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Fort Funston Beach Loop (Coastal Trail: Fort Funston)
Hiking Trail
Hard
1.59 mi
202 ft
Family and dog-friendly loop featuring sea cliffs, wildflowers, a sandy beach, and historic war forts.
Fort Funston, named for an old military installation, still has defense batteries that you can view up close, but today it's better known for natural scenery, including cliff-top views and hiking among sand dunes. It's also one of the few San Francisco parks with extensive off-leash dog areas, making it quite popular among locals. Note that dogs must be under "voice control" to be allowed off leash, meaning they will hear and obey when called.
A network of trails leads throughout Fort Funston. The loop mapped here is a suggestion to maximize a variety of scenery and terrain. It follows the Coastal Trail along the top of 200-foot-tall sea cliffs, then finds its way to the beach. Almost all the walking is on sand, and some parts are quite steep, making it a good workout.
Along the way, you'll see the concrete walls of Battery Davis, flowers blooming among wind-swept coastal sedge, lots of seabirds, and maybe even hang-gliders flying overhead. You can get in the water, but it’s not great for swimming due to cold water and strong currents. Note that hiking on the beach may not be safe at high tide when the surf can reach the base of the cliffs. Watch the waves and take care not to get cut off. If the beach is covered, just stick to the higher trails and overlooks.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Fort Funston, named for an old military installation, still has defense batteries that you can view up close, but today it's better known for natural scenery, including cliff-top views and hiking among sand dunes. It's also one of the few San Francisco parks with extensive off-leash dog areas, making it quite popular among locals. Note that dogs must be under "voice control" to be allowed off leash, meaning they will hear and obey when called.
A network of trails leads throughout Fort Funston. The loop mapped here is a suggestion to maximize a variety of scenery and terrain. It follows the Coastal Trail along the top of 200-foot-tall sea cliffs, then finds its way to the beach. Almost all the walking is on sand, and some parts are quite steep, making it a good workout.
Along the way, you'll see the concrete walls of Battery Davis, flowers blooming among wind-swept coastal sedge, lots of seabirds, and maybe even hang-gliders flying overhead. You can get in the water, but it’s not great for swimming due to cold water and strong currents. Note that hiking on the beach may not be safe at high tide when the surf can reach the base of the cliffs. Watch the waves and take care not to get cut off. If the beach is covered, just stick to the higher trails and overlooks.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
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