Named for the two virtually identical summits, the Twin Peaks stand at an elevation of approximately 922 feet and form the second highest point in the city of San Francisco, just after Mount Davidson. The panoramic views of Twin Peaks appeal most to visitors, making it a must-stop on most tourists' list of places to go in San Francisco. The view up there is amazing as you can see the whole San Francisco skyline, like the Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco and Bay and Ocean. It's a genuine great sport for visitors.
Each of the two hills has their own names: Eureka Peal/North Peak and Noe Peak/South Peak. If you're looking for unobstructed views of the San Francisco Bay, go to the spot about 100 ft below the North Peak for the popular vista point, which is known among locals as "Christmas Tree Point". Twin Peaks also house many reservoirs, including the Summit Reservoir. This 14 million gallon water hold offers water for local residents, fire departments and the wildlife in the area.
The summits of Twin Peaks are mostly undeveloped. The wide area has been preserved as Twin Peaks Natural Area, which is home of a wide array of natural resources and wildlife, like raccoons, opossums, white crowned sparrows and skunks. Twin Peaks are one of the three remaining habitats for the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly.
Where to find Twin Peaks? The Twin Peaks are located almost at the geographic center of San Francisco. The detailed address is 501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94114. The two hills are found to have a north-south orientation and they are separated by the Twin Peaks Blvd. The Twin Peaks Blvd is the only road for guests to the summit. Because of the particular geographic condition of the Twin Peaks, you can always find substantial fog and strong winds at the west-facing slopes. The east-facing slopes have more sunshine and warmth generally.
To see clearly the Twin Peaks, you can refer to the following map and click on Twin Peaks to zoom in that special part.
Google Map of Twin Peaks
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=twin+peaks+san+francisco
How to get to the Twin Peaks? A few options are available for visitors to get to the Twin Peaks, including by car, by bike and via public transportation. The easiest way to get to the base of the hills can be traveling by car.
- By Car
1) From Downtown San Francisco
Guests traveling from Downtown San Francisco should head southeast on Market Street toward 12th Street. Then you need to turn to the right slightly onto 17th Street. Continue to drive along 17th Street and turn left onto Clayton Street. Proceed on and turn right slightly onto Twin Peaks Blvd. Make a left turn to stay on Twin Peaks Blvd. Keep on driving and turn left. You'll get to the free parking lot at the top.
2) From South San Francisco
Two available routes are preferred for visitors coming from the south. If you're taking US-101, please drive northward along US-101 toward Exit 425B. Then you need to take exit 430A toward Daly City and merge onto I-280 S. Take I-280 S and take exit 52 for Monterey Blvd. Take a sharp right onto Monterey Blvd and drive along Monterey Blvd when it becomes Diamond Street. Switch to your left onto Bosworth Street and keep on driving on O'Shaughnessy Blvd. Turn right onto Portola Drive and you need to take the 1st left onto Twin Peaks Blvd. Please take the 2nd right to stay on Twin Peaks Blvd.
When you take I-280, head northwest on I-280 N. Then you can proceed on Junipero Serra Blvd and follow signs for the Golden Gate Bridge. Continue onto CA-1 N and merge onto Portola Drive. Make a left turn onto Twin Peaks Blvd and drive along the winding road to the top of the road.
3) From the North
Northern visitors can head southeast on Exit 438 to merge onto CA-1 S. You need to continue on CA-1 S and turn right onto Cabrillo Street. Drive for two blocks and take the 2nd left onto 15th Avenue. Switch to your left onto Fulton Street and turn right onto John F Kennedy Drive. Veer to the right onto Stanyan Street and then you should turn left onto 17th Street. Head on and turn right onto Clayton Street and make a right onto Twin Peaks Blvd. Follow the road signs and you'll be directed to the parking lot at the end of the winding road.
4) From the West
When you're coming from the west coastline, you should head east on Taraval Street toward 46th Avenue. When getting to the roundabout, you need to take the 3rd exit onto Dewey Blvd and turn left slightly onto Laguna Honda Blvd. Head on and turn right onto Clarendon Avenue. Continue to drive on Clarendon Avenue and turn right onto Twin Peaks Blvd. Please follow the road signs and get to the summit of the Twin Peaks.
- By Public Transportation
You can also get to the Twin Peaks via public transportation. The nearest station is Woodside Avenue & Portola Drive. Several bus routes stop at the station, including 36, 44, 52, L-OWL, M-OWL and K-OWL. But it's a hike up the mountain from the station. You can either hike along the hillside or by the Twin Peaks Blvd. You can always enjoy spectacular views along the hiking trails. You may feel that you're floating above the whole Bay Area on your way to the summit of both peaks.
Directions are not enough to ensure a successful trip to the Twin Peaks. Some noteworthy visiting tips deserve your attention. There're some points you must bear in mind.
Arrive Early - Twin Peaks are a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It will be much crowded after 10:30 am generally. It's better to arrive early to avoid big crowds on the winding roads, especially for driving visitors. Late comers cannot find available parking spaces in the free parking lot.
Visit on Fine Day - Twin Peaks are usually enveloped in heavy fog in cloudy weather. If you go to the summits on foggy days, you'll be much disappointed as you can almost see nothing. No panoramic views at all! Before heading to Twin Peaks, you can check out the exact weather conditions in the area since most people head to the summits for breathtaking views.
