Twin Peaks Summit

Twin Peaks Summit is a short ridge climb to one of the highest viewpoints in San Francisco, California, at 922 feet (281 m). The trailhead is at Twin Peaks Boulevard and Christmas Tree Point Road in the Twin Peaks neighborhood. Visitors can ride the Muni 37 Corbett bus to Twin Peaks Boulevard and walk about ten minutes uphill, or drive to the roadside parking area, which is free; car break-ins are common, so valuables should never be left inside. No permit or fee is required, and the open space is managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks. The walk is about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) round trip with only about 100 feet (30 m) of elevation gain, taking 30 to 45 minutes, so it is easy and suits first-time hikers. The surface is a mix of paved path, packed dirt and a few steps, with a short, steady climb to the summit. Exposure is high: the ridge is open grassland with almost no shade and strong, steady wind. Fog frequently blankets the peaks, particularly in summer afternoons, hiding the view entirely. On clear days the summit offers a 360-degree panorama over downtown San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, the East Bay hills, Sutro Tower and the Pacific Ocean. Landmarks include the paired summits that give the area its name, the native coastal scrub habitat, and the view corridor down Market Street. The turn-around point is the summit itself, though ambitious hikers can continue along trails that link toward Glen Canyon Park, Mount Sutro or Noe Valley. There is no drinking water or shelter on the peaks, and restrooms are limited, so visitors should plan accordingly. Visitors should also expect the area to be crowded at sunset. A warm windproof jacket is needed in every season, because the temperature can feel 10 degrees colder than in the sheltered neighborhoods below. September and October are the best months for clear views.