Walk on the Wise Side
Walking the Philosopher's Way Trail in SF
A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (San Francisco’s second largest park, after Golden Gate). McLaren Park has seen plenty of love in recent years, with upgraded trails, improved wayfinding, accessibility enhancements, and habitat restoration making it an even more inviting place to explore.
The trail is marked by granite arrows, with 14 informational plaques that include photos, facts, and thought-provoking quotes, all designed to highlight the ecology, geography, and history of southeast San Francisco. Benches also line the path, which alternates between dirt and paved alongside fields of clover and groves of thick-trunked oaks.
Though the elevation gain is only about 400 feet, there’s still a sensation of glory as the trail peaks at a bright baby-blue water tower soaring 80 feet high. You’ll also get excellent views of the Bay Bridge, Mount Davidson, and Sutro Tower. Walk past the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater and the relic of a playground as you round out the route back to the starting viewpoint.
Parking is available near the Philosopher's Way Trailhead in McLaren Park, accessible from the Mansell Street and Visitacion Avenue entrance. Follow the directional markers along the route. Early on, arrows point in two directions—keep left at the double arrows to complete the full 2.7-mile loop (the other option is a shorter route). We recommend having a map handy. Dog-friendly!
