The San Francisco Crosstown Trail was launched in 2019 to introduce locals and visitors alike to 17 miles of open spaces, panoramic vistas, and hidden gardens across San Francisco. Celebrate the 5th anniversary of the trail by getting out for a walk this June.
This year we are celebrating with the adoption of a new route, website updates, and route tweaks! The newly adopted 14.5-mile Double Cross Trail was created by a west-side hiking group after walking the Crosstown Trail and many other urban hikes. The Double Cross Trail forms an “X” with the Crosstown Trail, and traverses the city from the southwest to the northeast. Check it out on its new website tab where there more detail and map options to help find your way. We also tweaked the original Crosstown Trail route, highlighting new or enhanced trailside features. Learn more here.
Register through Eventbrite (click the links below) for any organized event you want to join. A registration donation of $10 is suggested to support the Crosstown Trail’s modest expenses and generous grants to nonprofits and open-spaces organizations along its route. Can’t give at this time? Email us to sign up at crosstowntrail[at]gmail.com.
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
Cruising the Crosstown from South to North
Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Sunrise Point Fishing Pier in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. Walk the full 17 miles or any length you choose, at your own pace or at the moderate group pace. Highlights include the Visitacion Valley Greenway, trails through Glen Canyon and Laguna Honda, tiled staircases, the Presidio, and Baker Beach. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for our half-way stop. We expect to finish at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center by late afternoon. Note: Sunrise Point is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the park entrance. Because the parking lot at Candlestick closes at 7 p.m., we suggest you be dropped off at the park entrance, 500 Hunters Point Expressway, or arrive there by taxi or rideshare.
South to North Double Cross Walk
Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon
Haven’t done a crosstown trail yet? Join us for the official unveiling of the new-to-the-Crosstown-family Double Cross Trail! Meet at 9 a.m. at the Fort Funston Overlook boardwalk and observation deck. The location of the parking lot appears as “Nike Missile Site SF-59L” on Google maps. Walk the full 14.5 miles or any length you choose, at your own pace or at the moderate group pace. Highlights include Fort Funston, Lake Merced, Stern Grove, West Portal, Edgehill Mountain, Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, Buena Vista Park, Alamo Square, Hayes Valley, City Hall, Nob Hill, Chinatown, North Beach, and Coit Tower. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for our half-way stop at Tank Hill or a more sheltered location if it’s really windy. We expect to finish at Pier 23 by late afternoon. The F Market streetcar stops across the street from Pier 23, or take the short walk to the Ferry Building or Embarcadero BART. The closest bus stop to Fort Funston is Muni line 58 at Skyline and John Muir Drive.
North to South Double Cross Walk
Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon
Haven’t done a crosstown trail yet? Join us for the official unveiling of the new-to-the-Crosstown-family Double Cross Trail! Meet at 9 a.m. outside Pier 23 Cafe on the Embarcadero. Walk the full 14.5 miles or any length you choose, at your own pace or at the moderate group pace. Highlights include Coit Tower, North Beach, Chinatown, Nob Hill, City Hall, Hayes Valley, Alamo Square, Buena Vista Park, Tank Hill, Twin Peaks, Edgehill Mountain, West Portal, Stern Grove, Lake Merced, and Fort Funston. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for our half-way stop at Tank Hill or a more sheltered location if it’s really windy. We expect to finish at the Fort Funston Overlook by late afternoon. The F Market streetcar stops across the street from Pier 23, or take the short walk from the Ferry Building or Embarcadero BART. The closest bus stop to Fort Funston is Muni line 58 at Skyline and John Muir Drive.
The New and Improved Crosstown Trail
Sunday, June 2 | 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m.
Gather at Glen Park BART Plaza for a 10-mile walk showcasing the Crosstown Trail’s 5th Anniversary route changes. It will begin with a loop that includes the Cuvier Commons mural, the Bernal Cut, the Arlington Path, and the Arlington Triangle. It will end with another loop along Presidio’s Mountain Lake Trail, past the Marine Cemetery, and back to Geary and Park Presidio where you’ll be able to hop aboard the 38 Geary. Somewhere along the trail, a spot will be found to enjoy the bag lunch you’ve brought from home.
Eastern 2/3 Double Cross Walk, West Portal to Pier 23
Tuesday, June 4 | 9 a.m. to afternoon
Want to do a crosstown walk but aren’t quite ready for the full distance? Join us for the eastern 2/3 of the Double Cross Trail, West Portal to Pier 23, just under 10 miles. Take in the views at some of the best vista points in town, including Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, Mt. Olympus, Buena Vista Park, Alamo Square, Nob Hill, and Telegraph Hill. Easy transit connections at both ends; West Portal Muni streetcars at the west end, F line streetcar or a short walk to the Ferry Building and Embarcadero BART at the east. Meet outside Peet’s Coffee, 54 West Portal Ave. Pack a lunch!
The Midweek Up, Over, and Down Special
Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. to noonish
We’ll gather at the upper part of Duboce Park adjacent to the N Judah Light Rail stop at Duboce St & Noe St. From there we’ll ascend to Twin Peaks and descend to Glen Park BART by wandering back and forth from the Double Cross Trail to the Ridge Trail to the Crosstown Trail. The 6.5 mile walk will permit us to experience the splendor of San Francisco’s trail connections in the heart of the city. You can either bring your lunch or chow down in one of Glen Park’s restaurants.
North to South Crosstown Trail Walk
Saturday, June 8 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Lands End Lookout Visitors Center, convenient to Muni’s 38 Geary bus. Walk the full 17 miles or any length you choose, at your own pace or at the moderate group pace. We’ll meander along the Coastal Trail and Lobos Creek Valley Trail, over to Golden Gate Park and the tiled staircases nearby, and through the Laguna Honda trail network and down Glen Canyon. We’ll continue to McLaren Park, the Visitacion Valley Greenway, and finally to Sunrise Point in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. We expect to finish by late afternoon. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for our half-way stop at J.P. Murphy Playground (a short detour off the trail).
Top of the Town Walk
Friday, June 14 | 10 a.m. to afternoon
Explore the “Top of the Town” on this 5.1 mile hilly walk combining the Glen Park section of the Crosstown Trail with the Twin Peaks and Buena Vista section of the Double Cross Trail. Meet at the plaza outside Glen Park BART station at 10 a.m. We’ll walk up Glen Canyon Park, cross over Portola Dr. and up to the top of Twin Peaks. After a brief view break at the overlook, we’ll descend through Tank Hill and Buena Vista parks to finish up at the N-Judah Muni stop at Duboce Park. Those who wish to stick around can join us for lunch and/or a stop at a local pub, TBD by group interest.
Rediscovering Forgotten Histories: Walking Tour of Glen Canyon
Saturday, June 15 | 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Meet at the Glen Park BART Plaza for a leisurely walk through Glen Canyon, 70 acres of open space in the heart of San Francisco. Learn of its many surprising histories, and how lucky we are to still have this remarkable green space to enjoy today. Capacity: 20. Leader: Evelyn Rose, Director, Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project GlenParkHistory.org.
The BART-to-BART Crosstown Combo
Saturday, June 15 | 9:30 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m.
Meet outside the entrance to the Glen Park BART station at 9:30 a.m. Our 10-mile walk combines stretches of the Crosstown and Double Cross Trails, and features many iconic San Francisco landmarks. We start on the Crosstown through Glen Canyon to the “Tri-Trail Junction,” below Twin Peaks where the Crosstown, Double Cross, and Bay Area Ridge Trails meet. There, we hop onto the Double Cross, hike up and over Twin Peaks, and wind our way through Tank Hill, Mt. Olympus, and Buena Vista Park before lunch at Alamo Square. We then head to Nob Hill, Chinatown, and North Beach to descend the Greenwich Steps to Levi’s Plaza and continue along the Embarcadero to Embarcadero Station for a true BART-to-BART excursion. Expect elevation gain. Dress in layers. Bring water, snacks, and lunch.
West Portal to Inner Sunset Double Cross – Crosstown Mashup
Wednesday, June 19 | 10 a.m. to afternoon
Explore new possibilities on this combined Double Cross – Crosstown Trail trek, a 5.3 mile hilly route from West Portal to the Inner Sunset. Good mix of dirt trail, special staircases and big views. Excellent transit connections and food/drink options at each end; let’s pick a good lunch spot to end our day. Meet outside Peet’s Coffee, 54 West Portal Ave. Map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2594698.
A Crosstown Solstice Walk
Friday, June 21 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon
Meet at 9 a.m. outside the Pier 23 Cafe on the Embarcadero. Borrowing from our new Double Cross route and the original Crosstown Trail, we will walk from the Embarcadero’s northeast tip to Lands End, a 16-mile meander through the heart of the city and out to the Pacific Ocean. Highlights include Chinatown, Nob Hill, Alamo Square, Mt. Sutro, the tiled stairways of Golden Gate Heights, Golden Gate Park, and the Lobos Creek Valley and Coastal Trails. Bring water, snacks, and lunch if you’re aiming to go the full distance. Restrooms en route, but not at the start. The start, finish, and points along the way are well-served by transit.
Rocking for R.O.C.K
Saturday, June 22 | 8:30 a.m. to late afternoon
R.O.C.K. (Real Options for City Kids) is an organization that serves the youth of Vis Valley in most meaningful ways; this walk along the entire route of the Crosstown Trail from Candlestick State Park Recreation Area to Lands End is a fundraiser for them. Thus we are suggesting a donation of $25-50 to register. Some of you may want to walk the entire distance, others may decide to bail along the way. However, no matter what distance your steps take you, you will be going the distance for R.O.C.K., whose families they serve will be cheering you on as you pass through Visitation Valley and its Greenway.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Sunrise Point Fishing Pier in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. Highlights include the Visitacion Valley Greenway, trails through Glen Canyon and Laguna Honda, tiled staircases, the Presidio, and Baker Beach. Bring water, snacks, and lunch for our half-way stop. We expect to finish at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center by late afternoon. Note: Sunrise Point is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the park entrance. Because the parking lot at Candlestick closes at 7 p.m., we suggest you be dropped off at the park entrance, 500 Hunters Point Expressway, or arrive there by taxi or rideshare.
Please first register here to sign R.O.C.K.’s waiver and then RSVP on Eventbrite.
Full Moon Crosstown-Double Cross Pub Crawl
Saturday, June 22 | 4:30 p.m.to evening
You won’t likely need it, but bring your headlamp and meet at the St. Mary’s Pub, 3845 Mission St. at Crescent Ave, a block off the Crosstown Trail. Arrive by Muni 14, 23, or 49, or walk ½ mile from Glen Park BART. Time for a drink and a chance to chat with your fellow walkers before taking the Crosstown Trail to our next stop at Glen Park Station bar, then through Glen Canyon to the Double Cross Trail and on to West Portal, ending at the Philosopher’s Club bar, 824 Ulloa St. at W. Portal Ave. Outside food is allowed at each bar, with lots of great nearby options if you haven’t brought your own. Easy 48, K, L, M, etc transit connections from West Portal to get yourself home after. About 3.5 miles in all. 21+ only. Route map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2529368.
The Joyful 5th Anniversary SFCT Free-for-All
Sunday, June 23 | Sunrise to Sundown
You, solo, or with as many friends/relatives as you gather, walk, ride, or run how many miles you want to on both/either/or the Crosstown and Double Cross beginning and ending whenever or wherever you want, and covering as many or fewer miles as your soles/souls permit. Members of the Crosstown Trail Coalition will be at the Tri-Trail Junction at Portola Dr. and Twin Peaks Blvd., (the convergence of the Crosstown Trail, the Double Cross Trail, and Bay Area Ridge Trail ) from 9 to 3, to share your joy, whenever you arrive, depart or stride through. No registration needed.
Up, Down, and Around the Crosstown and Double Cross Trails
Saturday, June 29 | 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m.
On this approx. 6 mile walk, we’ll trek up and down and around San Francisco’s famous peaks on the Crosstown and Double Cross Trails. Explore different habitats, discover secret stairs, and take in the stunning views–while catching our breath! Expect hills and walking on sidewalks and dirt or rocky trails. Suggest long pants and long-sleeved shirts in case of poison oak, wild blackberry, wind, and fog; walking poles helpful. Route includes Glen Canyon, Twin Peaks, Mt. Davidson, and Edgehill – about 1,500 feet elevation gain. Meet at 10 a.m. at Glen Park BART Station, finish around 4 p.m. at West Portal Muni Station – or join us at the Philosopher’s Club next door for a celebratory toast!