
The Sunset x Salomon Guide to Running in the Bay Area: Our Five Favorite Runs
Lots of cities are walkable, but the San Francisco Bay area has some of the more runnable neighborhoods and trails in the West.

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.
At Sunset we run for more than just fitness: We run to experience the West. There’s nothing more visceral and satisfying than getting out onto the roads and immersing ourselves in the region’s natural beauty and connecting with the vibrant communities that make the West such an inspiring place to live. Of all the great running cities in the West, San Francisco tops the list because it offers the best of both worlds. From an energizing jog through the salt air of Ocean Beach capped off with the epic views from the old-school Camera Obscura to a chill recovery run around Golden Gate Park that ends with a fortifying sustainably-sourced fish taco, there’s a run for every type of runner—and a diversity of cultural and culinary rewards waiting at the end. San Francisco’s unique combination of fitness and fun means you’re going to need just the right gear to make the most of your urban sojourns: your shoes, apparel, and accessories need to perform to match the task, look darn good while doing it, and leave you wanting to hit the road again. We teamed up with Salomon to curate five runs that give you the perfect combination of run, gear, and reward.

Violet Garvey
The Run: Embarcadero out and Back

Courtesy of Salomon
With its food stalls and farmers market, the culinary wonderland that is the Ferry Building is on the short list of San Francisco must-visits and a fine place to start an easy 3-mile run straight up the Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf. Yes it’s a touristy route, and yes it’s a classic for exactly that reason: Where else can you get those postcard views of the bay as you run past piers to the trolleys and crab shacks of the wharf?

Courtesy of Salomon
The gear: The Salomon Predict 2 ($152) is your city sidewalk savior thanks to its cushy foam sole that’s injected with nitrogen and adapts to your running style and whatever road surface you throw at it.
The reward: There’s no greater post-run delight than a dozen oysters with a bracing mignonette and a glass of sancerre, and Hog Island Oyster company delivers on both fronts. Plus, there’s a killer view of the Bay Bridge from most seats in the house.
The Run: Intervals with a View at Lake Merritt in Oakland

Nicole Clausing
Lake Merritt is the East Bay’s crown jewel, marking where the feverish energy of the city meets the calming serenity of the water. Ringed with stately government buildings and lush parkland, its 3.2-mile bike and running path makes for a popular loop, both scenic and bustling. Refine your stride and your speed on its consistent, level surface as you pass picnicking families and try to keep pace with the boaters cutting across the lake’s shimmering surface.

Courtesy of Salomon
The gear: Salomon’s Sonic 4 Balance ($130) is as plush and accommodating as it is reactive and invigorating, perfectly reflective of and congenial to a loop such as this one. Just as Lake Merritt captures the sweet balance between urban vibrancy and natural tranquility, Sonic 4 Balance is cushioned enough for comfort yet springy enough for speed. Work on your fartleks and intervals in the energizing comfort of your shoes and your surroundings.
The reward: Carry that inspiration with you from a dash around Lake Merritt to a browse through the stacks at Walden Pond Books. Just a 6-minute walk from the Lake Merritt Pergola, its vintage neon sign is hard to miss. If you’re lucky you might just find award-winning novelist Haruki Murakami’s legendary running memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.