Sweeney Ridge near San Francisco offers some truly great outdoor adventure potential. If you are tired of the tunnel syndrome that San Francisco and the peninsula have to offer, break free by visiting Sweeney Ridge, especially in San Bruno, a few minutes away from Interstate 280 at the end of Sneath Lane where you will head to one of the prettiest as well as the most historic look outs in all of the Bay Area.

The round trip here is 5.7 miles long and it offers a 600 foot climb. There are numerous payoffs that make it well worthwhile, however, including the Bay Discovery Site, fantastic panoramic views of the San Andreas Lake as well as the South Bay, plenty of wilderness, Montara Mountain, the Farallon Islands and Pacifica. If you climb to the ridge you will find approximately 100,000 acres worth of wild lands including the Montara Mountain, Mori Ridge, the Crystal Springs Watershed and also San Pedro Ridge.

You can park along Sneath Lane where the road dead ends and the trailhead begins. At first, the trail does not seem to be much, and you may even want to turn back. The trail begins out being paved, easing the climb for bikers, but pavement is not what you're looking for when you come out here.

Once the trail begins to rise you will begin to see San Andreas Lake, which is a part of the San Andreas Watershed. As you continue to climb, parts of which will become relatively steep, you will find more beautiful sweeping views before the junction at the Sweeney Ridge Trail, which is where you are going to want to turn left toward the Bay Discovery Site. Some people simply stop here to enjoy the view of the bay while others keep going to follow a dirt service road that offers even more stunning views.

The ridge is pretty much completely level at the top, making this an outstanding spot to have a picnic. Bring your daypack along with food, snacks and water. During the summer this area is known for fog, and during the spring the area is known for wind, but during the rest of the year the weather is absolutely perfect, ideal for picnics and family gatherings alike.

Cost: Access is free, though parking may need to be paid for.
Dogs: Bringing pets along is free, but they need to be leashed.
Map: Visit the GGNRA website for a map.
Getting There: You should start on Interstate 280, taking it to San Bruno, and then you should take the exit designated for Sneath Lane. Take the exit, then drive west along Sneath Lane, across Skyline Blvd., until Sneath Lane dead ends at the trailhead.

Photo Credits: jenster181

Originally posted 2009-08-06 05:41:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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