San Francisco is home to some stunning running trails, each one promising to inject your run with some extra motivation. From the diverse views through the Golden Gate Park to the challenging inclines of the Presidio Coastal Trail, there are so many different running trails to choose from, no matter where your experience level may lie.

Presidio Coastal Trail
The Presidio Coastal Trail is an ideal one for those who are more advanced runners, as it incorporates a number of different hills with various incline levels. The seven-mile trail is best started at California Street and Arguello Boulevard, and you will reach your first incline in a matter of minutes.

Golden Gate Park
The 1000 acre Golden Gate Park is home to several different dirt trails that crisscross their way around the park. Since the park boasts a number of the city’s top attractions, you will be able to take some of these in during your run, from the Japanese tea gardens to the Botanical Garden to the Rose Gardens.

Land’s End Trail
The Land’s End Trail travels through a woodland area that runs alongside the Pacific Coast, and splits off into multiple trails, meaning that you can choose between shorter and longer routes. The terrain throughout the trail is varied, which makes it a really interesting run, and many parts of the trail offer panoramic views out across the ocean and its surrounding cliffs, as well as of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you are running here while the tide is low, keep your eyes peeled as you are likely to be able to spot various shipwrecks down below, which date back to the early 1900’s.

Crissy Field
Crissy Field is where you will find some of the city’s most popular running trails, and it is an area that is extremely pet-friendly as well as family-friendly. There are various routes that you can take, although the most common path runs for about five miles, running from Fort Mason to the Golden Gate Bridge and back again. The views from this trail are incredible, and since there is a separate lane for bicycles, you will be able to spend more energy focusing on your running.

The Embarcadero
Starting at AT&T Park and running along the bay, before finishing at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero is an extremely lively running route, and you will pass everything from street performers to the Exploratorium to the Ferry Building Marketplace. While there are plenty of pedestrians in the area, runners are frequent here, and pedestrians are quick to move to the side if they see you approaching.

San Francisco is such a beautiful city, that it is no surprise its many different running trails offer unbeatable views, as well as a diverse terrain that keeps every run interesting. Being a relatively compact city, many running trails pass by some of San Francisco’s top attractions, and by planning your run in advance, you will be able to take in many of the city’s top sights while staying fit and healthy.