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
You might notice that each brick on this staircase at San Francisco's Coit Tower has a name written on it. Here's the forgotten story behind those names.
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"Critical Mass" San Francisco is lots of fun and serious for some. Everyone is invited! No one is in charge! Body paint, optional.
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Thanks to "Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe" in San Francisco, I can now find some of my favorite comfort food including the piroshki any time I want!
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San Francisco loves City Arts and Lectures! And, I love it too. Now I can go to the Nourse Theater and enjoy inspiring speakers and discussions.
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"Pug Sunday" in San Francisco is on the first Sunday of every month. Four-legged and two-legged creatures alike welcome the new month at Altaza Park.
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The Louise M Davies Symphony Hall is a beautiful space of culture and concerts. There's always something and fresh to enjoy by the SF Symphony here!
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"Tikka Masala" in San Francisco is the kind of restaurant where you can get food when you're drenched and they're already closed. It never disappoints...
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"Swensen's Ice Cream" in San Francisco hasn't changed since 1948. It's the chain's first store and I sill buy bulk ice cream here when I'm in the area...
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"Victoria Pastry Co." has prompted me to travel across San Francisco solely to enjoy one of its famed cannolis. Walking into it is a test of self-control.
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"Oracle Park" in San Francisco is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America. With panoramic views of the bay, it's uniquely San Franciscan...
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"SOMArts" is a perfect example of what I enjoy about San Francisco. It's an old warehouse that's a boundary-pushing hotspot for local art & music...
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"Cafe Reverie" is my favorite cafe in San Francisco. What they don't tell you is that their brunch & pancakes are amazing. Enjoy them in their garden patio
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156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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