The hikes are loop hikes unless otherwise noted.

Listed From North to South based off the trailhead location.

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•San Francisco (Not really hikes as I defined here, they require a high paved to trail ratio and a bit of creativity to stretch to 4 miles+):

• The Presidio 5.8 miles

• Lands End, Sutro Baths Ruins 3.8 miles

• Twin Peaks, Sutro Tower and  Forest Knoll 4.4 Miles

• John McLaren Park 4.25 miles

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• North Peninsula, hikes (San Francisco thru Highway 92):

• San Bruno Mountain Park 12.7 miles

• Sweeney Ridge (Unusual Loop) from San Bruno 8 miles

• Crystal Springs Bay Ridge Trail Guided Thru Hike 11 miles

• Connector Sawyer Camp to Woodside trail system (thru hike) 17 miles

• Pacifica to Montera Old Road O/B 10.6 miles

• Devil's Slide Montera Mountain 7 miles

• San Pedro to Montera Mountain North Peak 8 miles

• San Pedro Park 6 miles

• Montera Mountain Loop 6.6 miles

• Montera Mountain North Peak O/B 6 miles

• Sweeney Ridge & Pacifica 10.1 miles

• Rancho Corral De Tierra thru Moss Beach El Granada 11.5 miles

• Quarry Park El Granada 4.5 Miles

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• Central Peninsula, hikes (Highway 92 thru Highway 84):​

• Sugarloaf (repeat loop shown as 8 miles) 4 miles

• Water Dog 7.7 miles

• Water Dog thru Sugarloaf (AKA Kids loop) 6.7 miles

• Water Dog thru CSM CC area to Canada, return thru Sugarloaf (AKA Kidds loop +) 10.2 miles

• Water Dog (San Mateo area) to Monte Bello Backpack 21.5 miles

• Backpacking Water Dog to Waddell Beach 2 nights of camping 67 miles

• Connector Water Dog to Woodside Trail 9 miles

• CSM CC 4.3 miles

• Big Canyon Park, Eaton Park and loop thru Crestview Park 5.5 miles

• Pulgas Ridge 5.7 miles

• Pulgas Ridge 4 miles

• Edgewood Park 8 miles

• Edgewood Park from Cananda Road 5 miles

• Edgewood Park inner loop 4.7 miles

• Canada Road Trail 92 to Edgewood O/B 8 miles

• Connector Edgewood Park to Huddart Park O/B 12 miles

• Connector Canada Road to Bay Ridge Trail O/B 13.2 miles

• Purisima Creek 11 miles

• Purisima Upper loop 7.71 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail Thru Hike 14.1 miles

• Phleger Estate 9 miles

• Huddart Park via Skyline 8.4 miles

• Huddart Park 9 miles

• Huddard Park via Woodside Road 10.4 miles

• Huddart Park Archery Range entrance 3.5 miles

• Tunitas Creek 6.7 miles

• Teague Hill 6.5 miles

• El Corte de Madera Creek (aka Skeggs Point) 15 miles

• El Corte de Madera Creek "Favorite" (aka Skeggs Point) 11.6 miles

• WunderLich inner 6.5 miles

• Wunderlich Park 11 miles

• Wunderlich thru Huddart Park 20.5 miles

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• South Peninsula, hikes (Highway 84 thru Highway 9):

• Arastradero Preserve 4 miles

• Deer Creek Arastradero Rd (included because it is visible from highway 280 and people seem to ask about it) 2.5 miles

• FootHill Park via Arastradero Preserve 12.6 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail Thru Hike 24 miles

• Windy Hill 10 miles

• Windy Hill all single track 8.5 miles

• Windy Hill Dog Loop 6.7 Miles

• Coal Mine Trail via Alpine Beer Gardens 10 miles

• Coal Mine Trail 4.5 miles

• Hidden Villa Elephant Mountain 5.5 Miles

• Hidden Villa to Elephant Mountain Inner loops 5.13 miles

• Alpine Road (Coal Creek) 4.6 miles

• Connection Bay Ridge Trail to San Antonio Thru Hike 22.5 miles

• Rancho San Antonio 9.6 miles

• Rancho San Antonio County Park Inner loop 7 miles

• Foothill Park Via Los Trancos Open Space 17.5 Miles

• Foothill via Los Trancos Park 10 miles

• Los Trancos (included only because of above) 3 miles

• Monte Bello 6.2 miles

• Monte Bello Backpacking Trail Camp to Castle Rock Trail Camp 15 miles

• Russian Ridge 8.3 miles

• Russian Ridge Twin Lakes 4.8 miles

• Stevens Creek & Fremont Older 11 mile loop

• Picchetti Ranch Open Space 4 miles

• Sam McDonald thru Pescadero Creek Park 21 mile

• Sam McDonald 14.4 miles w/ Backpacking Trail Camps 14.4 miles

• Sam McDonald 12.8 miles

• Sam McDonald Backpacking Sierra Club's Hikers Hut 1 of 3 or O/B 5 miles

• Shaw Flat Backpacking 2 of 3 or O/B 7.8 miles

• Shaw Flat return Backpacking  3 of 3,   6.9 miles

• Memorial County Park thru Pescadero 17 miles

• Pescadero & Portola Redwood 9 miles

• Portola Redwoods short loop 5 miles

• Upper Stevens Creek Via Bay Ridge Trail Table Mountain 10.5 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Via Long Ridge (near Palo Alto border on Skyline) 5,500' total elevation thru Hike 26 miles

• Connector Portola Redwood State Park Pescadero Long Ridge 21 miles

• Portola Redwood Park Peter's Creek Old Growth Grove O/B 17.2 miles

• Portola Redwoods Backpacking Trail Camp O/B 10 miles

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• End of the Peninsula, hikes (237, Highway 9 thru Highway 17):

• Alviso Marina County Park 8.7 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Backpacking Thru Hike 26 miles

• Castle Rock back thru Gap 12.6 miles

• Castle Rock Backpacking to Waddell Beach 32 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Via Castle Rock State Park main entrance thru Hike 35 miles

• Butano Park 11 miles

• Connector Butano to Ridge trail O/B 16 miles

• Sanborn Park 9.5 miles

 

• Connector Sanborn Park thru El Sereno Open Space to Los Gatos/Saint Joseph's thru hike 10.5 miles

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• Not really on the Peninsula, but feels like they should be hikes (just south of 17):

• St Joesph's Hill, Los Gatos 6.3 Miles 

• Bay Ridge Trail to Lexington & Almaden Quicksilver thru hike 16 Miles

• Sierra Azul 10.75 miles

• Almaden Quicksilver Mcabee Creek entrance 17 miles

• Santa Teresa Park 9.4 miles

• Calero Creek 15.6 miles

• Calero Creek Inner  Dog Loop 10.5 miles

• Coyote Valley 4 miles

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• Thru hikes: (Hike best done with a shuttle or someone that can pick you up at the end)

• Bay Ridge Trail Crystal Springs Guided Thru Hike 11 miles

• Connector Sawyer Camp to Woodside trail system 17 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail Thru Hike 14.1 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail Thru Hike 24 mile

• Monte Bello Trail Camp to Castle Rock Trail Camp 14 miles

• Water Dog (San Mateo area) to Monte Bello Backpack 21.5 miles

• Backpacking Water Dog to Waddell 2 nights of camping 67 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Via Long Ridge (near Palo Alto border on Skyline) 5,500' total elevation thru Hike 26 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Via Saratoga Gap Thru Hike 26 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Via Castle Rock State Park main entrance thru Hike 35 miles

• Castle Rock to Waddell Beach Backpacking leg 3 of 3   32 miles

• Connector Sanborn Park thru El Sereno Open Space to Los Gatos/Saint Joseph's thru hike 10.5 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail to Lexington & Almaden Quicksilver thru hike 16 Miles

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• Connection hikes: 

(Hikes best used to connect various Trail systems, Parks and Open Spaces. You can use these to create hikes over 100 miles) 

• Connector Sawyer Camp to Woodside trail system (thru hike) 17 miles

• Connector Water Dog to Woodside Trail 9 miles

• Connector Water Dog (San Mateo area) to Monte Bello Backpack 21.5 miles

• Connector Edgewood Park to Huddart Park O/B 12 miles

• Connector Canada Road to Bay Ridge Trail O/B 13.2 miles

• Connects Wunderlich, Bear Gultch, Teagrue thru Huddart Park 20.5 miles

• Connection Bay Ridge Trail to San Antonio Thru Hike 22.5 miles

• Connector Portola Redwood State Park Pescadero Long Ridge 21 mile

• Connector Butano to Ridge trail O/B 16 miles

• Sam McDonald 14.4 miles connects to Butano Ridge loop 14.4 miles

• Wunderlich thru Huddart Park 20.5 miles

• Skyline to the Sea Backpack Trip Thru Hike 26 miles

• Connector Sanborn Park thru El Sereno Open Space to Los Gatos/Saint Joseph's thru hike 10.5 miles

• Bay Ridge Trail to Lexington & Almaden Quicksilver thru hike 16 Miles

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• Dog Friendly Hikes: Dog Friendly, dogs are ok on the entire hiking trail as shown. Many other areas allow dogs, but  not on the entire routes shown.

• The Presidio 5.8 miles

• Lands End, Sutro Baths Ruins 3.8 miles

• Twin Peaks, Sutro Tower and  Forest Knoll 4.4 Miles

• John McLaren Park 4.25 miles

• Pacifica to Montara Old Road O/B 10.6 miles

• Montara Mountain North Peak O/B 6 miles

• Montara Mountain Loop 6.6 miles

• Rancho Corral De Tierra thru Moss Beach El Granada 11.5 miles

• Quarry Park El Granada 4.5 Miles

• Sugarloaf (repeat loop shown as 8 miles) 4 miles

• Big Canyon Park, Eaton Park and loop thru Crestview Park 5.5 miles

• Pulgas Ridge 5.7 miles

• Pulgas Ridge 4 miles

• Coal Mine Trail via Alpine Beer Gardens 10 miles note: not 100% sure of every connection trail

• Windy Hill Dog Loop 6.7 MilesWindy Hill Dog Loop 6.7 Miles

• Deer Creek Arastradero Rd (included because it is visible from highway 280 and people seem to ask about it) 2.5 miles

• St Joesph's Hill, Los Gatos 6.3 Miles

• Santa Teresa Park 9.4 miles

• Calero Creek Inner  Dog Loop 10.5 miles

CLICK HERE FOR A LARGER LISTING OF DOG FRIENDLY AREAS

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• Backpacking and Hikes with Trail Camps on them: 

How many Backcountry Trail Camps are there?  There are 14 backcountry trail camps on the Peninsula in the Santa Cruz Mountain State Park Trail Camp System covered by this site, including the Sierra Club's Hikers Hut.  Black Mountain Backpacker Camp in in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Shaw Flat & Tarwater Trail Camps in Pescadero County park, Castle Rock Trail Camp & Waterman Gap Trail Camp in Castle Rock State Park, Slate Creek Trail Camp in Portola Redwoods State Park, Butano Trail Camp in Butano State Park, and Jay, Lane, Sunset, Twin Redwoods, and Alder Trail Camps in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Sanborn / Skyline Park walkin camping, plus the Sierra Club's Hikers Hut in Sam McDonald Park.

(Backpacking Trips by order of preference):

• Skyline to the Sea Via Saratoga Gap thru Hike 26 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Waterman Gap Trail Camp, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Skyline to the Sea Via Castle Rock State Park main entrance thru Hike 35 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Castle Rock, Waterman Gap Trail Camp, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Skyline to the Sea Via Long Ridge (near Palo Alto border on Skyline) 5,500' total elevation thru Hike 26 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate Camp Portola Redwoods, Lane Camp, Sunset Camp, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Backpacking Water Dog to Waddell 2 nights of camping 67 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello, Castle Rock Trail Camp, Waterman Gap Trail Camp,, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

  • Backpacking Water Dog (San Mateo area) to Monte Bello Backpack 1 of 3   21.5 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve

  • Backpacking Monte Bello Trail Camp to Castle Rock Trail Camp 2 of 3 15 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Originates from Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve to Castle Rock Trail Camp.

  • Backpacking Castle Rock to Waddell Beach leg 3 of 3  32 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Castle Rock, Waterman Gap Trail Camp, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Skyline to the Sea Via Long Ridge 3 Nights (near Palo Alto border on Skyline)  28 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate Camp Portola Redwoods, Lane Camp, Sunset Camp, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

  • Long Ridge to Slate Trail Camp 1 of 4   5 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate Camp Portola Redwoods

  • Slate Camp to Lane Camp on the Edge of Big Basin 2 of 4   8.5 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate camp to Lane Camp

  • Lane Camp to Sunset Camp 3 of 4   7 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Lane Camp to Sunset Camp

  • Sunset Camp to Waddell Beach 4 of 4   8 miles  

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Sunset Camp, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Skyline to the Sea Via Long Ridge 1 night camping option (near Palo Alto border on Skyline)  28 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate Camp Portola Redwoods, Lane Camp, Sunset Camp, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

  • Long Ridge to Lane Trail Camp 1 of 2   13.3 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Slate Camp Portola Redwoods, Lane Camp

  • Sunset Camp on Waddell Beach 2 of 2   14.5 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Lane Camp to Sunset Camp, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Backpacking Monte Bello to Waddell 1 night camping Option 47 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello, Castle Rock Trail Camp, Waterman Gap Trail Camp,, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder

  • Backpacking Monte Bello Trail Camp to Castle Rock Trail Camp 2 of 3 15 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Originates from Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve to Castle Rock Trail Camp.

  • Backpacking Castle Rock to Waddell Beach leg 3 of 3  32 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail: Castle Rock, Waterman Gap Trail Camp, Jay Camp next to Big Basin HQ, Alder Trail and Twin Redwoods Trail Camps near Waddell Beach.

• Backpacking Sam McDonald & Pescadero 2 nights Backpack Trail Camps 14 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut and Shaw Flat Trail Camp

  • Backpacking Sam McDonald Sierra Club's Hikers Hut leg 1 of 3    2.5 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut.

  • Backpacking Shaw Flat from Sierra Club's Hiker's Hut leg 2 of 3    3.9 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Shaw Flat Trail Camp.

  • Backpacking Shaw Flat return leg 3 of 3,  6.9 miles

    • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Originates from Shaw Flat Trail Camp.

• Portola Redwoods Backpacking Trail Camp O/B 10 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Slate Creek Trail Camp.

• Backpacking Sam McDonald Sierra Club's Hikers Hut leg O/B 5 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut.

• Backpacking Monte Bello Trail Camp to Castle Rock Trail Camp 15 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Originates from Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve to Castle Rock Trail Camp.

• Backpacking Water Dog (San Mateo area) to Monte Bello Backpack 21.5 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve

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Hikes with Backpacking possibilities by order of preference):

• Sam McDonald thru Pescadero Creek Park 21 mile

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut and Shaw Flat Trail Camp.

• Sam McDonald 14.4 miles w/ Backpacking Trail Camps 14.4 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut and Shaw Flat Trail Camp.

• Portola Redwood Park  Peter's Creek Old Growth Grove O/B 17.2 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Slate Creek Trail Camp.

• Sam McDonald (Sierra Club Hut) 12.8 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Sierra Club's Hikers Hut and Shaw Flat Trail Camp.

• Castle Rock back thru Gap 12.6 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Castle Rock Trail Camp.

• Connection Bay Ridge Trail to San Antonio Thru Hike 22.5 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve.

• Connector Portola Redwood State Park Pescadero Long Ridge 21 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Slate Creek Trail Camp.

• Memorial County Park thru Pescadero 17 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Access to Shaw Flat Trail Camp or Car Camping in Memorial Park.

• Butano Park 11 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Butano Trail Camp.

• Connector Butano to Ridge trail O/B 16 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Lane Trail Camp.

• Monte Bello 6.2 miles

  • Backpacking Camps on the trail:  Black Mountain Backpack Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve

• Sanborn Park 9.5 miles

  • Backpacking / walk in Camps are available. 

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The most Popular Running Paths on the Peninsula (Listed North to South - Ran these running paths, link are directly to GAIA Tracks):

Some of these were ran one way, shuttled back. For more distance you can run them out and back.

• San Francisco Fort Point thru Marina Green to the Giants' Ball Park 6.5 miles thru

  • All Paved, includes sidewalks and some street crossings. Super crowed with tourists and people who want to be seen - not my favorite.

•  Golden Gate Park circumnavigation loop 7 miles 

  • 30-40% is on trails the rest  is paved with street crossings.

• Lake Merced loop 4.5 miles 

  • Can be crowded, but a nice loop.

• Ocean Beach - Cliff House to Lake Merced 4 miles thru 

  • Can be very windy with sand blowing.

• Bay Trail Sierra Point Trail 7 miles thru.

  • Paved paths, can be really windy.

• Crystal Springs San Andreas segment 5.2 miles O/B

  • 10% is trail but slated to be paved. Very noisy next to highway 280.

• Blair Island 3 miles O/B.

  • This used to be a loop but now closed off and a gravel road out and back jut on the east side of US101.

•  Crystal Springs Sawyer Camp segment (Maybe the most popular, very nice but can be crowded) 12 miles O/B

  • All paved. Very nice scenery but can be very, very busy.

•  Canada Road 92 to Edgewood Road 7 miles O/B

  • All trail but along the edge of the road.

• The Dish Loop above Stanford loop 5.5 miles

  • All paved, but almost all either up or down hills. Very nice scenery but can be very busy - a favorite of local runners.

• Stanford Campus loop 6.5 miles

  • All paved, to many street crossings.

• Bay Trail Millbrae thru Redwood Shores 21 miles thru.

  • Mostly paved, along the SF bay.

• Bay Trail Menlo thru Alviso Park 20.5 miles thru.

  • Mostly paved, along the SF Bay. Connects the other South bay trails.

• Half Moon Bay Ocean Trail 16 miles thru. My favorite of the flat running paths!

  • Great views mixed trail and paved paths, with a few bits of street.

• Bedwell Bay Front Park  loop 4.3 miles.

  • Trail run.

• Palo Alto Adobe Creek Trail Running loop 5.1 miles

  • Paved paths and unpaved.

• Sunnyvale Water Control  Wetlands North loop 4.7 miles.

  • Actually not a bad running loop, 100% Trail, 100% Flat and Dogs OK

• Shoreline Mountain View loop 4.1 miles Very Flat

  • Actually not a bad running loop, paved, 100% Flat

• Stevens Creek Trail 4.8 miles thru

  • Paved paths,- follows roads.

• De Anza Trail 6.6 miles thru

  • Dirt, gravel nect to train tracks,- follows Highway 85 load.

• Santa Thomas Aquino Creek Trail 5.8 miles thru

  • Paved paths,- follows roads.

• Los Gatos Creek Trail 13.1 miles thru.

  • Paved paths, subject to flooding and trail closures in winter.

• Guadalupe Creek Trail 10.2 miles thru.

  • Paved paths, thru the bowels of San Jose, past the Airport to Alviso - not my favorite place.

• Alamitos Creek Trail Guadalupe Ponds 6 Miles thru.

  • Paved paths.

• Coyote Creek Trail 20 miles thru.

  • Paved paths, from Anderson Reservoir to San Jose.

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