San Pedro Valley County Park, Pacifica

Certainly one of the best trails in the park, the Hazelnut Trail is named for the California Hazelnut which can be found throughout the park.

Beginning at the parking lot, we recommend either choosing the 4.6 mile Hazelnut Trail Loop beginning on Weiler Ranch Trail, or combining with the Valley View trail for a total of 5.8 miles.

On a clockwise loop the trail winds around the hillside before switch-backing to the top for a total elevation gain of 800ft. After following the ridgeline between the Middle and South Forks of San Pedro Creek, the trail descends under cover of a dense Eucalyptus forest before terminating at the short Plaskon nature trail.

A short, sheltered and self-guided nature trail located behind the visitor center.

A 2.3 mile loop trail up Brooks Creek Trail, past Brooks falls and returning along Montara Mountain Trail is a great way to experience the park.

Pick up the Brooks Creek trailhead located near the restrooms and follow it uphill through a forest of eucalyptus. At a fork in the trail, take the uphill direction and you'll soon be clear of the forest and surrounded by scrub and manzanita with views of the surrounding hills and sound of water in Brooks Creek below.

Out of season you won't even notice that its there, but in winter and spring a constant stream of water at Brooks Falls cascades 175ft down the hillside in three individual tiers.

Pick up the Valley View trail at the 4-way intersection with Weiler Ranch Trail and head for the Southern facing slope of the Middle Fork valley, passing through a couple of switchbacks in eucalyptus forest before breaking out onto open hillside and coastal scrub. The trail zig-zags its way 400ft back down the hill before rejoining Weiler Ranch Trail.

Beginning at the parking lot, the Valley View Trail loop is 2.4 miles. Alternatively you could combine this with the Hazelnut Trail for a 5.8 mile hike.

Arguably the best trail in the park, the Montara Mountain Trail begins by the park entrance at an elevation of 200ft and leads to the 1,898ft summit of Montara Mountain's North Peak.

Passing through eucalyptus forest, the trail continues past the junction with Brooks Creek Trail and rises high into the hills revealing increasingly impressive views of the surrounding area and the coastline of Pacifica.

The park's Montara Mountain Trail terminates just over a mile from the summit of Montara Mountain's North Peak. Heading onto a trail uncharted by this guide, take a left turn onto the wide partly-paved road and continue 1.1 miles to the summit.

The Weiler Ranch Trail cuts a level route straight through the park, beginning at Oddstad Blvd at the park boundary and passing through areas of flat grassland parallel to the creek.

Use Weiler Ranch to access both Hazlenut and Valley View trails, or take advantage of a great paved running trail which features mile-markers throughout.

Short wide path which connects with Brooks Creek trail. This path got its name from the trout farm which used to be based in this valley, and you can still identify the outline of the now-infilled tanks to your right as you walk past.

The Montara Mountain Trail ends at the boundary of San Pedro Valley County Park, but the road to the summit of North Peak continues for another 1.1 miles. Bear left here and head up the wide partly-paved road to the summit.

If you're taking the 2.3 mile loop trail of Brooks Creek, turn right here and return along the Montara Mountain Trail. Not before taking breather at the bench and admiring the view however.