Twin Peaks

Twin hilltops 282 meters high at the center of the city, with 360-degree views of Market Street, the downtown skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge. They offer the most complete panorama of San Francisco by day and by night.

Twin Peaks sits near the geographic center of San Francisco. Its two hilltops, each about 282 meters high, are the city's second-highest points. Left undeveloped, they keep grassy slopes and native plants. They are the most open viewpoint in the city. To the east, Market Street cuts straight through the city toward the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. To the north are the Golden Gate Bridge and the fort, and to the south are the Mission District and Daly City. On clear days you can see the East Bay and the San Mateo Mountains. At night, the city lights and the streams of headlights along Market Street are especially spectacular. Most visitors stop at the Christmas Tree Point parking lot, below the North Peak. You can also walk about 10 minutes on trails to the summit of either peak for a fuller view with fewer people. Below the summit, the red-and-white Sutro Tower is another landmark of the skyline. San Francisco's "Karl the Fog" often rolls in from the Pacific on summer evenings and covers Twin Peaks first. If the summit is in the clouds, head to Dolores Park or Bernal Heights to view the city instead. September through October and clear winter days are the safest times to visit. The summit is windy year-round and about 5°C cooler than downtown, so bring a jacket. Getting there: No subway goes directly there. Take Muni Bus 37 from Castro station to the Twin Peaks stop and walk 10 minutes, or take a taxi from downtown for about 15 minutes, which is most convenient at night. If you drive, follow Twin Peaks Boulevard uphill. The parking lot is free but often full in the evening. Allow 30 to 60 minutes. You can combine it with the nearby Castro district, Dolores Park, and the Mission murals for a half-day route. Do not leave belongings visible inside your car when parked.

Twin Peaks

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