Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The top pick is the Stanford Dish Hiking Trail, a 3.7-mile loop known for its scenic views of the Stanford campus and Silicon Valley. It's a moderate difficulty trail, perfect for a brisk walk or jog. The trail is also home to the historic Dish, a large radio telescope. For a more relaxed outdoor adventure, head to the Bedwell Bayfront Park. This 160-acre park offers a variety of walking trails and is a must-visit for bird watching. It's located near the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, offering views of salt ponds and the bay. Lastly, don't miss the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. It offers a network of trails through grasslands and forests, with a stunning panorama of the bay and valley at the summit.
Top Spots in and near Menlo Park
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San Francisco, California
Catch a Sunrise at Ina Coolbrith Park
5.0This tucked away neighborhood gem is less than a square block in size, but offers some of the best views of San Francisco. After a quick, but steep, 5 minute walk, you'll be rewarded with incredible views of: the city skyline, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge. There are a few benches avai...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Run the Coit Tower Stairs
3.8There are 2 sets of stairs for Coit Tower on Sansome St. The first set is at Greenwich and the second is at Filbert. The Filbert steps are a little deeper per step and are mostly wood and concrete. The Greenwich steps are a little tougher because of the shallower, brick stairs as you get toward t...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Stow Lake And Strawberry Hill
4.92.09 mi / 253 ft gainStrawberry Hill is one of the hidden gems of Golden Gate Park. It is named after the once abundant strawberry fields that inhabited the island. The hill, which reaches up to 430ft, is located in the middle of Stow Lake and has 2 foot bridges for access. This is a great place to run if you're look...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaStow Lake
5.0Not too many people know that you can rent a rowboat at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, but you can. And you should! This is one of my favorite ways to spend a few hours on a beautiful day in San Francisco. Grab your loved one, your favorite bottle of wine, some snacks, and hop in a rowboat. You’...Read more -
Oakland, California
Sibley Volcanic Trail Labyrinths
3.52 mi / 144 ft gainFrom Skyline Blvd, pull into the staging area for Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, you'll see the sign. Parking here is usually easy to find. You'll find an unstaffed visitor center with a restroom, park maps and informational displays featuring the history and geology of the park. Sibley is a...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaLover's Lane, Ecology, Mountain Lake Trail Loop
4.52.04 mi / 344 ft gainTucked into a corner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the Presidio, a beautiful little oasis of forests, beaches, and sweeping views that locals love. While the coastal trails get most of the attention here, the park covers 300 acres of prime real estate with lots of notable attract...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaLyon Street Steps
4.5Rumor has it there are almost 300 stairs from top to bottom. This is a great place to get some exercise in if you're up for running or walking up the stairs. Do a few laps (roundtrip) and you'll be pretty happy with your workout. If you're really looking to get after it, throw in a few pushups an...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaGolden Gate Angling & Casting Club
5.0The golden gate casting pools are a hidden gem in the park located on the other side of JFK from the Buffalo Paddock. Here you can practice your fly casting basics or pick up new forms casting (i.e. spey or double haul). The Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club has a clubhouse at the pond where s...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Aquatic Park
3.7Take an early morning swim and watch the sunrise over the east bay or catch an afternoon swim on a sunny SF day. A full lap around the buoys (out-and-back) is about 1/3 mile and the perimeter of the park is 1 mile. Bring your dog for a swim too! Afterward, you can head up Columbus to one of the m...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Presidio Ecology Trail
5.01.82 mi / 427 ft gainPresidio Ecology Trail is a loop trail through the Presidio located near San Francisco, California. This loop can be started at the Upper Ecology Trail off of Arguello Blvd near Pacific or down at the Lower Ecology Trail near the Inn at the Presidio. This trail is dog friendly on-leash.Read more -
San Francisco, California
Presidio Loop
5.95 mi / 823 ft gainThis route starts and ends on Jackson street in the Presidio Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco. This loop can be started in several areas of the Presidio including off of the Lyon street steps, but this starting point creates a good midpoint of the loop. Along the route, be sure to keep an ...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Presidio Bay Area Ridge Trail
5.02.73 mi / 203 ft gainPresidio Bay Area Ridge Trail is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near San Francisco, California.Read more -
Livermore, California
Hike to Murietta Falls
4.012 mi / 4175 ft gainGet ready for one of the toughest, lung busting hikes in the east bay with over 6-miles and 4,000ft of climbing in one direction. When you make it to the hike, it's also important to realize that without recent rain, there many not actually be a waterfall. With that said, you're still getting in ...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaFort Mason
4.8When the sun comes out in San Francisco, Fort Mason's Great Meadow Park transforms into ground zero for bocce ball, corn hole, wiffle ball, music, dancing, wine, and beer. While it lacks the diversity and quirkiness found at Dolores Park, it makes up for it with a beautiful panoramic view of the ...Read more -
Livermore, California
Del Valle Regional Park
4.0Looking for a quick summer escape filled with stand up paddling, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and picnics? Look no further than Del Valle Regional Park. Consistently considered one of the best campgrounds in the Bay Area, the centerpiece of Del Valle is a 5-mile long lake that allows swimming, fish...Read more -
Livermore, California
Paddle Lake Del Valle
4.0Lake Del Valle is a reservoir located in Livermore, California. The lake has boat motor boats, pedal boats, patio boats, canoes, and row boats available for rent. There is a dock and rental house in the marina.The lake is also a popular destination for picnics, barbecues, and camping. Parking fi...Read more
