dunes in the Northern Hemisphere, and admiring turquoise alpine lakes while looking down at bone-dry deserts stretching endlessly below. In this article, I’ll take you through my absolute favorite outdoor adventures on a three-week road trip spanning California’s coastline, Utah and Nevada’s wild landscapes, and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Hiking in San Francisco? Absolutely! Thanks to San Francisco’s fantastic location on the Pacific Ocean, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, even within the city limits. The Batteries to Bluffs Trail, Lands End, and China Beach are stunning options for exploring the city’s rugged shoreline, offering incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge along the way.

Thanks to San Francisco's hilly terrain, there is no shortage of amazing views within (and just outside) the city. In this guide, I'll share my favorite viewpoints and parks with a view as a resident of SF, all of which are entirely free to access.