SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
- Home
- Attractions
- Mount Davidson
Mount Davidson in San Francisco: Climb to the Highest Peak in the City
by Jill Loeffler •
Not many people know that Mount Davidson in San Francisco is the highest peak in the city. It reaches 928 feet above sea level and offers a great hiking experience.
The hill is well known for its 103-foot-tall concrete cross on the top of it. Each year on Easter, you will find a sunrise service in front of the cross. They also have an annual event on April 24 to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
It's an off-the-beaten-path gem and a perfect place to get outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
More Information on Mount Davidson in San Francisco
Mount Davidson in San Francisco is a 40-acre park with some great trails. Although the summit near the cross is covered with trees, you will still find a great lookout point with views of downtown SF, Twin Peaks, and the surrounding area.
The majority of the park is owned by the city, except the summit where the concrete cross sits. Visitors are welcome to hike or visit the cross anytime between 6 am and 10 pm.
Even though there is only about a mile of trails in the park, you'll find you will get a good workout, and possibly even lost if you don't pay attention. Many of the trails include several stone and wooden steps that take you up to the summit.
As you hike to the top and then back down, make sure to pay close attention to the wide variety of vegetation here. Because it is so varied, the vegetation attracts more than a dozen species of local and migrating birds as well as more than 200 species of insects.
The wooded areas of the park cover more than 30 of its 40 acres. On the hill, you will find mostly blue gum eucalyptus. This tree was originally not native to the area and is considered invasive, but it's become an important part of this area's ecosystem.
Trail Access to Mount Davidson
There are seven places to enter the trails that lead up to the summit, but there are two that are the most widely used. The first is the main entrance on the southern side just northwest of the bus stop near Dalewood Way and Lansdale Avenue.
The second entrance is about a half block north on Dalewood Way.
The picture below shows you what the gate to this second entrance looks like.
The trails are not marked, but all lead up to the summit, the cross, and the vista point. Since the trails are not marked, plan to get in a few extra steps as you have fun getting a little lost.
If you are heading uphill, you are most likely on your way to the cross. If you are heading downhill, you are most likely going to end up back on the street in a few minutes.
History of the Cross & Controversy Surrounding It
Remarkably, the current cross on the top of Mount Davidson in San Francisco is the fifth one. In 1923, the first cross was built at the summit.
It was a temporary one and was replaced in 1924 with a more permanent wooden cross. That one burned down the following year.
The next two crosses were built in 1926 and then again in 1929. Both of these crosses were also burnt down.
The current concrete cross was completed in 1934. It was lit for the first time a week before Easter that year.
More than 50,000 people came to watch the lighting of the cross by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who lit it remotely from Washington, D.C. by pushing a golden telegraph key.
The city owned Mount Davidson in San Francisco, and came under scrutiny in 1991 for having a religious symbol on public land. Several organizations sued and the city was forced to either sell the land or remove the cross.
After years of court battles, the city agreed to sell the cross to the Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California (CAAONC) in 1997. Voters approved the sale that same year and now the CAAONC owns 0.38 acres of the park where the cross resides.
They now commemorate the Armenian Genocide every April 24. You can learn more about this from the plaque right next to the cross.
Annual Easter Memorial Service
At sunrise on Easter, you will find a service at the cross. The service starts at 7 am with a shuttle service to Mount Davidson in San Francisco from the Forest Hill Station starting at 5:30 am.
The service attracts thousands of people each year and is a treat for visitors celebrating Easter.
Take note that you will need to climb up the hill to the summit for the religious service. The trail is steep, but it isn't very far.
There is very little seating, too, so make sure to wear shoes that are comfortable enough to climb the hill and participate in the almost hour-long service.
How to Get Here
Mount Davidson in San Francisco is in the southwestern part of the city near the Forest Hill and West Portal Districts. Use the address 39 Dalewood Way to get to the main entrance.
From Union Square: The best way to get here is to take the K or M light rail from the Powell station to the Forest Hill station. Then, you will hop on the 36 bus going east and take it to Myra Way and Dalewood Way. This takes about 35 to 40 minutes.
From Fisherman's Wharf: The best way to get here is to take the F streetcar from Jones and Beach Streets to the Muni station at the Embarcadero. Once you enter this underground station, hop on the K or M light rail and follow the instructions above. This will take about an hour.
Driving: Usually parking is easy in this district, so driving is also an option. You can park close to the entrance on Dalewood Way for a few hours.
Taxi: If you are short on time, but still want to see Mount Davidson in San Francisco, then you can also take an Uber/Lyft or a taxi to the entrance. You shouldn't have any problems getting one for your return trip either.
Things to Do Nearby
Discover another local park. Just a few blocks east of Mt. Davidson sits Glen Canyon Park. This is another wonderful green space with a vast nature area that offers four miles of hiking trails, wildlife, a children's play area, and a public sports and rec center. Find more to see in the Glen Park district.
Grab a picnic lunch for your hike to the top. Close to Mount Davidson in San Francisco, you'll find Pop's Sandwich Shop, a locally owned deli that serves up fresh, classic, toasted subs from 11 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
You'll find them at 737 Portola Drive. If you come here before heading up the mountain, you'll want to hit the trail on the northern end of the park.
Check out the eats in neighboring West Portal. If you head west on Portola Drive about a mile, you'll find this small residential district offering a variety of restaurants.
Depending what you're in the mood for, you might try Original Joe's for specialty pizzas, Squat and Gobble Café for crepes and hearty breakfasts, or Clay Oven Indian Restaurant for tandoori flavors.
Other Great Urban Hikes in San Francisco
If you loved Mount Davidson, you'll love these additional urban hikes around San Francisco.
- Twin Peaks: After Mount Davidson, this the second tallest natural peak in San Francisco. It is one of our top attractions for its stunning 360-degree views.
- Lands End: For amazing vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, head to SF's northwest corner for some fantastic hiking near the cliffs.
- Blue Heron Lake: If you're visiting Golden Gate Park, this idyllic lake is an excellent place to get some quiet while hiking on the island in the middle of it and enjoying its waterfall.
>> Discover my full list of San Francisco's best urban hikes
More Fun Activities for Your San Francisco Vacation
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!