Twin Peaks is a world-famous tourist attraction located in San Francisco, California. It is a pair of hills that rise to an elevation of 922 feet, making it the second highest point in the city after Mt. Davidson. The peaks offer spectacular views of the Bay Area, including the downtown skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Twin Peaks area encompasses a 64-acre park that features a mix of grassland and coastal scrub vegetation. The park is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, picnicking, and bird-watching.
The park is also home to a variety of unique and endangered species, including the Mission Blue Butterfly, white-crowned sparrow, brush rabbits, and coyotes. The Mission Blue Butterfly is an endangered species that is only found in specific areas of San Francisco, and Twin Peaks is one of the few places where it can be observed. The park’s diverse ecosystem also supports a wide variety of birds, including the white-crowned sparrow, which is a species of special concern.
Twin Peaks Trail Information
Twin Peaks has a beautiful trail network that ascends the two peaks of the landscape and offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area. The trail is 0.7 miles long and is perfect for hikers looking for a moderate hike. To ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable hike, it is important to stay on established trails to avoid poison oak and minimize erosion. Additionally, you can extend your hike by continuing down Twin Peaks Blvd towards Portola Drive into Glen Canyon Park, where you can take the 1.2-mile Creek to Peaks Trail hike. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy even more of the natural beauty that the area has to offer.
Twin Peaks Key Information
- Twin Peaks is a hilltop destination located in the center of San Francisco, consisting of two hills that rise almost 1000 feet above the city.
- It offers panoramic views of many of San Francisco’s landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Transamerica Building, downtown skyscrapers and Market Street.
- The park is open daily from 5 am to midnight, making it one of San Francisco’s best free attractions.
- Visitors can access the Twin Peaks by car, public transportation, taxi, Uber/Lyft, or Go Cars.
- The hilltop can be cold and windy, so it is recommended to bring a jacket even on warm days.
- The Mission Blue Butterfly, a rare species, can be seen on the slopes of Twin Peaks during April-May.
- Twin Peaks is often the dividing line when the fog rolls into the city.
- It was featured in the 1936 film “San Francisco” to depict the devastation from the 1906 earthquake.
