by Diane F.
Why travel to far off parks for summer recreation when there is so much to see close to wonderful San Bruno? There are tons of family-friendly hiking opportunities in the surrounding area. It is simple to pack some snacks, water, and sunscreen then hit the trails and be back home in time to get the kids down for a nap in their own beds! Here’s a collection of fun parks and hiking options nearby! These parks offer trails ranging from stroller-accessible trails to strenuous dirt treks up a mountain. Enjoy!
Crystal Springs Regional Trail
Over 15 miles of trail for running, biking, or strolling along the beautiful Peninsula Watershed.
- Sawyer Camp Segment (6 miles, paved)
The Sawyer Camp segment of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail extends from Hillcrest Blvd. on the north to Crystal Springs Road on the south, and is probably the best known length of trail in San Mateo County. More people know it and use it than all the other trails in the San Mateo County Park System.
Terrain type: Easy to challenging
Child Accessibility: Carrier or stroller
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Street parking is available at Hillcrest Blvd. and Skyline Blvd. in Millbrae and Crystal Springs Rd. and Skyline Blvd. in San Mateo.
- San Andreas Segment (2 miles, paved path)
The San Andreas segment extends from Cambridge Lane on the north to Hillcrest Blvd. on the south where it connects to the Sawyer Camp segment. In its northerly section this segment travels alongside (and offers beautiful views of) San Andreas Reservoir.
- Terrain type: Easy to moderate
Child Accessibility: Carrier or stroller
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Parking is available in a dirt lot at San Bruno Ave. and Skyline Blvd. There is also parking along Skyline Blvd. in a dirt lot about 0.5 mile south of San Bruno Ave. Street parking is available near the southern trailhead at Larkspur Dr.
Devil’s Slide Trail
(1.3 miles, paved path)
A 1.3-mile multi-use trail that gives hikers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians access the rocky heights of Devil’s Slide above the Pacific Ocean. This is a gorgeous very-accessible trail.
Terrain type: Easy to moderate
Child Accessibility: Carrier or stroller
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: Yes
Parking: Two small parking lots off Hwy 1 in Pacifica on both ends of the Devil’s Slide Tunnel.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
(0.6-2 miles, dirt path)
This rocky seashore hosts a living community of marine life that is of great interest to visitor and naturalist alike. A variety of seaweed, crabs, sponges, seastars, mollusks, and fish make their homes in the inter-tidal; that area between low and high tide. Trails at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve traverse the length of the bluff and offer views of the Pacific Ocean. One of these is the California Coastal Trail which is accessible, and open to bicycles and horses, and connects to Pillar Point Bluff farther south along the coast. After hiking, check out the tide pools and plan your visit during low tide!
Terrain type: Easy
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Take Highway 1 to California Street in Moss Beach, turn west. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is at the end of the street. There is a small parking lot there with overflow parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.
Junipero Serra Park – Quail Loop Trail
(1.3 mile loop, dirt path)
Nestled behind the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno, Junipero Serra Park affords a spectacular panorama of the Bay Area with unequaled views to San Bruno Mountain, San Francisco Airport, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo. Visitors are drawn to the Oak Foothill plant community, spring wildflowers, El Zanjon Creek, and the peaceful retreat the area affords from surrounding urban development. Be sure to check out the super-cool slides in the Meadow View Playground on your visit too.
Terrain type: Easy to moderate
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Parking lot is located at: 1801 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno.
Multiple parking lots in park. Must pay a fee at self-serve station. Bring cash!
Mills Canyon Park
(1 mile loop, dirt path)
Mills Canyon is a wildlife area in the city of Burlingame and within the park is a hiking trail. The loop trail gives the hiker a variety of views of the Canyon. Plant and animal species native to the Coastal Foothills live in the Canyon. The park is intended for limited recreation. In order to protect the native plants and animals, dogs off leash are not welcome in the Canyon.
Terrain type: Easy to Moderate
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: Yes
Parking: From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, take the Trousdale Drive exit. Drive east about 0.5 mile, and turn right onto Sebastian Drive. Continue about 0.5 mile, then turn right onto Arguello. Look for a gate on the left side of the road after about 0.2 mile.
Mori Point
(0.5-1.5 miles, dirt path)
See what wonders restoration work creates at this rugged coastal promontory in San Mateo County. The terrain here is varied; walks around Mori Point range from a level and easy 0.5-mile stroll to a steep and challenging 1.5-mile hike. There are gorgeous views of the Pacifica Pier, Linda Mar Beach, and Pedro Point.
Terrain type: Easy to challenging
Child Accessibility: Carrier or stroller
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: Yes
Parking: Parking is available on Mori Point Road or Bradford Way.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
(0.25 mile loop, paved path; longer trail options available)
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 4,711-acre Preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods, rushing creek, and understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Magnificent views of the coast and Half Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.
Terrain type: Easy
Child Accessibility: Carrier or stroller
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: Yes
Parking: Main entrance and the North Ridge Trail trailhead: Located on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of Highway 92. Parking is available for 30 cars.
San Bruno Mountain – Summit Loop Trail
(2 mile loop, dirt path; many trail options available)
San Bruno Mountain Park is a landmark of local and regional significance, standing as a unique open-space island in the midst of the peninsula’s urbanization at the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. The Mountain’s ridge line runs in an east-west configuration, with considerable slopes and elevations ranging from 250 feet to 1,314 feet at the summit. The 2,416 acres of rugged landscape offer excellent hiking opportunities and outstanding views of San Francisco and Central Bay Area.
Terrain type: Challenging
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Main parking lot is located at: 555 Guadalupe Canyon Parkway, Brisbane, CA 94005
San Pedro Valley Park – Brooks Creek Trail/Montara Mountain Trail
(2.2 mile loop, dirt path; many trail options available)
A 1,052-acre area embracing the middle and south forks of San Pedro Creek, which are Steelhead spawning grounds, this park is nestled amongst the Santa Cruz Mountain range and the foothills of Pacifica. The park offers group picnic areas, family picnic sites with barbecue pits, a self-guiding nature trail, hiking trails, a visitor center, and views of a seasonal waterfall.
Terrain type: Moderate
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: Yes Dogs: No
Parking: Parking lot is located at: 600 Oddstad Boulevard, Pacifica, CA 94044
Sweeney Ridge
(2 miles to summit—4 miles out and back, paved path)
Sweeney Ridge is a hilly hiking area of ridges and ravines between San Bruno and Pacifica. The ridge’s 1,200-foot-high summit, covered with coastal scrub and grassland, slopes down to the bay on one side and to the Pacific on the other.
Terrain type: Challenging
Child Accessibility: Carrier
Restrooms: No Dogs: Yes
Parking: Parking at trailhead at the end of Sneath Lane.