Peninsula Trails: Hiking & Biking Trails on the San Francisco Peninsula
1st EDITION January 1982
2nd EDITION January 1989
3rd EDITION May 1997
4th EDITION January 2005
2nd printing November 2007
3rd printing 2009
Copyright © 2005 by Jean Rusmore, Frances Spangle, and Betsy Crowder
Front cover photo copyright © 2005 by David Weintraub
Interior photos, except where noted, by Jean Rusmore
Maps: Ben Pease
Cover design: Lisa Pletka
Book design: Margaret Copeland—Terragraphics
ISBN 978-0-89997-366-1
Manufactured in the United States of America
Published by: Wilderness Press
1345 8th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 443-7227; FAX (510) 558-1696
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Cover photo: The Spring Ridge Trail connects Windy Hill with Portola Valley
Frontispiece: Portola Redwoods State Park
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.
SAFETY NOTICE: Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions and know your own limitations.
Dedication
To the memory of Betsy Crowder
Acknowledgments
During the period of exploring new trails, revisiting familiar ones, and writing this fourth edition of Peninsula Trails, I have enjoyed the cooperation and help of many people. I especially thank Sue LaTourrette for accompanying me on the scouting hikes and for proofreading the text. Her sense of adventure and good humor made each trip a treat. To Peter LaTourrette for donating his bird photos and sharing his extensive knowledge of avian species, many thanks. To the many family members and friends who joined me on the trail, to Marilyn Walter, an outstanding trail advocate ready to hike and explore on short notice, to Joane and Ross Anderson who scouted several new trail routes, to my colleagues on the former San Mateo County Trails Advisory Committee, and to my delightful friends in the Walkie-Talkies women’s hiking group, I extend my thanks.
The directors, rangers, and staffs of the public agencies through which these trails wind have been most helpful. In addition to their individual help, their maps, internet sites, and brochures have been indispensable. I thank all the dedicated people who plan, protect and care for the beautiful parks, preserves, watersheds, baylands, and beaches that grace the San Francisco Peninsula—Golden Gate National Recreation Area, State of California Parks and Recreation Department, California Coastal Commission, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department, Santa Clara County Parks Department, the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the San Francisco Bay Trail, the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, and the many city parks and beaches. Two nonprofit organizations that secure land for future parks and open spaces deserve special mention—Sempervirens Fund and the Peninsula Open Space Trust. Their longtime efforts to save magnificent redwood groves, ridgeline forests and meadows, and coastal properties continue to add lands for preservation and passive recreation on the San Francisco Peninsula.
Frances Spangle and I authored the first two editions of Peninsula Trails and South Bay Trails; when Frances moved away, Betsy Crowder joined me for the third edition. Unfortunately, an accident took her life on September 29, 2000. Sue LaTourrette joins me in dedicating this fourth edition of Peninsula Trails to Betsy.
Jean Rusmore November 2004
Table of Contents
The Peninsula Bayside, Mountain, and Coastside Setting
The Peninsula’s and Coastside’s Past
San Bruno Mountain State and County Park
Trails on Northern San Francisco Watershed Lands
