McNee Ranch State Park and San Pedro Valley County Park
McNee Ranch State Park and San Pedro Valley County Park lie on the east and west slopes of the prominent ridge that rises southward to Montara Mountain, the prominent 1,833' peak located east of Moss Beach and Half Moon Bay. San Pedro Valley County Park, located on the east side of the ridge, contains about 10 miles of great shaded singletrack. Adjoining to the west is McNee Ranch State Park, which features wide fire roads on grassy slopes that stretch westward all of the way to Highway 1. There are a few short loop runs within San Pedro Valley County Park, including the Hazelnut Trail Loop and the Waterfall (Brooks Creek Trail) Loop. However, by joining both parks you can create longer out-and-back or one-way-with-shuttle runs that take you all of the way to the North Peak of Montara Mountain and the Pacific Ocean.
The weather in the parks can vary from warm in the summer to downright cold and foggy or rainy in the winter, so dress appropriately!
The Dirt:
Extras:
The weather in the parks can vary from warm in the summer to downright cold and foggy or rainy in the winter, so dress appropriately!
The Dirt:
- Click here for a printable map of the Favorite Runs below!
- Click here for the official web site and trail map of San Pedro Valley County Park.
- Click here for driving directions to the trailhead in San Pedro Valley County Park via Google Maps .
- If you want to do the one-way-with-shuttle run, click here for directions to the pickup spot along Hwy 1.
- Dogs on leash are allowed on McNee Ranch State Park trails ONLY. Dogs are NOT allowed in San Pedro Valley County Park. For this reason, neither of the Favorite Runs below are dog friendly. :(
Extras:
- Drinking water is only available in the main parking area of San Pedro Valley Park, so bring your own on the trails!
Favorite Run #1: North Peak Climb (7.0 mi or 8.1 mi, ~1600 feet elevation gain)
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This route is a great climb to the summit of North Peak. It can be done as an out-and-back from the San Pedro Valley County Park trailhead, or as a one-way-with-shuttle from San Pedro Valley Park to the ocean. (Click here for directions to the pickup spot along Hwy 1.)
The run starts from the San Pedro Valley County Park main parking area. To begin the run, start heading up the well-marked Montara Mountain Trail. GPX Track (out-and-back route) Printable Trail Map Driving Directions |
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Route Details:
Montara Mountain Trail
- 0.0 mi: Start climbing up the well-marked Montara Mountain Trail, which starts near the bathrooms in the main parking lot.
- 1.3 mi: Intersection with Brooks Creek Trail. Keep climbing up the Montara Mountain Trail.
- 2.4 mi: Trail ends at North Peak Access Road. Turn left on North Peak Access Road and keep climbing to the summit.
- 3.5 mi: At the peak. You'll know you are at the peak when you reach the radio towers and a gate across the trail. Enjoy the view, then turn around and start descending.
- 4.6 mi: Back at the Montara Mountain Trail junction. If you are doing the one-way-with-shuttle option, continue straight on the North Peak Access Road until it hits Pedro Mountain Road, then follow Pedro Mountain Road all of the way down to Hwy 1 and the beach (8.1 miles total). Otherwise, turn right on Montara Mountain Trail.
- 5.7 mi: Intersection with Brooks Creek Trail. Veer left to continue on Montara Mountain Trail.
- 7.0 mi: Back at your car!
Favorite Run #2: Montara Madness (14.3 mi, ~2900 feet elevation gain)
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This run is a challenging and technical grand tour of the Montara Mountain area. It includes the climb up to North Peak, a crazy singletrack descent toward the coast, and another long but gradual climb back to San Pedro Valley Park. The highlight of this run is the super-technical unnamed singletrack descent, popular with crazy mountain bikers.
To begin the run, start heading up the well-marked Montara Mountain Trail. CAUTION: This route includes a very steep and rocky descent from North Peak. Do not do this run unless you are confident with very technical, loose trails! GPX Track Printable Trail Map Driving Directions |
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Route Details:
Steep, technical descent from Montara Mountain
- 0.0 mi: Start climbing up the well-marked Montara Mountain Trail. The trail starts near the bathrooms in the main parking lot.
- 1.3 mi: Intersection with Brooks Creek Trail. Keep climbing up the Montara Mountain Trail.
- 2.4 mi: Trail ends at North Peak Access Road. Turn left on North Peak Access Road and keep climbing to the summit.
- 3.5 mi: At the peak. You'll know you are at the peak when you reach the radio towers and a gate across the trail. Enjoy the view, then turn around and start descending. Keep an eye out on your left for a singletrack trail near the rusted out old car.
- 3.9 mi: You will see a rusted out old car and a small peak to your left. Follow the rocky singletrack up and over the small peak. Just after the peak the trail will turn to the right and start descending STEEPLY. You will follow this singletrack downhill for the next 1.5 miles. Watch your footing carefully!
- 5.4 mi: The singletrack trail comes out onto a dirt road (Alta Vista Road). Follow this road down until it dead ends.
- 5.8 mi: Alta Vista Road ends. Turn right and continue onto Drake Street.
- 6.0 mi: Drake Street hits Cedar Street. Turn left then immediately right to stay on Drake Street, which will then veer right onto Pedro Mountain Road. Continue onto Pedro Mountain Road.
- 7.0 mi: At the small farm, turn left then immediately right to stay on Pedro Mountain Road. You will now start gradually climbing. You will pass a few trail junctions, but always stay on the main trail (Pedro Mountain Road).
- 9.2 mi: Intersection with North Peak Access Road. Veer left to continue on Pedro Mountain Road. You will climb for another 0.7 miles, and then start descending. After the high point, the trail is mostly paved. Follow Pedro Mountain Road all of the way down until it comes out onto Higgins Way.
- 12.5 mi: Trail ends on Higgins Way. Continue down Higgins Way.
- 12.7 mi: Turn right onto Adobe Drive.
- 12.9 mi: Turn right onto Rosita Road. You will follow this road all of the way back to San Pedro Valley County Park.
- 14.1 mi: Turn right into San Pedro Valley County Park, and head up the driveway and back to your car.
- 14.3 mi: Back at your car!