| Twin Peaks | |
|---|---|
 The Twin Peaks | |
 Interactive map of Twin Peaks | |
| Type | Municipal (San Francisco) |
| Location | San Francisco |
| Area | 34 acres (14 ha) |
| Operated by | San Francisco Recreation & Parks |
| Status | Open all year |
  Twin Peaks Location of Twin Peaks in San Francisco | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) NAVD 88[1] |
| Listing | San Francisco Hill |
| Coordinates | 37°45′06″N122°26′52″W / 37.751586275°N 122.447721511°W /37.751586275; -122.447721511[2] |
| Geography | |
| Location | San Francisco,California,U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS San Francisco North |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Paved road, hike |
TheTwin Peaks are two prominent hills with anelevation of about 925 feet (282 m)[1] located near the geographic center ofSan Francisco,California. The Twin Peaks are the second and third highest natural points in San Francisco; only 928 foot (283 m)Mount Davidson is higher within city limits.[3]
Twin Peaks, along with Mount Davidson andMount Sutro, create a rugged landscape in the center of San Francisco which influences microclimates in the city. The mountain acts as a natural barrier against summer fog for the city's eastern neighborhoods.
The North and South Twin Peaks, also known as "Eureka" and "Noe", are about 660 ft (200 m) apart. The peaks form a divide for the summer coastal fog pushed in from thePacific Ocean. Their west-facing slopes often get fog and strong winds, while the east-facing slopes receive more sun and warmth.[3] Elevation at each summit is just over 900 feet (270 m). Thin, sandy soil is commonplace on Twin Peaks, making them susceptible to erosion.[3]
On rare occasions, Twin Peaks has had a dusting of snow. On February 5, 1976, it received several inches of snow.
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Before the arrival of the Europeans, the nativeOhlone people may have used Twin Peaks as a lookout or hunting ground.[4]
When theSpanishconquistadors and settlers arrived at the beginning of the 18th century, they called the area "Los Pechos de la Chola" or "Breasts of the Indian Maiden" and devoted the area to ranching.[4] When San Francisco passed under American control during the 19th century, it was renamed "Twin Peaks".
In 2016 theSFMTA introduced a traffic calming pilot[5] to reduce the amount of space allocated to cars and make the summit area more inviting to a wider range of travel modes. The "figure 8" roadway around the two peaks was reduced to a two-way road on the western side of the peaks, with the east side designated for pedestrians and bikes only. In 2025 construction will begin to rebuild the east side as a wide promenade, following improvements to the Noe Peak trail and the trail down to Crestline Drive.[6]
Christmas Tree Point lies some 70 ft (20 m) below the North Peak and offers vistas of San Francisco andSan Francisco Bay.[3][7] The view to the north extends no farther thanCobb Mountain (38°48′25″N122°44′28″W / 38.807°N 122.741°W /38.807; -122.741) 120 km (75 mi) away, but looking southeast down theSanta Clara Valley on a clear day, Santa Ana Mountain36°52′42″N121°15′49″W / 36.8782°N 121.2637°W /36.8782; -121.2637 is just visible 143 km (89 mi) away.
To the north is one of the city's manyreservoirs. It is owned by theSan Francisco Fire Department, and supplies water to theFire Department's independent HPFS water system for fighting fires, established after the1906 earthquake and fire.[8]
The top of Twin Peaks is undeveloped. It is part of the 31 acres (13 ha) Twin Peaks Natural Area,[9] managed and owned by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.[3] These preserved areas are home to many natural resources and wildlife. As part of theMission blue butterfly habitat conservation, Twin Peaks is one of the few remaining habitats for this endangered species. Many bird species, insects and vegetation thrive in these areas.[3]
TheMuni MetroTwin Peaks Tunnel runs beneath Twin Peaks, linking downtown San Francisco withWest Portal and the southwestern part of the city.[10] There is no public transportation all the way to the top of the Peaks, but the37 CorbettMuni line stops on Crestline Drive near a path up the hill.[11]
The name "Twin Peaks" is also applied to the surrounding neighborhood.
TheSan Francisco Unified School District operates theRuth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in the Twin Peaks neighborhood.[12] The closest SFUSD school to the top of Twin Peaks is Rooftop.[13]
We are located in the city's Twin Peaks neighborhood
Media from Commons
Travel information from Wikivoyage| Downtown |  | |
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| North of Downtown | ||
| Outside Lands | ||
| Western Addition | ||
| Southern | ||
| See also | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
