Evacuation Guide

San Francisco, California Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Earthquake

San Andreas Fault (M7.9+) and Hayward Fault (M7.0+) both pose major seismic risk. Widespread liquefaction in fill areas.

Wildfire

Urban-wildland interface fires in Twin Peaks, Glen Canyon, and surrounding hillsides during dry season.

Tsunami

Pacific-generated tsunami risk for Ocean Beach, Marina, and waterfront areas. Local tsunami from SF Bay fault possible.

Liquefaction

Marina, SoMa, Mission Bay, and Treasure Island built on fill. Ground failure near-certain in major quake.

Landslide

Steep hillsides in Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, and Bernal Heights prone to slides after heavy rain.

Evacuation Routes

I-80 East via Bay Bridge

primary

Primary eastern evacuation across the Bay Bridge to Oakland and beyond to Central Valley via I-580 or I-80.

85 miles to Sacramento1.5 hours (normal), 4-6 hours (evacuation)

Bay Bridge may be closed after major earthquake - inspect before crossing

Expect severe gridlock at bridge approaches

Earthquake

Tsunami Warning

Urban Fire

US-101 South to San Jose

primary

Southern evacuation down the peninsula via US-101. Heavy traffic corridor but many service options.

48 miles to San Jose1 hour (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

US-101 is earthquake-vulnerable - elevated sections may fail

I-280 is parallel alternate route (slightly inland, less traffic)

Earthquake

Civil Unrest

Industrial Accident

I-280 South to Peninsula

secondary

Southern alternate via I-280, the 'Junipero Serra Freeway.' Less congested than US-101, runs along the western peninsula ridge.

50 miles to San Jose1 hour (normal), 2.5-4 hours (evacuation)

I-280 runs along San Andreas Fault - surface rupture possible

Crystal Springs Reservoir area may have landslides

Flood

Civil Unrest

Pandemic

Golden Gate Bridge North to Marin

secondary

Northern evacuation across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County and on to Sonoma/Napa wine country.

35 miles to Petaluma45 min (normal), 2-3 hours (evacuation)

Golden Gate Bridge may close in earthquake - pedestrian only if damaged

Single chokepoint - extreme congestion expected

Earthquake

Urban Fire

Industrial Accident

Embarcadero Waterfront to Crissy Field

foot

On-foot route along the waterfront from the Ferry Building through Fisherman's Wharf to Crissy Field and the Presidio.

5 miles to Presidio1.5-2.5 hours on foot

Waterfront area vulnerable to liquefaction - watch for ground failure

Tsunami risk along Embarcadero - head inland and uphill if warning issued

Vehicle Unavailable

Bridge Closure

Grid Down

Twin Peaks High Ground Route

foot

Foot route to Twin Peaks for high-ground refuge. Provides 360-degree visibility and communication vantage point.

3 miles from downtown1-2 hours on foot (steep climb)

Steep climb - not suitable for mobility-impaired without assistance

Excellent radio/cell reception at summit

Tsunami Warning

Urban Fire

Flood

Communication Setup

Interactive Map

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Moscone Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 598

UCSF Medical Center - Parnassus

hospital • Capacity: 600

CPMC - California Campus

hospital • Capacity: 450

Crissy Field / Presidio

rally point

Golden Gate Park - Polo Fields

rally point

SF Fire Station 1 - Central

fire station

Fort Mason Center

shelter • Capacity: 3,000

San Francisco International Airport

resource

McLaren Park

rally point

Twin Peaks Summit

rally point

Kezar Stadium

rally point

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