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Pacifica, California

Looking for the best running in Pacifica? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Pacifica. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Running Spots in and near Pacifica

  • San Francisco, California

    Run the Coit Tower Stairs

    3.8
    There 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...
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  • Redwood City, California

    Hike Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP

    4.6
    7 mi
    There are two places to park for this specific loop- the main parking area on Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) and a smaller parking lot on the western end of the park. I would recommend parking at whichever is closest. Find directions to both on Openspace.org. From the main parking lot, the trail ...
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  • Redwood City, California

    Hike the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Loop

    3.7
    5.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Getting there: exit Highway 280 at Edgewood Road, travel .75 miles east, turn left on Crestview Drive, then immediately left again on Edmonds Road.Once parked, there are several different path options through the park. All of them connect in a large loop, and return to the parking lot. The Cordil...
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  • Sausalito, California

    Slacker Hill

    5.0
    1.02 mi / 344 ft gain
    Although the Headlands can be crowded, particularly at the parking-lot chaos of the Vista Point and pull-offs along Conzelman Road, the three routes leading to the summit of Slacker Hill remain relatively quiet, even during busy weekends. Each can be tied into larger loops throughout the Headland...
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  • Sausalito, California

    Ninja Loop

    9.37 mi / 1831 ft gain
    This loop can start from several different locations, including Rodeo Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot. Starting from the GGB will add 2 more miles onto this run. I like to start at the Coastal Trailhead parking lot off of McCullough and Conzelman Roads (just a notch down from Hawk Hi...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Miwok, Marincello and Bobcat Trail

    8.17 mi / 1391 ft gain
    Miwok, Marincello and Bobcat Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Sausalito, California.
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  • Redwood City, California

    Hike the Crystal Springs Trail Loop

    5.6 mi / 1300 ft gain
    This is a great hike for any season of the year, with rushing streams during the winter, wildflowers in the spring, and cool, shaded canyons during the summer. Starting from near the Zwierlein Picnic area, take the Crystal Springs to the left into the redwood forest. Stay straight at the next tra...
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  • Redwood City, California

    Hike the Methuselah and El Corte De Madera Creek Loop

    6.2 mi / 1800 ft gain
    This loop hike will provide people with the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the lower canyons of the preserve, which tend to be more isolated than the heavier-trafficked trails that are closer to the main highway. Be warned that this hike is fairly strenuous because of the large amou...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Coyote Ridge Loop

    5.0
    6.15 mi / 1001 ft gain
    Starting just before the Tennessee Valley parking lot, head out from the Miwok Trailhead. This Mill Valley hike offers incredible views of the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean (fog permitting of course!), and on occasion, wildlife. Unfortunately, this trail is not dog-friendly.  Keep in mind...
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  • Redwood City, California

    Hike or Bike the Old Growth Redwood Loop at El Corte de Madera

    4.4
    8.8 mi / 1900 ft gain
    This hike starts at the middle parking lot of the El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. The middle lot is located roughly a mile south on Skyline Boulevard from the Skeggs Point Vista. From the parking lot, take the Methuselah Trail for 0.3 miles until you reach the Timberview Trail. Take this ...
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  • Tiburon, California

    Angel Island Perimeter Loop

    5.98 mi / 794 ft gain
    Angel Island Perimeter Loop is a loop trail around the circumference of the island in the San Francisco Bay. The island is located near Tiburon, California with views  of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, Sausalito, and TIburon as you traverse around the island. ...
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  • Muir Beach, California

    Owl Trail

    5.0
    1.2 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Owl Trail runs between Slide Ranch and the Muir Beach Overlook and is a great way to take in the breathtaking views, flora and fauna of the Northern California coast.  The easiest way to access the trail is to park at the Muir Beach Overlook and to take the trail down to Slide Ranch and then...
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  • Woodside, California

    Hike through Wunderlich County Park

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 1400 ft gain
    Located in the iconic Silicon Valley town of Woodside, Wunderlich County Park offers a number of hiking trails as well as some horseback riding trails through the wilderness.  Once in the parking lot, you will see a number of stables, riding ring, as well as a beautiful historic stable that was o...
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  • Stinson Beach, California

    Steep Ravine Environmental Campground

    5.0
    Gain access through a private locked gate, and descend about 1 mile down to the bluff's edge. There is only parking for 1 car per site and also several cabins that can be rented. A camp host is on site and there are bathrooms and water spigots throughout the campground. Each site has a fire ring...
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  • Tiburon, California

    Bouldering at Ring Mountain

    0.5 mi / 400 ft gain
    Itching to climb outdoors near San Francisco?  With only a quick drive from the city, Ring Mountain is a beautiful nature preserve overlooking the city of San Francisco offering two main rock formations, Turtle Rock (Pictured) and Split Rock.  Split Rock is the slabby rock south of the parking ar...
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  • Corte Madera, California

    Ring Mountain Loop

    4.0
    2.65 mi / 597 ft gain
    Ring Mountain Open Space is an easy but uphill trail that take you to the top where you can explore more trails. Take the 101 exit for Paradise Dr in Corte Madera, follow the road, and park on the side of the road once you pass Westward Dr. Even though there are many places to start the trail fo...
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