Where are the unpaved places for running in San Francisco?

July 7, 2009 9:19 AM

I've started a running program and need new outdoor places to run in San Francisco (not new outdoor routes).

I run outdoors and am trying to stay off streets and sidewalks because I need to be gentle on my joints. So far my favorite places to go are Crissy Field (on the gravel path along the water's edge) and the soccer fields at Crocker Amazon Park. Both of these places are what I'm looking for: flat, unpaved, safe, and easy to get to but I'm bored and would like some other options. I'm going to check out the polo field at Golden Gate Park today but what are some other places to try? Are tracks at local high schools available to the public? I'm usually driving so parking is a benefit but anything flat and unpaved (as in not asphalt or concrete) would be good. Turf, spongy tracks, paths and other softer surfaces are what I'm after.

posted by otherwordlyglow to health & fitness (7 answers total)

The running track at Kezar is open most evenings when other events are not running. Popular Tuesdays through Thursdays until 8PM.
posted by clarkie666 at 9:30 AM on July 7, 2009

Most of JFK drive in Golden Gate Park has a dirt path running right along the sidewalk that was created by and is used by runners who don't want to be on the sidewalk.
posted by gyusan at 9:52 AM on July 7, 2009

I'll have to vote for Golden Gate Park. There's a lot of different kind of terrain to run on there. I mean, it runs half the width of the entire city. I really like the path up the hill in the middle of Stow Lake. You could also do a run from the panhandle to the beach and back. That's a pretty grueling one, especially on the way back.
posted by runcibleshaw at 10:03 AM on July 7, 2009

I'll check out the dirt path and maybe Kezar. I went to the polo field at lunch and it was pretty great. The pathway is super dusty right now but it was a great surface and since it's such a huge track, I didn't feel like a hamster running in circles. Also, it was nearly empty.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 2:41 PM on July 7, 2009

There are a TON of (mapped and unmapped, mostly the latter) trails in GGP, I've been running and coaching there for years and I still find new ones from time to time.

The best way to find the trails is just to follow them when you find them; for example there's one that starts right about where the crosswalk to the De Young crosses JFK.
posted by dolface at 3:11 PM on July 7, 2009

Hey, all these suggestions are in my hood :) Kezar's great, especially around 7:30 or 8 after the massive training groups have cleared out. Just be aware that on weekends during the day, there's often organized sporting events using the space.

And Golden Gate Park / looping by polo fields are great. There are all sorts of hidden dirt paths. The panhandle has a dirt path on the southern edge of the park. I think it's only about a mile, though.

I've heard there's a track at or near UC Berkeley that is open to the public, but I haven't been myself.
posted by soleiluna at 4:00 PM on July 7, 2009

Ain't that the truth soleiluna, wave to me when you are passing, I also enjoy Kezar without the "great job [insert name here]" brigade.
posted by clarkie666 at 5:46 PM on July 7, 2009