San Francisco

Trail Overview

Approaching from the northeast, this trail begins as a straight, well-defined path that rolls over a series of hundred-foot hills, offering long sight lines to the horizon. You'll reach the route's high point marked by a small memorial, where--interestingly--you'll have a reliable 4G signal. From there, the trail descends into the old San Francisco ranch, home to crumbling brick structures with a lot of character. A left turn here leads to shrimp farms, but continuing straight takes you toward a remote beach. The trail narrows and transitions into deep, loose sand--averaging around six inches--which makes it essential to lower your tire pressure if you haven't already; 4WD is required beyond this point. After several miles of soft terrain, you'll get some relief as the route crosses dry lake beds, though caution is advised during the rainy summer months when these can turn into actual lakes. The final stretch offers a mix of shallow sand and firmer surfaces, winding over gentle hills before arriving at a pristine, secluded beach. At trail's end, you'll find a flat concrete pad--large enough for two Jeeps or one larger rig--offering a clean, level spot ideal for camping.

Photos of San Francisco

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Difficulty

The first couple of miles on this trail are manageable without 4WD, but once you pass the old ranch, the terrain quickly changes--deep sand and rolling hills make the route more demanding. At this point, having 4WD, solid ground clearance, and the ability to air down your tires significantly becomes essential, or you risk getting stuck. This is a remote stretch, and after the turnoff to the shrimp farm, it's likely you won't encounter another vehicle, so good recovery gear--or better yet, a second vehicle--is highly recommended. While the trail isn't particularly technical in dry conditions, it can become tricky with high tides, recent storms, or approaching weather systems, so always check the forecast before heading out.

Technical Rating

San Francisco can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike