This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You San Francisco Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
By Stephanie Garr|Updated on February 02, 2023(Originally published January 28, 2023)
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Stephanie Garr
Author
Stephanie is a freelance writer and editor based in San Francisco, California. When she's not tapping at a keyboard, she can be found leading groups on gourmet chocolate walking tours (best job ever) or running the many lovely hills and stairs of the city (to burn off all that chocolate, of course). She also runs a travel blog with her husband at Big & Small Travel (bigandsmalltravel.com).
San Franciscans are spoiled rotten with an incredible array of Mother Nature’s greatest work practically at their doorstep. This road trip to natural wonders near San Francisco (and in the city) takes you to some incredible vista points, jaw-dropping hills, breathtaking beaches, and lush forests.
Aside from being surprised by the natural wonders that exist in the City by the Bay, you’ll only have to drive 22 miles and spend under two hours in the car. Before you head out on your adventure, take a look at this San Francisco road trip map for directions. Read on to learn more about what you’ll explore during your San Francisco natural wonders adventure too.
Start your road trip by climbing one of San Francisco's great hills! Hit the paved trail that winds all the way up to the top, or take a shortcut through rockier paths, and get yourself a stunning 360-degree look at the city and beyond from Bernal Heights Hill - the first of many natural wonders on your outing.
After Bernal Heights Hill, make your way to 3rd Street, passing through the Dogpatch, before hitting the Embarcadero. Pass by AT&T Park and ride along the waterfront. We recommend stopping near or at the Ferry Building to grab a bite to eat. Then, take in the beauty of the Bay, looking out for Treasure Island, Angel Island, and Sausalito in the distance.
You can also visit these natural wonders near San Francisco by taking a ferry ride across the water.
3. Crissy Field
Crissy Field, 1199 E Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Follow the waterfront, then turn onto Bay Street, bypassing the hectic Fisherman's Wharf tourist crowds, before passing the Fort Mason Center and making your way onto Marina Boulevard. Take a stop at Crissy Field (either on the grass or in the sand) to admire more Bay views and a close-up of the Golden Gate Bridge during your San Francisco road trip.
Continue along Lincoln Boulevard to get deep into the beautifully lush and scenic Presidio. Catch breathtaking views of the Pacific, the Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge; take a stroll down Lovers' Lane; sunbathe on the beach; pass by military landmarks and the San Francisco National Cemetery. You can also hunt for interesting sculptures like this Spire constructed from the trunks of cypress trees during your San Francisco natural wonders outing.
For your next stop, park at Baker Beach and take in expansive views of the Pacific, Marin Headlands, and Golden Gate Bridge. Then, follow the Batteries to Bluffs Trail to the smaller Marshall's Beach to explore more natural wonders near San Francisco.
Make your way through the upscale neighborhood of Sea Cliff, pass the Legion of Honor museum, and then prepare for another little hike to Lands End, which grants even more spectacular ocean views. Jump on the Coastal Trail to make your way to the hidden patch of sand known as Mile Rock Beach and quite possibly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in San Francisco - the labyrinth overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
Just around the bend from Lands End is San Francisco's biggest plot of sand, Ocean Beach. Be sure to take a quick look around at the Cliff House and Sutro Baths when checking out these natural wonders. Spot Seal Rocks: a small group of rock formations that used to be home to a population of sea lions (hence its name).
Right next door to Ocean Beach is Golden Gate Park. This gorgeous green space takes up much of the city’s western side and is approximately 20% larger than New York’s Central Park—which means you'll probably need a good amount of time to explore some of the highlights, including the Dutch windmills, Stow Lake, Academy of Sciences, and various flower gardens during this stop on your San Francisco road trip.
9. Mount Sutro
Mount Sutro, Mt Sutro, San Francisco, CA 94131, USA
From the southeastern side of Golden Gate Park, head into the Inner Sunset neighborhood and wind around to the geographical center of San Francisco. This is where the city's third-largest hill sits. Explore one of the multi-use trails that snake through a dense, often foggy, forest of Monterey Pine, Monterey Cyprus, and Blue Gem Eucalyptus when exploring these natural wonders.
Just around the bend are two more of San Francisco's famous hills. These sister peaks ("Eureka" and "Noe") help shape the fog that creeps in from the Pacific and they allow for some of the most fantastic views of the city and beyond. Be sure to have your camera on hand to take shots of these breathtaking San Francisco natural wonders.
This San Francisco natural wonders adventure is nothing short of amazing. Looking for another road adventure? Check out this San Francisco road trip that takes you to nine amazing places in and around the San Francisco Bay Area… on just one tank of gas.
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More to Explore
Natural Wonders Near San Francisco
Marla S. |February 02, 2023
What are some of the best natural wonders in Northern California?
Some of the best natural wonders in Northern California include the following destinations.
Redwood National Park: You'll find the tallest trees in the world just north of San Francisco.
Point Reyes National Seashore: Bring your camera to capture the ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and stunning landscapes when you visit this natural wonder.
Mt. Shasta: This memorable natural wonder in Northern California is just over 14,000 feet and the fifth tallest in the state.
McCloud River Falls: You'll need to take the McCloud River Three Falls Trail to reach these impressive waterfalls.
Learn more about these and other natural wonders in this article.
What are some San Francisco road trip ideas?
Along with taking the San Francisco road trip to natural wonders, take a look at these additional adventures in and near the City by the Bay:
