Happy Trails: Looking at the best hiking spots in Pacifica

Happy Trails:

Looking at the best hiking spots in Pacifica

Even in the midst of a pandemic, hiking a mountain is still a great way to get exercise, breathe the fresh air, and most importantly, have fun!

Enrique Liganor/The Skyline View

By Zack Navarra

Staff Contributor @Mr_CL34N

It’s time to go outside! That doesn’t just mean a few steps past your door, it’s time to really go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s time to go hiking, and no, I am not forcing you to climb Mount Everest. All I am asking is that we start looking towards our local trails, something any ammature can do. Besides the fact that it is simply a fun time, it’s good for you too. “Hiking is one of the best ways to get exercise. No matter what type of trail you find yourself on, hiking is a great whole-body workout—from head to toe and everything in between,” the National Parks service (NPS) states. “Check out all of these physical benefits of hiking: building stronger muscles and bones, improving your sense of balance, improving your heart health and decreasing the risk of certain respiratory problems.” A simple but effective way to wake your body up after a year of hibernation. The health benefits go beyond the physical and reach into the mental. An article titled “Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature” by Rob Jordan covered a Stanford study which found that being in nature reduces the likelihood of depression. The study found that walking through nature for 90 minutes minimized activity in regions of the brain known for causing depression. There is also a belief that hiking can improve the relations you hold with other people. “Hiking with a partner, or even in a group, can improve the strength and health of your relationships,” NPS stated. “Because hiking ranges in difficulty from an extremely challenging climb to a casual way of spending time outside, it’s a great way to strengthen the friendships or bonds you have with your companions.” From improving your mind to building your muscles, hiking is something we can implement into our lives. It’s time to take to our

local trails and enjoy our environments. If you have no clue where to start, below I will give my best recommendations for hiking spots in Pacifica Ca. Even if Pacifica trails are unavailable, don’t be afraid to google and research the trails near you!

The Best View

In short, Montara Mountain. From the mountain’s middle peak you can see south down the Santa Cruz mountain range, north up until the San Bruno Mountain, west as far as the eye can see and east as far as the eye can see. The eight-mile hike takes around four hours to complete round trip, but most of that will be spent hiking up the mountain. There are multiple ways to reach the top, but the best route is through the Montara Mountain hiking trail that begins in San Pedro Valley Park. The hike can be sectioned off into three main parts: the initial rise through San Pedro Valley Park, the stretch of Montara Mountain trail past San Pedro Valley Park but before the access road and the final stretch following the access road to the peak. The first stretch is part of the Brooks Creek trail loop that takes you up through the park. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the loop is one way, starting with the Montara Mountain trail. This section is full of beautiful flora that covers the valley. There are two designated viewing points in this 45 minute section showcasing Linda Mar and Park Pacifica. The second stretch continues the Montara Mountain trail past the loop and past the park itself. The steepest section of the trail features breathtaking views of San Pedro Park’s valleys and trails. This section is filled with switchbacks that carve your way up the mountain. There is only one viewing point during this hour long section. The wind at this point provides great relief on a hot sunny day. The third and final stretch starts when the Montara Mountain trail reaches the main access road. The road features some steep inclines but is mostly the easiest part of the hike. There isn’t much to see directly around the trail during this 45 minute section, but the views are spectacular. With each step more of the San Francisco Bay reveals itself. The viewing point at the middle peak has no benches or tables but showcases a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. The view is admittedly not as beautiful as the North Peak, but it is now the best the mountain has to offer. The hike down is considerably faster than the hike up. Without stopping to rest, which is surprisingly easy, you will find yourself back at the main toll-parking lot within an hour. Simply put, Sweeney Ridge. More specifically the hike to the San Francisco Bay “Discovery” Site. Those willing to wake up early will be blessed with the sight of the sun rising across the bay. Starting from Fassler Ave. in Pacifica Ca, the hike takes around two hours round trip but will vary depending on how long you stay at the “discovery” site. The trail covers about 2 miles round trip. The above information describes the Baquiano Trail which is only one of many access trails to Sweeney Ridge. Skyline College has its own access point that can be found at Parking Lot #2. This hike is best when started around 5am, which means you will need a flashlight to see in the beginning. It would also be smart to wear layers for this hike. Hiking in the early hours of the morning has its own special charm. When you reach the “discovery” point make sure to read the plaques that depict the Portolá expedition and the Native American tribes that have lived on these lands for centuries. If you are coming from Skyline, you will come across an old Nike Missile site. It is now just the concrete bones of an era long gone. Plaques on the site will give more information, but the graffiti that covers the site often provides entertainment. After the sunrise, the hike back to Fassler Ave. provides a new perspective to Pacifica’s varius valleys. The morning sun shining over Linda Mar beach is something everyone should get the chance to see.

The Best Sunset

Two words: Mori Point. The trail complex west of highway one gives a perfect view of the sun sinking into the Pacific Ocean. With relative ease you can find yourself resting at almost any point on the western half of the site during golden hour. Mori Point has many trails with varying lengths of time, the shortest and also steepest trail takes less than an hour to get to one of the main viewing sites. There are other trails that have a mild incline but can take one-two hours. The trails start near Rockaway Beach and wind up, around and throughout the park. The trails do not have the best views, but do provide a simple and peaceful hike that is accessible to nearly everyone.