Lake Merced is an urban lake close to Daly City and the SF Zoo. The 4.5 mi paved trail is popular for cyclists, bikers, and runners. It’s also dog friendly.
Trail Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Flat
Terrain Rating: Easy – paved/concrete
Hike Time: 1.5-2 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes
Recommended Seasons: All
Hike Rating: 3.0/5
Trailhead: In the Southern SF area here
I went out to Lake Merced on a weekday afternoon and was surprised at how crowded it was. There are a few parking lots surrounding the lake and they were all full! The lake itself is not very pretty – you can’t swim in it, it’s kind of mucky, but for something in the city it’s pretty nice.
The other positives of this urban hike are that it loops around, the distance is somewhat perfect for a nice jog or afternoon walk, and of course it’s dog friendly! Unfortunately this wasn’t my favorite hike, and I would not recommend driving TO Lake Merced, but I can see why it’s a good neighborhood walk.
The entire trail circles the lake but it is also surrounded by all the roads. It’s super loud when you’re walking and does not feel like you’re “getting away from it all.” The traffic is so loud that you have to speak in an ELEVATED VOICE THE WHOLE TIME if you’re hiking with a buddy.