Last weekend we went up to San Francisco to meet up with some friends at the Exploratorium. Afterward, Kevin took BART to east to Berkeley to catch the Cal basketball game, and I headed west to the Glen Park station where we had left our car.
It was close to sunset, the sky was clear, and I decided to take a drive up the hill to cross one big item off of my San Francisco travel wish list–checking out the view from Twin Peaks.
San Francisco is famous for its hills, and Twin Peaks are two of the city’s highest. One of the peaks has Sutro Tower, a unique 977 foot red and white striped radio tower. While many locals considered it an eyesore when it was first built in the 1970s, today the tower is one of San Francisco’s most iconic images. I had wanted to drive up to the tower, but I understand the area is closed off from the public.
The next best view is from the other peak, and oh, what a view it is! On a clear winter afternoon, looking to the right you can see all the way down Market Street, Downtown, the Ferry Building, and the Bay Bridge.
To the left you can see out to the Golden Gate Bridge which glowed in the late afternoon sun.
It was a breathtaking view and one I’ll be adding to my San Francisco sightseeing route with visiting family and friends.
Visiting Twin Peaks
501 Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco
Parking can be tight but there are a handful of different parking lots at the top of the hill. Most visitors just snap a photo and leave so cars don’t usually stay all that long.
If you don’t have a car, you can either take transit to the bottom of the hill and then hike up, or book a San Francisco day tours that stop at this view on their route. You can find out more about tours on the Twin Peaks Tripadvisor page.
These hills are often socked in with fog, so for the best view try to visit on a clear day. If you can see the base of Sutro Tower, you should at least be able to see the view over the city.
It can be very windy and cold at the top of the hill, year-round, so dress warm and bring a jacket.
I’ve been wanting to tackle some of the peaks in San Francisco. That shot of the golden gate bridge is beautiful!
Thanks Audrey! There are so many, such a great place for urban hiking if you’re looking for a workout 🙂 We did a New Year’s Eve organized by the local Sierra Club chapter one year, it went up and down a few different hills (Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, and another I can’t remember) and ended with a view of the fireworks out on the Embarcadero. That was a lot of fun! Another reader told me about an urban hiking group that does tours in SF. I can’t remember what they are called but I’ve been wanting to check out one of their hikes!
I’m so sorry I forgot to get back to you on this! The hiking tour that I was thinking of is called Urban Hiker SF! I haven’t done her tours comes recommended by a reader. Hope that helps!
Wow!!! those are some lovely San Fran swoon views!!!
Thanks Janice! Did you ever make it up there when you lived up there? I’m on a hunt for other good views. I have never been up to the top of Coit tower so that one is now on my wish list.
Hi Cassie…
Spend time on Urban Hiker’s website, as she has documented with paths/trails/photos very good high/low/level San Fran swoony urban hikes 🙂 Also she’s putting out an awesome book with fun cool urban hikes in it @ http://www.urbanhikersf.com/#!book/c1ktj
It looks to be coming out in fall of 2016 😉
She hikes solo/with others all over the bay area/San Fran 😀
great, thanks Janice!
This spot looks so awesome! I have never been there but now I want to go and see these killer views!
I was thinking that when I travel to a new place, I ALWAYS look for spots with great views but I don’t know that many great ones close to home. I had no idea this one was on all the bus tour routes!