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Route

Hidden San Francisco — The Local's Route

Skip the buses. This is the SF locals actually go to.

7
stops
5 hr 40 min
start to finish
Free
audio at every stop
Hidden San Francisco — The Local's RouteSan Francisco · 7 stops · 5 hr 40 min · collect the whole route

Quick answer

How long does the Hidden San Francisco — The Local's Route route take? About 5 hr 40 min in total — 4 hr at the 7 stops plus roughly 1 hr 40 min getting between them by car, over 19.6 km. Every stop has a free audio guide you can play while you stand there.

The route, in order

Times are what the stop actually takes, not a minimum. Travel time between stops is listed on each leg.

  1. 1

    Alamo Square / Painted Ladies

    Morning light on the Painted Ladies.

    Stay about 25 min
  2. 2
    6.9 km by car

    Sutro Baths

    Ruins + ocean. Instagram gold.

    Stay about 40 min
  3. 3
    0.9 km by car

    Lands End

    Coastal trail to Mile Rock Beach.

    Stay about 50 min
  4. 4
    3.8 km by car

    Presidio

    Picnic under eucalyptus. Bridge views.

    Stay about 30 min
  5. 5
    1.6 km by car

    Fort Point

    Stand under the Golden Gate Bridge.

    Stay about 20 min
  6. 6
    1.7 km by car

    Crissy Field

    Beach walk. Bridge + skyline.

    Stay about 35 min
  7. 7
    4.7 km by car

    City Lights Bookstore

    End at the Beat poets' HQ.

    Stay about 40 min

How to use this route

  • Open the first stop's guide before you leave — the audio is free and plays in the browser, so there is nothing to install.
  • Each stop links to its own guide. Play it when you arrive, not before: the narration assumes you are standing there.
  • The times below assume you are travelling by car. Shift the whole plan later in the day if you want the last stop at sunset.

Questions about this route

Do I need to book anything?
No. This is a self-guided route on public streets and open spaces. Individual venues may charge their own admission.
Can I do it in a different order?
Yes, though the order below is the one that minimises backtracking. Each guide stands on its own.
Is the audio free?
Every standard guide is free in full, with no signup. Membership adds offline playback and removes ads.