As a multi-year resident of San Francisco and a many time visitor to Lands End, I never knew the trail I walk on to get there is called the “California Coastal Trail”. I just thought it was a really pretty trail designed to be enjoyed on the way to the platform.
Not so, as I recently discovered. It’s a calm, easy, and beautiful hike where if you go far enough, you’ll hit quite a few Bay Area landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge being one.
As I found out, the trail itself, when finished, will be 1200 miles long, spanning from Oregon to Mexico. Not all parts will be for walking though. Some will only be for cyclists and/or equestrians. The trails on the hike won’t necessarily be connected, but signs will tell you where to go. The best thing is that ALL of the trails will be within “sight, sound, or smell” of the ocean. Love that.
One of my favorite parts is walking through all the huge coastal cypress trees that bend and shape according to the direction of the wind. They are truly nature at its inspiring best. Even better is that you can stand in the middle of them and not only feel the cool ocean breeze on your face and the wind in your hair, but you can see the ocean for miles. It’s truly a sight to behold.
Who knows? Maybe one day this trail will become the next El Camino de Santiago!
Find your way with 156 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Trouble Coffee" in San Francisco is a category of its own. Let's say it belongs to the 'badass coffee' category. Makes me feel like a rough surfer girl!
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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.
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"Hook Fish Co" in San Francisco is deep in the Sunset Avenues and is perfect for when you have a hankering for some scrumptious fish tacos!
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I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!
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"The Spire" in The Presidio in San Francisco is one of the many reasons to come visit. A natural skyscraper, it reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are...
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I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!
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"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...
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"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!
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TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base...
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What makes "SPRO Coffee Lab" in San Francisco and its food truck special is their specialty crafted coffee drinks & artisanal goods. It's a gem of a spot!
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"Pearl 6161" is a restaurant in San Francisco in an old laundromat. Its Mediterranean-meets-California vibe, the high ceiling and the tiles... I'm in love!
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"Park Life" in San Francisco is an art gallery space with fun arts & crafts supplies and home décor that will jazz up your home! So much to enjoy here...
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156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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