In brief:
Under 1 mile easy hike to one of the city's best-loved viewpoints.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 0.65 mile hike is easy. The two hills of Twin Peaks are easily
navigated, with moderate but short ascents and descents. Total elevation change is 250 feet.
Exposure:
Totally exposed.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails.
Hiking time:
1/2 hour.
Season:
Nice any time, although the views are obscured on foggy days.
Getting there:
Twin Peaks is almost directly in the center of San Francisco. Consult a
map to get there from your location, but here are directions from two central
SF roads.
• From northbound Interstate 280 in San Francisco, exit San Jose. Stay
in the right lane and make the first right on Rousseau (signed to Bosworth).
Drive one block and take the first right onto Bosworth. Continue on Bosworth,
crossing Diamond, and then Elk. Bosworth breaks off to the right and then
ends, while O'Shaughnessy Boulevard takes its place heading uphill. Take
O'Shaughnessy to the junction with Portola, at the top of the hill. Turn
right, and immediately get into the left lane. Wait at the light, then turn
left onto Twin Peaks. Drive uphill and park at the signed parking lot.
• From southbound Interstate 280 in San Francisco, exit Monterey. At
the end of the ramp, make a sharp right onto Monterey. At the next light,
turn left on Diamond. Drive one block, then turn left onto Bosworth. Continue
on Bosworth, past Elk. Bosworth breaks off to the right and then ends, while
O'Shaughnessy Boulevard takes its place heading uphill. Take O'Shaughnessy
to the junction with Portola, at the top of the hill. Turn right, and immediately
get into the left lane. Wait at the light, then turn left onto Twin Peaks.
Drive uphill and park at the signed parking lot.
• From Market Street, drive southwest. Market turns into Portola; continue
on Portola and at the second traffic light, turn right onto Twin Peaks.
Drive uphill and park at the signed parking lot.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°45'17.47"N
Longitude 122°26'48.20"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, pay phone, restaurant, and stores to the northeast on Market, or south
near the junction of Portola and O'Shaughnessy. No camping here.
Trailhead details:
Small paved parking lot. No entrance or parking fees. There are two toilet
pods, but no drinking water at the parking lot. There are designated handicapped
parking spots in the parking lot, but the trail over the peaks is not wheelchair
accessible. Do not leave valuables in your car.
Rules:
None posted. Dogs are permitted, and trails are used primarily by local
runners, and visiting tourists.
Map Choices:
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