TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

These two parks lie on the east and west slopes of Montara Mountain, an 1833' peak overlooking Pacifica.  On the east side, San Pedro Valley County Park is shady and full of great singletrack.  To the west, McNee Ranch State Park features wide fire roads on grassy slopes with great ocean views.  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 the two 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.  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:

• For the official web site and (bad) trail map for San Pedro Valley County Park click here.
• To download a much better trail map for $1 from Virtualparks click here.  I highly recommend this map!
  
• For driving directions to the trailhead in San Pedro Valley County Park via Google Maps click here.
• To do the one-way-with-shuttle run, click here for directions to the pickup spot along Hwy 1.

Extras:

• There is no water available in the park, so bring your own!
  

This run is a great peak climb to the top of North Peak.  It can be done as an out-and-back from San Pedro Valley County Park, or a one-way-with-shuttle from San Pedro Valley to the ocean.  For directions to the pickup spot, check out The Dirt section above.  The run starts from the San Pedro Valley County Park main parking area.  To begin the run, start out up the well-marked Montara Mountain Trail. 

• 0.0 mi: Start climbing up the Montara Mountain Trail.  Stay on this trail all of the way up until it ends on the North Peak Access Road.
• 2.1 mi: Turn left on the North Peak Access Road and keep climbing!
• 3.0 mi: At the peak!  Enjoy the view and then head back down the North Peak Access Road.
• 3.9 mi: Back at the Montara Mountain Trail junction.  To complete the out-and-back route, turn right and head back to the car (6.0 miles total).  To continue on the one-way route, stay on the North Peak Access Road.
• 5.0 mi: Turn left onto Old San Pedro Mountain Road.
• 5.7 mi: Turn right to continue on Old San Pedro Mountain Road.
• 7.2 mi: Just past the residence, turn right and right again to head through the little farm towards Hwy 1.
  
• 7.5 mi: At the parking area along Hwy 1.  Get picked up, then head into Montara for a beer!