Panoramic Ocean Views from Devil's Slide.

One of the biggest challenges of being the parent to a young child is finding ways to enjoy the outdoors. When my daughter was born I quickly learned that many of my favorite hikes and walks were not very stroller friendly.

This blog post began because I spent so much time researching where I can take my toddler on scenic walks and urban hikes. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has several options where you can walk at least a solid mile uninterrupted with your stroller.

In this blog post I define “stroller-friendly” easily accessible trails which are paved with cement. I have been out on a lengthly walk before and had one of the wheels pop-off on my stroller due to uneven terrain (it really sucked!).

Bay Area Scenic Walks Where You Can Bring Your Baby or Toddler

Devil’s Slide Trail

When I was growing up in Half Moon Bay, Devil’s Slide was the one of the only roads heading north towards Pacifica. Because of the dangerous driving conditions in the winter, it has since been re-purposed as a walking trail. The entire trail is paved cement, perfect for strollers and bikes.

You can begin your walk on either the Half Moon Bay or Pacifica side, there’s parking lots on both ends of the trail. The walk across is 1.3 miles and you’re treated to panoramic oceans views the whole way.

All of the photos in this blog post were taken on the Devil’s Slide trail. This trail is dog-friendly too!

Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail

I’ve probably walked this trail over 100 times in my life, it’s located very close to the house where I grew up. The entire length of the trail runs for 11 miles along the coastline. My favorite starting point is Poplar Beach and you walk on the trail heading north. This portion of the trail has very smooth pavement and it’s easy to push a stroller. Also very dog friendly!

Linda Mar & Pacifica State Beach Waterfront Trail

This popular surfing spot is also super family friendly because there’s plenty of smooth paved pathways for strollers. There’s a coastal trail that runs the length of the beach with great ocean views.

The Embarcadero in San Francisco

If you’re looking to get some solid exercise while taking in both city and bay views, The Embarcadero may just be the perfect spot for you. It’s about a 3-mile walk from one end to the other and you’ll pass by some famous landmarks such as the Giant’s baseball stadium, the Bay Bridge, Ferry Building and Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Crissy Field Trail to FORT Point

One of the best places to see views of the Golden Gate Bridge is Crissy Field. There’s a long walking trail that begins in the Marina District and goes all the way to the base of the bridge at Fort Point. The trail is paved for easy stroller rolling and there’s plenty of awesome photo opportunities along the way. Another great dog-friendly walk as well.

Golden Gate Park

This famous urban park spans over 1,000 acres in the middle of San Francisco. There’s a multitude of paved walking trails throughout the park, my favorite place to start walking is at the Conservatory of Flowers. Another great place to cruise around with your stroller is the de Young Museum inside Golden Gate Park.

The Presidio in San Francisco

This former military post has been transformed into a modern day 1,500 acre public park. There are over 25 miles of walking trails throughout the Presidio, and many of them are paved. Highlights of the Presidio include views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Walt Disney Museum and scenic neighborhoods with beautiful homes.

Walking Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Talk about ocean views! The 1.7 mile walk across the Golden Gate Bridge is actually very stroller-friendly, especially if you are visiting on a weekday with less tourists. There are lookout spots and parking lots on both the San Francisco and Sausalito side of the bridge.

Coyote Point Recreation

Coyote Park is comprised of 670 acres of recreational park land in San Mateo. There are multiple paved trails, playgrounds, a beach and picnic grounds. They just recently started allowing dogs on leash inside the park.

Baylands Nature Preserve

In Palo Alto the Baylands Nature Preserve the largest area untouched marshland in the SF Bay Area and is known for world-famous bird watching. There’s several flat and smooth trails in the Baylands, some are paved and others have finely-crushed gravel. It’s also dog friendly too!

Santana Row in San Jose

While technically San Jose is located in the South Bay, I still feel that Santana Row is worth a mention for stroller-friendly places to explore. I rarely include any malls in my guides, but Santana Row has something special and I always enjoy my visits. Along with high-end shopping retailers, they also have beautiful outdoor spaces and modern food eateries. It’s especially eventful during the holidays, they have a huge Christmas tree!