My Secret San Francisco: The Crosstown Trail

July 28, 2023

With all the doomsday news about San Francisco these days, here's something refreshingly upbeat. A group of volunteers created an epic outdoor adventure that will take you to corners of the city you never knew existed.

Launched officially in 2019, The Crosstown Trail will take you all the way from Candlestick Point to Lands End on foot. Of course, that's a grueling walk to do in one day. Most people do it in sections, making this a multi-weekend exploration opportunity.

Think you know the city by heart? Well, have you ever caught a newt peeking from under a rock in Glen Park Canyon? Or caught the roses in full bloom at this very special garden in Golden Gate Park? Maybe the latest farewell to The Dead tour is the perfect excuse to finally go get a glimpse of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. And the mosaic tiled staircases in the Sunset are a delight that more and more tourists are discovering every day, but that many locals we know have never seen.

You'll see all of this and more as you traverse the Crosstown Trail.

Looking for some company? Check the Crosstown Trail blog for updates on organized group hikes, like the 2022 "Crosstober" series they did last year.

And for an EXTRA secret, under-the-radar city adventure, check out the lesser-known Double Cross Trail, which is a 15-mile trail from Embarcadero to Lake Merced, forming a northeast/southwest "X" when mapped over the original Crosstown Trail.

Check out volunteer opportunities HERE, and if you lace up your boots and get out there, make sure to tag the trail operators at #sfcrosstowntrail AND us at #pacificedgesf. Happy hiking!