Renovated California Coastal Trail: Best Urban Walk

Not-in-the-know hikers might think they’ve got to leave the city for a challenging nature trek with views. Not so. Our recently renovated stretch of the California Coastal Trail, which actually runs throughout the entire state, offers rugged coastline climbs, picnic spots and several sets of steps. Around each corner is another killer view. We like to start at Baker Beach and follow the trail up to the Golden Gate Bridge, then down into Marina Green for a well-deserved lunch at either the Warming Hut (Presidio Bldg. 983 at the west end of Crissy Field, 415-561-3040) or the adjacent Let’s Be Frank hot-dog cart.