Twin Peaks are two hills near the geographic center of San Francisco, more than nine hundred feet high. From the top the city spreads out in every direction: Market Street running straight to the Ferry Building, the downtown towers, the Bay Bridge, and on a clear day the Golden Gate Bridge and the hills across the bay.
Getting up
- By car or taxi: Twin Peaks Boulevard winds up to a lookout with parking, known as Christmas Tree Point, just below the summits.
- On foot: walk up from the Castro, about thirty to forty-five minutes of steady climbing through residential streets and stairways.
- By bus: a city bus gets you partway up the hill; finish on foot.
When to go
Fog is the deciding factor. On many summer mornings and evenings the peaks are inside the cloud and you will see nothing at all. Look up from downtown before you set off: if the top is clear, go. The hour before sunset on a clear day is wonderful, and the city lights at dusk are worth staying for. See the best time to visit for the fog seasons.
Practical notes
It is always windy and colder than the city below; bring a jacket even if it is warm downtown. Do not leave anything visible in a parked car: the lookout has a long history of car break-ins. For other high points, see the best views in San Francisco.
What you can see
From the main lookout, facing north-east, the city lies in front of you like a map:
- Market Street, running in a straight line from the base of the hill to the Ferry Building on the waterfront.
- Downtown, with the Salesforce Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid.
- The Bay Bridge, curving to Treasure Island and on to Oakland.
- The East Bay hills behind Oakland and Berkeley, with Mount Diablo beyond on clear days.
- To the north, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands; to the west, the Sunset District and the Pacific.
- Below you, the Castro and the Mission.
A short history
The Spanish called the hills Los Pechos de la Chola, and later residents simply named them for their shape. The road was built in the early twentieth century, and the summits were kept as open land. The hills are one of the few places in the city where you can still see something of the coastal scrub and grassland that covered San Francisco before it was built over, and they are home to a rare butterfly, the Mission blue.
Walking routes
For a satisfying climb, start in the Castro and walk up through Corona Heights Park, a rocky outcrop with its own excellent view, then continue up to the peaks. Allow an hour to the top. Trails cross both summits; the south peak is a little higher. From the top, you can walk down the other side towards the Sunset District and catch a Muni train back.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Twin Peaks?
The summits are just over 900 feet above sea level, among the highest points in the city.
When is the best time to go?
A clear morning or the hour before sunset. Summer evenings are often lost in fog; fall is the most reliable season.
Is it safe?
By day it is busy and safe. The main risk is car break-ins: take everything with you.