Russell Bombon / Parks Conservancy
Three months after the Golden Gate Dozen Trail launched in San Francisco, it continues to be one of the city’s most interesting urban excursions, and now might just be the best time to try it.
Now that the summer fog has subsided, hikers can enjoy the western-facing views with ideal weather. September and October have long been considered SF’s “real summer,” with some of the year’s sunniest and warmest days and a significant decrease in fog.
This October also brings the city’s first-ever Walktober, a month-long festival that goes all the way through Halloween.
Hiking the Golden Gate Dozen
The 13-mile Golden Gate Dozen route links 12 national park sites from Crissy Field to Fort Funston.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy unveiled the route in July as a way to hike, bike, or run to 12 city sites including the Presidio, Lands End and Ocean Beach. It follows existing trails and sidewalks, with AllTrails estimating the full route to take about 4.5 to 5 hours.
You don’t have to do it all at once, as the Golden Gate Dozen is meant to be enjoyed in sections from different access points. That said, the SF Marathon published a runner’s guide to the route that’s worth a read for those wanting to take on the entire thing.
Pair it with Walktober
The San Francisco Crosstown Trail organized an elaborate Walktober schedule with a coalition of local groups, featuring 30+ urban hikes all over the city, including everything from short pub crawls to 27-mile city traverses.
You can check out parts of the Golden Gate Dozen Trail at the Walktober Finale on October 31, which gives two options. Ambitious walkers can take on the entire all-day “Dozen” hike from Crissy Field to Fort Funston, or you can sign up for the “Half-Dozen” which goes from Lands End to the Presidio’s Main Post. Costumes are encouraged, and participants can expect treats along the way.