So it looks like I’m going to be in SF Monday night through Saturday morning next week on business. Any suggestions on good (scenic), safe places to run in the city?
TONS! of good running in SF. What are you looking to do (distance, terrain, etc…)? Popular routes are along Chrissy field, the embarcaderro, and GG Park.
definately the marina blvd. GG park as well. heck run from the embarcadero to marina, chrissy fields then over the bridge and back through the park. :o)
What part of town are you staying in and do you mind driving to get to a goods running spot. Also check out pools for swimming such as the Embarcadero YMCA or the Olympic Club ( if belong to a reciprocal club). Both are open early A.M. so that you can run and swim before doing business.
PM Ironclm
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You have way too many choices. Pick your weather (coast side will be foggy likely, sun over in Marin), pick your terrain (heck you could run the Dipsea on stunning trails in Marin or along the Marina in the City), pick your views (GG Bridge and good looking young people on the make at Crissy Field or redwoods and ocean in Marin).
It’s all good. Buses run over the bridge to Marin or you could just run to the Headlands too.
I loved the Escape run course from the Marina Green along Crissy Field past the Battery and up Baker Beach. Don’t skip the sand ladder. It was awesome…kj
perhaps a sprint at the end of your work out through the tenderloin district :o) talk about fun!
Where are you staying? Access to a car?
I flew into SF on the red eye thus getting in really early in the a.m., my boyfriend (who’s from the area) flew in later that same night, so I was wandering around on my own for a day. Anyway, having the worst sense of direction, I headed out from my hote 3 bloacks from Union Square and walked right through the tenderloin. I had no idea at the time, but I thought it was kind of skeezy with some questionable types loitering. I actually took my cell phone and a credit card out of my backpack and put them in my pocket just in case. I went into a starbucks and called my boyfriend (who was at the airport in Maui waiting for his flight) and told him the cross streets I was at and asked him where I was and which way to go. He then informed me that I was in the tenderloin, explained to me what that is, and talked me back up to Union Square. This is why I generally travel with him…kj
**I loved the Escape run course from the Marina Green along Crissy Field past the Battery and up Baker Beach. Don’t skip the sand ladder. It was awesome…kj **
Agree with that…I lived in the city for about a year, (SOMA) and often would drive to Crissy Field, run out towards Fort Point and then make my way to the Coastal Trail instead of the Alcatraz run course. An excellent run.
Much to choose from. As has been mentioned, the Embarcadero is not bad but mostly for people watching as you run, but there are lots of other runners there. You can run over the GG Bridge and head to the Headlands as well, or drive over there and start running from the Marin side if you want.
CLM will likely be the best current resource—I see she just posted, so go with what she says.
Last time I was up there I started near the Haight, ran through GG Park to the Great Highway up by the Cliff House through Sea Cliff, along Baker Beach, picked up the coastal trail, ran under the bridge down to Crissy Field and then along the marina down to Fisherman’s Wharf and then the Embarcadero. From there I picked up the train and headed back to Cole Valley! Now that was a cool run! About 2.5 hours! 
First let me state that I’m from Florida. The closest thing we have to hills are the highway overpasses. I travel to SF every 2 or 3 months. Being a flat-lander, first, I make sure I have $3.00. I start at Powell and Market St, where apparently it’s a lot of fun to watch the cable cars turn. I follow the cable car tracks until they end (Bay ST?). For me, the return trip is the challenge. If I can make it past California ST wtihout throwing up, I’m home free. If not, well I’ve got the $3.00 to ride the cable car to my hotel. It’s not a long run,maybe 6 miles, but for us Floridans it’s brutal!!
If I can manage the above run, I try what I can only describe as Masochistic. I’ll start at Van Ness and Lombard and run East (UPHILL… WAAAYYY UPHILL.) It’s awesome to get ot the top of this hill and look West, especially at night!!!