Summit Loop Hike on San Bruno Mountain

Just south of San Francisco, San Bruno Mountain is an island of nature, with an extraordinary variety of plants. March, April, & May is the perfect time to see lots of wildflowers along the 3-mile Summit Loop Trail, which begins just south of the Guadalupe Canyon Parkway at the park entrance, and climbs about 750 feet to near the 1,314 foot summit of the mountain.

The weather can be tricky any time of year. Because it is within sight of the ocean, fog and wind are common. Fog accounts for about a third of precipitation, which is why wildflowers persist long after more inland parks have dried out in the Spring. Be sure to dress in layers to be prepared for changing conditions.

I lead my College of San Mateo class for a hike yesterday that consisted mainly of the Summit Loop Trail, plus a section of the Ridge Trail, which continues for miles along the ridge crest to the east. We experienced a mixture of sun and fog, with downtown San Francisco appearing and disappearing as the fog shifted. At times only the Salesforce Tower stuck out above the fog. On a clear day the views from the top of the mountain are spectacular. I caught a rubber boa along the trail on the way back.

Among the wildflowers we saw were star zygadine, blue violets, red rock cress, yellow Indian paintbrush, red Indian paintbrush,  phacelia, checker bloom, lomatium, Douglas iris, wallflower, seaside daisy, Oregon grape, hummingbird sage, blue blossom ceanothus, buttercups, red elderberry, and twin berry

. Because of the unique conditions, there are species of plants and butterflies found nowhere else.

TO GET THERE... coming from the south, take Highway 101 north, take the Bayshore Boulevard exit and continue north. Turn left onto Guadalupe Canyon Parkway to the park entrance on the right. There is a $6.00 entrance fee. Seniors over 65 are admitted free on weekdays.