Leave the long drives and ten mile trails to the weekend warriors.
If you ask us, a morning hike is best when there’s a reward to look forward to at the end.
From San Francisco to Santa Cruz, these two- to five-milers come with a side of coffee, mimosas, benedicts, and more.
Stanford Dish + Zaytinya, Palo Alto
The Stanford Dish
(Courtesy of dsearls, CC BY 2.0)
Wake with the sun on the Stanford Dish Loop Trail, that iconic 3.7-mile route with panoramic views of the Peninsula. There’s not a lot of shade here and the parking can fill up fast so the earlier you arrive, the better. That’ll leave you plenty of time for brunch. Do it right by driving back through the campus to the Stanford Shopping Center and everybody’s favorite philanthropist-chef José Andres’ first (and only) Bay Area restaurant, Zaytinya. They open at 11:30am, five days a week, to serve up diverse Mediterranean pide, sandwiches, and mezze.
// Stanford Dish Trailhead, 586 Junipero Serra Blvd. (Stanford), dish.stanford.edu; Zaytinya, 180 El Camino Real Ste. EE1400 (Palo Alto), zaytinya.com
Glen Canyon + Glen Park Cafe, San Francisco
Breakfast at Glen Park Cafe
(Courtesy of @glenparkcafe)
Possibly one of the most underrated hikes in the San Francisco city limits, if you’ve never walked the trail across the ridge and down into the Islais Creek basin in Glen Canyon Park, consider this a sign. Dramatic at times, the 1.9-mile loop will get your heart pumping just enough to work up an appetite. Park on the perimeter on Elk Street and pick up the trail from there instead of in Diamond Heights (where this route technically starts). After you’ve looped around, walk about five blocks down Chenery Street to Glen Park Cafe, a cozy neighborhood spot with tasty omelets, bennies, pancakes, and lots more.
// Glen Canyon Park, Elk St. and Chenery St. (Glen Park), sfrecpark.org; Glen Park Cafe, 2798 Diamond St. (Glen Park), glenparkcafe.com
Almaden Quicksilver + La Foret, San Jose
The creekside patio at La Foret
(Courtesy of @laforetsanjose)
Once the home of managers and highers up at the most important mercury mine in the Western Hemisphere, the historic village of New Almaden lives frozen in time at base of the Sierra Azul Mountains. The mines still honeycomb the hills in what is now Almaden Quicksilver County Park, but, above ground, scattered rusting equipment and crumbling houses are the only sign of the once immense operation.
There are several trailheads to choose from, including the seven-mile Historic Trail). Since that’s a little long for a pre-brunch hike, check out the moderately-challenging 3.6-mile English Camp Loop, instead, which partially overlaps with the former. You won’t regret skipping the extra miles when you walk into La Foret at the trail’s end. The upscale French restaurant hanging over a creek inside a former boarding house just across the street from the Almaden Quicksilver parking lot, does a Sunday brunch that includes dishes like pain perdu and prawns meuniere. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.
// Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 21785 Almaden Rd. (San Jose), parks.sccgov.org; La Foret, 21747 Bertram Rd. (San Jose), laforetrestaurant.com
Lake Merced + Original Joe’s Westlake, San Francisco
Lake Merced
(Courtesy of @seamusr)
Is it considered a hike even if the trail is paved? If it means walking 4.5 miles around a jewel of a lake on San Francisco’s southwest side pre-brunch, it does. The Lake Merced Loop is a mostly flat trail that’s a little bit urban, a little bit wild(ish). Better yet, it’s just a couple of blocks from Original Joe’s Westlake. The Bay Area legacy restaurant extraordinaire is open at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays with a brunch menu that includes bombolini (warm Italian donuts), a crispy polenta benedict, and corned beef hash.
// Lake Merced, Skyline Blvd. and Harding Rd. (Parkmerced), sfrecpark.org; Original Joe’s Westlake, 11 Glenwood Ave. (Daly City), originaljoes.com
Wilder Ranch + Iveta, Santa Cruz
The Old Cove Landing Trail at Wilder Ranch State Park
(Ann Marie Brown)
Get the feeling of getting away without going far: Start your morning at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz. The 4.5-mile Englesman Loop sweeps you from ocean bluff to shady forest at the historic site of 19th century dairies and lime kilns, on an easy-to-moderate route with around 500 feet of elevation gain. Want more beach and less mileage? The easy Old Cove Landing Trail is just 2.4 miles, half of which are along the coast of Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve. After you’ve thoroughly high-fived at the finish, head a few miles back towards town to Iveta Westside, a popular Seacliff cafe and Italian-style espresso bar with brunch classics ranging from breakfast burritos and French toast to meaty sandwiches and award-winning pastries.
// Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd. (Santa Cruz), parks.ca.gov; Iveta Westside, 2125 Delaware Ave. (Santa Cruz), iveta.com
