Bay Area Hikes: Coastal Views, Redwoods & Local Favorites

You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve escaped the city. The San Francisco Bay Area — especially just across the Golden Gate — is packed with hikes that deliver epic views, quiet trails, and a whole lot of variety. Whether you're chasing foggy cliffs above the Pacific, shady redwood canyons, or wide-open coastal bluffs, there’s no shortage of nearby adventure.

What I love most about hiking in this part of Northern California is the contrast: you can go from cypress-lined ridgelines to fern-filled ravines in just a few miles. And no matter which trail you hit, you're getting a dose of that signature NorCal magic — sea breeze, elevation gain, and the kind of quiet that resets your brain.

Below are a few of my favorite hikes so far — each with a short write-up and link to the full story. I’ll keep adding more as I explore.

👉 See gear for these days hikes

Featured Bay Area Hikes:

• Steep Ravine Trail
  Switchbacks, redwoods, ocean views — and a ladder climb tucked into a fern-covered canyon.
  👉 Read the full hike →

• SCA Trail (Marin Headlands)
  A short, view-packed trail with nonstop panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and the Pacific.
  👉 Read the full hike →

• Tennessee Valley Trail
  A mellow classic that leads to a hidden cove beach — great for sunsets, wildflowers, and coastal calm.
  👉 Read the full hike →