Mount Sutro Cloud Forest

Mount Sutro Cloud Forest is a serene open space reserve located in the heart of San Francisco, famous for its towering century-old eucalyptus trees and mist-shrouded canopy. Visitors can explore miles of interconnected dirt hiking trails that wind through dense, lush vegetation away from city noise. The summit offers tranquil resting spots and quiet natural beauty, making it a peaceful urban escape.

Expert notes

• An Urban Oasis, Mount Sutro is home to a vibrant, 61-acre open space reserve in the city's center. It is named after San Francisco Mayor (1894-1896) and real estate investor Adolph Sutro. The forest is heavily shaded under the tall Eucalyptus trees and has its own micro-climate. The forest remains cool and wet even when it is hot and dry in the surrounding. Forty-five species of birds, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, skinks, lizards, coyotes, possibly foxes, and other animals call home to this beautiful forest. Special Instructions Hiking in Mount Sutro is a unique experience with birdsong and its heavily shaded tall trees wrapped in mist dropping as rain droplets. All the trails take about 2 hours to cover. The Historic Trail and the Fairy Gates trails are suitable for mountain biking. The trails are suitable for older kids but only so much for very few ones who may want to be carried. There’s no parking area for the forest; all the parking lots in and around it are for UCSF employees or students. The best options for parking are at Stanyan and 17th, Clarendon Avenue (near Clarendon Ave & Johnstone Dr), Edgewood Ave (near Belmont Ave & Edgewood Ave), and Belgrave (near Belgrave Ave & Stanyan St). A foggy day is ideal for the ethereal cloud-forest experience, especially on The South Ridge Trail in summer. Check out the Nike Missile Control Site, Ishi's Shrine.

Features

• Biking
• Birding
• Breathtaking Views
• Dog Friendly
• Forest
• Free Entry
• Hiking
• Lush
• Mountain
• Photography
• Relaxing
• Wildlife