In 2019, we launched the Crosstown Trail to introduce locals and visitors alike to 17 miles of open spaces, panoramic vistas, and hidden gardens across San Francisco. On June 4 and 5, 2022, you can explore the Trail — all of it, parts of it, on your own or with a group — as part of our third-anniversary celebration, Tour de Trail.
We’re holding our movable party in conjunction with National Trails Day, held this year on Saturday, June 4 — a time to support hometown trails and rally for equitable access to the outdoors. You can sign up on Eventbrite (see below) for an organized event, or head out on your own or with friends, using our Plan Your Trip page. Beforehand, click here from your phone to access maps of each section and the entire Crosstown Trail via the free mobile app. This will let you download all the directions and maps, and show you where you are on the Trail in real time.
While you’re out, be sure to visit Mission Blue at 144 Leland and Bird & Beckett at 653 Chenery for your Crosstown Trail T-shirts, hats, and patches (check hours first).
To register for any of the organized activities listed here, click on the event’s heading and you’ll be directed to Eventbrite. Or give yourself the pleasure of exploring the Trail as you choose. Whatever you do, be sure to share your stories and photos with us using #sfcrosstowntrail.
Tour de Trail events: Saturday, June 4, 2022
Saturday, 10 a.m.: Walk the Crosstown Trail Sections 1 and 2. Meet at 10 a.m. at Sunrise Point in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area to walk the first two sections of the Crosstown Trail, about 8.4 miles. We’ll start our walk through Candlestick Park to Little Hollywood, then wind up Visitacion Valley, through McLaren Park, and on to the Portola neighborhood. During this section, Fran Martin and Jim Growder will give us a tour of the Visitacion Valley Greenway gardens and art. The second section will go through Glen Canyon and the Laguna Honda trail network. We’ll end at the Forest Hill MUNI Metro station. Bring water, lunch, and comfortable walking shoes. Note: Sunrise Point is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the entrance to Candlestick Point SRA. If you opt to be dropped off, direct your driver to the park entrance, 500 Hunters Point Expressway. Tell them that, due to construction, vehicular access to Hunters Point Expressway is from Gilman Ave. Capacity: 25 people. Leader: Amy Kaeser
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Open House at Mission Blue and the Visitacion Valley Greenway. Look for the balloons outside Mission Blue, 144 Leland next to the Visitacion Valley Greenway’s Hans Schiller Plaza. Music in the Plaza, Crosstown Trail gear for sale, and guided tours of the Greenway’s six jewel-like gardens. Clean restroom stop! Hosts: Kellie McCord, Ken McCord, Fran Martin, Jim Growder
Saturday, 1 p.m.: The Crosstown Connector. Meet at 1 p.m. at the granite-block Clarendon Trailhead on Clarendon opposite Dellbrook, where the 5-mile, figure-8 loop will begin and end. After following the Bay Area Ridge Trail on its route across Twin Peaks, the walk will connect to the Crosstown Trail, continue through the Laguna Honda Community Trails, and end with a loop on the Bay Area Ridge Trail on Mt. Sutro. Note: The Clarendon Trailhead is about 1.5 miles from the Castro MUNI Metro station and about a mile from the Forest Hill MUNI Metro station. Plentiful free parking is also available on Clarendon near the trailhead. Capacity: 25 people. Leader: Bob Siegel
Tour de Trail events: Sunday, June 5, 2022
Sunday, 9 a.m.: Walk the Crosstown Trail South to North. Meet at 9 a.m. at Sunrise Point in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, the starting point for our 17-mile walk. Walkers can proceed at the moderate pace of the leader or go at their own pace and bail anywhere they choose. Those intent on going the whole distance should bring lunch; others might choose to eat lunch in the Sunset or the Richmond. We expect to finish the full walk by late afternoon, when you’ll have the opportunity to walk a wee bit further to the Beach Chalet for a celebratory pint. Note: Sunrise Point is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the park entrance. Because the parking lot at Candlestick closes at 5 p.m., participants are highly encouraged to be dropped off at the park entrance, 500 Hunters Point Expressway, or arrive there by taxi or rideshare. Due to construction, vehicular access to Hunters Point Expressway is from Gilman Ave. Capacity: 25 people. Leader: Bob Siegel
Sunday, 9 a.m.: Run the Crosstown Trail South to North. Meet at 9 a.m. at Sunrise Point in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, the starting point for our 17-mile run. Runners can proceed at the moderate pace of the leader or go at their own pace and bail anywhere they choose. Runners should carry their own hydration and nutrition supplies, or plan for brief stops along the route. If runners are interested, the leader will share a Strava route to facilitate individual runners’ own timely navigation while on the move. We expect to finish the full run by 2 p.m. Some may choose to run just a bit further to the Beach Chalet for a celebratory pint. Others may choose to turn around and run back to cheer on the walkers as they make their steady progress toward Lands End. If you want the FKT on the CTT, you’ll have to work at it. Ben Koss and Corrine Malcolm have set some stout times! Note: Sunrise Point is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the park entrance. Because the parking lot at Candlestick closes at 5 p.m., participants are highly encouraged to be dropped off at the park entrance, 500 Hunters Point Expressway, or arrive there by taxi or rideshare. Note: due to construction, vehicular access to Hunters Point Expressway is from Gilman Ave. Capacity: 15 people. Leader: Mike Grade
Sunday, 9 a.m.: Bike the Trail from South to North. Meet at 9 a.m. at Sunrise Point in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. We’ll ride across San Francisco: You’ll see Candlestick, Visitacion Valley (including the Visitacion Valley Greenway), McLaren Park, St. Mary’s Park, the Glen Park neighborhood, Laguna Honda Community Trails, Golden Gate Heights, and more. Ride ends at Lands End Lookout Visitors Center. This is true mixed terrain: some trails (mostly mild), roads ranging from freshly paved to not-so-freshly-paved, and paved pathways. There are even some stairways, though there are always alternatives to avoid the stairs. Distance is about 17 miles and just over 2000′ of elevation gained. Bring a water bottle and snacks; there will be breaks but no designated food stops. Leader: Matthew Blain
Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Walk the OMI. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Blue House Cafe, 302 Randolph, convenient to the M Ocean View MUNI line. We’ll explore the Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside neighborhood (aka the OMI) on this curated walk on the southwest side of San Francisco. We’ll stroll through lovely community gardens, parks, and greenspaces, making our way to the Ocean Avenue corridor. There, you can enjoy post-walk refreshments from boba tea to beer and sushi to sandwiches, salads, and so much more. Ocean Avenue truly has something for everyone! From there you can walk to the Balboa Park BART station or back to the MUNI M train stop. Plan on about a 3-mile walk with a few (moderate intensity) hills that will reward you with some of the best-kept secret views in the city! Capacity: 25 people. Leader: Johanna Lopez Miyaki
Sunday, 10 a.m.: Walk the Crosstown Trail Sections 3, 4, and 5. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Forest Hill MUNI Metro station to walk sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Crosstown Trail, about 8.5 miles. The morning will start with a walk through the Forest Hill neighborhood, the Green Hairstreak urban wildlife corridor, and the tiled stairways of Golden Gate Heights. We’ll then enter Golden Gate Park to stroll around Stow Lake and Rose Garden, and exit the park up the Park Presidio Greenway. The final section will take us through the Presidio on the Lobos Creek Valley Trail to Baker Beach, through Sea Cliff, and on the Lands End Coastal Trail to end at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center, convenient to the 38 MUNI bus. Bring water, lunch, and comfortable walking shoes. Capacity: 25 people. Leader: Amy Kaeser