Twin Peaks Trails Improvement & Promenade Project

Background

Twin Peaks is one of San Francisco’s most iconic open spaces, offering sweeping 360-degree views of the city and Bay Area. At the outset of this effort, the trail network was in poor condition, with failing steps, redundant social trails that caused erosion and loss of sensitive habitat, and a lack of signage for wayfinding. The area also holds the potential to connect with the citywide Creeks to Peaks trail system and the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail network. At the summit, circulation patterns created conflict between vehicle use and pedestrian access, shaping how visitors experienced the landscape.

Scope of Work

The renovation of the Twin Peaks Trails has been completed, featuring installation of new steps, retaining walls, fencing to protect habitat, habitat restoration, and updated wayfinding signage. These improvements enhance safety, reduce erosion, protect sensitive natural areas, and create a more enjoyable experience for visitors. With this milestone, the project achieves a major goal: establishing a trail network that connects directly to both the Creeks-to-Peaks Trail and the regional Bay Area Ridge Trail. The new Crestline Connector also links the summit to the nearby MUNI bus stop, making Twin Peaks more accessible to visitors traveling without a car.

The forthcoming Twin Peaks Promenade Project will transform the permanently closed section of Twin Peaks Boulevard into a vibrant linear park. The design includes two parallel trails: a paved path providing ADA accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles, paired with a softer ParkTread trail for walkers and joggers. Planned amenities include overlooks, new seating areas, concrete seatwalls that double as casual skate features, bike racks, and restored habitat. Interpretive and wayfinding signage will highlight Twin Peaks’ unique natural and cultural features, including the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly. The Promenade will also provide direct connections to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Creeks-to-Peaks Trail, reinforcing Twin Peaks as a key hub in San Francisco’s open space network .

Completed

2013-2014 – A new multi-use trail segment adjacent to Twin Peaks Boulevard but off the roadway, starts at the intersection of Twin Peaks Boulevard and Portola Avenue and continues to the first curve in the road. This trail was completed by volunteers, in partnership with V-O-Cal (Volunteers for Outdoor California) and SF Urban Riders. In addition to providing greater pedestrian safety, this trail segment connects, via the sidewalk, Portola Ave crosswalk and through a trail on the School of the Arts property, to Glen Canyon Park, which completes the “Creeks to Peaks” Trail.

2015 – Addition of 3 crosswalks serving trail users, in collaboration with SFMTA and SF Public Works, as part of Twin Peaks Boulevard repaving and the Pilot Road Closure.

2015-2020 – SFMTA Figure 8 Redesign Planning Study : Funded by a Priority Conservation Area Grant, in collaboration with SFMTA. For more information, see SFMTA ‘Figure 8’ study , Rec and Park’s ‘Figure 8’ project page , and Rec and Park’s Twin Peaks Boulevard Figure 8 Redesign Pilot presentation to SFMTA Board of Directors .

• April 2016: SFMTA Pilot of Twin Peaks “Figure 8 to Figure 3” configuration with no cars on east side begins ( SFMTA Resolution 16-051 ).
• April 2020: Pilot configuration made permanent by SFMTA Board - After a four-year pilot (2016-2020) to close the roadway to vehicles and monitor related impacts, the SFMTA Board approved making the “Figure 8 to Figure 3” configuration, which features no vehicles on east side, permanent  ( SFMTA Resolution 200421-041 ).

2017 – Twin Peaks Trails Improvement Project Phase 1: Major overhaul of two critical trail segments: 1) the trail up and over the north peak and 2) the trail adjacent to Mission Blue Butterfly habitat at the first curve.

2020-2021: SFMTA Twin Peaks for All - vehicle/ped-bike only pilot - For more information, including surveys and reports , see SFMTA’s Twin Peaks For All webpage .

• Spring 2020: SFMTA Board closes a section of Twin Peaks Blvd from Panorama Dr to Burnett Ave to enhance recreation opportunities during the COVID pandemic, in a pilot project known as “Twin Peaks for All.”
• March 2021: After extensive outreach SFMTA Board decides to only close segment of Twin Peaks Blvd from Burnett Ave to Christmas Tree Point Rd. This decision is separate from the Figure 8, and does not change the already permanent decision to shut the east side of the Figure 8 to vehicles ( SFMTA Resolution 210302-029 ).

2024 – Completed trail improvements at Noe Peak and the switchback to the south. These were included as part of the approved concept design, but which were excluded from the Phase 1 project due to insufficient funding at the time.

2025 – Trail improvements to the trail down to Crestline Drive, the nearest Muni stop, and the neighborhood to the East (funded, to be completed in 2025).

2026 – Marview Trail improvements complete.

Planned

Conversion of the closed eastern half of the Twin Peaks Boulevard “Figure 8” to a linear park “promenade” (still finalizing administration and design and working to secure funding).

Funding

• 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond
• 2010 Habitat Conservation Fund (Twin Peaks Trails Improvements) grant
• 2013 Habitat Conservation Fund (Creeks to Peaks) grant (for trail improvements at Glen Canyon Park as well as at Twin Peaks)
• Priority Conservation Area grants (2)
• 2020 Health and Recovery Bond
• 2022 Priority Conservation Area Grant through the California State Coastal Conservancy
• 2022 California State Park Dept. Regional Program – Prop. 68
• 2024 Recreation Trail Program (RTP) Grant
• Bay Area Ridge Trail Council
• Participatory Budget Project Fund, through D7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar

The Coastal Conservancy is a California state agency, established in 1976, to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, to help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and to sustain local economies along California’s coast. It acts with others to protect and restore, and increase public access to, California’s coast, ocean, coastal watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Its vision is of the beautiful, restored, and accessible coast for current and future generations of Californians.

Project Schedule for Trail Improvements - Phase 1 (2013 - 2017)

Construction of V-O-Cal Creeks to Peaks Trail , 2013-2014

Construction of Crosswalks , 2015

Construction of Trail Improvements Phase 1 , 2017

Open to the Public , 2017

Project Schedule for Trail Improvements - Phase 2 (Noe Peak and switchback) (2021 - 2025)

Planning , 2021

Design , 2022

Construction begins , 2024

Open to the Public , Early 2025

Project Schedule for Trail Improvements - Phase 2 (Crestline Drive) (2021 - 2025)

Planning , 2021

Design , 2022

Construction begins , Early 2025

Open to the Public , Mid 2025

Estimated Project Schedule for Promenade / Roadway Conversion (2021-2027)

Planning , 2021

Design , 2022

Construction begins , Mid 2026

Open to the Public , Mid 2027

Project Updates

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Contact Us

Keri Ayers

Project Manager keri.ayers@sfgov.org Phone: (628) 652-6642 More Information