First-time visitors to San Francisco will put world famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf on their “must see” list. Tourists have numerous transport options such as the cable car, the streetcar or MUNI buses. However, the system in this city is somewhat disjointed and you are likely to find yourself hopping from one mode to another just to get to one place.
Why not try sight seeing by running the city? It’s a great way to combine running with your holidays. San Francisco’s famous hills are a bear for walkers and runner alike. Its marathon is a race even marathoners fear. But with a bit of research before you hit the streets, you can avoid many of the 45-degree inclines (or steeper) and save yourself some sore muscles.
Here’s a very scenic route we have mapped out so you don’t have to do the work. You may choose to walk instead of run. This route will cover a whole host of interesting sights and be prepared to be distracted along the way.
- Start: Ferry Building on The Embarcadero
- End: Vista Point, Sausalito
- Distance: Approximately 7.5 miles/12 km (15 miles/24 km if looping back)
- Difficulty: Moderate (due to distance as the terrain is mostly flat)
- Duration: Plan for at least 3 hours
The Ferry Building is a hive of activity and a great place to start the sightseeing as you can take a selfie with the Bay Bridge as the backdrop.
Start your sight-seeing here at the Ferry Building on The Embarcadero. Photo © Clare Tan.
The first stop is in front of Bloomberg’s Office on Pier 3 where TV show Bloomberg West is filmed. This is followed by The Exploratorium – a museum of science, art, and human perception – on Pier 15. You will probably need a few hours to enjoy the museum, so do make plans to revisit on another day.
Pier 39 Broadwalk is filled with shops and restaurants. Photo © Clare Tan.
The first major tourist attraction comes at Mile 1.5 when you reach Pier 39. This is home of the California sea lions and cruises to Alcatraz depart from this pier. From here you have entered into Fisherman’s Wharf and join thousands of tourists who throng here daily for the seafood and a stroll to catch a sight of the sea lions.
Throngs of tourists visit Pier 39 to see sea lions perched on the docks. Photo © Katherine Goh.
At Mile 2, you will leave Fisherman’s Wharf behind and arrive at Ghirardelli Square. This historical old chocolate factory today is a mixed development filled with restaurants, shops and a hotel. It houses the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop where visitors get to see the chocolate manufacturing equipment and indulge in their delicious hot fudge sundaes. Plan to stop by here on your way back to replenish those calories you have burn. This is also the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of Alcatraz Island on a clear day.
The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. Photo © Clare Tan.
You can catch a view of Alcatraz Island in the distance on a clear day from San Francisco. Photo © Clare Tan.
Half a mile later, you will be fighting incline at Fort Mason and then arrive in the Marina District. This upscale waterfront neighbourhood is packed with stores, restaurants and outdoor attractions. This stretch of the course is mostly flat and easy to tackle. You can take a detour here to visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, a monumental structure constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and often seen in Hollywood movies.
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Photo © Katherine Goh.
This area is prime running spot of the entire Bay Area with grassy tree-lined Crissy Field and magnificent view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. Here you have a choice to run on the pavement or if you want to increase the intensity you can run on the sandy beach at Crissy Field.
At around Mile 5 you will arrive at the Warming Hut where you can stop and catch a breather at the café and take in the view of the gigantic “international orange” bridge.
Catch a breather at the cafe before you proceed onto the bridge. Photo © Clare Tan.
En route up to the bridge, you can take a detour and head to Fort Point to “high five” Hopper’s Hands. Fort Point is also one of the few best spots to photograph the bridge. As you head up the trail leading to the Golden Gate Bridge, you will most likely find yourself stopping often to try and take a selfie with the bridge.
High Five Hoppers Hands. Photo © Clare Tan.
The Golden Gate Bridge is about 1.7 miles long from end to end, and it sits both the San Francisco County and Marin County. On a clear day (San Francisco is famous for being foggy), you will have a clear view of the city. Vehicles using the bridge and traveling into San Francisco from Marin County have to pay tolls, but it is free for pedestrains and cyclists.
Entering Marin County on the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo © Clare Tan.
Go at a slower pace and enjoy the feeling of running on the bridge and take in the views. Don’t be shy to ask fellow travellers to help you take a picture since you are without the selfie stick.
The run will end at Vista Point which is also a very popular tourist spot. After a few photographs, you can loop back and make your way back to Ghirardelli Square for that hot fudge sundae as a reward (add another 4.5 miles to the tally).
Quick Tips for First Time Visitors
- This route covers only the northern periphery of San Francisco and will take you to major attractions such as Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason, Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- San Francisco is a city friendly to runners and cyclists; however, do practise good etiquette by keeping to the right-hand side of the path and stop at pedestrain crossings even if you have the right of way.
- It can get chilly and windy, so bring a windbreaker. There are ample washroom facilities and refreshment stops along the way.
- Carry identification and some small change with you in case you need to go on public transport. You can hop onto the cable car near Ghirardelli Square or the street car at Fisherman’s Wharf to get back to downtown.
