Urban and Wild!

Some of the best hikes happen right in city limits. These three outdoor escapes are in urban spaces yet bring a faraway feeling because of their natural wild wonders—from lush forest to wildlands with mountain views, and a peak offering iconic scenery.

Week: 05.18.2022
Regions: Northern CA

Santa Teresa Serenity

Hike a scenic loop at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose

Hiker on a bench overlooking the vast scenery of mountains at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Hiker posing for the camera on a trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Mountain biker on a wide open trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Wide and winding trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Santa Teresa County Park offers wooded trails, stunning views, and an up-close look at ranch life, all without ever leaving San Jose. This 3.7-mile loop is a breath of fresh air.
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San Francisco's Middle Earth

Hiking San Francisco's Mount Sutro

Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker going up stairs to enter Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker on a trail at Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker looking up at trees in Mount Sutro San Francisco
No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.
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Panorama Bonanza

Hike to Panoramic Ridge above Berkeley for iconic views of the Bay Area

Bring the dog, bag a peak, and get an impressive two-bridge view on a lollipop loop hike that includes the San Francisco skyline. Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve—high in the hills above Berkeley—has 208 acres of peaks and valleys, including the 3.4-mile (round-trip) Stonewall-
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Barbary Coast Trail medallion hike in San Francisco

    Medallion Walk SF

    The Barbary Coast Trail is a 3.8-mile historical walk and treasure hunt through San Francisco. Be on the lookout for hubcap-sized bronze medallions placed on the city sidewalks with arrows pointing you in the right direction.

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  2. Greater by the Dozen

    This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.

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  3. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  4. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Roaring Redwoods

    Tucked next to brilliant Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz, the folks at Roaring Camp Railroads had a bright idea: When the sun goes down, the rainbow lights come up. Sequoias at Night brings big magic to some of the tallest trees in the world.

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  2. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  3. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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