BicycleTrails in Peninsula
This preserve has about 500 acres of land and about five miles of dirt trails used by hikers, bicycles and horses. On a clear day, one can see views of the Bay Area from the trailhead area at an elevation of 2300 feet. The trails cover hilly grassland and lots of woods which provide a mixture of shade and sun. There is limited paved parking at turnouts off of Skyline Blvd. There is no drinking water, toilets or pay phone but there is an emergency call box.
This area is 670 acres of peninsula that hosts beaches, marshes, large lawns, a marina and a nature museum. Paved and dirt paths are for hikers and bicyclists with some trails for pedestrians only. There is plenty of parking with many parking lots scattered throughout the park. Restrooms are located at the museum and near the beach.
The popular park has multi-use paved and dirt trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. It hosts two reservoirs: Crystal Springs Reservoir and the San Andreas Reservoir. Restrooms and drinking water are available on the Sawyer Camp trail.
The preserve has over 2800 acres and over 35 miles of dirt trails with small loops that are interconnected and elevation ranges from 2300 to 800 feet. The trails cover mixed evergreen and redwood forests, creekside trails, coastal and forest views and rare sandstone formations. The trails are shared with hikers, bicycles and horses. There is parking for about six cars. There are no toilet facilities or drinking water. Dogs are not permitted.
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a 2035 acre park with about 13 miles of dirt trails for hikers, bicycles, and equestrians. There are scenic views on the ridge trails with benches strategically placed for viewing the Santa Cruz mountains and Pacific Ocean on clear days. Keep an eye out for rock formations and native plants along the way. There are no restrooms or drinking water in the preserve.
The marina is home to a 33 acre park with a trail that is part of the bay trail. The site has a restaurant, picnic facilities, a two and one half acre sandy beach, plenty of parking and restrooms.
This is a 293-acre preserve with a mix of woodland, oaks and laurel trees with the hilltop hosting a mix of grasses and non-native plants such as oleander, eucalyptus and cactus. On clear days there is a wide view of San Francisco Bay, the southern peninsula and south bay cities, and the peaks of Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton. The elevation gain on the trails only amounts to about 300 feet, and the rate of incline is very gentle. Dogs must be on a maximum 6 foot leash. Bicycles and equestrians are permitted on the Cordilleras and Hassler Trails only. Polly Geraci Trail is hiking only. There is no drinking water on site.
This is a 3,360 acre preserve with 21 miles of trails shared by pedestrians, bicycles and equestrians. Trails start at high elevation on Skyline Blvd and can go down by 1600 feet. Most of the trails are shaded by redwoods so the canyon area is moist and a good habitat for banana slugs especially in the winter. There are ferns, berries, wildflowers, coastal scrub and hardwood forests of tanoak, madrone, and Douglas fir. On a clear day, there are beautiful views of the ocean and the hills that lead down to the coast. It is recommended to bring water. The parking lot is large enough for about 30 cars. There is a pit toilet less than one tenth of a mile from the start of the trail.
This is a 373 acre marshland preserve that contains a former salt pond surrounded by levees. It features 2 miles of hiking and biking trails. The preserve attracts many birds including sandpipers, dowitchers, avocets, Great blue herons, white pelicans, and egrets. There are plenty of picnic tables, a visitor center with restrooms (when open) and two parking lots on Bay Road.
The preserve encompasses about 2000 acres of grasslands, ridges and hillsides. The narrow dirt trails cover mainly exposed areas so bring a hat. The area hosts a diversity of plants and birds and, in the spring, there are a variety of orange, purple and yellow wildflowers. There are about 10 miles of flat and rolling hill multi-use trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use with views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay on clear days. There are two main entrances and both have restrooms.
San Bruno Mountain Park is 2,326 acres at the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. It's ridge line has elevations ranging from 250 feet to 1,314 feet at the summit and has 12 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding with panoramic views of San Francisco and Central Bay Area on clear days. The park is home to 14 species of rare or endangered plant life, as well as host and nectar plants of endangered butterflies. In the Spring season expect to see wildflower displays on the mountain. Restrooms, parking and drinking water are available. The weather changes without warning so wear layered clothing.
The park has 1,540-acres with trails for mountain bikers, hikers and horse. The Saratoga Gap Trail parallels Skyline Boulevard with views of the ocean, passing under oaks and a wooded Douglas fir forest. View lichen-covered boulders and sandstone.
This preserve has about 2100 acres with 10 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. There are some hiking only trails. Trails offer views of Horseshoe Lake, Alpine Pond, Lambert Creek Watershed, Butano Ridge and Portola State Park. There are restrooms in the main parking lots but no drinking water is available.
Windy Hill has about 1300 acres of land with about 12 miles of multiuse trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Habitats include forested ridges, valley floors (Hamms Gulch, Eagle, Razorback Ridge, and Lost Trails), grassy ridges (Spring Ridge Trail) and spectacular views of the bay and surrounding valley (Anniversary Trail). The Betsy Crowder, Razorback, Lost, and Hamms Gulch Trails are open to horses and closed to bicycles all year round.