Urban & Bay Hikers (Hiking)

Our hope is to see Whales:> Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000-mile journey between Alaska and Mexico—and then back again. Montara State Beach/McNee Ranch is part of the San Mateo Coast State beaches. It is operated by the California State Department of Parks and Recreation under the San Mateo Coast Sector Office. The 690-acre McNee Ranch (Montara Mountain) encompasses coastal mountain habitat with sweeping coastal vistas. The ranch’s two-mile Pedro Mountain Trail connects to trails leading to Montara Beach and Gray Whale Cove. Montara State Beach. Bring food for a nice long break at Grey Whale beach or on top of the mountain. Grey Whales bringing their young northward stay the closest to the shore... Grey whales normally swim in a cycle of three to five blows, 30 seconds apart, followed by a three to six-minute dive. They often show their tail flukes just before they dive. If they're swimming just below the surface and you're high enough to see the water's surface, they may leave a "trail" of circular calm spots on the face as they pass, making them easier to track.

Level: Intermediate Plus (Very Steep hill)
Total Distance: 7.1 miles Semi loop
Hiking Time: 3 - 3.5 hours (Relaxing looking for whales)
Elevation: 450 feet (very steep)
Information: Free Parking Farallone View Elementary School and on the street surrounding, Restrooms at Grey Whale Cove Parking Lot, no water, Dogs on leash

**Map:**https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/532/files/SanMateoCoastBeachesParksWeb2016.pdf

Meeting Point / Trailhead: Farallone View Elementary School Parking Lot, 1100 Le Conte Ave, Montara, 94037

GPS: GPS: Latitude: N 37.54325 Longitude: W -122.508137
Coordinates for Trailhead: Farallone View Elementary Parking Lot

Directions:
From Highway 1 south Montara, take Left on Second Street, Left on 3rd street, and Left on Le Conte Ave, Elementary School Parking Lot, on the Left.

Hiking Directions:
Starting Point, Left from parking Lot on Le Conte Ave, then Left on Le Conte Trail, stay left at fork and continue on Le Conte Trail, at T junction short Right on Farallone Trail, the immediate Left on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Past through Sun Valley Equestrian, over bridge, Left at North Peak access Road, then take 2nd Right on Grey Whale Cove Trail, (Group Photo at Whale Lookout), then continue Left on Grey Whale Cove Trail to the parking lot (restrooms available), then safely cross the street and down the steps to Grey Whale Cove State Beach (optinal), Long break, then return up the steps across the street and up Grey Whale Cove Trail, up the steep mountain stop at plateau, then continue to junction, Right downhill on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Left Grey Whale Cove Trail, Left North Peak access Road, Right over bridge, on Pedro Mountain Road Trail, Right Farallone Trail, the immediate Right on Le Conte Trail, then on Le Conte Ave and back to starting Point.

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)carpooling: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/08bo7k

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.

Thank you .......

Near the Presidio Golden Gate National Recreation Area, we are going up several sets of historic and scenic staircases. along the edge of the Presidio past the lovely and majestic palace of fine arts, we head up the steep and busy Lyon staircase to panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. We wonder through mansions of Pacific Heights and move to Alamo Square Park and “ The Painted Ladies” or the “Seven Sisters", a row of colorful Victorian houses located at 710–720 Steiner Street. These Queen Anne-style homes built in the19th-century are one of the most well-recognized examples of California Victorian architecture, then down to Japantown and The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival features traditional Japanese music, martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremonies, and a Cherry Blossom Queen Program that’s been running for five decades. Cultural exhibitions include origami displays, bonsai presentations, and calligraphy demonstrations.

Level: Intermediate Plus
Total Distance: 8.5+ miles
Hiking Time: 4 - 4.5+ hours
Elevation Change: 322 stairs Lyon Street, 200 sand stairs Baker beach
Parking fee: Free Parking lot, leashed Dogs allowed, standard restroom and water.

GPS: Latitude: N37.805715° Longitude: W 122.44912°

Map: https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/pressreleases/2015/Muni%20Map%202015.pdf

Trailhead / Meeting Point: Starting point, next to the beach near St Francis Yacht Club Parking Lot 99 Yacht Road, San Francisco, 94123, Parking on both sides of the building.

Hiking Directions: Starting point, beach near St Francis Yacht Club Parking Lot 99 Yacht Road,, then back and cross the street and walk past the Palace of fine arts, then cross Lombard, Up Lyon street and continue on the steep staircase to the top Broadway street view, Left on Broadway, Right at Scott Street Alta Plaza, then continue on Scott and enter Alamo Square Park view the Painted Ladies and city views, (Group photo and break) Left on Steiner, check out part of Filmore street, then Right on Post street and enter Japantown and Cherry Blossom Festival, so at this point everyone will proceed on their own and if they want to meet at Fillmore and Post at specific time or not that if fine...

Driving Directions:
From Highway 101 north head into San Francisco, stay left on North 101 towards Golden gate bridge, Turn Right onto Market Street, then Left onto Franklin Street, Left onto Lombard St, then Right onto Broderick Street, Left onto Marina Blvd with a slight right onto Old Mason Street Left into the Little Marina green and Yacht Club road, Parking on both sides of Yacht club.

Carpooling Link: (Sign-up here)
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/huz8p7

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.

Thank you .......

In The Golden Gate National Parks, is Mori Point 110 acre reserve with the 32-acre wetland park, red-legged frog ponds, and a revived habitat for the San Francisco garter snake, once North America’s most endangered reptile. You will go through Hillsides with gnarled trees, fields of scrub, cliffs, dark sand beach, ocean views way up the coast, rocks, waves, and wildlife. And in the springtime you behold beautiful wildflower are in their peak, windy on the bluffs so dress accordingly. Stroll down to Laguna Salada and listen for the croaking of the red-legged frog. During WWII, workers used a pulley system of long cables attached to cement anchors to pull buckets of sand ashore. Several of these crumbling blocks remain on the western hillside. do a spot of whale watching or simply enjoy the waves of the Pacific Coast washing up onto the shores.

Level: Intermediate (several steep Hills)
Total Distance: 5.8 miles Semi-loop
Hiking Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Elevation: 450 feet, total 900 feet
Parking: Free Parking
Information: Public Restrooms near Trailhead parking lot, but lots of Cafes and restaurants near the parking area, Restroom and Cafe at midway point, Dogs allowed on-leash on all trails

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead:
Latitude: 37. 611265 | Longitude: -122. 496926

Meeting Point / Trailhead: Pacifica Beach View Park 651 San Marlo Way Pacifica, CA 94044, I will parked near the trailhead.

Map: http://www.parksconservancy.org/assets/visit-your-parks/pdfs/mori-point-trail-map.pdf

Hike Route: Starting point; Along the beach trail at Rockway Beach Parking Lot, take the beach trail cross over a stream and climb up to the coastal bluffs, then go along the ridge and through a small canyon to a bluff, then take the high ridge trail all the way to Mori Point, (short Break and group photo) then, down old Mori point trail, then Left out on the beach Promenade straight to the end, Pacifica Pier (Lunch Break cafe & restrooms) then return back on the Promenade and Right up Old Mori point trail, then Right high Lower trail back to the bluff, then down through a small canyon return and head down Left stay on the trail left close to the Hill, then Right on the bike path and return to Rockway Beach Parking Lot...

Directions: From hwy 1, Right into Pacifica Pier, parallel to Santa Rosa Avenue, Pacifica

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/cxa50v

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.
Thank you .......

In the East Bay Regional Park District's. Coyote Hills Regional Park is comprised of 1,266 acres of marshland and rolling grassland covered hills, located along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, northwest of the cities of Fremont and Newark. This hike will allow you to explore the through the Marsh Enjoying the variety of water fowl and other creatures, then we will enjoy a nice climb to the peak and enjoy spectacular views of the bay and the peninsula.

Hike Route: Starting point, Coyote Hill Staging Area, up Tuiburn Trail, cross over to the other side of the road and climb Muskrat Trail and take Muskrat Trail straight down then up Glider Hill Trail (Group photo) Right on Red hill Trail (Break at the top) Continue on Red Hill Trail, Right on Alameda Creek Trail, at the end Right down and Right on Willow Trail, Left on Oak Trail, Right on Tuiburn Trail and Back to Starting point Coyote Hill Staging Area.

Level: Moderate
Total Distance: 6.4 Miles loop
Hiking Time: 2 1/2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 500 - 700 feet
Parking fee: Fee Parking Lot
Official Trail Use: fee for Leashed Dogs allowed, Restrooms and water available.

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead:
Latitude: 37°33'05.9"N Longitude: W -122°05'08.0"W

Meeting Point: Coyote Hills Staging Area, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont, CA 94555

Map: https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/CoyoteHills-2025-06.pdf

Directions: The Park's main entrance is at the west end of Patterson Ranch Road/Commerce Drive in Fremont. From I-880, take Highway 84 west, exit at Paseo Padre Parkway, turn right, and drive north about one mile. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Road. This is the park's entrance road, short distince on the Right hand side is Coyote Hills Staging Area.

Carpooling Link: (Sign up here)
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/r863u0

Carpooling Procedures:
No carpool discussion in the comments, join the carpool link and contact the driver or rider directly.
Thank you .......