Twin Peaks-Sam Francisco Vista Walk
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94114
Starting Point: There is parking on Christmas Tree Point Road off Twin Peaks Blvd. near the Twin Peaks North Summit.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Twin Peaks information link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/twin-peaks-384
Creeks to Peaks Trail information link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Creeks-to-Peaks-Trail-396
Creeks to Peaks Trail brochure (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/5614/Creeks-to-Peaks-Trail-Info?bidId=
Distance:
For those who are mostly interested in a short walk and looking at the 360-degree views, this outing can be kept short. It is possible to get some cardio exercise right in the area by walking up and down the stair trails that cross between Eureka Peak and Noe Peak, or by walking along Twin Peaks Blvd. between the peaks. For those interested in a more substantial hike, check out the Creeks to Peaks Trail information noted in the links above for a hike that connects Glen Canyon and Twin Peaks.
Considerations:
• The official parking and toilets for visiting Twin Peaks are reached via Twin Peaks Blvd. and are located on Christmas Tree Point Road.
• Parking for popular spots typically are more crowded on weekends and holidays.
• There are two automated toilet structures at the parking area. They have automatic cleaning cycles between each use, so if you see a line, be prepared to wait a few minutes per person.
• Dressing in layers, using sun protection, and having water are advised for any outdoor outing.
• Popular tourist spots are targets for car break ins. Do not leave objects in sight withing a vehicle, even sunglasses or a jacket.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife notices.
The trail:
Twin Peaks is famous for its views. Visitors drive to see 360-degree views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, Mt. Tam, the East Bay and points south. Many visitors make a short stop at the parking lot, take in the views at the top loop on Christmas Tree Point Road, and then drive off to their next destination.
We decided to walk around the Christmas Tree Point loop, and then climbed the stair path. The stair trails were well maintained on our visit, and the first led us up to Eureka Peak where we took in the views from that height.
We wanted to check out both peaks, so descended the Eureka Peak stair trail and then took the next stairs up Noe Peak, which again offered a slightly varied set of views, with ships floating in the bay in one direction, a great view of downtown San Francisco and Market Street in another, the Golden Gate Bridge with the Marin Headlands in the background in another direction, and Sutro Tower looming above in another.
We saw some hikers making their way up from a longer trail connection, which we figure were hikers who were doing the Creeks to Peaks hike that connects to Glen Canyon. We stuck with our shorter walk of climbing both peaks using the stair trails, and then returned to the parking area along Twin Peaks Blvd., which again offered slight variations of the views from other spots.
This is a popular spot for checking out great views, especially on a clear day with good visibility, and also makes for a nice short hill walk.
(Twin Peaks-San Francisco Vista Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Favorite Things” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94114
Starting Point: There is parking on Christmas Tree Point Road off Twin Peaks Blvd. near the Twin Peaks North Summit.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Twin Peaks information link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/twin-peaks-384
Creeks to Peaks Trail information link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Creeks-to-Peaks-Trail-396
Creeks to Peaks Trail brochure (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/5614/Creeks-to-Peaks-Trail-Info?bidId=
Distance:
For those who are mostly interested in a short walk and looking at the 360-degree views, this outing can be kept short. It is possible to get some cardio exercise right in the area by walking up and down the stair trails that cross between Eureka Peak and Noe Peak, or by walking along Twin Peaks Blvd. between the peaks. For those interested in a more substantial hike, check out the Creeks to Peaks Trail information noted in the links above for a hike that connects Glen Canyon and Twin Peaks.
Considerations:
• The official parking and toilets for visiting Twin Peaks are reached via Twin Peaks Blvd. and are located on Christmas Tree Point Road.
• Parking for popular spots typically are more crowded on weekends and holidays.
• There are two automated toilet structures at the parking area. They have automatic cleaning cycles between each use, so if you see a line, be prepared to wait a few minutes per person.
• Dressing in layers, using sun protection, and having water are advised for any outdoor outing.
• Popular tourist spots are targets for car break ins. Do not leave objects in sight withing a vehicle, even sunglasses or a jacket.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife notices.
The trail:
Twin Peaks is famous for its views. Visitors drive to see 360-degree views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, Mt. Tam, the East Bay and points south. Many visitors make a short stop at the parking lot, take in the views at the top loop on Christmas Tree Point Road, and then drive off to their next destination.
We decided to walk around the Christmas Tree Point loop, and then climbed the stair path. The stair trails were well maintained on our visit, and the first led us up to Eureka Peak where we took in the views from that height.
We wanted to check out both peaks, so descended the Eureka Peak stair trail and then took the next stairs up Noe Peak, which again offered a slightly varied set of views, with ships floating in the bay in one direction, a great view of downtown San Francisco and Market Street in another, the Golden Gate Bridge with the Marin Headlands in the background in another direction, and Sutro Tower looming above in another.
We saw some hikers making their way up from a longer trail connection, which we figure were hikers who were doing the Creeks to Peaks hike that connects to Glen Canyon. We stuck with our shorter walk of climbing both peaks using the stair trails, and then returned to the parking area along Twin Peaks Blvd., which again offered slight variations of the views from other spots.
This is a popular spot for checking out great views, especially on a clear day with good visibility, and also makes for a nice short hill walk.
(Twin Peaks-San Francisco Vista Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Favorite Things” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
