Walking Date Ideas in Bay Area

Angel Island State Park is reached only by ferry, from Tiburon or San Francisco, so the date starts out on the water. The crossing from Tiburon takes 12 minutes, and from Ayala Cove the Sunset Trail leads 2.5 miles to the Mount Livermore summit, about 2.5 hours round trip. Hike, bike, hop on an open-air tram tour of the island's history, or join the Immigration Station Museum's tour. Ferry service on winter weekdays is limited, so check the schedule before you go.

Rocky ocean-side cliffs line the Lands End trail in San Francisco's northwest corner, and the shore, the headlands and the Golden Gate all come into view. Stops along the way include the Legion of Honor overlook, the USS San Francisco memorial, a picnic area at the West Fort Miley batteries, and the Sutro Baths ruins. The baths were a swimming pool built in 1896 that burned in the 1960s, and low walls overgrown with wildflowers are what remain. The Lands End Loop is 3.10 miles round trip, and a short stretch of the Coastal Trail is enough for a daytime walk before dinner.

Mount Tamalpais State Park is a beautiful escape for an outdoorsy date, with towering redwoods, scenic hiking trails and sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, Mount Diablo and the Farallon Islands. Head to East Peak for one of Marin's most romantic viewpoints, or start at Pantoll for a hike through the forest. Pack a picnic to enjoy together and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. The park is open daily from 7 AM to sunset, with paid parking at East Peak, Pantoll and Bootjack.

UC Botanical Garden is a daytime walk through more than 34 acres, nine geographic regions, and over 10,000 kinds of plants, with seasonal blooms along winding paths. Bring a picnic or settle in for an afternoon stroll, and plan about two hours for a first visit. Wear sturdy shoes, since some paths are narrow, rocky, or steep. Drop-in docent tours run Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and last about an hour. The garden is open from 10am to 5pm and closed Tuesdays.

Crissy Field is one of San Francisco's most scenic spots for a walking date, with a mostly flat waterfront path offering beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Bay. Take your time along the 3.44-mile round-trip route, passing sandy beaches and tidal marshes along the way. Stop at the Warming Hut for a coffee with a view, then continue to Fort Point, a free historic museum tucked beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The Warming Hut is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on foot is a 1.7-mile walk with views, about 45 to 60 minutes one way. A stop at Hendrik Point on the far end gives you a view back toward the skyline. Free walking tours led by San Francisco City Guides run Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the Welcome Center is open daily from 9am to 6pm. Walkers can use the sidewalk seven days a week, from sunrise until sunset.

Lake Merritt in central Oakland is a relaxed place for a stroll with someone you like. Beside the lake, the Gardens at Lake Merritt spread over seven acres of themed plantings: palms, rhododendrons, bonsai, a Japanese garden, and a sensory garden. The gardens are open weekdays from 7:30am to 3pm and weekends from 8am to 4pm. Bird watching at the Rotary Nature Center is another stop. Finish with dinner at Lake Chalet.

The Batteries to Bluffs Trail is a pedestrian-only coastal path in the Presidio, 0.7 miles and about 14 minutes with 470 stairs, so it moves at a moderate pace. It passes bluffs above the rocky shore, seeps and springs on the way to Battery Crosby, and a side path down to Marshall's Beach, with the Golden Gate Bridge in view. The coastal views are at their most dramatic around sunset. Dogs are not allowed, and parking at Baker Beach at the south end is free.

The Stanford Dish is a great spot for an active daytime date, with rolling foothills, scenic walking trails and views of the surrounding landscape. Take a walk together around the still-operating radio telescope, then head into Palo Alto for a well-earned lunch at Wildseed. In November and December, the trails are open from 6:30 AM to 5 PM, though access may be restricted during Red Flag Warnings, so check before heading out.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is a peaceful escape just outside downtown Oakland, where towering redwoods and forest trails make for a romantic, outdoorsy date. Hike the three-mile French Trail, which connects to the Tres Sendas Trail, or pack a picnic to enjoy together beneath the trees. Pick up something to eat from Pomella on Piedmont Avenue before heading out, and agree on a meeting spot in advance since cell service is limited. Some sections of Stream Trail are closed for repairs, so check trail conditions before your visit.