Driving up to the parking area is steep, and it's a premonition of what the trail will be like. You guessed it, the ascent will be too. However, switchbacks make the climb much easier. Near the top of the ridge, it flattens out and becomes a fire road.

Some of the most eye-popping vistas in the Bay Area—beloved by Golden Gate Raptor Observatory staff and volunteers who annually monitor the fall migration from Hawk Hill—are available to individuals with a wide range of abilities.

Wrapping around the southern edge of the island, this trail literally presents a "different side" of The Rock.

This 0.6-mile, easy walking trail features plenty of its spiky succulent namesake (planted to slow erosion and serve as a verdant fence), as well as breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline.

The magnificent Matt Davis Trail is one of the main thoroughfares to experience the glory of Mt. Tamalpais.

Stretching from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, the famed Dipsea Trail is for hikers looking for a challenge.

Stretching from just south of the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Crosby, the trail offers spectacular coastal panoramas, views of the Golden Gate, and a safe descent to Marshall’s Beach.

Tennessee Valley is an amazing offshoot of the Marin Headlands, with hiking trails that suit the whole family.

Visit a beautiful part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in a loop easily accessible by car, bike, and SamTrans bus lines. This area was improved with the help of community volunteers and is a showcase of restored native plants and wildlife habitat.

The walk down to Point Bonita Lighthouse is a hallmark Bay Area experience that offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge.