Bay City Strollers:
San Fran is a veritable hiker’s Valhalla
Photo © Corel

What makes a great trail? Is it because it’s just a stone’s throw from your backdoor? Is it the breathtaking views you get when you crest that final summit? Or is it the perfect trace of an unpeopled trail and miles of wilderness beyond? Well, it’s all these things. And more. It’s the unbridled joy of putting one foot in front of the other to take you into pastures new. It’s the sight of a hawk hovering overhead in search of lunch. It’s the memory of sharing a day outdoors in the company of friends or a loved one.

TRAIL BLAZERS Wilderness Press publishes "Top Trails" hiking guides for Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe. These useful, compact guides include detailed trail maps, driving directions, topographical and natural features, "must-do" hikes, and much more. Available at bookstores and online.

The great West Coast metropolises of San Francisco and Los Angeles are brimming with people wanting to share a little of that trail-bound rapture. And luckily for them, it’s not all urban canyons and exhaust-laced walkways. With a little bit of planning and an expert nudge in the right direction, the gateway to hiking happiness is just a step away. We've teamed up with our friends at Wilderness Press to profile 12 top trails in L.A. and San Fran, with recommendations from their guidebook authors on their favorite hikes for accessibility, seclusion, challenge, views, wildlife, and fall colors.

So what are you waiting for? We've done the heavy-lifting, now it's your turn to get out there and start exploring!

Move on to Top Trails Los Angeles

Move on to Top Trails San Francisco

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