Hikes in McNee Ranch State Park

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Bay Area Hikes

Hikes in McNee Ranch State Park

1 Jan 2012

McNee Ranch in Pacifica, CA, has rugged trails offering expansive valley views. There are plenty of wildflowers in spring. A popular destination is Montara Mountain. It is possible to form longer routes by combining trails from Gray Whale Cove Beach in the north and San Pedro Valley County Park in the east.

Best Months to Visit: Avoid summers because all trails are in the open. In spring, you'll see hundreds of wildflowers along various trails. Avoid months with strong and chilly Pacific winds.

Montara Mountain

Montara Mountain is a popular destination in McNee Ranch. All routes to Montara Mountain are steep and rugged, providing good cardiovascular workout.

7.3 miles
1700 ft

Montara Mountain from San Pedro Valley Park

The shortest possible route is from San Pedro Valley Park, along trails that offer good panoramic valley views.

8.2 miles
1700 ft

Montara Mountain from McNee Ranch

The most popular route to Montara Mountain is from the entrance for McNee Ranch along Highway 1. Trails are wide fire roads, steep and rugged, making this is a good workout.

10.2 miles
1700 ft

Montara Mountain from Gray Whale Cove Beach

The longest but the most scenic route to Montara Mountain starts at the Gray Whale Cove Beach parking lot on Highway 1. The Gray Whale Cove Trail meanders parallel to the Pacific coastline with great views of Pacific Ocean. The variety of wildflowers along this trail is the maximum that I have seen, among all bay area trails.

Other Loops

11.2 miles
2500 ft

Gray Whale Cove Beach to San Pedro Valley

Starting at Gray Whale Cove Beach, this route climbs up all the way to San Pedro Valley parking lots, without going to Montara Mountain.

20.6 miles
4400 ft

Grand Loop in McNee Ranch and San Pedro Valley

A long loop through all trails in McNee Ranch and San Pedro Valley County Park.

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