Completed: February 12, 2023 | Elevation: 1,314′ | Trail: Summit Loop Trail | Distance: 3.3 miles
We wanted to be home to watch the Super Bowl so we chose San Bruno Mountain in San Bruno Mountain State Park, a short 20-minute drive on 280 South. There were different routes that we could have taken to get to the summit, including driving, but we opted for the easiest one to hike, which was the Summit Loop Trail.
I had been to this park only one other time so it was nice to be back trying a different a trail. After paying the $6 entrance fee, we parked in the main lot, although there’s another parking area farther up on Radio Road that is next to the trailhead, and walked.
From the main trailhead, we turned right and walked past a small field of bright yellow wood sorrel, before reaching the start of the Summit Loop Trail. We chose to go counter-clockwise, which I had read provided a more gradual climb. The trail took us across Radio Road, through scrubland that followed the contour of a low hill on one side and a creek on the other.
We crossed a short bridge and started to climb up a ridge from where we caught our first glimpse of Daly City and the ocean beyond, covered by a dense marine layer.
As the trail climbed higher, our views expanded to include San Francisco and the East Bay horizon.
Further up, the radio towers dotting San Bruno Mountain came into focus. At this point we had been hiking about 45 minutes. We crossed an access road and continued on Summit Trail which became steeper and rockier. It eventually hit Radio Road again, which we followed up to the summit (you can also take the Ridge Trail to the summit instead), and were greeted with sweeping views against a cloudless blue sky.
From here we returned down on Radio Road and turned right to pick up Summit Trail, walking past the junction with the Ridge Trail. A little farther down, we passed the intersection with the Dairy Ravine Trail. We continued on the Summit Loop trail, which had a nice, easy descent, that also became more shaded. About 30 minutes later we were back at the trailhead parking lot.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.
Coda
This was a pleasant hike and perfect for the amount of time we had. There’s not a lot of shade so I’m glad we did this hike in late winter. I can imagine that it would be beautiful in the spring, when wildflowers would be more plentiful. Given how close this park is to San Francisco, I can see myself coming back.