Mt. Davidson San Francisco

A Great Hike on a Foggy Day

Kathleen from San Francisco

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it o...
"It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing."

On a foggy day or any other day, a hike on Mt. Davidson, San Francisco's natural rainforest, is just what the doctor ordered. Nestled in the beautiful woods of this unassuming little mountain in the sunset district of San Francisco, quiet and peacefulness reign. It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing. You would think that being in the heart of San Francisco would make it busy and noisy, but the opposite is actually true.

Mt. Davidson and the cross that sits atop the highest point in San Francisco is a memorial to all the Armenians who lost their lives in the genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government during WWI in an effort to eliminate the Armenian people from their homeland.

Every year on April 24th, Armenians congregate at the Mt. Davidson cross to remember the victims of that genocide and to symbolize the determination of the Armenian Americans to achieve official recognition of that act of genocide. The cross is lit each year on Easter and on April 24th (Armenian Genocide Memorial Day) and can be seen all around the entire city. 

Despite the sad history, the cross on Mt. Davidson is a sight to behold, standing at 103 feet. It is made of concrete and was dedicated in 1934. It's the best of all culminations to a beautiful, peace-inducing hike.

Go. You know you want to.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

San Francisco Spotter Kathleen

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it or not is another story. I picked up my first camera at the age of eight and became - much to the chagrin of my strict parents - the family voyeur. Often my dad would tell me that what I was doing was ...

About this spot

39 DALEWOOD WAY

US$

free

4158316800

Nov 5, 2025

Our San Francisco City Guide

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Toyose

Korean food in a garage

"Toyose" in San Francisco is a Korean restaurant in a garage! Curious yet? It's very intimate and the portions are very generous.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 5, 2025

Papalote Mexican Grill

Toda la familia

"Papalote Mexican Grill" is proof that in San Francisco we take our burritos seriously. As my taste matures, it's become my favorite restaurant for it.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 5, 2025

Albion Castle

A real urban castle

"Albion Castle" is a real castle in San Francisco that belongs to the family that owns what used to be the city's only springs. For private parties only!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

The Shipyard

Urban exploration at its riskiest

"The Shipyard", or Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, is definitely a boon for UrbExers. Just know it's a Superfund, thus super-toxic, site...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

Dahlia Garden

Blooming colors

"Dahlia Garden" in San Francisco is right behind the Conservatory of Flowers, a sectioned-off area w/ vibrant dahlias, which reach their peak in September.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 5, 2025

Held Over

Vintage clothing

"Held Over" in San Francisco has eclectic and sometimes outlandish clothes on display! You might walk in and find a shirt worn to Woodstock 50 years prior.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 5, 2025

Flights of Fancy

Artful stairs

"Flights of Fancy" or the Arelious Walker Stairway in San Francisco is inspired by patterns drawn from various world cultures & is handsomely decorated!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

Sand Ladder at Baker Beach

Great walk!

The "Sand Ladder at Baker Beach" in San Francisco is difficult, but it'll take you to a spot where the vistas are phenomenal, with amazing sunsets...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

The Bunkers at Baker Beach

Who knew?

"The Bunkers at Baker Beach" hold guns from WWII, and they were used. Come here, touch history and imagine the actual people who used to come inside here.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

Grandview Park

AKA Turtle Hill

"Grandview Park" or Turtle Hill in San Francisco is an ideal viewing location -- just as impressive as Twin Peaks much less trafficked!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 5, 2025

The Golden Fire Hydrant

Small but mighty

"The Golden Fire Hydrant" is literally what saved the Mission District from total destruction in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Kathleen

Messmer

Dec 5, 2025

Sacred Grounds Cafe

Coffee house, eats & poetry

"Sacred Grounds Cafe" boasts the longest running open-mic night in San Francisco, with the tradition starting back in 1972. I recommend the poetry nights!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 5, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

158 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Map
San Francisco app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

158 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Relaxing

Our team loves San Francisco

Get to know our other Spotters from San Francisco

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
64
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters