Scenic Drives in San Francisco: The Best Routes to See the City in Style
- eaglelimos
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
San Francisco is famous for its hills, sweeping bay views, and iconic landmarks. While many visitors choose to explore on foot, there’s another way to experience the city that’s just as memorable—taking a scenic drive. Whether you’re behind the wheel or relaxing in the back of a black car or limo, the city’s winding streets and coastal roads reveal a whole new side of San Francisco.

This guide covers the most scenic drives in and around San Francisco, along with practical tips to make your experience more enjoyable. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a returning traveler, or even a local family looking for a fresh perspective, these routes promise some of the best views the Bay Area has to offer.
Why Scenic Drives Are Perfect for San Francisco
San Francisco is a compact city, but its geography makes driving a unique experience. Hills rise steeply from the bay, bridges stretch across sparkling waters, and coastal roads hug cliffs with views that feel larger than life. Unlike walking or public transit, a scenic drive allows you to:
Cover more ground – Visit multiple neighborhoods and landmarks in a single trip.
Travel comfortably – Enjoy the scenery without worrying about parking or navigating steep hills.
Experience variety – From city streets lined with Victorian houses to open stretches along the Pacific Ocean, every route feels different.
Stop where you like – A flexible drive means you can pause for photos, food, or simply to take in the view.
For visitors, having a professional driver—like a black car or limo service—can make the experience stress-free. Instead of dealing with the city’s complex parking rules and traffic, you can sit back and enjoy the view.
The Most Scenic Drives in San Francisco
1. The Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands
No scenic drive in San Francisco is complete without crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge itself is breathtaking, but the real reward comes just after you cross into Marin County. Head into the Marin Headlands, where winding roads lead to viewpoints overlooking the bridge, the bay, and the city skyline.
Key stops:
Battery Spencer – One of the most famous photo spots of the Golden Gate.
Hawk Hill – Especially beautiful at sunset, with panoramic views.
Marin Headlands Visitor Center – Learn about the history and natural features of the area.
This drive combines iconic San Francisco with dramatic coastal scenery, all within 30 minutes of downtown.
2. The Great Highway and Ocean Beach
For a coastal experience, take a drive down the Great Highway, which runs alongside Ocean Beach. In the fall and winter months, the waves are especially powerful, and on clear days, you can see far along the Pacific coast.
Highlights include:
Sutro Baths and Lands End – Start at the ruins of the Sutro Baths and follow the road south.
Ocean Beach – Stop to walk on the sand or grab a coffee at a beachside café.
Lake Merced – A quiet, family-friendly stop with walking trails.
The Great Highway feels like a complete escape from the busy city, yet it’s just minutes from Golden Gate Park.
3. 49-Mile Scenic Drive
The 49-Mile Scenic Drive is a classic route created in 1938 to showcase the city to visitors. While traffic has changed since then, the route still takes you through some of the most iconic neighborhoods and viewpoints.
Along the drive, you’ll pass:
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
North Beach and Chinatown
Twin Peaks for a 360-degree view of the city
Civic Center with its grand architecture
Golden Gate Park
Doing the entire loop can take several hours with stops, making it ideal for a guided limo tour where you don’t need to worry about directions or parking.
4. Lombard Street and Russian Hill
No list of San Francisco drives is complete without mentioning Lombard Street, often called “the crookedest street in the world.” This short but thrilling drive down its famous curves is a favorite for families and first-time visitors.
After Lombard, continue through Russian Hill, where streets rise and fall dramatically, offering views across the bay and toward Alcatraz. While the drive itself is short, it’s best enjoyed as part of a larger city tour.
5. Twin Peaks Boulevard
For one of the best viewpoints in the city, head up Twin Peaks Boulevard. The winding road climbs high above San Francisco, ending at two hilltops with observation points. From here, you can see the entire city grid, the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and even the East Bay hills on a clear day.
The drive is especially popular at sunset and at night when the city lights begin to glow.
6. Presidio and Baker Beach
The Presidio of San Francisco offers a scenic drive through wooded landscapes, historic military buildings, and open views of the Golden Gate. Following Lincoln Boulevard, you’ll pass overlooks of the bridge and beaches that feel tucked away from the city.
Don’t miss:
Crissy Field – A flat, open stretch perfect for kids to run around.
Baker Beach – Famous for its unobstructed views of the Golden Gate.
The Main Post – With museums, visitor centers, and family-friendly spots.
7. Scenic Drives Beyond San Francisco
If you’re open to a longer outing, a few short drives out of the city reveal even more:
Half Moon Bay – About 45 minutes south along Highway 1, with rugged coastal views and pumpkin patches in the fall.
Muir Woods – Just north of the Golden Gate, where you can combine a scenic drive with a walk among redwoods.
Sausalito – A charming waterfront town just across the bridge, perfect for dining and shopping.
These can easily be turned into half- or full-day excursions with the comfort of a private car.
Practical Tips for Enjoying Scenic Drives in San Francisco
Time Your Drive – Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the clearest skies and best light for photos.
Expect Hills – San Francisco’s steep streets can be intimidating. If you’re not comfortable, consider hiring a driver.
Parking Can Be Limited – Many scenic stops have small parking lots. Having a chauffeur makes it easy to hop out while your driver waits.
Dress for Microclimates – Temperatures can drop suddenly when moving from downtown to the coast. Always bring layers.
Plan for Flexibility – Some roads, like the Great Highway, occasionally close due to high tides or storms.
Why Choose a Limo or Black Car for Scenic Drives
Scenic drives are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over. For visitors, navigating San Francisco’s narrow streets, traffic, and parking rules can quickly overshadow the beauty of the city. That’s why many travelers and locals alike opt for a professional driver:
Stress-free experience – No need to worry about directions or traffic.
Comfortable for groups and families – Spacious vehicles ensure everyone enjoys the ride.
Local knowledge – Professional drivers often know the best viewpoints and hidden routes.
Flexibility – Customize your route, stop as often as you’d like, and move at your own pace.
Eagle Limos specializes in city and scenic tours of San Francisco. With a fleet of luxury vehicles and professional chauffeurs, they make it easy to explore the city’s most beautiful routes without the hassle of driving yourself.
San Francisco is a city best seen from many angles—on foot, from the water, and certainly from the road. Scenic drives here aren’t just about getting from point A to point B; they’re part of the experience. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the hidden viewpoints of Twin Peaks and the coastal stretch of the Great Highway, each route offers its own version of San Francisco’s charm.
For the most seamless and memorable experience, consider booking a private scenic tour with Eagle Limos. Whether you want a quick afternoon drive or a full-day exploration, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and soak in the views—leaving the driving, parking, and navigating to the experts.
Eagle Limos offers an extensive fleet of luxury sedans, stretch limos, SUVs, vans, and party buses—perfect for airport transfers, wine tours, weddings, and events across the Bay Area.
Comments