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Lower Great Highway Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 929 Google reviews · Running trail in San Francisco, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Lower Great Highway Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This 3.5-mile beachfront recreational trail winds by the remains of a 19th-century swimming complex.
What runners say about Lower Great Highway Trail
“The continuous crashing waves and the light misty fog made for a beautiful walk.”
“It's a wonderful peaceful walk along the ocean.”
It was great I like to go out there at night time its kind of spooky and eerie in the fog but I was walking with my dog and I come across these people sitting there using the fog as a screen for a movie there was like seven people there sitting there watching a movie on the fog. I thought that was really cool
It's a wonderful peaceful walk along the ocean. Did this during a weekday just after lunch. Very few people on the beach. The continuous crashing waves and the light misty fog made for a beautiful walk. Loved it!!
Stopped here when I was in SFO for Thanksgiving. I was a chilly day, but the sun was out and the beach area was perfect. Getting here wasn't a challenge. Parking too wasn't a challenge. The walk to the beach was simple and it was clean and decent. The crowds were slight and not crazy.
Winter solstice, full moon, low tide with lots of crab fisherman, surfers and other people walking slowly up and down the beach at sunset. What more could anyone ask for. It makes you kind of glad you live in San Francisco sometimes.
Trail conditions & character
“You can also catch views of the sand and ocean and you can also see the city and some of Marin County.”
“There are crossing points with traffic lights where you can cross the highway and then enter into the sandy beach area.”
“It's a wonderful peaceful walk along the ocean.”
“There are restrooms along the path, and you can catch a couple of the Muni lines nearby too.”
Plan your run at Lower Great Highway Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesfrecpark.org
- Phone(415) 831-2700
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near San Francisco
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Strawberry Hill
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Coastal Trail
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Mount Davidson Hiking Path Entrance
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