to a gate marking the park’s boundary. From the gate Old Pedro Mountain Road passes through private property and down to San Pedro Valley, but you retrace your steps from the gate. When the day is clear, you will have views northeast from the saddle toward Sweeney Ridge and up the coast toward San Francisco.
TO MONTARA MOUNTAIN’S NORTH PEAK
A steady, 3.9-mile climb takes you to rewarding top-of-the-world views.
Distance: 7.8 miles round trip
Time: 5 hours
Elevation Change: 1798’ gain
Start from the Highway 1 entrance as in the previous trip, but pass to the right of the ranger’s residence, and continue to the North Peak Access Road as it veers north up Montara Mountain. On this steep service road you are soon in tall chaparral of wild lilac, coffeeberry, scrub oak, and here and there a few chinquapins— that sturdy tree with burrs and yellow-backed leaves that occurs on some dry slopes like these.
As you rise along the road and round the mountain, views are to the north and the east. Mileages differ for this trip: a sign at the junction with the Montara Mountain Trail coming up from San Pedro Valley County Park to the northeast says it is 2.4 miles to the summit and 2.1 miles to the beach. Local hikers say it is 3.9 miles from Highway 1 to North Peak. Nonetheless, from this junction on this wide, gravelly road you round many curves, sometimes it flattens out and then climbs again.
When you cross a flat where giant outcrops of granitic rock stand like medieval monuments, you may see the indigenous, rare Montara Mountain manzanita growing low between the rocks. Where there is less wind this native shrub can grow up to ten feet tall. Its white, bell-shaped flowers dangle in clusters at the end of its upright branches. From this high plateau you are 0.5 mile from Montara’s peaks.
Continue up the mountain to North Peak, pass the private road leading to communications stations on the summit (1898 feet above sea level), and find a sunny, protected place to enjoy the view. On a clear day, views from the mountaintop are awesome. Southeast are the green heights of Scarpers Peak and the ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Below lie the coastal terrace of Half Moon Bay and its beaches. West and north you see Mt. Tamalpais across the Golden Gate, the Bay, and the skyscrapers of San Francisco; east are the bridges, the East Bay hills, and Mt. Diablo in Contra Costa County. Below are the eastern ridges of adjoining San Pedro Valley County Park.
Gray Whale Cove seen from Montara Mountain on a crystal clear day
Your return to sea level is faster than the upward climb. In fact, the descent on the gravelly surface may be faster than you wish! Beware of speeding bicyclists around blind curves.
A SHORT TRIP TO GRAY WHALE COVE
A springtime treat on a trail festooned with flowers.
Distance: Hikers—less than 2 miles round trip; bicyclists and equestrians—2.5 miles round trip
Time: ¾ hour
Elevation Change: Relatively level
Just inside the entrance gate to McNee Ranch, hikers go left, uphill (north) onto a narrow foot trail that skirts the cypress trees and emerges on an open hillside blossoming with myriad shades of spring wildflowers. Bicyclists and equestrians follow the entrance road and bear left at the ranger station on Old Pedro Mountain Road as in as in the first trip, Old Pedro Mountain Road to the Saddle. All modes meet where Old Pedro Mountain Road veers sharply right in the ravine and a narrow trail climbs left to reach the bluff trail.
On a clear, bright day the views up and down the Coast and out to sea are superb. The Gray Whale Cove Trail meanders along above Highway 1 traffic with detours to several benches at strategic viewpoints. Toward the end of this short trail there is a dramatic view of the southernmost cove of Gray Whale Cove State Beach—deep azure blue, almost green at times, washed with the white curls of incoming waves.
As you reach the Gray Whale Cove parking area, descend around several switchbacks through lush coastal vegetation. Ferns, tall mustard, cow’s parsnip, California bee plant, blue iris, and pink Clarkia add color and fragrance. Return the way you came for views south and east, especially the uncluttered, golden strand of Montara State Beach stretching a mile along the Pacific’s edge.
Junipero Serra County Park
This 100-acre wooded park in the curve of Junipero Serra Freeway (I-280), just minutes from homes in San Bruno, provides a quick retreat from the urban scene into protected meadows and woods. The park, situated on a long ridge, once quarried for its Franciscan sandstone, offers several miles of trails, attractive picnic sites, and a visitor center.
From the park entrance, meadows, picnic grounds, and parking areas extend left and right. On weekends families and groups gravitate to this sheltered canyon. The entrance road winds uphill past park headquarters and the picnic tables, continuing to the very top, where still more picnic tables nestle in a eucalyptus grove. This hilltop site offers spectacular views. From these wide views of mountains and Bay, the eye and the ear are drawn to the San Francisco Airport. Air-age, flight-minded children (and others too) delight in the bird’s-eye view of planes taking off and landing.
At park headquarters, which serves as a visitor and information center, there are maps, exhibits, and information about long-ago inhabitants of this park—the Buri Buri tribe of Ohlones. A self-guiding nature trail through a wooded glade and a loop trail to the park’s summit make good warm-up trips before a picnic spread at one of the many tables in this attractive setting.
Jurisdiction: San Mateo County: 650-363-4020
Facilities: Trails for hikers and a nature trail; picnic areas with barbecues; covered shelters and group picnic areas available by reservation only; visitor center at park headquarters; youth-group camp by reservation
Rules: Open 8 A.M. to sunset; fees; no bikes on trails
Maps: San Mateo County Junipero Serra Park, USGS topo Montara Mountain
How to Get There: From I-280: Southbound—Take Crystal Springs Rd. exit, go under freeway, turn right on Crystal Springs Rd. and go 0.7 mile to park entrance on left. Park at lower picnic areas or continue to more parking on hilltop. Northbound—Take San Bruno Ave. exit and turn left onto San Bruno Ave. West. Go under freeway and turn left back onto 280 south. Immediately exit at Crystal Springs Road and follow directions for southbound above.
HIKE TO THE HILLTOP ON THE QUAIL LOOP TRAIL
Gaining altitude quickly on a zigzag climb, this trip leads to flowers in
