Trace San Francisco’s native dune habitat on this little-known boardwalk nature trail.
Before San Francisco became the bustling city we know today, a large part of it was made up of coastal sand dunes. As a result of the city’s development over two centuries, much of the native landscape was lost.
In 1994, Lobos Creek Valley underwent a major restoration to bring back its original dune ecosystem. Today, the Lobos Creek Valley Trail offers a way to experience San Francisco’s lost natural heritage.
The trail is a flat, at-grade boardwalk that winds through renewed habitat, including freshwater Lobos Creek. Inhale the herbaceous aroma of beach sage wort and other fragrant native plants. Watch dragonflies and butterflies flutter by. Listen to birds noisily chatter. And see if you can spot rare species of flora, including the San Francisco wallflower, the San Francisco lessingia, and the San Francisco spineflower.
At the east end of the trail, you’ll reach Lobos Valley Overlook where you can look back over the landscape that once inspired Ansel Adams, the great American photographer who grew up nearby.
Presidio Trails Tip
Restrooms are located at Baker Beach.
0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers)
Easy
Flat, at-grade boardwalk
30 minutes
Pets are permitted on Lobos Creek Valley Trail.
Getting to Lobos Creek Valley Trail
Trailheads
At the west end, access the trail off Lincoln Boulevard across from Baker Beach in the parking next to the Presidio Trust headquarters. At the east end, pick it up off Wedemeyer Street near the Lobos Valley Overlook.
Parking & Public Transit
At the east end, paid parking is available off Wedemeyer Street near the Lobos Valley Overlook. At the west end, free parking can be found at Baker Beach. To get to the Presidio by bus or shuttle, visit the Public Transit page.
