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San Francisco Urban Hike: Castro and Twin Peaks
Badge of ExcellenceSan Francisco, USA
- 3 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Conquer San Francisco's urban jungle on this 3-hour urban hike. Trek your way up Tank Hill and Kite Hill, spots favored by locals for great city views, and stroll through hidden forests. Visit the Seward Street Slides to play like a local kid and take spectacular photos from the top of Twin Peaks. Between the forests, lush greenery and hidden pocket parks, you'll find it hard to believe you're in the midst of one of the country's busiest cities. Learn urban legends, history and culture from your local hiking guide.
- Discover the city’s wild side as you hike along hidden trails to off-the-beaten path locales
- Hike up to the summit of Twin Peaks for sweeping city views
- Walk through a forest behind Sutro Tower and slide down the Seward Street Slides
- Learn interesting facts about San Francisco from your guide
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
18th Street and Castro Street in the Castro District, in front of the Castro Theatre.
Start time
01:30 PM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Find your way to the historic Castro Theater in San Francisco's Castro district for your moderate 5-mile (8-km) urban hike. Be sure to wear proper hiking shoes to tackle the city's famous hills and bring some drinking water.
Start with a trek up to the top of Kite Hill, a green space that's easy to see but hard to find and is popular with the neighborhood residents. After pausing at the top of the hill for great views and some photo ops, continue to the Seward Street Slides, a hidden gem that has brought delight to kids and adults alike over the years. Make like a local: grab a piece of cardboard and let 'er rip down the curved, cement slides, clearly built in an era before playground safety was a concern.
Walk through a hidden eucalyptus forest behind Sutro Tower, one of the city's unmistakable landmarks. Follow your guide to an unmarked hiking trail, less of an official trail and more of a path worn by residents over the years, to the summit of Twin Peaks. Catch your breath and some truly magnificent views of the San Francisco waterfront and the East Bay Hills beyond.
Conquer Tank Hill next, another popular neighborhood park for views and dog walking. This 650-foot (198-km) high summit gives views of the northern side of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park.
Descend via the 211-step Pemberton Place Stairway, winding through the beautiful neighborhood houses and private gardens. Return to the Castro Theater to end your 3-hour tour, having seen a part of San Francisco that many travelers never witness.
Start with a trek up to the top of Kite Hill, a green space that's easy to see but hard to find and is popular with the neighborhood residents. After pausing at the top of the hill for great views and some photo ops, continue to the Seward Street Slides, a hidden gem that has brought delight to kids and adults alike over the years. Make like a local: grab a piece of cardboard and let 'er rip down the curved, cement slides, clearly built in an era before playground safety was a concern.
Walk through a hidden eucalyptus forest behind Sutro Tower, one of the city's unmistakable landmarks. Follow your guide to an unmarked hiking trail, less of an official trail and more of a path worn by residents over the years, to the summit of Twin Peaks. Catch your breath and some truly magnificent views of the San Francisco waterfront and the East Bay Hills beyond.
Conquer Tank Hill next, another popular neighborhood park for views and dog walking. This 650-foot (198-km) high summit gives views of the northern side of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park.
Descend via the 211-step Pemberton Place Stairway, winding through the beautiful neighborhood houses and private gardens. Return to the Castro Theater to end your 3-hour tour, having seen a part of San Francisco that many travelers never witness.
Castro Theatre
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Seward Street Slides
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kite Hill Open Space
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Twin Peaks
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sutro Tower
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tank Hill
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Adult pricing applies for all travelers
- Due to the distance and intensity of the hike, this tour is not recommended for children 12 years and younger
- Bringing water is recommended
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
70 reviews
Sarah_H, Sep 2021
Truly unique way to experience San Francisco. Kevin was amazing and friendly. He is from San Francisco and made us feel very welcome.
Lori_J, Jun 2021
Breathtaking views and a very knowledgeable, friendly and experienced guide. It is a more challenging hike so some level of fitness would be helpful.
Kate_M, Jan 2019
Our guide Kevin is a SF native. He cheerfully and confidently led us up and down hills and stairways through many charming residential neighborhoods and parks. Beautiful views of the city, great 3-hour moderate workout, and lots of surprises, even for our son and daughter-in-law who are residents. Starting and ending in Castro was convenient, and great dining and coffee opportunities after the hike. Definitely recommend!
susan_y, Dec 2018
Had a fantastic tour with Val , he was very Knowledgeable and friendly guy. We would highly recommended this tour .
Anonymous, Oct 2017
It was a marvelous experience. Seeing San Francisco from a very different viewpoint or better points. Our guide was excellent, very accommodating. Only do the hike if you are in decent shape. It is a hike lots of step stairs and hilly areas, but well worth it.
Bob K, Sep 2017
Fabulous tour and guide. Alex designed a very interesting route and Val executed it with so much information and charm. We got to see hidden neighborhoods, climb multiple stair passages, wander in eucalyptus forests and have amazing vistas. Highly recommended.
Coffee Wizard, Aug 2017
My family and I were lucky to have Dani, such a lovely and friendly tour guide! I would recommend this hike to anyone visiting SF. It is the best way to see the city's culture, history, unique hills, neighborhoods, and changing weather temps. Wearing comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes is definitely rrecommended, since you'll be taking on steep sidewalks and wooded areas. Also, dress in layers. One minute it's warm and sunny, the next like on top of Twin Peaks, it is very windy, misty, and cool. Our way back from Sutro Tower was was muddy and slippery at times, so be prepared in case that happens. Dani is a delightful conversationalist, and knowledgeable in the history of the city. She even had snacks for us when we reached the top of Twin Peaks. This is a very energetic, interesting, and breathtaking tour. Hills and Hidden Gems, indeed!!
Diana I. J, Aug 2017
This tour was great! Alex, was amazing full of fun facts and an amazing passion for the city. She is very welcoming, informative and greatly prepared. I really enjoyed how she felt out the pace of the group and allowed us time to catch our breath when ascending each staircase or high hills. She was prepared with snacks for the midway of the hike. The hike itself was well planned with plenty of historical and scenic views and very worth every penny!
Robert_F, May 2017
Hiked to top of Twin Peaks. We felt like we were hiking in the forest- hard to believe we were in San Francisco.
Anne M, May 2017
This was the Highlight of my San Fran trip..... great wee afternoon :
Likely to Sell Out
From $54.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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San Francisco Urban Hike: Castro and Twin Peaks
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