Sleep Late and Hike

Escape the city chaos with a rare, nature-packed hike right through the heart of San Francisco that connects Golden Gate Park, Lands End, the Presidio, and Mountain Lake Park. You’ll spend most of your time trekking through lush parks or dodging waves at the beach—giving you plenty of space to pretend you’re a rugged wilderness explorer instead of a city slicker three blocks from a Starbucks. The absolute crown jewel of this trek is the parade of stunning, postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge from secret coastal lookouts, plus direct access to several beaches where you can empty half of the Pacific Coast’s sand out of your shoes.
Location: Ocean Beach (San Francisco): Great Hw/Fulton St
Distance: 11.3 mi - Loop
Elevation Gain: +984
Level: Easy plus / Moderate
Hiking Time: 4.5-5 hours
Parking: Free Parking near Ocean Beach
GPS: GoogleMaps (37.7713, -122.5113)
Trail Info: AllTrails
Car pool link: here
Dog Policy: Dogs are welcomed to join!
Release of Liability:
The organizer (me) of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/hike/or outing is responsible for their own safety.
By signing up for this event, or any other event organized by me, you are acknowledging that you are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity, freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer (me) of this hike from all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.
Sleep Late & Hike Meetup, its organizers, assistant organizers, event organizers are not responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur carpooling to and from this event, or for any injuries or accidents incurred before, during, and after this event. If you sign up or participate in an event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries and damages arising from, as a result of and associated with this event.

SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/

For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:

https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

Hiking Time: 6 hours

Distance: 12.1 miles

Elevation Gain: Approx. 2350 feet

Difficulty: Moderate Plus terrain and elevation.

Official Trail Use: Dogs not allowed.

Facilities: Restrooms at trailhead.

MROSD Hiking Permit: 53234

Permit limit is 49 people. Therefore, please be considerate and update your RSVPs at least 24 hours before the event start time, to give someone else a reasonable amount of time to make it. We will set the RSVP limit at 90 as we expect some not to make it.

RECOMMENDED PARK MAP:

https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/maps/map_MB.pdf

ALLTRAILS MAP:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/wine-black-mountain-via-monte-bello-osp-6dfe08e?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

MEETING PLACE:

Parking at trailhead. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trailhead.

As you drive in from Skyline Boulevard, you will see a round about. Go around it and come out on the left side where there is the big parking lot. Do not take the first right and end up at the small parking lot with no space.

MEET US IN THE BIG PARKING LOT ON THE LEFT.

NOT THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WITH THE RESTROOMS.

• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.

• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.

(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:

37°18'37.7"N 122°10'20.0"W

(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:

37.310474, -122.172210

The Waze App will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze also owned by Google, is recommended over the Google Maps app.

If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, copy and paste this URL into your phone's browser:

http://waze.to/?ll=37.310474,-122.172210&navigate=yes

Just click on it. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.

• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac

• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.

Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling. Please sign up here.

https://groupcarpool.com/t/n4cyg6

CARPOOLING MANNERS:

Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.

Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All". Thank you for understanding.

SUMMARY:

We will start from Skyline Ridge Open Space Reserve and cross the street into Monte Bello OSP to hike up to Black mountain and then to arrive at Ridge Vineyards by around 3 PM.

HIKING DIRECTIONS:

Skid Road Trail -> Stevens Creek Nature Trail -> Canyon Trail -> Indian Creek Trail -> Monte Bello Road Trail -> Monte Bello Road -> Ridge Vineyards
Ridge Vineyards -> Monte Bello Road -> Water Wheel Creek Trail-> Monte Bello Road Trail -> Indian Creek Trail -> Canyon Trail -> Stevens Creek Nature Trail -> Skid Road Trail

PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.

WAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:

https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

Level: Moderate

Total Distance: 6 miles round-trip for the standard hike. 8.8 miles for the OPTIONAL hike. The first 4.3 miles are the same for both hikes.
Hiking Time: 3 hours for standard hike. 4.5 hours for the optional hike.
Elevation Change: 1100 feet for standard hike. 1552 feet for the optional hike.
FACILITIES/ TRAILHEAD: Vault toilet
Official Trail Use: No dogs

GPS Coordinates for meeting place:

Degrees Decimal Format for Google Maps:

37.832902, -122.517099

Degrees/Minutes/Seconds format for most cars:

Latitude 37°49'58.5"N
Longitude 122°31'01.6"W

Nearest street address:

For people with older GPS units that do not accept GPS coordinates:

The intersection of Simmonds Rd and Bunker Rd

Getting there:

Please use the Google maps link at the top to plan your own route from your home. And, download the PDF map below onto your phone before you start, or print it out.

NOTE: If possible, use the GPS coordinates when driving as the nearest street address may be a couple of miles away on some of our trips in some GPS maps. The nearest street address is there for people with older GPS units that do not accept coordinates.

Meeting place:

Parking lot at the intersection of Simmonds Rd and Bunker Rd.

Parking:

There is one parking lot at the trail head. Additional parking at the Marin headlands Visitor's Center. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking and walk to the trail head.

Carpooling:

We will use this link for carpooling:

https://groupcarpool.com/t/db3s25

Please sign up here.

CARPOOLING MANNERS:

Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.

Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".

Thank you for understanding.

Recommended Map:

https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/rodeo-lagoon-valley

AllTrails Maps:

Standard 6 mile hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/marin-headlands-rodeo-beach-6-miles-9f62eeb?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

OPTIONAL 8.8 mile hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/marin-headlands-rodeo-beach-8-8-miles-cc40375?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

Summary:

This scenic loop circles Gerbode Valley, an area slated in the 1960s for urban development but later protected as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The hills surrounding Gerbode Valley, part of the Marin Headlands, are vibrant in the spring with wildflowers, and alive with birdsong and avian acrobatics most of the year, but especially during the fall raptor migration. Views of San Francisco, Marin, and the Pacific coast from the high points along this loop are superb.

In fall, the Marin Headlands is one of the best places on the West Coast to observe hawks and falcons in migration. These southward-bound raptors take advantage of rising air currents, called thermals, to gain elevation for their crossing of the Golden Gate.

Wildlife: In addition to the ever-present turkey vultures, you may see another large black bird, the common raven. These relatives of jays, crows, and magpies are able to make an astounding variety of sounds . And while Poe’s “Nevermore” may not truly be part of their vocabulary, other weirdly human sounds certainly are. Ravens are also great aerial acrobats, and seem to enjoy chasing each other in frenzied pursuit. Wild for Flowers In spring , especially after a wet winter, the hills are decorated with a dazzling display of California poppy, mule ears, paintbrush, Ithuriel’s spear, yarrow, blow wives, and blue-eyed grass. Nearly 50 species are listed in the pamphlet Frequently Seen Wildflowers of the Marin Headlands, available at the visitor center.

Hiking Directions:

Walk east for a short distance on Smith Trail -> left to stay on Smith Trail - > left onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> left for a short distance, then left again onto Bobcat Trail -> left onto Miwok Trail -> left at Miwok Trail Gerbode Valley Parking Lot -> Cross Bunker Road and turn left onto Lagoon Trail. CAUTION: WATCH FOR CAR TRAFFIC WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD. -> right onto Coastal Trail to Rodeo Beach -> right to cross over Rodeo Lagoon -> left and walk next to Mitchell Road. CAUTION: WATCH FOR CAR TRAFFIC. -> continue straight at the end of the road onto Coastal Trail -> left onto Tennessee Point Trail -> left at third junction onto Coastal Trail -> left at third junction to stay on Coastal Trail -> right at next junction to stay on Coastal Trail -> right through the next three junctions to stay on Coastal Trail -> continue straight at the 4-way junction onto Wolf Ridge Trail -> the second junction is Miwok Trail. THIS IS THE DECISION POINT FOR THE 6 OR 8.8 MILE HIKES.

CONTINUATION OF 6 MILE HIKE: Turn right at the decision point onto Miwok Trail -> left onto Bobcat Trail -> right at next junction, the right onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> two rights on Smith Trail to return to the start.

CONTINUATION OF 8.8 MILE HIKE:
Turn left at the decision point onto Miwok Trail -> continue on Miwok Trail through all intersections for 1.2 miles -> continue straight onto Bobcat Trail through all intersections for 2.6 miles -> left onto Rodeo Valley Trail -> two rights on Smith Trail to return to the start.

Some content from Weintraub, David (2004-09-29). Afoot and Afield: San Francisco Bay Area: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide (Kindle Locations 764-778). Wilderness Press. Kindle Edition.

SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.

Distance: 7.7 miles

Hiking Time: 4.5 hours

Elevation Gain: 2283 feet

Difficulty: Moderate Plus, due to elevation gain

Official Trail Use: Dogs not allowed

Facilities: Pit toilet at the trailhead. There is also a restroom a 5-minute walk away from the trailhead at the Juniper Campground. You can also drive there before arriving at the trailhead. Here is the Google Maps link to the restroom location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/R4WPhd4kAnc5H5538

Vehicle Park Entry Fee: $10

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME. THE GROUP IS TOO LARGE TO WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE PARK.

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

RECOMMENDED MAP:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/517/files/MountDiabloFinalWebLayout2018.pdf

ALLTRAILS MAP:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/mount-diablo-and-north-peak-7-7-miles-1486600?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

MEETING PLACE: Diablo Valley Overlook parking lot at trailhead.

• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.

• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.

(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:

37°52'35.8"N 121°55'51.9"W

(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:

37.876600,-121.931090
The Waze App will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze also owned by Google, is recommended over the Google Maps app.

If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, copy and paste this URL into your phone's browser:

http://waze.to/?ll=37.876600,-121.931090&navigate=yes

Just click on it. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.

• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac

• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.

Parking:

Parking at trailhead.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trailhead.

Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:

https://groupcarpool.com/t/my8v3s

Please sign up here.

CARPOOLING MANNERS:

Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.

Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".

Thank you for understanding.

SUMMARY:

We will hike from the Diablo Valley Overlook to Mount Diablo North Peak. On the return, we will hike to the Mount Diablo summit, then back to the overlook parking lot. You can expect exceptional views on this hike.

DIRECTIONS:

-> Starting at the Diablo Valley Overlook parking lot, go west through the Juniper Campground for 0.1 miles.
-> Turn left on the campground road for a short distance, then turn left at the first junction onto Juniper Trail for 1.0 miles.
-> Turn left onto Summit Trail for 0.1 miles.
-> Cross Summit Road straight onto Green Ranch Road for 0.1 miles.
-> Stay left onto Summit Trail for 1.0 miles.
-> Turn left onto North Peak Trail for 1.1 miles.
-> Continue straight onto North Peak Road at the intersection with Prospector's Gap Road to reach the North Peak Summit in 0.7 miles.
-> To return, hike down North Peak Road for 0.7 miles.
-> Continue straight at the 5-way junction onto North Peak Trail for 1.0 miles.
-> Turn right onto Summit Trail for 0.3 miles.
-> Turn right at an unnamed road and follow Summit Road for a short distance, then turn left onto Summit Trail for 0.2 miles to reach Mount Diablo summit.
-> Follow the previous step in the opposite direction.
-> Continue straight onto a road that passes by the Barbeque Area for 0.1 miles.
-> At the end of this road, continue straight onto Juniper Trail to return to the parking lot in 1.0 miles.

PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.