I ran across a mention of the California Coastal Trail in a guidebook. A website was mentioned: www.californiacoastaltrail.org, which didn't really offer the help I needed.
Hoping somebody who lives in the area can figure this out for me!

We will be relying on public transportation, and ideally, we'd like to do a scenic, 3-5 mile hike, one-way hike, with transportation at either end. I understand the Baker beach area offers a great view of the bridge! Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Liz

Congratulations - you've done a good job of homework. That walk is breathtaking. Visitors who just hang around Fisherman's Wharf miss so much - and the Coastal Trail is one of the things they miss.

There are two chunks with fantastic views. Walking east, Baker Beach does have remarkable views of the bridge. Then you hit a section of luxury homes with no view except between the buildings (Robin Williams live there). Then you hit a golf course, walk right, and you will see a "Coastal Path" marker and a little closer to the bay a viewing platform. Along this section of the costal path, there are exquisite views of the bridge, the coast below you (large cliffs), the residences which looks like the Medeterranian coast with villas, and the Golden Gate (entrance to the bay). Soon you come to some steep stairs down (that's why you want to go east to west), and then you can end up at the Cliff House/Sutro Heights where you can catch the 38 Geary to downtown (get a Muni Map)

I suspect that the walk from Baker Beach to the Cliff House is greater than 3.5 miles. You could skip the Baker Beach portion, and start in Sea Cliff. Take the 38 Geary & get off near 25th Ave & catch the 29 bus north. Actually, you can take this 29 bus to either Baker Beach or to the eastern edge of the Sea Cliff Residential section. If you want to shorten the walk a bit, you could take the 1 California to 32nd st & walk north a couple of blocks to catch the coastal trail at the golf course (you'll need to walk west 1 block to get out of Sea Cliff).

Get a AAA map of San Francisco. The Coastal Trail is well marked on it.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu for sharing this.

It's on my list for next visit to SF.

Stu, do you know which building is filmed in "Mrs Doubtfire" as their house?

I think my wife knows - she just left for a shopping spree.

Stu Dudley

THANKS!

Just what I was looking for! I'll stop at AAA on my way home today!

BTW, I meant 3 to 5 miles.

~Liz

"The Doubtfire high jinx took place at 2640 Steiner Street in Pacific Heights."

http://tinyurl.com/2mmbgw

More detail and pictures.

It's on the east side of the 2600 block of Steiner, at Broadway.

Robin Williams actual home is at the southeast corner of Seacliff & Camino del Mar. Camino del Mar does a wiggle & a split there - look for a large topiary dragon peeking out over a hedge. His house is not fronting the Bay.

Stu Dudley

Stu: I think I heard somewhere, the movie was shot at his house. Probably a lie.

DmLove: WOW! Was this website created by on overly obsessive fan? Or by movie creators? It feels like a bit too much But thank you anyway!

bookmarking. Haven't heard of the Coastal trail before.
Hilary

Stu, is the Coastal Trail really a trail, or does it become "rock climbing" when you get near the Sutro Baths?

it's a dirt path as far as I took it - which was a little short of Sutro Baths. Good question. The weather is fantastic now - perhaps I'll take it from Sutor Baths to the stairs & report back this weekend.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley,

That would be great! Hope the weather stays good! Is it ALWAYS foggy in the am, or does it vary?

~Liz

Not foggy today, but it was pea soup a few days ago.

Stu Dudley

Natural Born Hikers has a description of a trail that goes from GGB to Baker's Beach (which they say is 2 miles). It is from 2001. We drove part of Stu's recommended car drive from the Golden Gate Park to the GGB (great views of the bridge all along that route) -- stopping at Baker's Beach and the Presidio area right before the bridge. I was looking to see where the trail connected there in case we wanted to walk part of it (didn't do it then, but am very interested in this post for the future), and it looked like they were redoing part of the trail (on the way from there to Baker Beach), so some of the information from 2001 has probably changed.

We just got back from hiking the portion of the Coaastal Trail we missed earlier in the year. Wow - it's spectacular. Our enjoyment was enhanced by warm, beautiful, and still (no wind) weather. The views, like I said earlier, are fantastic. I would definitely put this in my top 3 "must sees" (I've lived in SF or close by for the past 32 years). Actually, I don't know what the other 2 "toppers" would be that I think are equal or better.

The section from the Sutro Baths to where we left off when we did this in July (the stairs) is about one-third 12-15' paved road, one-third 12-15' dirt road, and one-third 6-8' dirt path - this answers dmolve's question. To tell the truth, we never took this route prior to this year because I had the belief that it was rocky - which it was not.

The trail is extremly well marked - just stay on the "Coastal Trail". The most intereting part for us was the side excursion to a place called One Mile Beach - or something like that. There are well maintained stairs that go down & down & down to the beach, which is kinda interesting. At the beach, as you face the Bay, there is a path that goes up to the right (towards the GG Bridge) to a lookout (easy to spot). There are remains of WWII batterys at this lookout, a rock labyrinth, and an excellent view of the shoreline & GG Bridge. We sat on a bench there for about 45 mins. It would be an excellent place for a picnic if the weather is nice & it's not too windy (which it often is).

I can think of no better way to spend a half-day than take this walk in the AM or afternoon, have lunch or early dinner at the Cliff House, then take the 38 Geary back downtown.

Stu Dudley

Great update Stu. Thanks!

Stu
this info is above and beyond!. Thanks for taking the time to assist we visitors. It seems like the experience was enjoyable for you, so perhaps no hardship. Those of us that only have a few days to see a place really appreciate all the input we get from this website. I have found it a great help and believe you can soon find advice that is 'right' for your holiday through this type of armchair planning.

Thanks again, StuDudley!

Your hike sounds exactly like what I was looking for. We're flying out tomorrow! Can't wait!

~Liz